COMMUNITY SOLAR

A mini-series in collaboration with EDP Renewables

SunCast Media has partnered with EDP Renewables to produce a special 5-part series focused on the fundamentals of the fastest growing segment of the solar industry - Community Solar. If you’re a participant in the solar industry, or even if you’re considering where & how to make the plunge into solar, or more specifically, Community Solar, then you’ve no doubt contemplated “What is Community Solar & does it make sense for me?” The Community Solar vertical is complex, but in this series, Host Nico Johnson helps break down the fundamental knowledge you need to know in order to determine whether Community Solar makes sense for your business or career.

With the help of industry experts, we unpack the policies, development fundamentals, specific target markets, customer acquisition and the revenue stack that makes it all work. Community Solar promises to offer equitable and inclusive renewable energy access to a much broader population than solar has been able to reach previously. But how? And, does it meet that objective? In this series, you’ll hear from market participants who provide specific insights, examples and tactics that will immediately help you determine how, where, when, and why Community Solar factors into your solar growth plan.

 

Consider This your “COMMUNITY SOLAR 101”

In this 5-part series, we will answer:

  • How does Community Solar work, and what are the Policy frameworks that support it’s expansion?

  • Is the development of Community Solar that much different from other solar verticals (C&I, Utility)?

  • How does this segment of the industry enable a more just & equitable solar offering?

  • Who are the customers and how are they acquired for Community Solar as compared with other verticals?

  • And, How does the money flow into, through and out of these projects for the various stakeholders?

Thanks to EDP Renewables for sponsoring the Community Solar Series!

 
 
 

Meet The Experts

 

Jeff Cramer - CCSA

Jeff Cramer serves as Executive Director for the Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA), a national trade association representing innovative businesses and non-profits working to expand customer choice and access to solar for all American households and businesses through community solar. Prior to co-founding CCSA in 2015, Jeff was a co-founder and partner at 38 North Solutions, a Washington DC-based consultancy specializing in clean-energy public policy, business strategy, and campaign development and management.

 

David Sandbank - NYSERDA

Renewable energy expert with proven success in launching companies from the ground up, building and managing teams, and bringing products to market in the private and public sectors. Well versed in all facets of the renewable industry lifecycle and experienced at navigating through regulatory & political complexities. Able to both conceptualize, as well as implement a strategic vision. Effective at gaining trust from decision makers and executing a vision with significant results.

 

David Kane - EDP Renewables

A renewable energy developer skilled in originating, developing and financing distributed generation projects in the Northeastern US, David’s expertise extends to all of the major solar markets including MA, NY, and NJ.  David brings a swiss-army-knife of skills to the development process which includes lead generation, fatal flaw analyses, financial modeling, managing interconnection and permitting, project finance, securing offtake agreements, running a competitive disposition process, and asset management. His insights into the development needs specific to community solar are timely and helpful in setting the stage for how community solar is differentiated from other verticals. David helps us frame the development requirements and hurdles that are specific to this segment of the market.

 

Nicole Steele - Department of Energy

Nicole is a nationally recognized leader in clean energy with a specific focus on frontline communities and workforce development. She has nearly 20 years of experience working with policymakers at the federal, state, and local levels to develop and implement inclusive clean energy policies and programs.

 

Kate Henningsen - Arcadia Power

Kate Henningsen is Co-Founder & COO at Arcadia. Prior to joining Arcadia Power as its sixth employee, Kate spent several years as a litigator at an international law firm, providing counsel to businesses on a wide variety of high-stakes issues. She is an honors graduate of Georgetown University and Georgetown University Law Center, and holds a Master’s degree from Oxford University. A sixth-generation Wisconsinite, she lives on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. with her husband and two daughters.

 

Sy Kim - Finance & Development Expert

Sy has more than 13 years of renewable energy origination and development experience. This expertise is utilized by the commercial clients he advises on behind-the-meter (BTM) and community solar opportunities nationwide. Prior to starting his own renewable energy consulting practice, Sy managed origination and development at NRG Renew/Clearway and SunPower. He received a B.S. degree in Management Science from UC San Diego, and an MBA from UCLA.

Energy leader committed to driving results throughout the value chain, from Market Development and Strategy to Project Development and Originations. Thrives while spearheading multi-stakeholder BTM, Community and Utility transactions.