Growing Local Solar

Join us for this workshop exploring how state and local policies and programs can attract new solar projects and green jobs. This workshop is open to all but geared towards local governmental officials and staff.

Registration: https://theoec.salsalabs.org/growinglocalsolar/index.html

Registration Cost: $25

AGENDA:

9:30 a.m. Registration Opens

10:00 a.m. Welcome & Setting the Stage for the Day

• Welcome – Jeremy King, Director of Sustainability & Campus Improvement, Denison University
• Overview of Ohio’s Development Environment for Solar Energy – Trish Demeter, VP of Energy Policy, Ohio Environmental Council

10:25 a.m. – Panel: Siting of Solar Projects

• • Interconnecting Solar Projects to the Local Electric Grid – Mark Gundelfinger, Manager of Alternative Energy Services, AEP-Ohio

• Addressing Possible Building Code and Zoning Barriers to Solar Development –  Sarah Conley-Ballew, Executive Director, Upgrade Ohio

11:05 a.m. – Panel: Proactive Tax Structures & Financing to Enable Solar Projects

• Using Energy Special Improvement Districts (eSIDs) and Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing to Encourage Commercial Solar Projects – Caleb Bell, Public Finance Attorney, Bricker & Eckler, Public Finance Attorney, Bricker & Eckler.

• Establishing Alternative Energy Zones and Alternative Tax Structures for Utility-Scale Solar Projects – Ali Mock, Government Affairs Director, Government Edge

11:45 – LUNCH

12:10 p.m. – Panel: Local Programs and Initiatives to Grow Solar Opportunities

• Community Choice Aggregation as a Tool to Build Solar Projects –Eddie Smith, Executive Director, Southeast Ohio Public Energy Council (SOPEC)

• Establishing and Encouraging Neighborhood-Based Solar Co-operatives –  Luke Sulfridge, Ohio Program Director, Solar United Neighbors

12:50 p.m. – Panel: Best Practices for Community and Stakeholder Engagement

• Addressing Issues and Concerns about Property Values, Aesthetics in Historical Districts and Homeowners’ Associations – Geoff Greenfield, Founder & Board Chairman, New Resource Solutions
• Best Practices for Engaging Community Members – Jane Harf, Executive Director, Green Energy Ohio

1:30 p.m. Local Case Study Plenary: The Story of Denison University’s Solar Array

• Jeremy King, Director of Sustainability & Campus Improvement, Denison University
• Michelle Lerner, Granville City Council Member
• Steve Pyles, Granville Village Manager
• Moderator: Geoff Greenfield, Founder & Board Chairman, New Resource Solutions

2:10 p.m. – Guided Tour Denison Solar Array

3:00 p.m. – Workshop Concludes