Gateway to Solar 2022 Agenda

Day 1 - October 17th

7:30 - 8:00 AM

Registration & Breakfast

8:10 - 8:30 AM

Welcome From Board President & MnSEIA Executive Director's Report

Presenter(s):

Griffin Dooling, Blue Horizon Energy and Board President of MnSEIA

Logan O'Grady, MnSEIA

Location:

Northstar Ballroom

Time:

Oct. 17th, 8:10 - 8:30 AM

8:30 - 9:30 AM

Clean, Green, Fighting Machine: The Future of Solar + Storage Post-Inflation Reduction Act

Presenter(s):

Abigail Ross Hopper, SEIA

Location:

Northstar Ballroom

Time:

Oct. 17th, 8:30 - 9:30 AM

9:30 - 10:00 AM

Networking Break

10:00 - 11:00 AM

The Future of Minnesota Solar: A Multi-Agency Roundtable

Presenter(s):

Moderator: Frank Jossi, Midwest Energy News

Kevin Lee, MN Department of Commerce

Kevin McKinnon, MN Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)

Sean O'Neil, MN Department of Labor & Industry

Katie Sieben, MN Public Utilities Commission

Location:

Greenway Room I

Time:

Oct. 17th, 10:00 - 11:00 AM

Sheep, Bees & Pollinators: Oh My! Agrivoltaic Solutions in Minnesota

Presenter(s):

Moderator: Dan Tix, MNL

Cory Engle, Prairie Restorations

Tyler Fehrman, MN Farmers Union

Arlo Hark, Cannon Valley Graziers

Colleen Hollinger, Natural Resource Services

Mike Zastoupil, MN Department of Agriculture

Location:

Greenway Room II

Time:

Oct. 17th, 10:00 - 11:00 AM

Big Batteries: Progress in Utility Scale and Long Duration Storage

Presenter(s):

Moderator: Ingrid Bjorklund, Bjorklund Law

Matt Ciardiello, TerraStor Energy Corporation

Gary Dorris, Ascend Analytics

Jason Houck, Form Energy

Rao Konidena, Rakon Energy

Greg Padden, Great River Energy

Location:

Greenway Room III

Time:

Oct. 17th, 10:00 - 11:00 AM

NABCEP Continuing Education Course - PV 451: Energy Storage Fundamentals Part 1

Presenter(s):

Instructed by Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA)

Location:

Skyway Room

Time:

Oct. 17th, 10:00 - 11:00 AM

Please note: Participants must attend both Part 1 and Part 2 of this NABCEP course to receive credit.

This two-hour course uses presentations and classroom discussion to layout the fundamental components and aspects of energy storage systems (ESS) and solar plus storage (SPS) systems.

Participants will explore the different aspects of varying forms and the history of energy storage; the differing reasons behind the decision to incorporate energy storage; the difference between stand-alone versus utility-interactive SPS systems; defining and differentiating between DC and AC coupled SPS systems; outline different configurations and varieties of energy storage technologies.

Participants will also begin to look at the factors that go into designing loads (electrical consumption) that will be chosen to be backed up by the SPS system.

Sponsor(s)

11:00 - 11:30 AM

Networking Break

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Take the BTM to the ATM: On-Site Solar Goes Big

Presenter(s):

Moderator: Amelia Cerling Hennes, Clean Energy Economy MN’s (CEEM)

Todd Johnson, National Sports Centre

Sarah Johnson, Barr Engineering

Zak Potratz, Flint Hills

Krisy Wogen, New Energy Equity

Location:

Greenway Room I

Time:

Oct. 17th, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

What's the Plan?: Solar in the Latest Minnesota IRP's

Presenter(s):

Moderator: Isabel Ricker, Fresh Energy

Jennifer Cady, Minnesota Power

Nate Jensen, Otter Tail Power

Farah Mandich, Xcel Energy

Zac Ruzycki, Great River Energy

Location:

Greenway Room II

Time:

Oct. 17th, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Show Me the Money: Capital & Financing Options for Solar Energy Investments

Presenter(s):

Moderator: Jason MacDuff, Greenpenny

John D'Agostino, Inclusive Prosperity Capital

Jim Hasnik, Center for Energy and Environment

Norm Jones, Winthrop & Weinstine

Jessica Reis, Greenpenny

Location:

Greenway Room III

Time:

Oct. 17th, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

NABCEP Continuing Education Course - Introduction to Flat Roof Solar Systems

Presenter(s):

Instructed by: Unirac

Location:

Skyway Room

Time:

Oct. 17th, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Sponsor(s)

12:30 - 12:45 PM

Lunch Transition & Networking Break

12:45 - 2:00 PM

Lunch and Keynote Presentation: How Can We Improve Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Solar and Storage Industries?

Presenter(s):

Moderator: Whitney Terrill, Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light (MNIPL)

Ola Boye, Power System Engineering

Marilyn Hardy, Blue Horizon Energy

Andy Kim, EVS

Pouya Najmaie, Cooperative Energy Futures

Location:

Northstar Ballroom

Time:

Oct. 17th, 12:45 - 2:00 PM

2:00 - 2:30 PM

Networking Break

2:30 - 3:30 PM

Interconnection Challenges: Queue Developments, Improving Delays & Consolidating Wait Times

Presenter(s):

Moderator: Sara Bergan, Stoel Rives

Danielle DeMarre, All Energy Solar

Dean Eastlake, New Energy Equity

Eric Rehm, McKinstry

Dean Schiro, Xcel Energy

Location:

Greenway Room I

Time:

Oct. 17th, 2:30 - 3:30 PM

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, Lessons Learned From Across the Country: Net-Metering, Community Solar, Storage & More

Presenter(s):

Moderator: Kevin Cray, Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA)

Cathy Boies, Colorado Solar and Storage Association (COSSA)

Kevin Borgia, Sunvest & Illinois Solar Energy Association (ISEA)

Ian Schonwald, Novel Energy Solutions

Michael Vickerman, Renew Wisconsin

Location:

Greenway Room II

Time:

Oct. 17th, 2:30 - 3:30 PM

Solar Success Story: Update on Solar for Schools

Presenter(s):

Moderator: Representative Patty Acomb

Meghan Barnard, School District 197

Eric Pasi, New Energy Equity

Mandi Schienebeck, MN Department of Commerce

Braden Solum, iDEAL Energies

Callie Walsh, Xcel Energy

Location:

Greenway Room III

Time:

Oct. 17th, 2:30 - 3:30 PM

NABCEP Continuing Education Course - Clean PV Mounting With Alphaseal™ Technology

Presenter(s):

Instructed by Roof Tech

Location:

Skyway Room

Time:

Oct. 17th, 2:30 - 3:30 PM

Sponsor(s)

3:30 - 4:00 PM

Networking Break

4:00 - 5:00 PM

News From the State Capitol: Outcomes From the 2022 Legislative Session & What Comes Next

Presenter(s):

Moderator: Peter Teigland, MnSEIA

Kayla Christensen, Minnesota Conservative Energy Forum (MnCEF)

Justin Fay, Fresh Energy

Bobby King, Solar United Neighbors

Jenna Warmuth, Vote Solar

Location:

Greenway Room I

Time:

Oct. 17th, 4:00 - 5:00 PM

Solar & Storage in Greater MN: Cooperative and Municipal Electric Companies Leading the Way on Clean Energy Deployment

Presenter(s):

Moderator: Dan Lipschultz, Lipschultz Consulting

Mike Bull, Minnesota Rural Electric Association (MREA)

Ryan Fedie, Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative

Greg Ridderbusch, Connexus Energy

Kristi Robinson, STAR Energy Services

Kent Whitcomb, MiEnergy Cooperative

Location:

Greenway Room Il

Time:

Oct. 17th, 4:00 - 5:00 PM

What's New in Commercial & Industrial Solar?

Presenter(s):

Moderator: Carla Interreiden, MN Pollution Control Agency

Griffin Dooling, Blue Horizon Energy

Alex Gast, Cedar Creek Energy

Ahmad Kian, Apadana Solar Technologies

Location:

Greenway Room III

Time:

Oct. 17th, 4:00 - 5:00 PM

NABCEP Continuing Education Course - PV 451: Energy Storage Fundamentals Part 2

Presenter(s):

Instructed by Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA)

Location:

Skyway Room

Time:

Oct. 17th, 4:00 - 5:00 PM

Please note: Participants must attend both Part 1 and Part 2 of this NABCEP course to receive credit.

This two-hour course uses presentations and classroom discussion to layout the fundamental components and aspects of energy storage systems (ESS) and solar plus storage (SPS) systems.

Participants will also begin to look at the factors that go into designing loads (electrical consumption) that will be chosen to be backed up by the SPS system.

Sponsor(s)

5:00 - 6:30 PM

Opening Reception: Hors d'oeuvres & Drinks - Sponsored by Van Meter

Location:

Hyatt Greenway & Northstar Promenades

Time:

Oct. 17th, 5:00 - 6:30 PM

Connect with other attendees after the first day of Gateway wraps up! Drink tickets and appetizers will be provided.

Sponsor(s)

6:30 - 10:00 PM

Social Event at Brit's Pub - Sponsored by Greentech Renewables

Location:

Brit's Pub: 1110 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN, 55403

Time:

Oct. 17th, 6:30 - 10:00 PM

Join us at Brit's Pub for a fun and informal networking event with food and drinks! Brit's is just a block away from the Hyatt Regency, so you can easily walk over from the hotel. Our event will take place on the second floor of Brit's Pub. This is a separately ticketed event from the Gateway to Solar conference. Thanks to our sponsor Greentech Renewables! (Formerly known as CED Greentech)

Get your ticket

Sponsor(s)

Day 2 - October 18th

8:00 - 8:50 AM

Registration & Breakfast

9:00 - 10:10 AM

Keynote Presentation: The Great Mineral Debate

Presenter(s):

Moderator: Frank Jossi, Midwest Energy News

Aaron Klemz, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy

Julie Lucas, Mining Minnesota

Lynn Mizner, Tamarack Water Alliance

Ida Rukavina, Range Association of Municipalities & Schools (RAMS)

Location:

Northstar Ballroom

Time:

Oct. 18th, 9:00 - 10:10 AM

10:10 - 10:40 AM

Networking Break

10:40 - 11:40 AM

Creating The Workforce of The Future: Labor's Role in Revolutionizing the Industry

Presenter(s):

Moderator: Bree Halverson, Blue Green Alliance

Karl von Knobelsdorff, Knobelsdorff

Rose Patzer, MN State Energy Center of Excellence

Kevin Pranis, LiUNA

Nate Runke, IUOE 49

Brian Winkelaar, IBEW

Location:

Greenway Room I

Time:

Oct. 18th, 10:40 - 11:40 AM

The MOD Squad: What Can We Learn About Grid Modernization in 2022?

Presenter(s):

Moderator: Benjamin Stafford, ICF

Tricia DeBleeckere, MISO

Will Kenworthy, Vote Solar

Alice Madden, Community Power MN

Isabel Ricker, Fresh Energy

Chris Villarreal, Plugged-In Strategies

Location:

Greenway Room II

Time:

Oct. 18th, 10:40 - 11:40 AM

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Building a More Sustainable Solar Lifecycle

Presenter(s):

Moderator: Bob Nicholson, SEIA

Jake Andrist, The Retrofit Companies

Amanda Cotton, MN Pollution Control Agency

George McClellan, REC Group

Philip Schwarz, PVpallet

Adam Sokolski, EDF Renewables

Location:

Greenway Room III

Time:

Oct. 18th, 10:40 - 11:40 AM

NABCEP Continuing Education Course - PV 452: Designing Solar Plus Storage Systems Part 1

Presenter(s):

Instructed by Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA)

Location:

Skyway Room

Time:

Oct. 18th, 10:40 - 11:40 AM

Please note: Participants must attend both Part 1 and Part 2 of this NABCEP course to receive credit.

This two-hour course uses presentations and classroom discussion to walk through the design process of battery energy storage systems (BESS).

Participants will explore the varying design processes of energy storage systems and complete worksheets on the design of a residential-scale BESS.

Sponsor(s)

11:40 AM - 12:00 PM

Lunch Transition & Networking Break

12:00 - 1:15 PM

2022 Gateway to Solar Awards Luncheon

Location:

Northstar Ballroom

Time:

Oct. 18th, 12:00 - 1:15 PM

Congratulations to our 2022 Gateway to Solar Award winners!

McKinstry Sustainability Award - Blue Earth County (Presented by John Neville, McKinstry)
MnSEIA Excellence in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award - Whitney Terrill, MNIPL (Presented by Sarah Whebbe, All Energy Solar)
MnSEIA Distinguished Policy Leadership Award - Representative Athena Hollins
MnSEIA Solar Advocacy Award - Isabel Ricker, Fresh Energy
MnSEIA Agency Excellence Recognition Award - Office of the Minnesota Attorney General
MnSEIA Member of the Year Award - Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA)
Ralph Jacobson Lifetime Achievement Award, "The Ralphie" - Senator David Senjem

Thanks to Heliene for donating the solar cell awards!

Sponsor(s)

1:15 - 1:30 PM

Networking Break

1:30 - 2:30 PM

The Federal Lens: World Events, Supply Chain Challenges, Manufacturing & More

Presenter(s):

Moderator: Eric Pasi, New Energy Equity

George Damian, Clean Energy Economy MN

Martin Pochtaruk, Heliene

Liz Young, Office of Congresswoman Angie Craig

Stephanie Zawistowski, SEIA

Location:

Greenway Room I

Time:

Oct. 18th, 1:30 - 2:30 PM

The Fate of Community Solar in Minnesota: Where Do We Go From Here and How Does The DG Tariff Fit In?

Presenter(s):

Moderator: Kevin Cray, Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA)

Ross Abbey, US Solar

Timothy DenHerder-Thomas, Cooperative Energy Futures (CEF)

David Shaffer, Novel Energy Solutions

Sarah Wochos, New Leaf Energy

Location:

Greenway Room II

Time:

Oct. 18th, 1:30 - 2:30 PM

Beyond Backup: Small Scale Storage Stories

Presenter(s):

Moderator: Tom Karas, National Grid Renewables

Brian Allen, All Energy Solar

Ellen Anderson, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy

John Davis, StorEn

Mahmoud Kabalan, Center for Microgrid Research at the University of St. Thomas

Christopher Worley, Sunrun

Location:

Greenway Room III

Time:

Oct. 18th, 1:30 - 2:30 PM

NABCEP Continuing Education Course - PV 452: Designing Solar Plus Storage Systems Part 2

Presenter(s):

Instructed by Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA)

Location:

Skyway Room

Time:

Oct. 18th, 1:30 - 2:30 PM

Please note: Participants must attend both Part 1 and Part 2 of this NABCEP course to receive credit.

This two-hour course uses presentations and classroom discussion to walk through the design process of battery energy storage systems (BESS).

Participants will explore the varying design processes of energy storage systems and complete worksheets on the design of a residential-scale BESS.

Sponsor(s)

2:30 - 2:45 PM

Networking Break

2:45 - 4:00 PM

Closing Keynote Session: Minnesota Legislature Interactive Discussion

Presenter(s):

Moderator: Logan O'Grady, MnSEIA

Commissioner Grace Arnold

Representative Athena Hollins

Representative Jamie Long

Senator Eric Pratt

Senator David Senjem

Location:

Northstar Ballroom

Time:

Oct. 18th, 2:45 - 4:00 PM

4:00 - 6:00 PM

Closing Celebration - Hors d’oeuvres & Drinks