Conference Schedule

Conference Welcome

Dr. John Sanseverino, Director of Programs, Tennessee Solar Institute

Chris Bowles, Director of the Nashville Mayor's Office of Environment and Sustainability

Dr. David Millhorn, Executive Vice President, University of Tennessee

8:30 a.m. - 8:50 a.m.

Keynote Speaker 

Jennifer DeCesaro, Team Lead, Solar Energy Technologies Program, U.S. Department of Energy

8:50 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Break

9:30 a.m. - 9:50 a.m.

Strategies for Solar Power Adoption

In this roundtable session panelists will explore the promise and future of solar markets in the US. Discussion topics to include capitalization of the industry, fueling markets with venture capital investment, technology innovation, and how industry views the challenge of the market.

Moderator: Anda Ray, Senior Vice President, Environment & Technology; Environmental Executive and Sustainability Officer, Tennessee Valley Authority

Panelists include: Lisa Frantzis, Managing Director of Renewable and Distributed Energy at Navigant; Tom Nicholas, Regional Director, Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA); Matt Feinstein, Research Associate; Lux Research

9:50 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Exhibit Hall/Break

11:00 a.m. -11:45 a.m.

Lunch and Keynote Address

Introduction by Dr. Joseph DiPietro, President, University of Tennessee

Bill Ritter, Director, National Center for the New Energy Economy, and former Governor of Colorado

11:45 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Exhibit Hall Open to Public

1:00 p.m. -5:00 p.m.

Economic Development Address

Introduction by Emily Reynolds, Senior Vice President, Government and Valley Relations, Tennessee Valley Authority

Paul Fassbender, Assistant Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development

1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

The Next Great Innovation

This panel discussion will cover aspects of emerging solar technology that will change the market as we know it. Panelists will explore technology areas of interest, why and how they will change the market, and future implications, as well as discuss game-changers being developed in the Tennessee Valley region.

Moderator: Chad Duty, Solar Technologies Program Manager, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Panelists include:

Dr. Bob Hawsey, Associate Director for Renewable Electricity and End Use Systems, National Renewable Energy Laboratory;

Eric Hafter, Senior Vice President, Sharp Solar;

Dr. Sandy Rosenthal, Vanderbilt University;

Dr. Barry Bruce, University of Tennessee

1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Exhibit Hall/Break

3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Parallel Workshops

Trends in Utility Solar Business Models

A discussion about successful Tennessee Valley and national business models.

Moderator: Jim Purcell, Energy Services Manager at Nashville Electric Service

Speakers include: Johan Enslin, Chief Technology Officer, Petra Solar Panel; Nadav Enbar, Senior Project Manager, Integration of Distributed Renewables Program, Electric Power Research Institute; Brad Gibson, Director of Member Services, Duck River Electric Membership Corporation.

Solar 101 Information

The basics of solar energy: installation of systems, finding a certified contractor and financial incentives. Co-presented by the Tennessee Solar Energy Association and the Tennessee Solar Energy Industries Association.

Building on Success: A Solar Value Chain Conversation

A discussion about how the solar energy supply chain can work together to grow the industry long-term. Industry representatives and the audience will discuss challenges and strategies to achieve sustainable success.

Moderator: Gil Hough, Board President, TenneSEIA

Speakers include: Dr. Rupy Sawhney, Department Head, Industrial Engineering, University of Tennessee; Terry Strange, Hemlock Semiconductor, L.L.C; Patrick Sargent, Market Intelligence Manager, AGC Flat Glass; Justin Redd, Manager of Business Development, Sharp Solar; Steve Johnson, President, Lightwave Solar Electric LLC.

3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Alternative Energy and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Education

Tennessee has a significant focus on STEM education as part of its First to the Top Initiative. This session will highlight successful utilization of alternative energy-based materials and concepts in STEM teaching.

5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Poster Exhibit & Reception with Entertainment

Come join other conference participants in the Exhibit Hall to peruse the varied exhibits, view solar themed posters created by college students and hear the exciting sound of the "NashVegas All Stars." Hors d'oeuvres will be served.

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Conference Welcome

Anda Ray, Senior Vice President, Environment & Technology, and Sustainability Officer, Tennessee Valley Authority

Dr. Stacey Patterson, Director of Research Partnerships, University of Tennessee

8:30 a.m. - 8:50 a.m.

Energy and Economic Policy - What Does the Future Hold?

Panelists will explore how energy policy moves the nation toward implementing a sustainable energy strategy.

Moderator: Steve Lomax, Sr. Manager, Clean and Renewable Energy, Tennessee Valley Authority

Speakers include: Dr. Arshad Mansoor, Senior Vice President, Research & Development, Electric Power Research Institute; Dr. Gavi Begtrup, Policy Advisor to Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords; Nick Loris, Policy Analyst, Heritage Foundation; Ryan Fitzpatrick, Senior Policy Advisor, Clean Energy Program, Third Way.

8:50 a.m. -10:00 a.m.

Break

10:00 a.m. - 10:20 a.m.

Tennessee Valley Region Energy Policy: Seven Perspectives

A deep-dive into state policy and programs related to solar and renewable energy. The moderator will lead a panel in a lively discussion about successes and challenges.

Moderator: Kathyrn Baskin, Managing Director, Southern States Energy Board

Speakers include: Kathy Hornsby, Program Manager, Energy Division, Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs; David Gipson, Director of Energy Resources, Georgia Environmental Finance Authority; Dr. Leonard "Len" Peters, Secretary of Energy and Environment, Kentucky; Patrick Sullivan, President, Mississippi Energy Policy Institute; Ken Jurman, Renewable Energy Program Manager, Virginia Department of Mines; Molly Cripps, Director, Energy Division, Tennessee Economic and Community Development; Ward Lenz, director, Energy Dividsion, North Carolina Department of Commerce.

10:20 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Lunch and Speaker

Lunch and Speaker Robert M. Reedy, P.E., Director, Solar Energy Division, Florida Solar Energy Center

11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m.

Conference Adjourned

1:00 p.m.