On November 6th and 7th, NYSEIA hosted its annual New York Solar Summit and celebrated its 30th Anniversary with a new two-day agenda and exciting innovations.
NYSEIA presenting the New York Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) with a Solar Champions Award for reaching the 6 Gigawatts of Distributed Solar Milestone.
The New York Solar Energy Industries Association (NYSEIA) hosted the highly anticipated 2024 New York Solar Summit at the Albany Capital Center on November 6th and 7th. With over 700 attendees, the event brought together solar professionals and clean energy leaders from across New York State to discuss advancing the rooftop and community solar markets, integrating energy storage, and ensuring equitable access for all New Yorkers. The Summit was made possible thanks to the generous support of key sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor NYSERDA, Headline Sponsor Con Edison, and Gold Sponsors Polar Racking, Megawatt Group, and Nexamp.
There were some exciting changes to NYSEIA's annual Summit. For the first time, programming spanned two days and three stages, and guests now had access to an event app that highlighted key details about the Summit. On the app, attendees could network, find panel information, read speaker bios, and more!
Day 1: Workshops and NYSEIA's 30th Anniversary Opening Reception
Kicking off the Summit, NYSEIA offered a series of technical workshops on November 6th. The Community Distributed Generation Billing & Crediting Working Group reunited New York’s utilities, NYSERDA, DPS, and CDG providers. This in-person gathering focused on enhancing the CDG customer experience and improving operational efficiency.
Meanwhile, the DEC Stormwater Management Practices session, with New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation, featured water quality experts who presented new best practices and engaged in a robust Q&A session with industry attendees. Next, the Flexible Interconnection workshop delved into solutions to enable cost-effective solar and storage deployment. Representatives from Avangrid and National Grid detailed their successful pilot projects and discussed a new framework for accelerating interconnection across Upstate New York.
The first day wrapped up with an Opening Reception, a vibrant celebration of NYSEIA’s 30th anniversary, and New York’s milestone of deploying 6 gigawatts of distributed solar ahead of schedule. Sponsored by the Megawatt Group, the reception featured drinks, hors d'oeuvres, and an inspiring keynote address from the CEO of the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), John Rhodes.
Day 2: Full Conference and Trade Show
Attendees gathered early on November 7th for opening remarks by NYSEIA President Dan Montante and NYSEIA Executive Director Noah Ginsburg. Anthony Fiore, Chief Program Officer for NYSERDA, delivered a compelling keynote, outlining strategies to achieve New York’s climate goals under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) while reflecting on reaching the 6 gigawatts of distributed solar milestone.
The first panel, Distributed Solar Powers New York’s Clean Energy Transition, brought together public, private, and nonprofit sector leaders to discuss expanding rooftop and community solar. Moderated by Noah Ginsburg (NYSEIA), the panel included David Sandbank (NYSERDA), Kelly Friend (Nexamp), T.R. Ludwig (Brooklyn SolarWorks), Matt Foran (National Grid), and Kevin Schulte (GreenSpark), who shared insights on opportunities and challenges in rooftop and community solar deployment.
After a coffee and networking break sponsored by Montante Solar, the conference split into two concurrent sessions. Siting Reform and Host Community Benefits, moderated by Noah Ginsburg (NYSEIA), explored ways to streamline local permitting while maximizing community benefits. Panelists Jessica Waldorf (NY Dept. of Public Service), Katie Soscia (Montante Solar), Matthew Eisenson (Columbia University), Tony DeFazio (Sustainable PR), and Sarah Brancatella (Association of Towns) led a lively discussion on unlocking community solar potential.
At the same time, the Powering New York with Distributed “Virtual” Power Plants session examined the role of VPPs in energy storage and grid management. Moderated by David Schieren (EmPower Solar), panelists Jamie Charles (Sunnova), Zeryai Hagos (NY Dept. of Public Service), Beren Argetsinger (Keyes and Fox), Rachel Charow (Con Edison), and Kate Peters (Brattle Group) shared strategies to transform suburban homes into networked energy assets.
Later, another set of concurrent panels took place. Moderated by Kate Daniel (Coalition for Community Solar Access), Solar for All: Expanding Equitable Access featured Max Joel (NYSERDA), Anika Wistar-Jones (Solar One), Kerry O'Neill (Inclusive Prosperity Capital), and Jason Kaplan (PowerMarket). They discussed initiatives ensuring clean energy benefits reach disadvantaged communities. Downstairs, Energizing the Workforce: Labor and Diversity in the Solar Industry addressed workforce diversity and labor trends. The panel was moderated by Jonathan Cohen (NYSEIA), with insights from Charles Callaway (WE ACT), Harrison Watkins (LiUNA), Jess Fuchs (Montante Solar), Dan Dudley (IBEW Local 236), and Annika Colston (AC Power).
During a buffet-style Networking Lunch sponsored by Carson Power NYSEIA presented NYSERDA with a 'Solar Champions' Award for reaching the 6 Gigawatts of Distributed Solar milestone. Following lunch, NYS Assemblymember Patricia Fahy delivered the day's second keynote address highlighting environmental conservation and landmark clean energy legislation.
The afternoon continued with three concurrent sessions. Interconnection Reform for America’s Largest Community Solar Market featured a dynamic discussion among state, utility, and industry leaders on overcoming interconnection challenges, moderated by Kate Tohme (New Leaf Energy), with panelists Marie Schnitzer (National Grid), John Chaimanis (Kendall Sustainable Infrastructure), Liz Grisaru (NY Department of Public Service), Andrew Gordon (Carson Power), and Ed Brolin (RWE). Simultaneously, Financing Clean Energy Projects in New York State explored investment strategies, with Dan Spitzer (Hodgson Russ) moderating discussions among Jackie Chambers (New Energy Equity), Paul Hildebrand (Segue Sustainable Infrastructure), Konstantin Driker (New York Green Bank), Jonathan Crowley (Sunstone Credit), and Ian Merizalde (CleanCapital). Meanwhile, a highly-attended Consumer Protections for Rooftop and Community Solar panel examined enforcement and standards in the solar industry, moderated by Jonathan Cohen (NYSEIA), with insights from Anna Senatore (NY Department of Public Service), Arthur Perri, Jr. (Greentech Renewables), Brian Johnston (Mentis Technologies), and Kyle Wallace (PosiGen).
The final round of concurrent panels included Solar and Freshwater Wetlands: In the Weeds, moderated by Noah Ginsburg (NYSEIA), where experts discussed balancing ecological conservation with solar project development. Panelists included Ray Marino (Hunt-EAS), Roy Jacobson Jr. (NY Dept of Environmental Conservation), Camille Warner (NYSERDA), Greg Gibbons (New Leaf Energy), and Sam Alradhi (Polar Racking Group). Rate Design REVolution addressed tariff optimization for clean energy deployment, moderated by Valessa Souter-Kline (SEIA), with speakers Dr. William Acker (NY-BEST), Jim Bride (Energy Tariff Experts), James Gaughan (Con Edison), and Brandon Smithwood (Dimension Energy). In the Capital Room, Bryan Murray (Switchbox) gave a data-rich presentation on Residential Solar and Low-income Access, focused on overcoming barriers to solar adoption for low-income homeowners.
Noah Ginsburg gave brief closing remarks and selected the winners of the Event Prize Giveaway, sponsored by New Energy Equity, via raffle. The day finished with a vibrant Networking Happy Hour sponsored by CleanCapital, where attendees could reflect on key takeaways and discuss future advancements in New York's solar industry.
NYSEIA thanks the Albany Capital Center, American Concert and Entertainment Services, Mazzone Hospitality, and the NYSEIA Board and Staff for making the 2024 New York Solar Summit possible. NYSEIA also wants to thank its sponsors and exhibitors for their participation and support. Together, we hosted the most robust Solar Summit yet!
NYSEIA Staff who made the 2024 New York Solar Summit happen, left to right: Suzanne Erb (Business and Events Manager), Dhruv Patel (Interconnection Policy Manager), Noah Ginsburg (Executive Director), Jonathan Cohen (Policy Manager), Shelby Kislowski (Advocacy Coordinator)
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