Past Webinar Schedule
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Over the past half-decade, the Community Solar Value Project hosted webinars with community solar market leaders and strategic DER innovators. We also have archived many blogs up to 2020, with mostly-live (though a few less timely) links. If your research takes you to one of these topics, you may be surprised at how timeless and foretelling these discussions could be.
The Solar Value Project is currently planning to launch new webinars, related to 2020-21 work on Solar-Plus for Electric Co-ops. That work is relevant to all stakeholders working on utility-side local solar plus storage, and especially those who need to inform decision-makers about emerging value streams. Watch for that in July 2021. The webinars are recorded for later listening and have been archived here. Note that the earliest, 2015 webinars require access to Vimeo, which may be blocked by some IT departments. Please contact CSVP with your questions or comments. |
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2017 Webinar Schedule
2016 Webinar Schedule
2015 Webinar Schedule
Note that these are posted in descending order, with the latest webinar first.
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The community solar program at Tucson Electric Power is driven by utility involvement in siting, design, and specification, as well as by utility innovations in the customer offer. Photo credit: TEP.
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Webinar Archive
10.05.2017: What Makes the Biggest Difference for Community Solar Success?
John Powers and Jill Cliburn are joined by one of the utility industry's top journalists, Utility Dive's Herman K. Trabish, to discuss the decision-points that can make or break a community solar program. This webinar takes a conversational tone, as the trio answers questions, from choosing examples of best-practice community solar programs to exploring successful program-design processes, to asking what went wrong with California's legislatively-driven community solar plan. The webinar also previews some of CSVP's new resources, which are currently in the CSVP Library, and which will be included in the program’s new Solutions Toolkit. New Web pages on this site will bring to Solutions content to a broad audience, beginning this fall. Direct links to many of those resources are also included in the webinar pdf, below.
John Powers and Jill Cliburn are joined by one of the utility industry's top journalists, Utility Dive's Herman K. Trabish, to discuss the decision-points that can make or break a community solar program. This webinar takes a conversational tone, as the trio answers questions, from choosing examples of best-practice community solar programs to exploring successful program-design processes, to asking what went wrong with California's legislatively-driven community solar plan. The webinar also previews some of CSVP's new resources, which are currently in the CSVP Library, and which will be included in the program’s new Solutions Toolkit. New Web pages on this site will bring to Solutions content to a broad audience, beginning this fall. Direct links to many of those resources are also included in the webinar pdf, below.
| 2017_10_03_best_practice_webinar.pdf |
06.28.2017: From Project Cost to Customer Pricing
Jill Cliburn introduces CSVP Team economist and Millennium Energy CEO Joe Bourg and John Powers, CEO of Extensible Energy (and CSVP Director) to put CSVP's analytic methodology to the test. That is, how can a streamlined, utility-friendly net-value analysis support customer-facing pricing that is both robust and competitive? CSVP has discussed the GAP economic analysis before (see October 2016), but this time, we apply it to a typical public-power wholesale energy provider, which has very low current wholesale costs. The discussion centers on how considering just few benefits of the proposed distributed-solar strategy, can bring the project into a competitive range. Note that the GAP analysis seeks only to meet the utility's cost-target, rather than to seek the greatest possible benefit. Then, the utility's cost can be applied, as Powers describes, to one of three, relatively simple pricing strategies.
Jill Cliburn introduces CSVP Team economist and Millennium Energy CEO Joe Bourg and John Powers, CEO of Extensible Energy (and CSVP Director) to put CSVP's analytic methodology to the test. That is, how can a streamlined, utility-friendly net-value analysis support customer-facing pricing that is both robust and competitive? CSVP has discussed the GAP economic analysis before (see October 2016), but this time, we apply it to a typical public-power wholesale energy provider, which has very low current wholesale costs. The discussion centers on how considering just few benefits of the proposed distributed-solar strategy, can bring the project into a competitive range. Note that the GAP analysis seeks only to meet the utility's cost-target, rather than to seek the greatest possible benefit. Then, the utility's cost can be applied, as Powers describes, to one of three, relatively simple pricing strategies.
| 2017_06_28_webinar_economic_pricing.pdf |
05.11.2017: Best Steps You Can Take to "Solar Plus"
This webinar features John Powers, of Extensible Energy (and CSVP), with special guest Rich Barone of Hawaiian Electric. John defines storage technologies and program measures that couple well with community solar. Then he reviews some first step options, which will be covered in upcoming CSVP publications. Rich Barone takes solar-plus strategies to the next level, as he discusses Hawaii's robust pilot program efforts and plans to meet the islands' energy needs entirely with renewable energy in coming years. Note: CSVP appreciates if users of these resources contact us with your feedback on this presentation or if you wish to be notified on publication of the guide.
This webinar features John Powers, of Extensible Energy (and CSVP), with special guest Rich Barone of Hawaiian Electric. John defines storage technologies and program measures that couple well with community solar. Then he reviews some first step options, which will be covered in upcoming CSVP publications. Rich Barone takes solar-plus strategies to the next level, as he discusses Hawaii's robust pilot program efforts and plans to meet the islands' energy needs entirely with renewable energy in coming years. Note: CSVP appreciates if users of these resources contact us with your feedback on this presentation or if you wish to be notified on publication of the guide.
| hawaiian_electric_der_management_initiatives.pptx |
| 2017_05_11_webinar_jp.ppt |
04.13.2017: SMUD Shares Community Solar Lessons Learned
Stephen Frantz, solar strategic planner and project manger at the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), provides insights on community solar program design and implementation during this webinar, Community Solar Lessons Learned at SMUD. The webinar opens with an overview of the history of the SolarShares program and its current composition as a six-part product portfolio. Then Stephen focuses on critical early steps—such as setting a shared vision and forming and empowering the cross-departmental team. He also gives advice on dealing with complex issues that may come up. For example, SMUD is in the midst of introducing new time-of-use rates, and intends to introduce both the new rates and the new residential SolarShares program in tandem. This webinar extends about 8 minutes past the hour, in order to include longer Q&A. Note: CSVP appreciates if users of these resources contact us with your feedback on this presentation.
Stephen Frantz, solar strategic planner and project manger at the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), provides insights on community solar program design and implementation during this webinar, Community Solar Lessons Learned at SMUD. The webinar opens with an overview of the history of the SolarShares program and its current composition as a six-part product portfolio. Then Stephen focuses on critical early steps—such as setting a shared vision and forming and empowering the cross-departmental team. He also gives advice on dealing with complex issues that may come up. For example, SMUD is in the midst of introducing new time-of-use rates, and intends to introduce both the new rates and the new residential SolarShares program in tandem. This webinar extends about 8 minutes past the hour, in order to include longer Q&A. Note: CSVP appreciates if users of these resources contact us with your feedback on this presentation.
| 2017_04_13_final_smud_webinar_copy.pdf |
03.01.2017: Five Steps to Tailored Market Research
To help prevent market research missteps, CSVP has introduced a new guide on Market Research and Market Segmentation for Community Solar Program Success. In the introduction to this webinar, we discuss the strengths–and limitations–of national survey research, and a few of the best ways to supplement high-level information, in order to reach particular target groups of customers. Moderator Jill Cliburn then introduces guest speaker Jenn Mitchell-Jackson, from Grounded Research and Consulting, who was the primary author of CSVP's market research guide. Mitchell-Jackson presents a five-step process to drill down from general to specific research and to organize findings into an action plan. Note: CSVP appreciates if users of these resources contact us with your feedback on both this presentation and the guide.
To help prevent market research missteps, CSVP has introduced a new guide on Market Research and Market Segmentation for Community Solar Program Success. In the introduction to this webinar, we discuss the strengths–and limitations–of national survey research, and a few of the best ways to supplement high-level information, in order to reach particular target groups of customers. Moderator Jill Cliburn then introduces guest speaker Jenn Mitchell-Jackson, from Grounded Research and Consulting, who was the primary author of CSVP's market research guide. Mitchell-Jackson presents a five-step process to drill down from general to specific research and to organize findings into an action plan. Note: CSVP appreciates if users of these resources contact us with your feedback on both this presentation and the guide.
| 2016_01_08_market_research.pdf |
12.01.2016: Smarter Procurement for Community Solar Solutions
On this webinar, Andrea Romano, a CSVP Team member from Navigant, leads a discussion about the choices utilities face in procuring community solar resources and support services, whether they tap third-party expertise or build expertise in-house, or use a combination of approaches. Andrea is joined by Erin Buchanan from Cedar Falls Utilities, Karen Poff from Austin Energy, and Ricardo Luna from CPS Energy (San Antonio). The webinar is structured to give panelists time to summarize their programs, remark on special steps taken to keep costs down relative to program value, and to share practical "lessons learned." Jill Cliburn offers brief remarks and thanks, as this is the last webinar from CSVP until the spring series launches in February 2017. Note: CSVP appreciates if users of these resources contact us with your feedback.
On this webinar, Andrea Romano, a CSVP Team member from Navigant, leads a discussion about the choices utilities face in procuring community solar resources and support services, whether they tap third-party expertise or build expertise in-house, or use a combination of approaches. Andrea is joined by Erin Buchanan from Cedar Falls Utilities, Karen Poff from Austin Energy, and Ricardo Luna from CPS Energy (San Antonio). The webinar is structured to give panelists time to summarize their programs, remark on special steps taken to keep costs down relative to program value, and to share practical "lessons learned." Jill Cliburn offers brief remarks and thanks, as this is the last webinar from CSVP until the spring series launches in February 2017. Note: CSVP appreciates if users of these resources contact us with your feedback.
| 20161201_procurement-panel.pdf |
10.27.2016: The Value of Going Local
This webinar introduces a practical approach to addressing the perceived high "sticker price" on locally sited community solar projects (in the 0.5 to 5 MW range). The objective: to "fill the GAP," get to a competitive project cost and, ultimately, to provide competitively priced local solution. CSVP proposes beginning with a high-level discussion of strategic benefits, to engage top-level utility decision-makers, followed by analysis of just a few value-of-solar elements that can fill the GAP. This approach is distinct because it does not require a full (often contentious) VOS study, and it relies more upon accepted ranges than precise numbers. The discussion also introduces a new metric—the value of customer retention, which results from strong utility-led program. Jill Cliburn of CSVP and Joe Bourg of Millennium Energy lead that discussion. Norm Weaver, senior engineer from Fort Collins (Colorado) Utilities adds comments on practical approaches to project cost reduction and strategic benefits to "keeping it local" for a project his utility just completed, to serve the low-income market. Three pdfs are provided, and a recording will be added soon. CSVP appreciates if users of these resources contact us with your feedback.
This webinar introduces a practical approach to addressing the perceived high "sticker price" on locally sited community solar projects (in the 0.5 to 5 MW range). The objective: to "fill the GAP," get to a competitive project cost and, ultimately, to provide competitively priced local solution. CSVP proposes beginning with a high-level discussion of strategic benefits, to engage top-level utility decision-makers, followed by analysis of just a few value-of-solar elements that can fill the GAP. This approach is distinct because it does not require a full (often contentious) VOS study, and it relies more upon accepted ranges than precise numbers. The discussion also introduces a new metric—the value of customer retention, which results from strong utility-led program. Jill Cliburn of CSVP and Joe Bourg of Millennium Energy lead that discussion. Norm Weaver, senior engineer from Fort Collins (Colorado) Utilities adds comments on practical approaches to project cost reduction and strategic benefits to "keeping it local" for a project his utility just completed, to serve the low-income market. Three pdfs are provided, and a recording will be added soon. CSVP appreciates if users of these resources contact us with your feedback.
| 2_20161027_intro_local_webinar.pdf |
| 20161027_bourg_local.pdf |
| 20161027_weaver_local.pdf |
09.28.2016: Solar Plus Storage Solutions
Both community solar and solar storage are popular topics on their own. Yet, despite the inherent value, the idea of integrating storage options directly into community solar program designs has yet to gain much traction. This webinar explores work by innovative utilities and third parties to use solar-plus-storage on both sides of the meter, for added resource and integration value. There are direct lessons and a warning that, as our recent Blog stated, "If you don't do it, someone else will." CSVP team members John Powers of Extensible Energy and Beth Reid of Olivine will give an overview of recent storage market developments. Battery industry leader Sonnen also joined the webinar, on how their work is facilitating renewables integration in communities in Germany and around the world. Three pdfs are provided, as well as a recording. CSVP appreciates if users of these resources contact us with your feedback.
Both community solar and solar storage are popular topics on their own. Yet, despite the inherent value, the idea of integrating storage options directly into community solar program designs has yet to gain much traction. This webinar explores work by innovative utilities and third parties to use solar-plus-storage on both sides of the meter, for added resource and integration value. There are direct lessons and a warning that, as our recent Blog stated, "If you don't do it, someone else will." CSVP team members John Powers of Extensible Energy and Beth Reid of Olivine will give an overview of recent storage market developments. Battery industry leader Sonnen also joined the webinar, on how their work is facilitating renewables integration in communities in Germany and around the world. Three pdfs are provided, as well as a recording. CSVP appreciates if users of these resources contact us with your feedback.
| 20160929_storage_webinar_jpa.pdf |
| olivine_storage_webinar_slides_v3.pdf |
| 2016_0929_sonnen_cvsp_webinar_.pdf |
08.18.2016: Making Solar Carports Happen
Three speakers provided extensive content for this webinar. Jill Cliburn, of Cliburn and Associates and CSVP, introduced the market landscape and potential for solar carports in utility-led community solar programs. Dan Ciarcia, of Two Willows Consulting described his work with the Green Parking Council and specific ways to express the value that carports and solar canopies add. Bob Boscamp, of PowerParasol, described his company's unique, high-value solar canopy designs and how development strategies can allocate costs and benefits more effectively. Three pdfs are provided, as well. The recording has been edited to eliminate introductory remarks. CSVP appreciates if users of these resources contact us with your feedback.
Three speakers provided extensive content for this webinar. Jill Cliburn, of Cliburn and Associates and CSVP, introduced the market landscape and potential for solar carports in utility-led community solar programs. Dan Ciarcia, of Two Willows Consulting described his work with the Green Parking Council and specific ways to express the value that carports and solar canopies add. Bob Boscamp, of PowerParasol, described his company's unique, high-value solar canopy designs and how development strategies can allocate costs and benefits more effectively. Three pdfs are provided, as well. The recording has been edited to eliminate introductory remarks. CSVP appreciates if users of these resources contact us with your feedback.
| 20160818_cliburn_webinar3.pdf |
| 2016_08_18_solarcommunitieswebinar_01_final.pdf |
| 081816_powerparasol_community_solar_value_project_webinar_slidedeck.pdf |
07.28.2016: Thermostat Control for Solar Integration
This webinar featured John Powers, of Extensible Energy and Brad Davids of Nest. The topic, thermostat control for integration value, opens new ground for Solar Plus companion measures that could be co-marketed with community solar. The pdf of the presentation includes slides from both presenters. If this recording does not work on your system, please contact CSVP for an alternative link.
This webinar featured John Powers, of Extensible Energy and Brad Davids of Nest. The topic, thermostat control for integration value, opens new ground for Solar Plus companion measures that could be co-marketed with community solar. The pdf of the presentation includes slides from both presenters. If this recording does not work on your system, please contact CSVP for an alternative link.
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| 20160728_thermostat_web_slides.pdf |
06.30.2016: Can Regulation Make Community Solar Better?
This webinar featured Tom Stanton of the National Regulatory Research Institute and Jill Cliburn of Cliburn and Associates and CSVP. We discussed the challenges of creating policy guidance that provides opportunities for utility integrated-grid innovation, choice, affordability, and consumer protection. We regret that the recording of this webinar is not available. Interested users should please contact CSVP for updates or an encore of this popular webinar.
This webinar featured Tom Stanton of the National Regulatory Research Institute and Jill Cliburn of Cliburn and Associates and CSVP. We discussed the challenges of creating policy guidance that provides opportunities for utility integrated-grid innovation, choice, affordability, and consumer protection. We regret that the recording of this webinar is not available. Interested users should please contact CSVP for updates or an encore of this popular webinar.
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11.19.2015: Community Solar That Makes Sense for the Utility and Its Low-Income Customers
09.24.2015: How Demand Response and Storage Measures Address Solar Variability
08.27.2015: Better Community Solar Procurement and Design