2012 Registration Fees – Register Now!^*

2012 Registration Includes:

Utility Participants:

Access to ALL conference educational sessions on Tuesday, April 17 and Wednesday, April 18

• Networking Receptions on Monday and Tuesday evenings
• Networking Breakfasts on Tuesday and Wednesday
• Luncheons on Tuesday and Wednesday
• Additional networking opportunities with utility participants and solution providers

Solar Tour

The USC Solar Tour is a one-day event taking place on Monday, April 16th from 9AM - 5PM*. Participants will explore the notable solar technology sites including Tucson Electric Power's solar test yard at the University of Arizona Science and Technology Park*. The tour participants will hear from the experts on the ground about their experience with the various solar technologies and technology performance, weather forecasting and the status of and plans for TEP’s Energy Storage Management Research and Testing (SMRT) site. Six different PV technologies are represented at the site and the tour will also include visits to nearby solar installations. Lunch will be provided to the tour participants. This is a great opportunity to see and learn about solar tools and technologies while networking with your utility peers.

View the solar tour draft agenda.

Solar Tour Registration Fee:

Member: $100

Non-Member: $125

*Locations and details to be confirmed. Please check back for additional information or contact Cynthia Hunt Jaehne, Education Manager, at cjaehne@solarelectricpower.org or 202.595.1148.

 Registration is closed.

High Penetration PV Grid Integration Workshop

The High Penetration PV Grid Integration workshop is a one-day event taking place on Thursday, April 19th from 8AM - 5PM. This workshop will focus on the key issues that utilities are facing with high penetration of distributed solar.

This event is sold out.

Reception Guest Fee:

Reception guest passes are available for spouses, significant others or personal friends. Business associates, staff colleagues or fellow students do not qualify as guests. The reception guest fee allows access to attend either of the Monday and/or Tuesday evening receptions.

Reception guest of a Member:         $100

Reception guest of a Non-Member:   $125

Ambassador Host (previous USC participant):

SEPA is looking for previous USC attendees to participate in our Ambassador Program, which will pair a previous USC attendee with a first time attendee. Each ambassador will personally greet his/her attendee at the Opening Reception and make introductions to other participants and SEPA staff. You can sign up for this opportunity during registration or contact Stephanie Szurek at events@solarelectricpower.org or 202.559.2023.

Cancellation/Substitution Policy:

• Registration Cancellation
  Registration cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to events@solarelectricpower.org.
  The time-stamped or post marked date will be considered the date of cancellation request if the cancellation falls on a deadline.
• Cancellation requests received on or before February 17, 2012 are eligible for full refunds minus a $50 handling fee.
• Cancellations received after February 18, 2012 are not eligible for refunds. This policy will be enforced even on those registrations made after February 17, 2012.

• Substitution Policy
  Substitutions by another colleague or co-worker are allowed but are subject to a $25 substitution fee and approval by SEPA. Substitutions must be submitted in writing to events@solarelectricpower.org.

Hotel

The Utility Solar Conference will take place at the JW Marriott Starr Pass in Tucson, AZ. Located just west of an area considered the "birthplace of Tucson," this resort hotel is rich with culture, history and beauty. Experience a truly unique destination resort complete with world-class spa facilities and a nationally acclaimed golf course. Fine dining and award winning restaurants further complement this one of a kind Tucson resort hotel.

SEPA has negotiated a discounted room rate of $169 per night. Reservations can be made online at https://resweb.passkey.com/go/SEPA2012 or by calling 1.800.266.9432 and asking for the SEPA 2012 Utility Solar Conference rate.

Reservations must be made by March 25, 2012. After this date, hotel rooms will be based on availability.

Airport Recommendations

• The Tucson International Airport (TUS) is approximately 30 minutes (12 miles) from the JW Marriott Starr Pass. Taxi fare from TUS to the hotel is approximately $38.
• If you prefer to fly into Phoenix and drive to Tucson, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is approximately 2 hours (120 miles) from the JW Marriott Starr Pass.

For driving directions to the JW Marriott Starr Pass from TUS and PHX, click here.

Airline Discounts

In order to make the USC conference more affordable, SEPA has secured discounts with American Airlines and Continental/United. Please use the below discount codes when booking a flight through either of these airlines.

• American Airlines: A discount of 5% is available at www.aa.com/group from April 13-22 by entering 6342BX in the Promotion Code box when searching for your flights. The discount is available for flights into TUS or PHX.
• Continental/United: Discounted flights are available at www.continental.com from April 14-20 by entering ZM46236490 in the Offer Code box when searching for your flights. The discount is availble for flights into TUS or PHX.

Rental Car Discounts

• Hertz: Discounted rates on round-trip rental cars from Phoenix or Tucson are available through Hertz. Click here to check rates and make reservations, or call their 24-hour toll-free number, 1.800.654.2240 and mention our code, CV#022Q5429.

Parking

Guests of the hotel are able to self-park on-site for $10 daily, or valet park, with in and out privileges, for $40 daily. Complimentary off-site parking is available as well.

Things to do in Tucson

Click here to learn about the numerous attractions and activities that Tucson has to offer.

Justification Toolkit

Our simple justification toolkit provides you with tools and knowledge needed to help gain approval from your management to attend the Utility Solar Conference. It includes general tips for success when approaching your manager, benefits of attending, information on costs and scholarships, as well as a template for a letter to your supervisor.

Scholarship Opportunities

SEPA provides a limited number of scholarships for electric utility staff to attend USC. These scholarships include complimentary full conference registration and a travel stipend for coach airfare and hotel stay. Visit the Scholarships Page or contact Jessica Sliva, jsliva@solarelectricpower.org, for more information.

We look forward to seeing you next week at SEPA's fourth annual Utility Solar Conference. To aid in your preparation for and navigation of the conference, we have compiled a brief guide to getting the most out of your time while you're there.

Destination: Tucson, Arizona
This year’s conference will take place at the JW Marriott Starr Pass in Tucson, AZ. Located just west of an area considered the "birthplace of Tucson," the area is rich with culture, history and beauty.

Weather
Tucson is located in the Sonoran Desert so it is no surprise that it can get quite warm. Average daytime temperatures for April are in the upper 70s to low 80s, but be sure to bring a jacket, as nighttime lows can dip down to the 50s. For up-to-date weather information, visit the Weather Channel online.

Hotel Information
JW Marriott Starr Pass
3800 Starr Pass Boulevard
Tucson, Arizona 85745
Phone: 520.792.3500

Hotel Confirmation
If you've booked your hotel room in the SEPA hotel room block, your hotel confirmation should have been sent to you directly by the hotel via email. If you did not receive your confirmation, please contact the JW Marriott Starr Pass at 520.792.3500. 

Transportation
The JW Marriott Starr Pass is approximately 30 minutes (12 miles) from Tucson International Airport. The hotel does not provide a shuttle service from the airport.

Taxi Fares
Estimated taxi fare from Tucson International Airport (TUS) is $38 (one way).

Driving Directions
Driving directions to the JW Marriott Starr Pass, Tucson are available on the JW Marriott Starr Pass website.

Parking
Guests of the hotel are able to self-park onsite for $10 daily, or valet with in and out privileges for $40 daily. Free off-site parking is also available.

Dining Options in Tucson
There are five restaurants located on-property at the JW Marriott Starr Pass. For a list of these restaurants, click here. The hotel is approximately 15 minutes from downtown Tucson. See the full listing of Tucson restaurants to choose an off-property site for your dinner.

Recommended Attire
Attire for the 2012 SEPA Utility Solar Conference is business casual. Feel free to be comfortable in slacks, polo shirts, sweaters, blazers, blouses, and most importantly, comfortable shoes!

Program Schedule
To view the conference lineup, visit the agenda tab at the top of the page. View a map of the property and the Utility Solar Conference program locations.

Acronym List
Need help decoding the acronyms and abbreviations you see and hear? SEPA has compiled a list of commonly used acronyms and what they stand for.

Name Badges
Your 2012 SEPA Utility Solar Conference name badge will be required for admission to all events. Please pick up your name badge, badge holder, and conference bag at the registration counter during registration hours.

Registration Information
Registration is located in the Tucson Ballroom Foyer on the lower level of the JW Marriott Starr Pass.

Registration Hours:

Solution Providers
In addition to networking with utility industry peers, USC is supported by a select number of solar industry Solution Providers. This year we are joined by a superb cast of industry leaders with expertise in project development, EPC contracting, manufacturing and independent power producing. During the conference, you will be able to meet with these Solution Providers to talk about their technologies and products and get your questions answered.

Conference Registration Cancellation Deadline
The cancellation deadline was February 18, 2012. Cancellations after February 18 are not eligible for refunds or credit. Please forward all cancellation requests to Stephanie Szurek at events@solarelectricpower.org or 202.595.2023.

Safe Travels! We look forward to seeing you at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Tucson!