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Utility Solar Conference
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All events will take place in Tucson, Arizona
A limited number of scholarships is available to utility employees who would not otherwise be able to attend USC. Get more information and apply.
2012 Registration Fees – Register Now!*
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Registration is specifically designed for employees of regulated investor-owned utilities, municipal, cooperative and federal power authorities. Due to regulatory concerns, employees of any deregulated entities associated with these organizations are not permitted to attend. *If you plan to apply to be a speaker or moderator, please wait to register until your role is confirmed. **Check here for membership status
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| 2012 Registration - Online registration is closed. See Agenda tab for on-site registration hours. |
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| Member** | $699 | ||||
| Non-Member | $1,199 | ||||
2012 Registration Includes:
Utility Participants:
Access to ALL conference educational sessions on Tuesday, April 17 and Wednesday, April 18
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:
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
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.
Rental Car Discounts
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.
Utility Solar Conference
April 17-18, 2012
JW Marriott Starr Pass
Tucson, AZ
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Date & Time |
Event |
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Monday, April 16th |
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8:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
Registration |
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8:45 AM - 4:30 PM |
USC Solar Tour (Utilities only. Separate registration required. A detailed tour agenda is available here under the "Solar Tour" tab.) |
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5:15 PM - 5:45 PM |
Orientation for Scholarship Recipients |
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6:00 PM - 8:00 PM |
SEPA's 20 Year Celebration |
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Tuesday, April 17th |
The conference will include sessions designed with utility, government and expert speakers. Tuesday conference activities are open to all attendees. |
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6:30 AM - 5:30 PM |
Registration |
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7:00 AM - 8:00 AM |
Continental Breakfast |
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7:00 AM - 8:00 AM |
Utilities Regional Issues Breakfast Meeting (Utilities only) Join your SEPA Regional Director and peers from utilities in your area of the country for an informal breakfast where you can get to know one another and share experiences. |
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Opening General Session |
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8:00 AM - 8:45 AM |
Opening Remarks: Julia Hamm, President & CEO, Solar Electric Power Association Keynote Address: Keeping the Solar Momentum David Hutchens, President, UniSource Energy (parent company of Tucson Electric Power) |
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8:45 AM - 10:00 AM |
Distributed Solar and the Utility of the Future: How Solar Will Impact Electric Utilities in the Next Ten Years
Panelists:
Moderator:
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10:00 AM - 11:00 AM |
Morning Networking Break with Solution Providers |
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11:15 AM - 12:30 PM |
Concurrent Sessions |
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Technical Benefits of Solar: What's Known and What's Unproven?
Speakers:
Moderator:
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Managing Power Purchase Agreement Risks and Maximizing the Rewards
Speakers:
Moderator:
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Smart Grid and Solar - Will Advances in the Smart Grid Help Utilities Manage Solar?
Speakers:
Moderator:
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12:30 PM - 1:45 PM |
SEPA Utility Solar Rankings Awards Luncheon |
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2:00 PM - 3:15 PM |
Afternoon General Session: The Elusive Promise of Energy Storage
Panelists:
Moderator:
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3:15 PM - 4:15 PM |
Afternoon Networking Break with Solution Providers |
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4:15 PM - 5:30 PM |
Concurrent Sessions |
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Buy vs. Build: How and Why Utilities Take Different Paths to Adding Solar Resources
Speakers:
Moderator:
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Managing Variability
Speakers:
Moderator:
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Managing Interconnection and High Penetration
Speakers:
Moderator:
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5:30 PM - 7:30 PM |
Networking Reception |
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Wednesday, April 18th |
Conference activities are open to utilities ONLY. |
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7:00 AM - 5:30 PM |
Registration |
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7:30 AM - 8:30 AM |
Learn more about the Solution Providers over Breakfast |
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8:45 AM - 10:00 AM |
General Session: The Future of Incentives
Panelists:
Moderator:
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10:00 AM - 11:00 AM |
Morning Networking Break with Solution Providers |
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11:15 AM - 12:30 PM |
How-To Discussions How-to sessions are highly interactive, featuring facilitated discussion and information sharing amongst all audience participants, with an identified panel of experts to help fuel and shape the conversation. |
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Creating a Community Solar Program Facilitators:
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Desigining a Solar Program Your Regulators and the Solar Industry Will Love (or at Least Accept)
Facilitators:
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Writing and Evaluating RFPs for Solar
Facilitators:
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12:30 PM - 1:45 PM |
Networking Lunch |
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2:00 PM - 3:15 PM |
How-To Discussions |
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Building a Solar Program That Makes Sense for Self-Regulated, Non-Profit Co-Ops and Municipal Utilities
Facilitators:
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Automating Interconnection and Solar Customer Processing
Facilitators:
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Making Solar Hot Water a Winning Utility Service Option
Facilitators:
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3:15 PM - 4:15 PM |
Afternoon Networking Break with Solution Providers |
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4:15 PM - 5:30 PM |
How-To Discussions |
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Designing a Feed-in Tariff That Meets Utility Goals for Solar
Facilitators:
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Fire, Safety, Certification and Inspections
Facilitators:
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5:30 PM |
Utility Solar Conference Adjourns |
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Thursday, April 19th |
Post-Conference Workshop |
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8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
High Penetration PV Grid Integration Workshop
(Separate registration is required. More information is available under the Workshop tab.) |
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Please note schedule is tentative and subject to change. View and download a PDF of the agenda.
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. The Solar Tour is for utilities only.
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Time |
Tour Event |
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8:45AM |
Assemble for departure in Hotel Lobby |
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9:00 AM |
Bus Departs Welcome to the Solar Tour |
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9:30 - 10:30 AM |
TEP Solar Test Yard Hear from Tucson Electric Power and see and learn about their PV testing field and the results.
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10:45 AM - 12:45 PM |
University of Arizona Tech Park Tour of the Solar Zone and presentations on the projects and work at the University of Arizona (UA) Tech Park. Participants will learn about:
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1:00 - 2:00 PM |
Lunch (at UASTP Solar Zone) |
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2:15 - 3:45 PM |
University of Arizona
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4:00 PM |
Bus departs for the return to JW Marriott Starr Pass |
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4:30 PM |
Solar Tour concludes |
| *This is a draft agenda and is subject to change. | |
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.
High Penetration PV Grid Integration Workshop
The High Penetration PV Grid Integration Workshop was a one-day event that took place on Thursday, April 19th from 8AM - 5PM. This workshop focused on the key issues that utilities are facing with high penetration of distributed solar. Organized and sponsored by DOE, EPRI and SEPA, the workshop reviewed and discussed the latest experience, analysis and problem solving with high penetration PV. Application of current research and status of integration standards were also covered. This workshop provided an excellent opportunity to hear what others are doing and catch up on the latest efforts in distributed PV integration.
Click the title of each session to view presentation slides from the event.
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Time |
Topic |
Presenter Note: Not all speakers confirmed |
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8:00 AM |
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Tom Key, EPRI |
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8:20 AM |
Session 1: Experience with High Penetration PV
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George Rodriguez, Southern California Edison (moderator)
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10:00 AM |
Break |
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10:30 AM |
Session 2a: Data and Models for High Penetration
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Mahesh Morjaria, First Solar (moderator) Rasool Aghatehrani, SunEdison Kristen Nicole, EPRI Josh Stein, Sandia |
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12:00 PM |
Lunch
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12:45 PM |
Session 2b: Analysis of High Penetration
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Abraham Ellis, Sandia (moderator) Barry Mather, NREL |
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2:00 PM |
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Robert Broderick, Sandia (moderator) Dennis Flinn, DNV/KEMA Paul Cote, PNM |
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2:45 PM |
Break |
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3:00 PM |
Session 3: Activity in Screening Procedures and Interconnection Standards
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Kevin Lynn, DOE (moderator) Mike Coddington, NREL |
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4:00 PM |
Session 4: Interconnection Standards: Utility & Industry Perceptions
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Tom Basso, NREL(moderator) Abraham Ellis, Sandia; Mike Grant, Duke; Elie Nasr, SMA America; Bill Plank, juwi Solar |
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5:00 PM |
Adjourn |
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Download the agenda here (PDF).
Questions? Please contact Stephanie Szurek at sszurek@solarelectricpower.org or 202.559.2023.
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:
| Monday, April 16 | 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Tuesday, April 17 | 6:30 AM - 5:30 PM |
| Wednesday, April 18 | 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM |
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!