Solar Power Colorado Theme Set for Feb 5-6

Conference to highlight utility CEO panel. Colorado’s largest solar energy gathering of the year is drawing leading industry executives from around the nation who want to be part of paving The Path to a Million Solar Roofs. Solar Power Colorado highlight a ‘State of the Industry’ panel with leading solar CEOs sharing their views on the road ahead. This year’s conference also includes an insightful discussion on solar-utility partnerships with utility CEOs, including David Eves, President and CEO of Public Service Company of Colorado. The conference runs February 5 and 6 at The Westin in Westminster. “Solar energy is now a $100 billion global industry,” said Neal Lurie, Executive Director of the nonprofit Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association which organizes the conference. “As Colorado pioneers its path to a Million Solar Roofs, we’re excited to bring solar executives and utility leaders together to build partnerships for future growth.” Chief executives from a range of leading solar companies will share their insights. Confirmed speakers include: Danny Kennedy, Founder of Sungevity; Ole Pilgaard, President of Heliodyne; Blake Jones, President and CEO of Namaste Solar, Julia Hamm, Executive Director of the national Solar Energy Power Association, and Paul Spencer, President and Founder of the Clean Energy Collective. In addition to David Eves of Public Service Company of Colorado (Xcel Energy), Del Worley, CEO of Holy Cross Energy will offer a co-op perspective on solar and other utility leaders will also speak. Policy leaders confirmed include former Gov. Bill Ritter and state senator Gail Schwartz. The event will provide the empetus for pushing the Path to a Million Solar Roofs. The goal is provide about 3 Gigawatts of solar energy in Colorado by 2030 through a combination of photovoltaic electric systems and solar thermal heating and cooling systems. The campaign includes efforts to boost public outreach, utility partnerships and public-private collaborations to encourage the growth of solar energy from small arrays on homes to large utility-scale projects, and from community solar gardens to industrial rooftop projects. To reach this goal, solar would supply nearly a fifth of our state’s energy needs. Attendees will learn the latest about a variety of innovative programs including the COSEIA-led Solar Friendly Communities ( www.solarcommunities.org [2]) and how it is making a tangible difference in driving down the cost of going solar.