RE+ Community Energy
About RE+ Community Energy
For those interested in community solar, this inaugural “Community Energy” event will provide a holistic approach to the topic. Community energy is produced by and for local-level communities, leveraging clean energy resources like solar, storage, and microgrids. It is one of the fastest growing sectors in the clean energy economy. Discover a hub for companies and professionals connected to their community and dedicated to providing long-lasting benefits for the future of energy.
RE+ Community Energy brings together leading community energy businesses, utilities, non-profits, and policymakers for an exclusive two-day event — featuring in-depth conversations with regional community energy thought leaders, sessions on current trends and policies, networking opportunities, and solution providers. This unique program is running in conjunction with RE+ Mid-Atlantic and are both accessible under one registration.
What to expect
Take advantage of two events for the price of one with RE+ Community Energy! This unique program offers dedicated education sessions, networking, and exhibits in addition to all RE+ Mid-Atlantic content. Immerse yourself in the growing world of community energy through this distinct experience.
DEDICATED RE+ COMMUNITY SESSIONS
Immerse yourself in the world of community energy with these focused sessions:
Wednesday, July 26
8:30 am - 10:00 am
Expanding Access to Clean Energy & Advancing Environmental Justice in the Mid-Atlantic
The Mid-Atlantic region is in the midst of transitioning to a zero-carbon economy. How do we ensure this transition includes everyone? During part one of this session, speakers will discuss how the development of clean energy can be done in a way that benefits underserved communities and the importance of creating programs that center community needs and partner with local stakeholders. In part two of the conversation, panelists will discuss the intersection of carbon reduction and innovative solutions that ensure the needs and rights of people are included in the transition to a clean energy future.
10:30 am - 11:15 am
State Briefing: Virginia and Maryland
This briefing will cover an in-depth look at the clean energy landscape in Maryland and Virginia. Drop-in for a discussion on recent policy developments in each state, including the passage of legislation creating a permanent community solar program in Maryland.
11:25 am - 11:45 am
QuickTalk: In the Trenches - IRA Implementation and State Policy Opportunities
In 2021 alone, $33 billion was invested in solar in the U.S. Most projections expect this to reach $600 billion by the end of the decade, which creates a massive near-term opportunity, but one that faces many challenges as the U.S. continues IRA implementation and states move quickly to develop new policies to scale clean energy across the Mid-Atlantic. During this quick talk, hear from SEIA expert, Ben Norris, as he discusses opportunities for the region in a post-IRA world.
1:10 pm - 2:00 pm
Community Solar in the Mid-Atlantic: Boom, Bust, Balance?
U.S. community solar deployment is expected to more than double over the next five years. What are the key ingredients to a successful community solar program? Throughout the Mid-Atlantic, States like NJ, MD, and DE have embraced community solar as a means of expanding solar access to residents regardless of the physical attributes or ownership of their home or business. Meanwhile in PA, community solar has faced utility opposition and questions around potential ratepayer impact. In this session, experts will explore changes to the community solar market in the region, how some markets have fared better than others, and how stakeholders can work together to create an ideal approach to permanent programs that expand access to low-to-moderate income customs and contribute to a more distributed, customer-centric electric grid.
2:10 pm - 2:35 pm
QuickTalk: Expanding Clean Energy Access to Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) Households through Innovative Program Design
An equity-first approach to program design is essential to ensuring that LMI households are at the forefront of the clean energy transition. This quick talk will explore examples of program design with an emphasis on partnerships and financing structures that are leading to measurable uptake of LMI rooftop solar and related energy efficiency and electrification measures.
2:35 pm - 3:00 pm
QuickTalk: Assessing Clean Energy and Distributed Resources in Mid-Atlantic Energy Communities in a Post-IRA World
Under the Inflation Reduction Act, there are new opportunities to not only serve energy communities but to also bring clean energy resources to disturbed lands and brownfields. This quick talk will feature a discussion on how stakeholders can work together to help communities develop these projects. Speakers will highlight the benefits of repurposed lands and the economic opportunity for both communities and for the industry.
3:30 pm - 4:10 pm
State-Wide, Regional and Nation-Wide Frameworks for Coordinating Distribution and State Resilience Planning
Extreme weather events, aging grid infrastructure and emerging energy technologies are increasing utilities’ focus on system resiliency. How can deploying distributed energy resources support the transition to a carbon-free future that is resilient? This session will explore recent resilience needs assessments and microgrid evaluations conducted in the region.
3:50 pm - 4:10 pm
QuickTalk: Wood Mackenzie Community Solar Outlook Report Review
Cumulative installed community solar capacity has more than doubled since 2020; however, the market has recently begun to stagnate with national installed capacity declining 6% in 2022. What are the major headwinds to increased growth, and what are the biggest new opportunities for community solar? This session will explore the answers to these questions and review Wood Mackenzie’s latest national outlook with a focus on key Mid-Atlantic state markets.
Thursday, July 27
9:00 am - 9:30 am
QuickTalk: Resilient Communities, Maryland
This QuickTalk will focus on Maryland’s efforts to develop an equitable, community-driven energy resilience framework that will be replicated across the state, supporting increased public safety and improved preparedness and recovery in the event of hazardous events and extended grid outages. Accomplished by combining community-defined resilience metrics; resilience hub siting, design, and operations that are aligned with community-defined metrics; and broader energy equity considerations that link resilience efforts to the lived experience of the communities they serve in the context of both outage and regular operating conditions.
9:30 am - 10:00 am
QuickTalk: Community-Driven CBAs: Best Practices for Impactful Community Benefit Agreements
Community Benefit Agreements (CBA) are becoming even more commonplace as renewable energy seeks to disrupt exploitative and extractive development practices. When done correctly, CBAs can expedite community approvals and create opportunities for restorative justice. In this session, we will discuss best practices to employ, and pitfalls to avoid, when crafting community benefit agreements for your renewable energy project.
10:30 am - 10:55 am
QuickTalk: Fairmount Heights: An Innovative Microgrid Design
Microgrids can meet a complex range of consumer applications across a diverse set of regulatory environments. But particularly challenging is the need for microgrids to be available for affordable housing. This presentation discusses the application of individual home microgrids in a three (3) tier microgrid network for low-income housing being built in a Fairmont Heights neighborhood in Maryland. The microgrid infrastructure will be installed, owned, operated and maintained by the local utility (PEPCO – an Exelon Company) and will provide clean, renewable, sustainable, sure and resilient power to the houses without the need for residents to finance or pay premium utility rates for this advanced service. This innovative housing development was architected by Peabody | Fine Architects of Alexandria VA.
10:55 am - 11:15 am
QuickTalk: Building with Benefits: Strengthening Community Solar’s Impact through Meaningful Benefits
Community solar provides a unique opportunity to ensure all households have access to the benefits of clean energy. Projects that incorporate the meaningful benefits of community solar—such as low- to moderate-income access, greater household savings, resilience, community ownership, and equitable workforce development—build customer trust and deepen the impacts of clean energy investments in underserved communities. Join this session, hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy, for a discussion on how to prioritize customer benefits to develop more equitable and impactful community solar.
