Putting the Customer First: Expanding Equitable Access to Community Solar

Presented by U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO

Thursday, January 19th, 2023, 7:15 – 8:00 PM ET

The moderator will lead a group of experts in a discussion about strategies and opportunities for equitable customer engagement and expanding access to community solar. Panelists will discuss how the IRA can impact customer engagement or acquisition, how consumer protections can be ensured, how the NCSP Low-Income Community Solar Subscription Tool will impact access and customer engagement, as well as additional barriers and opportunities for community solar customer engagement, acquisition, management, and low-income access.

This panel is part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) third National Community Solar Partnership (NCSP) Annual Summit. This year’s summit theme, ‘Community Solar’s Time to Shine’, reflects how the efforts of NCSP and our partners over the last year, as well as the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), have unlocked a new potential for community solar.

The event will feature plenary sessions and interactive roundtable discussions on topics including new community solar markets, accessible financing, customer acquisition with an emphasis on low-income households, messaging, and access to capital. 

Moderator:

Chris Nichols, Renewables Forward

Speakers:

Jennifer Schmidt, Illinois Power Agency

Zo Mpofu, Energy Equity for Solar United Neighbors

Charlie Harak, National Consumer Law Center

Yesenia Rivera, Energy Allies

Akm Rahman (virtual), HHS