2023 Full Program*
*Working document, subject to change
Monday, May 1 (pre-event sessions)
Track 1 - Florida CILB & ECLB approved CE
Track 2 - Financing & Sales Education
2 CE Credit Hours / 100 minutes
Instructor: Ryan Scordato, Esq, Lowndes Law
CILB Course # 0614423
ECLB Course # 0802750
FlaSEIA Providership CILB #1558, ECLB #PVD618
50 minutes / 1 CE Hour (meet Workers Comp requirement)
Instructor: David Griffiths, Insurance by Ken Brown
CILB Course # 0614422
ECLB Course # 0802753
FlaSEIA Providership CILB #0001558 , ECLB #PVD618
50 minutes / 1 CE hour (Meets Business Practice requirement)
Instructor: David Griffiths, Insurance by Ken Brown
CILB Course # 0614421
ECLB Course #0802752
FlaSEIA Providership CILB: #0001558 ECLB #PVD618
Most contractors already understand solar finance options like cash, home equity, loans, leases, and PPAs. The presenter will explore each and provide some interesting examples of successful deal structures.
Dema Headley, Climate First Bank
Things like dealer fees and program rates are variable. Learn how the macro environment affects the way you sell and do deals.
Greg Burns, Greentech Finance Solutions Specialist
Most homeowners have similar fears and objections. Learn savvy ways to overcome their objections, while also setting realistic expectations for the value and performance of the system.
Bruce Ludeman, Renewable Sales & Power
Learn how to sell based on your buyer's style and close more sales.
Presented by Eric Konovalav, The Goal Guide
The Florida solar market is expanding rapidly. With Florida being the #2 state in the country for residential solar, having an effective sales organization offers ample opportunity to grow revenue. Learn how to start and scale it.
5:00 p.m. Welcome Reception
6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. VIP Party Cruise
Tuesday, May 2
7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Registration & Networking Breakfast
Ben Millar, President, FlaSEIA Board of Directors
Steve Rutherford
Former Navy SEAL Steve Rutherford served with honor for over twenty-two years including Power and Energy Director for the Special Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, FL.
Florida just emerged from a bruising debate on net metering. Panelists will discuss the latest topics in Tallahassee which may have bearing on the Florida solar industry.
Moderator: Julia Pyper, GoodLeap; Panelists: Sterling Clifford, Sunnova, Jim Purekal, SunPower; Aliki Moncrief, Florida Conservation Voters
10:20 a.m. - 10:40 a.m. Networking Break
Chris Collins, Founder, Ohm Analytics
Laws and regulations will continue to shift and change. Presenters will provide an outlook on what’s next, examine FlaSEIA policy positions, and discuss member benefits.
Presenter: Ben Millar, President, FlaSEIA Board of Directors; Paola Humphrey, Membership Committee Co-Chair
11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Networking & Luncheon
12:15 p.m. Women in Solar Meet-up in Boathouse (all invited)
Recently some insurance companies have been dropping Florida homeowners if they have solar on their roof. Learn more about the reasons behind this recent trend and how is the solar industry is navigating this issue.
Heaven Campbell, SUN, Josh McCarthy, Shepherd Insurance
Many places are adopting microgrids to help manage power supply and demand and improve grid resilience. Panelists will share successes and failures with respect to design and implementation, and the roles of solar, energy storage, and software.
Moderator: PJ Wilson, SESA Panelists: Doug Telepman, Enel North America; Harold Ruckpaul, Eaton Corporation; Rob Bennett, Block Energy
The frequency of billion-dollar extreme weather events has increased significantly over the last few years. Hurricane Ian was a powerful reminder. Hear personal accounts of how Florida solar fared during Hurricane Ian and discussion of future energy risks associated with extreme weather.
Deals in the solar industry often now include much more than solar. Join panelists as they explore the future of distributed energy resources and the role of various mechanisms to help us reach full potential.
Panelists: Nathan Charles, Enphase, Rick Gilbert, Solar Source, Jen Szaro, AESP
3:30 p.m. - 3:50 p.m. Networking Break
Financing has become a core component of solar sales. Gain an understanding of how current economic conditions like inflation and higher interest rates affect deals
Moderator: Evan Cuttic, Mirasol Solar; Panelists: Lex Ford, Climate First Bank; Sam Jammal, Mosaic
Panelist: Jeff Juger, JinkoSolar
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception & Cornhole Tournament
Wednesday, May 3
7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Registration & Networking Breakfast
Enjoy a late breakfast and join us to recognize the movers and shakers in the Florida solar industry, from those who helped build the foundations of Florida solar to those rising stars who will cement the future.
Heather Reams, President at Citizens For Responsible Energy Solutions
Policies both helpful and harmful to solar have arisen at the federal level over the last two to three years. Heather will explore the current impact of trade policy, incentives, and other considerations on the solar market and how contractors and developers can benefit.
There have been significant markets due to net metering decisions in California and Florida. The trade association Board Presidents from the two largest residential solar states in the country will compare the state policies, take lessons learned from experiences in both states, and prognosticate about the future of net metering.
Sterling Clifford, GR Committee Chair, FlaSEIA Board of Directors
Brad Heavner, Policy Director, CALSSA
11:00 a.m. - 11:20 a.m. Networking Break
The Inflation Reduction Act was one of the most talked about subjects in the renewable energy industry in 2022. Guidance from the IRS continues to come out. The presenter will provide a general overview of the IRA and impact to the residential market.
Presenter: Brandon Audap, Director of Policy & Government Affairs, JinkoSolar; Chris Diaz, Seminole Financial; David Skillman, Sunnova
12:20 - 1:20 p.m. Networking Luncheon
1:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. Career Fair Registration open
The Inflation Reduction Act brings forth many incentives for new solar and energy storage projects. While the residential segment is more straightforward, there are many opportunities and complexities when it comes to projects exceeding 1 MW. The presenter will highlight some key aspects and teach developers how to tap into the full potential of the IRA.
Presenter: Brandon Audap, Director of Policy & Government Affairs, JinkoSolar; Chris Diaz, Seminole Financial; David Skillman, Sunnova
In early 2022, FlaSEIA and the Florida Solar Energy Center launched a solar apprenticeship program, the first in the country to be registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. Learn about the program program and how companies and apprentices can benefit.
Moderator: David Bessette, President & CEO, Energy Technology Services; Diane Seavers, Career Source Suncoast; Rick Gilbert, Solar Source; Jennifer Bodnar, St Pete College
The Inflation Reduction Act brings forth many incentives for new solar and energy storage projects. Non-profits can now participate in solar in ways like never before. Panelists' experience in past and current projects with non-profits will provide first hand experience for you to utilize going forward.
Panelists: Ann Vanek-Dasovich, SELF - Solar Energy Loan Fund; Myriam Scally, Everybody Solar, Tony Grappone CPA, Novogradac & Company
(Free for FlaSEIA members to set up a table and free for prospective employees to attend)
