LIVE demonstrations of:

• NEW TerraMax 330kW Inverter, H1300 Power Optimizer and the new light-weight Solargik tracker.
• The latest Inverters with Synergy Technology and S-Series Optimizers.
• SolarEdge software including Designer and the NEW SolarEdge ONE controls and monitoring platform.
• The latest on UL3741 code standards bringing you MORE safety.

Refreshments served. The SolarEdge Senior Tech Team is looking forward to hosting you.

How are federal and state programs incentivizing and supporting the growth of MWBE solar businesses across the spectrum of the industry.  Finding partners in Solar Development:  Considerations, qualifications and components to ensure a seamless installation and mutually beneficial partnership. (more to come)

Hear from a member of the first cohort of United States Department of Labor's appointed Apprentice Ambassadors about the critical role apprenticeship programs play in the Midwest's transition to clean energy. This session led by Gene Kent, Executive Director of the IBEW 134/NECA Technical Institute in Chicago, will present why apprenticeship programs are the best route for job-seekers and employers.  Kent will highlight the value of a successful apprenticeship program, how it prepares a qualified workforce, and why the training is critical for the renewable energy industries.  

Join us for an inspiring discussion with local clean energy leaders as we shed light on opportunities to advance diversity, equity and inclusion. Companies will share their experiences and insights on how to identify and dismantle barriers, provide access and education, and amplify marginalized voices along the path to an equitable, just and renewable energy future. Bring your questions and perspectives to add to this timely, solutions-oriented fireside chat!

Meet up with old friends, chat with new ones, and enjoy drinks and snacks! Sponsored by Trajectory Energy Partners and Solar Simplified.

Enjoy breakfast sponsored by Powering Chicago

In an interview with Nico Johnson of SunCast Media

This one-hour course details the fundamental components and aspects of energy storage systems (ESS) and solar plus storage (SPS) systems. Participants will explore the different aspects of varying forms of energy storage; defining and differentiating between DC and AC coupled SPS systems; and discuss some of the latest and greatest innovations in energy storage technologies.

1 NABCEP Credit

Each exhibitor gets to speak from the Main Stage for one-minute

An interview with Brian Granahan and John Delurey of Vote Solar.

The transition to renewable energy is constrained by outdated electricity infrastructure. But community-scale microgrids offer a solution. By decentralizing power generation and utilizing solar, storage and advanced controls locally, microgrids can accelerate decarbonization and improve resilience. In this talk, the Clean Coalition shares how they are partnering with utilities and communities in California and New York to develop innovative multi-megawatt microgrids. These projects provide utilities with appealing alternatives to traditional grid investments, enabling faster integration of renewables while serving community needs. Learn how microgrids can catalyze the modern, renewable grid we need.

How developers can speed up site identification and acquisition by weeks or months with SaaS for title work. Get your land/title team flying and remove their 5 biggest delays and scale the entire process. 

The Inflation Reduction Act was the single biggest investment in climate action the world has ever seen. Some of that funding is targeted at clean energy deployment - to help you all put steel in the ground and panels on roofs - through tax credits and targeted incentives. Some of that funding is yet to come, via programs like the $27b Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund that will soon be launched. This panel will discuss the state of the Inflation Reduction Act at this pivotal moment and what it means for your work.

How can the Midwest utilize green hydrogen, produced through water electrolysis from renewable energy, as a clean fuel for long-duration energy storage and carbon-free transportation? This talk explores the potential to scale green hydrogen production and infrastructure throughout the Midwest's wind & solar corridor, enabling renewable energy growth while decarbonizing the region's trucks, trains, and buses.

How developers and asset owners can invest in circularity and build recycling into the project life cycle.

Forget everything you think you know about the Department of Energy (DOE) – It's no longer just Research and Development and tomorrow's concepts. DOE’s Loan Programs Office (LPO) is at the forefront of the Department’s efforts to accelerate clean energy deployment, with an additional $100b in loans and loan guarantees available through the Inflation Reduction Act. Learn what makes a project a good fit for LPO and how to get started with a pre-application consultation.

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Energy communities. Domestic content. Prevailing wage. The Investment Tax Credit is no longer a binary option, but a spectrum of value that your projects can capture through additional commitments - or just sheer luck. We'll hear from those who know the full value of the ITC best - prepare to walk away with insights about how the Departments of Treasury and Energy will guide the ITC forward.

What are some case studies of Midwestern utilities that have progressive, DG-friendly interconnection processes versus those that have more barriers in place? It may advocate policy changes at the state public utility commission or regulatory levels to encourage simpler, faster DG interconnections in this region.

Over the next year, $27b will be heading to state and regional entities to deploy equitable clean energy. This includes $7b through the Solar for All program specifically targeting solar savings for income-qualified families. The other $20b is designed to catalyze a network of "green bank" entities that could drastically change the landscape of clean energy financing. Enjoy this crash course on all things green bank.

In an interview with Nico Johnson of SunCast Media, Raghu and Nico will discuss whether home electrification is inevitable, so how do you get more of the pie?

Will PPAs ever be legal in Wisconsin? What is happening to net metering in Illinois? Come listen to our expert panel talk about legislative wins, losses, and what policy is on the horizon across a variety of market segments from residential to utility-scale solar. 

A perspective from the Scottsbluff, NE solar project that hit the national news in June of 2023. Before: Best practices during O&M activities that can prevent damage. During: Weather prediction and DAS communications. After: What is the process to get a storm back online and how long does it take? 

Community solar markets continue to evolve and grow across the Midwest. Several states have good legislation brewing - what do developers and stakeholders predict for Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and other markets that are now playing catch up to Illinois and Minnesota who are stepping on the gas with their already robust CS programs. Get the skinny on the five-year outlook from community solar experts.

Wood MacKenzie and SEIA predict that 2024 will see the first dip in new residential solar capacity since 2017. People who bet against solar often lose their lunch money. Still, there are rumbles in the foundation, especially in big solar states like California. What's behind the figures? What are people experiencing across the residential industry? And which Midwest states hold promise for a brighter residential future?

ComEd will lead an open dialogue with solar developers and other renewable energy stakeholders focused on accelerating the construction and energization of commercial and industrial customer projects, and community solar. Participants will have a unique opportunity to discuss their most significant challenges, collaborate on potential solutions, and identify ways that ComEd and other entities can facilitate rapid expansion of large solar in northern Illinois. Topics may include but are not limited to workforce and construction resources; supply chain; financial commitments and constraints; incentive terms; permitting; and other issues impacting project execution.

Sponsored by ComEd

Long gone are the formula rates that ComEd and Ameren relied on for rubber stamped grid upgrades. Thanks to CEJA's grid planning and rate case policies, we now have real insights into how we can build the equitable clean energy grid in a way that prepares for electrification and ubiquitous distributed generation. Come learn how this dovetails with the future of NEM and the ability to electrify everything.

Enjoy drinks, games and fun, sponsored by TurningPoint Energy

Join the Renewable Energy Evolution Air Hockey Tournament

Hosted by EnergeiaWorks. This event will take place at Pete's Tiki Tiki, 5510 Park Place, Suite B, Rosemont, IL. It's a 10-minute walk from the venue, or 3 minute drive.

The event is free, but you need to register here and use this password: RUWChicago

This event is open to everyone in the solar and clean energy industry, not just those attending the Midwest Solar Expo. Have fun!

Meet the people in the room where it happens. In four Quick Talks, each speaker will give a crosscut of the policy landscape and dynamics in their state and, if we're lucky, peer into the political crystal ball to tell us what lies ahead.

Brownfield to Brightfield projects are an important piece of the clean energy transition plan, with huge amounts of potential land that is ready for development across the country. These unique projects offer win-win-win solutions that benefit local communities, landowners, and the environment. Join us as we hear success stories, key learnings, and how it differs from greenfield project development.

Leading tech companies have undertaken major sustainability initiatives to decarbonize their energy footprint and transition to renewable energy across data centers, offices, and infrastructure. Are they achieving their energy goals? In this session, we hear which strategies work best, and what are the key challenges, including community opposition. We also hear about innovative approaches and best practices.

By proactively identifying and addressing potential environmental impacts before they escalate, companies can mitigate risks and minimize adverse effects on ecosystems. This approach not only enhances regulatory adherence but also cultivates a positive public image, demonstrating a commitment to environmental stewardship. Embracing a forward-thinking environmental compliance strategy safeguards natural ecosystems and positions solar projects as environmentally responsible contributors to the global shift towards renewable energy, garnering support from stakeholders and communities alike. During this session we’ll discuss how the proactive approach to environmental compliance leads to long-term success and positive environmental impact of utility-scale solar installations.

Learn how energy storage improves financial returns on solar projects. In-depth updates on the available incentives and how to leverage behind-the-meter solar+energy storage systems to reduce costs, earn revenue from providing grid services, protect your operation from outages, and provide environmental benefits.  Case studies from existing successful Midwest projects.  

This session focuses on the challenges and implications of restrictions imposed on net metering in California. It explores how these limitations can have a broader impact on the solar industry across different states, examining the interconnected dynamics and potential consequences for solar development.

In an interview with Nico Johnson, of SunCast Meda

Is AI really revolutionary? This panel discussion explores practical AI applications already lowering solar soft costs—from automated lead gen conversations to machine learning for production modeling. Learn how solar companies can harness AI, without the hype, to accelerate real business growth.

Tax Credit Transferability: Is investing in renewables getting easier? Will transferability revolutionize all project financing? Learn about how the market is growing and what advances have been made possible because of the Inflation Reduction Act. 

By proactively educating, listening, and partnering with local communities, solar developers can counter misinformation, address concerns, and gain public support for renewable energy projects. This talk explores best practices for stakeholder engagement, trust building, and messaging to tackle NIMBYism.

Developers and asset owners are starting to integrate agrivoltaics and dual-use solar into their solar projects in the Midwest. What are the opportunities and challenges, what’s working and what’s not? From sheep grazing to strawberry farming the dual-use applications for solar farms is manifold and potentially an important public relations angle with rural farming communities who are increasingly pushing back against solar farm development. 

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A discussion on different types of projects for multifamily housing. From behind-the-meter to community solar, what project structures make the most sense and where? What are the different challenges faced with new development vs. existing facilities?

Every Midwestern state applied for federal Solar for All funding to accelerate solar savings for income-qualified communities. Only two states have existing programs dedicated to fostering income-qualified solar: Illinois and Minnesota. We'll ask our experts to compare these two programs and even dare them to dream what a perfect program or policy looks like. When the federal Solar for All tap turns on this summer, we must ensure that it's pointed in the right direction.

As federal funding from both the Infrastructure Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) begins to get released, domestic content requirements have had very different definitions from various federal agencies. How do we navigate requirements, who are the first manufacturers making big moves Stateside, and what will domestic content do to construction costs?