Announcing a Hybrid Webinar to be held on Monday, May 16, 2022:

“Utility-Scale Solar – a Revolution in Progress.”

Large solar panel installations that can connect to the electric power grid are proliferating across America. Plans to site these “utility-scale solar” installations in Appalachia, including on previously mined lands, have captured public attention.  What does this revolution in clean energy production mean for our society?  What can we expect as its revolutionary future unfolds?

To help answer these questions, on Monday, May 16, 2022, the West Virginia Center on Climate Change (“WV3C”) will present a live, audience-interactive, “hybrid webinar” program – online via Zoom and in-person in Morgantown, WV. Register here for free in-person and/or online attendance, or email  info@wvclimate.org.

The main speaker will be David Feldman, Senior Financial Analyst at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (“NREL”).  His areas of research and expertise include renewable energy policy and project finance, corporate finance in the energy sector, and solar energy market analysis.

David Feldman’s NREL publications include “Emerging Opportunities and Challenges in Financing Solar;” “The Role of Advancements in Solar Photovoltaic Efficiency, Reliability, and Costs;” “Financing U.S. Renewable Energy Projects Through Public Capital Vehicles;” ”Photovoltaic (PV) Pricing Trends: Historical, Recent, and Near-Term Projections;” “Winter 2021/2022 Solar Industry Update;” and “Towards Decarbonization: Establishing a Sustainable, Equitable, Diverse Workforce in the U.S. Photovoltaic Industry.” He is a member of the Washington, D.C., office of the NREL’s Strategic Energy Analysis Center. He earned a MBA from the Yale School of Management, and a BA from Amherst College.

The discussion panel will include Daniel Chiotos, Sales and Market Development Director at Mountain View Solar in Berkeley Springs, WV.  He holds a BS in Political Science and Government from Shepherd University and is a certified Building Performance Analyst and Energy Practitioner.

Also participating in the discussion panel will be Betsy Arlen, Director of Development and Real Estate for Sun Tribe Development, a provider of large-scale renewable energy solutions. With over 14 years of renewable energy industry experience, her responsibilities encompass overseeing the company’s Site Origination strategy and Real Estate portfolio, including site acquisition, outreach, and contract negotiations, along with Sun Tribe’s geospatial solutions and data systems. Betsy manages the Company’s brightfield initiatives, including advancing solar on formerly mined lands in The Nature Conservancy’s Cumberland Forest in Southwest Virginia. She holds an M.A. in Geography and a B.A. in Geography from Wayne State University in Detroit.  

A “hybrid webinar” combines an online Zoom audience and speakers, and an in-person audience and speakers.  This program will be hosted at the West Virginia University Media Innovation Center Story Hub, on the 4th floor of the Evansdale Crossing Building, 62 Morrill Way, Morgantown WV 26506.  Doors open at 6:30 PM USET, and the online program will go from 7:00 to 8:00 PM USET. WVU’s COVID protocol is currently “masks optional.” Free parking after 5PM.

Registrants receive a Zoom link to attend the online program and reminder emails; and are welcome to attend in person or online, regardless of what plans they indicate. A video recording will be available for registrants who cannot attend. We do not share contact information.

For more information, go to https://wvclimate.org/, or email info@wvclimate.org.

Register here for free in-person and/or online attendance, or email  info@wvclimate.org.

Thanks to the Appalachian Stewardship Foundation and the Dunn Foundation for making these programs possible!