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Demand for solar power and energy storage is only going to increase. What’s the plan for meeting it?

Jun 14, 2024

David Banmiller, a journalist covering debates on solar energy, discusses the challenges of electrification in the energy sector. They tackle grid connection issues, high connection charges, and strategies for easing these hurdles. Experts explore the surge in demand for solar energy amid data center growth, EV infrastructure, and electrification. Leuwam Tesfai sheds light on California's plans to secure solar and storage supply chains. Oscar Araujo and Shaun Laughlin delve into mitigating climate risk and clean energy finance. Connection bottlenecks, PPAs, solar technology trends, and funding and finance solutions are also highlighted.

59:38

Episode guests

David Banmiller

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Electrification is driving increased demand for solar power and energy storage, posing challenges for energy systems.

Grid connection issues like permitting queues and high charges need to be addressed for smoother industry operations.

The spike in solar and storage capabilities presents a hurdle for the industry, requiring strategies to meet demand efficiently.

Deep dives

Challenges of Managing Increased Demand for Energy

The podcast discusses how electrification leads to increased demand, highlighting the challenges of managing this rise in demand within energy systems.

Intro

2min

Challenges and Solutions in Solar Power Project Interconnection

6min

The Future of Clean Energy: Challenges and Solutions

16min

Managing Risks and Incentivizing Domestic Manufacturing in Solar Power Industry

10min

Navigating Economic and Rate Environment Challenges in Solar Energy Business

10min

Navigating Relationships and Efficiency in Construction Projects with Private Equity Firms

2min

Investment Strategies in Solar Projects and Renewable Energy Landscape

14min

Insight and analysis from the second day of the Solar & Energy Storage Summit 2024.

Day 2 of the 2024 Solar and Energy Storage Summit and the conversation was still in full swing. We were there once again to capture all the debate and discussion on the future of the solar energy sector.

Electrification is at the heart of the energy transition. There’s been a sharp rise in grid connection capabilities in the last couple of years, and it’s causing a headache for the industry. Permitting queues are long, and connection charges are high. What needs to change to ease these?

Kelly Snyder is Senior Director, Origination, at EDP Renewables. She joins us to discuss it, as well as the latest trends in solar PPAs.

What’s the future of US electricity demand? Data centres, EV infrastructure and widespread electrification are causing a surge in demand, so how much is going to be met by green energy? Leuwam Tesfai is Deputy Executive Director for Energy and Climate Policy at the California Public Utilities Commission. She spoke to us about California’s plans to secure solar and storage supply chains to ensure there’s enough clean energy to meet demand.

Plus, conversations with Oscar Araujo, General Manager for North America at Canadian Solar, and Shaun Laughlin of Solaris Energy, on mitigating climate risk and clean energy finance. Connection bottlenecks and possible solutions to the problem, PPAs, solar and storage technology and trends in funding and finance: it’s all here on our recap of day 2 of the summit.

Subscribe to the show so you don’t miss any of the analysis from the Solar and Energy Storage Summit. Find us on X – we’re @interchangeshow.

For more information from our sponsor Convergent Energy and Power on their industry-leading battery storage and solar solutions, please go to convergentep.com

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