Oregon Solar + Storage Conference 2025: Full Schedule

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

9:00am PDT

Hot Topics at the Bonneville Power Administration

Wednesday May 14, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am PDT

The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) is facing a sudden staffing cuts while dealing with unprecedented transmission constraints. On top of those issues, BPA has decided to join the Southwest Power Pool's day-ahead market, Markets+. How will these issues and BPA's day-ahead market decision impact solar development and integration? What are the downstream impacts?

Speakers

Sidney Villanueva

Attorney & Transmisson Expert, Blue Skies Law, LLC

Sidney Villanueva is a transmission attorney committed to advancing the clean energy transition with a healthy mix of creative ideas and straight talk. She founded Blue Skies Law, a full-service law firm dedicated exclusively to energy and public utility matters and mainly counsels... Read More →

Henry Tilghman

President, Tilghman Associates

Henry is a lawyer by training but prefers consulting. A graduate of Georgetown University and the Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College, Henry left his litigation practice in 2001 to assist PacifiCorp with Federal regulatory compliance and policy issues. He has served... Read More →

Mike Goetz

Regulatory Affairs Director, Renewable Northwest

Mike Goetz, our Regulatory Affairs Director, joined Renewable Northwest in January 2025. In his role, Mike is responsible for leading the development of the organization’s state regulatory and markets and transmission strategy in Oregon, Washington, Montana, and Idaho. Mike engages... Read More →

Randy Hardy

Principal, Hardy Energy Consulting

Randy Hardy provides strategic advice to utilities, wind/renewable generators, and other organizations in the current rapidly changing electricity environment. His experience has covered regulatory, legislative and transactional work, including thirteen years as CEO managing two large... Read More →

Wednesday May 14, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am PDT
Belmont C

Policy Focus, Pending CLE

11:00am PDT

New Pathways for Siting Solar in Eastern Oregon

Wednesday May 14, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT

Belmont C

For the past year and a half OSSIA has engaged with dozens of stakeholders to create new "least conflict" siting pathways for solar in Eastern Oregon. Come learn how that Rules Advisory Committee went and the pros and cons of these new pathways.

Moderators

Dugan Marieb

Pine Gate Renewables

Founded in 2016, Pine Gate Renewables is a developer and owner-operator of utility scale solar and energy storage projects across the United States. We are dedicated to the innovative deployment of clean energy and have extensive experience in the development, financing, construction... Read More →

Speakers

James Williams

Executive Director, Community Renewables Energy Association

James Williams first ran for office in 2018 at the age of 29 while working as a lumber grader at Collins Pine Sawmill, and took office in January of 2019. He hopes to continue bringing a fresh perspective to the table in all matters we works on, strengthening ties across his county... Read More →

Olivier Jamin

Counsel, Davis Wright Termaine

Olivier Jamin provides legal advice to clients on environmental, energy, land use, and litigation matters. He makes sense of complex regulatory and legal permitting processes for his clients, working with them to identify a practical and sensical path to smart business decisions with... Read More →

Miranda Erlich

miranda@greenlightamerican.org, Greenlight America

Miranda is an accomplished grassroots organizer and team leader with a passion for clean energy. She was previously the Federal Field Director for the Sierra Club, where she led the Sierra Club’s field strategy for the Inflation Reduction Act. Miranda began her career in clean energy... Read More →

Wednesday May 14, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Belmont C

Policy Focus, Pending CLE

1:00pm PDT

The New (Micro Grid) Frontier: Field Reports from the Wildfire West

Wednesday May 14, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT

Belmont C

Drawing on case studies and real-world project experience, this session will examine the key barriers to broader deployment of microgrids in Oregon. The panelists will then present fresh ideas on solutions to enable more widespread implementation of these important systems throughout the region.

Moderators

Shannon Souza

Principal & CEO, Sol Coast Consulting & Design

Since 1994, Shannon has pursued a career path in Sustainable practices for the PNW from my home base on the Oregon Coast.She began with pollution control, waste minimization, and environmental remediation with Weyerhaeuser Company's corporate office of the Environment, and then as... Read More →

Speakers

Karina Hershberg

Associate Principle, PAE

Karina is an Associate Principal at PAE, where she leads PAE’s Renewable Energy Systems team and is the regional leader for the Regenerative Design group. She brings a unique perspective to her dual roles in system analysis and engineering at PAE. Passionate about ensuring a transition... Read More →

Mark Crowdis

Chief Executive Officer, 127 Energy

Mark founded (2016) and leads 127 Energy with Pierre Moses the company's President. Mark has a leading role in identifying, planning, executing and financing renewable energy projects, from small commercial and industrial scale microgrids to complex utility scale projects exceeding... Read More →

Kevin Wright

President & Founder, ProtoGen

As President and Founder of ProtoGen, he is an energy resilience pioneer with nearly 30 years of industry experience. Beginning as an electrician in 1996 and achieving Master Electrician status by 2001, he founded ProtoGen in 2016, motivated by his firsthand experience during Hurricane... Read More →

Wednesday May 14, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Belmont C

Policy Focus, Pending CLE

2:30pm PDT

Regulatory Highlights: Public Utility Commission Round-Up

Wednesday May 14, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT

Belmont C

What's happening at the Oregon Public Utility Commission and how does it impact your work? Panelists will discuss a range of PUC topics including interconnection delays, PURPA and avoided costs, implementation of HB 2021, and more.

Moderators

Alyssa Forest

Policy and Regulatory Affairs Director, OSSIA

Alyssa grew up in Sacramento, California, then moved to Oregon for college. She graduated with a B.S. in Natural Resource Law and Policy from Oregon State University in 2018. After moving to Portland, Alyssa worked as a claims adjuster for a few years. This experience, along with... Read More →

Speakers

Irion Sanger

Attorney, Sanger Greene

Mr. Sanger’s legal and consulting practice focuses on energy, administrative, and public utility law. He represents energy trade associations, municipalities, electric cooperatives, irrigation districts, end-use industrial and commercial consumers, investor owned natural gas and... Read More →

Rose Monahan

Staff Attorney, Environmental Law Program, Sierra Club

Rose Monahan is a staff attorney with Sierra Club's Environmental Law Program where she covers a wide range of environmental and energy law topics. She has represented Sierra Club in dozens of public utility proceedings in Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Utah, California, and Arizona... Read More →

Ted Drennan

Energy Policy Analyst, Oregon Public Utility Commission

As an Energy Policy Analyst at the OPUC Ted works on multiple issues facing the utility industry. Topics related to electricity include interconnection modernization, PURPA, resource valuation, reliability, general rate case, as well as gas issues such as purchased gas adjustments... Read More →

Wednesday May 14, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Belmont C

Policy Focus

4:00pm PDT

Legal Ethics in the Energy Industry: Navigating Common Conflicts and Communication Issues for Attorneys

Wednesday May 14, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT

Windsor AB

Session details coming soon!

Moderators

Sara Sayles

Shareholder, Schwabe

Sara Sayles is a real estate lawyer who focuses on utility-scale renewable energy development. She assists clients with all phases of development, beginning with site control, obtaining land use entitlements, and negotiating ancillary agreements. Sara has obtained land use entitlements... Read More →

Speakers

Ken Pearson

Associate, Schwabe

An environmental, real estate, and land use lawyer, Ken Pearson, advises on large- and small-scale projects. He helps clients buy, sell, permit, and grow their energy and natural resource operations. Ken grew up on an island in Southeast Alaska, where he acquired his lifelong love... Read More →

Nellie Barnard

Shareholder, Schwabe

Nellie Barnard provides legal ethics and risk management advice to lawyers, law firms, law students, and in-house legal departments. She also represents Oregon and Washington lawyers in attorney discipline matters and character and fitness proceedings, including on appeal. With a... Read More →

Wednesday May 14, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Windsor AB

Policy Focus, Pending CLE

4:00pm PDT

The Future of Oregon’s RFP Process

Wednesday May 14, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT

Windsor C

Oregon's Request for Proposals (RFP) Process is at a crossroads: recent litigation, ongoing PUC rulemakings, and state clean energy targets are forcing change in the RFP process. Past RFP processes and mistakes have convinced regulators that Oregon is indeed facing a problem when it comes to competition in the RFP process, and current rulemakings are opening the doors for RFP reform. How can the RFP process be improved?

Moderators

Amy Berg Picket

Principal, Developer, Sunstone Energy

Amy has a BS in sustainability from Oregon State University that led to 10 years working in Utility Solar Scale development. The focus of this work is in the Northwest with a focus on Oregon. Amy is a Permitting and Stakeholder engagement specialist for solar farm development. Amy... Read More →

Speakers

Dugan Marieb

Pine Gate Renewables

Max Greene

Attorney, Sanger Greene

Max Greene is a partner in the law firm Sanger Greene PC, where he represents clients on matters related to the clean energy transition in the Northwest and provides advice to nonprofits, trade associations, and electricity generators, among others. Max previously served as Deputy... Read More →

Marie Barlow

In-House Counsel, Policy & Regulatory Affairs, NewSun Energy

Marie Barlow is an energy regulatory and policy attorney with deep knowledge in resource planning and procurement, interconnection, transmission, and climate change policy. Marie brings a unique blend of analytical precision and creative problem solving to her work and aims to empower... Read More →

Wednesday May 14, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Windsor C

Policy Focus

4:00pm PDT

Tribal Renewable Energy Transition: Collaborations in Oregon

Wednesday May 14, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT

Belmont C

This panel will cover current and planned Tribal renewable energy transition projects, programs, and partnerships with Oregon Tribes. Topics will include utility scale solar and storage partnerships, transmission upgrades, workforce development, energy sovereignty, and collaborating on siting to protect cultural and natural resources.

Moderators

David Harper

Executive Officer & Tribal Liaison, 7Skyline

David has more than 30 years of experience in Indigenous governance, cultural preservation, and policy development. As an executive officer and Tribal liaison for 7Skyline, he has led Tribal outreach efforts for utility-scale solar and energy storage projects with more than 50 Tribes... Read More →

Speakers

Cathy Ehli

Executive Director, Warm Springs Power & Water Enterprises

Nearly 25 years of executive and senior executive experience in the electric utility industry. Across several positions, Cathy has provided leadership in the development of strategies to achieve broad organizational goals. Cathy's strategic leadership has also advanced specific initiatives... Read More →

Stone Hudson

Program Officer to Tribal Communities, Meyer Memorial Trust

Stone aims to use his lived experience to make impactful and lasting change within his community.Stone unexpectedly started his career in government and policy. While in that space, he refined his role to focusing on tribal relations and has spent much of his time focusing on creating... Read More →

Kevin Lo

Corporate Sustainability Distinguished Technologist, HP

Interesting facts about Kevin Lo:• Passionate about sustainability, circular economy, reducing carbon, and social justice opportunities. • Conceptual Car Designer, known for the Local Motors LM3D Swim featured at SEMA.• Licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Washing... Read More →

Wednesday May 14, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Belmont C

Policy Focus

9:00am PDT

Federal Policy Updates: Tariffs to Tax Credits.

Thursday May 15, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am PDT

Belmont C

From the tariff changes to tax credits and incentives, the federal energy policy landscape is shifting drastically and quickly. Come hear national policy experts discuss the latest on federal clean energy policy and legislation.

Moderators

Ryan Sheehy

Founder & President, Fleet Development

Ryan Sheehy founded Fleet Development to build a bridge between the renewable energy and multifamily affordable housing industries. The idea for the company’s mission came after finishing a 20-year career with the Marines, moving back to Eastern Oregon, and joining the top-tier... Read More →

Speakers

Erin Duncan

Vice President of Congressional Affairs, SEIA

Erin Duncan is SEIA’s Vice President Of Congressional Affairs where she leads SEIA’s congressional affairs team in their work to influence energy, tax, trade, appropriations and other policies in support of the solar industry.Prior to joining SEIA, Erin spent eleven years as a... Read More →

M. John Way

Shareholder, Schwabe

John Way is passionate when it comes to all things taxes and offers a unique perspective on tax and estate planning law. Whether assisting businesses or individuals, he guides clients through the labyrinth of federal and state tax regulations, estate and succession planning, and business... Read More →

Philip Shen

Managing Director, Senior Research Analyst - Cleantech, Roth Capital

Philip Shen is a Managing Director, Senior Research Analyst at ROTH, specializing in equity research coverage of the cleantech sector, focusing on renewables. Since 2010, he has established a strong reputation and network within the industry, allowing him to stay at the forefront... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am PDT
Belmont C

Policy Focus, Pending CLE

11:00am PDT

Consumer Protection Comes to Oregon

Thursday May 15, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT

Belmont C

OSSIA members worked with consumer protection advocates, state agencies and local utilities to craft consumer protection legislation for Oregon. We hope to see this legislation to come forward in 2026 - come learn what to expect!

Moderators

Aby Jaeger

Program Manager, Solar Oregon

Abygale Jaeger is a passionate program manager with a deep commitment to driving positive change through education, community engagement, and sustainability initiatives. Currently serving as Program Manager at Solar Oregon, Abygale leads the development and execution of educational... Read More →

Speakers

Anders Alexander

VP of Business Development, LoanTerra

Anders Alexander completed a degree in economics, ecology, and environmental policy from Western Washington University. He has worked for SolarCity (now Tesla), Sungevity, A&R Solar, Blossom Solar, Resound Energy, EagleView, and he currently works for the fintech LoanTerra as VP of... Read More →

Chris Coughlin

Policy Director, Oregon Consumer Justice

Chris Coughlin (she/her/hers) is the Policy Director for Oregon Consumer Justice (OCJ). Chris has extensive policy, advocacy, non-profit and coalition management, communications, and outreach experience, working with community-based organizations, businesses, and political campaigns... Read More →

Reeves Clippard

Chief Strategic Officer & Co-Founder, A&R Solar

Thursday May 15, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Belmont C

Policy Focus, Pending CLE

11:00am PDT

Timing is Everything: How to Make Dynamic Rates Work for Installers

Thursday May 15, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT

Windsor AB

Discussion of how the introduction of TOU and other more dynamic rates (particularly with residential/small commercial) can be leveraged to improve customer economics, particularly in cases with electrification, storage, load flexibility. Focus will be on the practical application of tools in the field, drawing from experience both in Oregon and elsewhere. The panel will include a diverse set of speakers and cover best practices both for installers and utilities on how to work together better for the good of customers.

A broad audience should find value in this presentation, including installers, program managers, and policy makers. Learning objectives will include: understanding what tools exist to better model dynamic rates, what technologies and/or installation practices best leverage those rates, how utilities/policy makers can improve the design and support of these rates.

Moderators

Josh Keeling

Chief Growth Officer, UtilityAPI

Josh Keeling is the Chief Growth Officer at UtilityAPI. Previously, he served as the Senior Vice President of Product and Market Development when he joined in 2023. Before joining UtilityAPI, he held leadership roles at Generac, LO3 Energy, and Portland General Electric, where he... Read More →

Speakers

Rachel Bryant

Sr. Director of Regulatory & Policy Business Development, GridX

Rachel Bryant is the Senior Director of Regulatory and Policy Business Development at GridX. She is responsible for overseeing regulatory and legislative work and leads GridX's efforts with policy makers, utilities, regulators and legislators. Prior to joining GridX, Rachel worked... Read More →

Erik Holvik

Director of Corporate Development & Strategy, EnergySage

Erik Holvik is the Director of Corporate Development & Strategy at EnergySage where he leads new business ventures and partnerships for EnergySage. Erik has been with EnergySage for over four years working with contractors, manufacturers, software companies, educational institutions... Read More →

Audrey Burkhardt

Manager of Energy Storage & Resilence Solutions, Portland General Electric

Audrey Burkhardt serves as Resilience and Energy Storage Portfolio Manager for Portland General Electric (PGE). Audrey’s team develops and manages customer programs that tackle the twin imperatives of electric sector decarbonization and increased resilience for Oregonians grappling... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Windsor AB

Policy Focus

1:00pm PDT

Making Virtual Power Plants a Reality in Oregon

Thursday May 15, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT

Belmont C

Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) have the potential to unlock clean energy and energy efficiency for the benefit of both customers and the grid. Come hear what PGE and Pacificorp have planned, what other states are doing, and what we hope to achieve in Oregon.

Moderators

Kyle Armitage

Manager, Greentech Renewables

Kyle Armitage is a manager at Greentech Renewables in Portland. He has been with Greentech Renewables for 6 years and worked for a solar installation company prior to that. Kyle is passionate about solar energy and being a part of the latest industry trends and developments.

Speakers

Shannon Anderson

Distributed Power Plant Policy Director, Solar United Neighbors

As a Distributed Power Plant Policy Director, Shannon supports SUN’s efforts to advance adoption of distributed power plants (DPPs for short, also known as Virtual Power Plants) around the country in a way that ensures consumer protections, equitable participation, and fair compensation... Read More →

Franco Albi

Director Regional Intergration, Portland General Electric

Franco Albi is the Director Regional Integration at Portland General Electric. His portfolio includes Strategy Integration and Virtual Power Plant deployment. His team is responsible for accelerating PGE’s customer programs to market and integrating operational capabilities to increase... Read More →

William Comeau

Vice President of Customer Experience & Innovations, PacificCorp

William Comeau is the Vice President of Customer Experience and Innovations for Rocky Mountain Power. His portfolio includes customer service, large customer management, and customer programs such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, electric vehicles and demand response. Bringing... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Belmont C

Policy Focus

2:30pm PDT

Update on Solar for All Funding

Thursday May 15, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT

Windsor AB

The Oregon Department of Energy, together with partners Energy Trust of Oregon and Bonneville Environmental Foundation, were awarded an $86.6 Million Solar for All Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to support renewable energy adoption for low-income Oregonians. The session provides an update on the development of the program.

Speakers

James Cogle

Incentive Programs Operations Policy Analyst, Oregon Department of Energy

Zach Sippel

Sr. Program Manager, Energy Trust of Oregon

Zach Sippel is a Senior Program Manager at Energy Trust of Oregon where he leads the Solar for All program. His expertise spans construction management and installation across Minnesota, Colorado, and Oregon with projects ranging from custom residential solar pergolas to utility-scale... Read More →

Patrick DePriest

Community Solar Senior Program Manager, Bonneville Environmental Foundation

Patrick joined BEF in Fall 2024 as the Community Solar Senior Program Manager to facilitate community solar project development throughout Oregon's consumer-owned utility territories as part of the federal Solar For All program. Prior to joining BEF, Patrick worked with the State... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Windsor AB

Policy Focus

2:30pm PDT

What's Happening at the Oregon and Washington Legislatures?

Thursday May 15, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT

Belmont C

Washington's legislative session has just ended and there is just over a month left in Oregon's Legislative session. What are our hopes and expectations for Oregon? What can we look forward to in Washington? Hear directly from Oregon Legislators on what this session has in store for solar.

Moderators

Angela Crowley-Koch

Executive Director, OSSIA

Angela Crowley-Koch has spent the last two decades in public policy and advocacy as has been the Executive Director at OSSIA since 2018. Previously the Legislative Director at Oregon Environmental Council, her work was instrumental in passing the Toxic-Free Kids Act, renewing the... Read More →

Speakers

Phaedra Beckert

Executive Director, WASEIA

Phaedra Beckert serves as the Executive Director of the Washington Solar Energy Industries Association (WASEIA), where she leads the organization's efforts to advocate for and advance solar energy across Washington State. With a strong background in policy and stakeholder engagement... Read More →

Rep. Ken Helm

Representative House District 27, Oregon State Legislature

Ken Helm is the State Representative for Oregon House District 27, including the City of Beaverton and nearby communities. Among his legislative duties, he serves as Co-Chair of the House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water, as well as a member of the... Read More →

Rep. Darcey Edwards

Representative House District 31, Oregon State Legislature

State Representative Darcey Edwards is a lifelong resident of Northwest Oregon, a small business owner, and a dedicated community advocate. Raised in House District 31, she brings decades of experience and a deep commitment to serving the people of Columbia, Multnomah, and Washington... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Belmont C

Policy Focus, Pending CLE