Webinar: Resilient Schools – Safe Communities

In collaboration with the California Solar and Storage Association

Power shutoffs in 2019 disrupted the schedules of local schools across California. Increasing wildfires have threatened life and property and frequently left evacuees with nowhere to go. The COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn will only compound this crisis, hampering people’s ability to find shelter in an emergency. In this webinar presenters discussed solar plus battery storage applications and microgrids for school and community needs. These technologies have the ability provide schools with significant financial benefits (savings & revenue) while simultaneously providing a resource for backup power during grid outages. During the webinar, industry experts addressed subjects including the following: the financial & resiliency benefits that solar plus battery facility microgrids can provide; available incentives; key considerations for increasing speed and scale; steps to evaluating and deploying projects.

Speakers

Craig Lewis

Founder and Executive Director, Clean Coalition

Craig founded the Clean Coalition in 2009 and has over 30 years of experience in policy and technology innovation, including the proliferation of Solar Microgrids and Community Microgrids. Prior to founding the Clean Coalition, Craig held numerous positions in the wireless, semiconductor, banking, and renewable energy industries. Previously VP of Government Relations at GreenVolts, he was the first to successfully navigate a solar project through California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard solicitation process.

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David Burdick

Executive Vice President of Business Development for TerraVerde Energy

David Burdick serves as Executive Vice President of Business Development for TerraVerde Energy, supporting CCAs and public agencies (including transit agencies, school districts, municipalities, and water agencies) in evaluating, deploying, and managing intelligent energy programs (solar PV projects, battery energy storage projects, resiliency programs, facility microgrids, and DER Programs). Prior to joining TerraVerde, David served as a General Manager for a solar & battery EPC firm.

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Ann Hancock

Co-Founder of The Climate Center

Ann co-founded The Climate Center in 2001. She has been a key leader in the rapid growth of Community Choice Energy, which now serves over 11 million Californians with 88 percent clean energy. Through her leadership, the organization built a strong core team that is focused on a theory of change that drives our mission. Ann holds a Master’s degree in Public Health Administration and Planning from the University of California, Berkeley.

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