News Release
February 24, 2009
KCC to host Solar Energy Round Table
Sunshine – is it a practical energy alternative for Kansans? Is it reliable enough? What are the technical, financial and regulatory challenges of solar energy? These are the issues the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) intends to explore in an upcoming Solar Energy Roundtable on March 3, 2009. This is the fourth in a series of roundtables sponsored by the KCC in its ongoing exploration of various energy sources and their viability specific to Kansas, along with costs, benefits and environmental impacts.
The Energy Programs Division of the Kansas Corporation Commission is hosting the roundtable to discuss the prospects for solar power, and the unique economic, regulatory, and engineering challenges it poses. Presenters include experts from McKinsey & Company, Keyes & Fox, Wichita State University, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) of the U.S. Department of Energy, and SunEdison.
The round table will be held March 3, 2009, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB), 1420 S.W. Arrowhead Road, Topeka, Kansas (immediately north of the KCC building). The round table is free and open to the public. For more information or to register, please contact Michael Deupree at 785.271.3125 or by email at .
Solar Roundtable Agenda:
Overview of Economic & Financial Aspects of U.S. Solar Power
Peter Lorenz, Associate Principle, McKinsey & Company is a leader of McKinsey and Company’s North American Electric Power and Natural Gas practice. Mr. Lorenz will provide an overview of the global and U.S. market for solar power, with a particular focus on current and near term economics.
Regulatory Issues with Solar Power
Jason Keyes, Partner, Keyes & Fox is a co-founder of this firm which focuses on distributed generation law. Mr. Keyes will provide an update on regulatory issues concerning solar power.
Kansas Specific Insights Regarding Solar Power
Dr. Ward Jewell, Professor of Electrical Engineering, Wichita State University has worked for many years on the potential of alternative energy in Kansas. Dr. Jewell will offer his perspective on solar energy and the unique issues facing Kansas.
Photovoltaic Current & Near Term: Technology & Cost Structure
Roger Taylor, National Renewable Energy Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy is a member of the State, Local, and Tribal Integrated Applications Group in the Strategic Energy Analysis and Applications Center. Mr. Taylor will provide an overview of current and near-term solar electricity technologies, with an emphasis on photovoltaic technologies.
SunEdison: A Private Sector Perspective
Colin Murchie, is Manager of Regulatory Affairs at SunEdison, North America’s largest solar energy services provider, having installed 67.9 Megawatts of solar electrical systems across 10 states. Mr. Murchie will provide an overview of SunEdison and its ongoing projects, focusing on its strategic choice to market solar energy.