On-Demand Webinar | Free
This webinar was recorded on February 10, 2026.
This webinar, presented by Intersolar & Energy Storage North America (IESNA) partner, pv magazine, is a companion to the IESNA Flagship 2026 conference session, Navigating C&I Solar and Storage from Concept to Commissioning.
With developers and investors facing rising utility rates and supply chain uncertainty, this webinar focuses on delivering installations that remain financially and operationally viable in a post-incentive environment.
Experts from Sunrock Distributed Generation, Watthub, and Wells Energy Development will share actionable strategies across financing, procurement, and interconnection — including real-world case studies on navigating fire code permitting for BESS deployments across California jurisdictions.
The webinar also examines how key 2025 trends — the push into battery storage, FEOC compliance challenges, and the rise of non-wires alternatives — are shaping the 2026 outlook, and how smarter utility rate design and virtual power plants can ease grid congestion while managing costs for large new loads.
What you’ll take away:
- Strategies for making projects work without federal incentives
- A framework for scaling demand response and distributed storage
- Practical guidance for finance companies, EPCs, and investors
- Q&A with our expert panel
Speakers
Claire Broido Johnson, Co-Founder and President, Sunrock Distributed Generation
In 2009, Claire joined the Department of Energy, where she oversaw the deployment of $11 billion in Recovery Act funds to scale renewable energy and energy efficiency programs throughout the United States. Prior to Sunrock, she served as COO of Fermata Energy, the vehicle-to-grid company, and the Managing Director of the University System of Maryland Momentum Fund (MMF), where she invested in 32 start-ups in less than 3 years. Claire is a Key Advisor for CityRock Ventures, and an Advisory Board member of Powerhouse Ventures and Kanin Energy. Claire earned a B.A. in environmental science and public policy from Harvard College, where she helped to create that major, and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
John McDonnell, CEO, WattHub Renewables
John McDonnell is the Co-Founder and Managing Member of SunRenu Solar and WattHub Renewables, two leading clean energy companies based in Scottsdale, Arizona. With nearly two decades of experience in renewable energy development, John has led the design, financing, and execution of more than $1.5B in commercial solar projects. Through WattHub, he pioneered a digital platform streamlining utility analytics and project pricing for solar developers. Passionate about innovation and sustainability, John continues to drive growth in the clean energy sector and inspire collaboration across the industry.
Spencer Wells, Co-Founder and CEO, Wells Energy Development
Spencer Wells is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Wells Energy Development, where he leads all day-to-day operations, strategic growth, project development, and client execution. He brings over a decade of experience across renewable energy development, EPC coordination, and independent power producer platforms, with a track record of delivering more than $100 million in contracted solar and energy storage projects. Throughout his career, Spencer has worked across all stages of behind-the-meter energy development, including site due diligence, financial and technical modeling, utility coordination, contracting, and project execution. His expertise lies in translating complex technical and financial considerations into clear, actionable decisions for asset owners, enabling efficient "kill or proceed" development strategies and successful project commercialization.
Moderator
Ryan Kennedy, Senior Editor, pv magazine USA
Ryan joined pv magazine in 2021, bringing experience from a top residential solar installer and a U.S.-based inverter manufacturer. He holds a Master of Energy and Environmental Management degree at the University of Connecticut and a degree in Management with a certification in Sustainable Business Practices from the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
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