Session Previews
Click on the carat icons below to explore previews of the IESNA Flagship conference program sessions and speakers. Please check back soon for additional information!
Moderator: Amy Harder (National Energy Correspondent, Axios)
Speakers: Heather O’Neill (President and CEO, Advanced Energy United) and Anna J. Siefken (North America Policy & Markets Lead, LDES Council)
Growing regulatory complexity and program shifts in 2026 are pushing clean energy organizations to adapt and refine how they work together on policy design and implementation. In this session, national association leaders will break down ways to advance progress across solar, storage, and energy system sectors and explain why unified messaging leads to more effective engagement with regulators and policymakers. The discussion will also cover how coalitions translate tactical priorities into actionable policy frameworks. Attendees will gain a grounded perspective on why structured, collective advocacy is essential for sustained progress.
Speakers: Heather O’Neill (President and CEO, Advanced Energy United) and Anna J. Siefken (North America Policy & Markets Lead, LDES Council)
Growing regulatory complexity and program shifts in 2026 are pushing clean energy organizations to adapt and refine how they work together on policy design and implementation. In this session, national association leaders will break down ways to advance progress across solar, storage, and energy system sectors and explain why unified messaging leads to more effective engagement with regulators and policymakers. The discussion will also cover how coalitions translate tactical priorities into actionable policy frameworks. Attendees will gain a grounded perspective on why structured, collective advocacy is essential for sustained progress.
Moderator: Sammy Roth (Independent writer, Climate-Colored Goggles)
Speakers: Michael Judge (Undersecretary of Energy, Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs) and Lynnae Willette Director, EDF Power Solutions North America)
State initiatives are driving the next wave of renewable energy growth across the United States, bridging the gap in the absence of federal policy support. This session brings together regional experts to highlight how states are advancing clean energy projects without federal incentives, reshoring manufacturing, reshaping energy markets, upgrading the grid, and boosting workforce development. Panelists will explore how state and local programs are accelerating solar and storage deployment, promoting equity, and offering replicable models of clean, resilient energy economies.
Speakers: Michael Judge (Undersecretary of Energy, Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs) and Lynnae Willette Director, EDF Power Solutions North America)
State initiatives are driving the next wave of renewable energy growth across the United States, bridging the gap in the absence of federal policy support. This session brings together regional experts to highlight how states are advancing clean energy projects without federal incentives, reshoring manufacturing, reshaping energy markets, upgrading the grid, and boosting workforce development. Panelists will explore how state and local programs are accelerating solar and storage deployment, promoting equity, and offering replicable models of clean, resilient energy economies.
Speaker: Attilio Ravani (Senior Associate, Orennia)
Data centers are one of the fastest-growing and hardest to forecast energy loads, presenting unique challenges for grid planning. This session will highlight how interconnection delays, permitting bottlenecks, and policy gaps complicate deployment while influencing energy pricing models. Panelists will explore how a bottom-up forecasting approach can assess data center buildouts and quantify risks based on transmission constraints and supply availability. The discussion brings into focus how market growth, regulatory shifts, and credible load forecasts converge to drive grid-planning decisions.
Data centers are one of the fastest-growing and hardest to forecast energy loads, presenting unique challenges for grid planning. This session will highlight how interconnection delays, permitting bottlenecks, and policy gaps complicate deployment while influencing energy pricing models. Panelists will explore how a bottom-up forecasting approach can assess data center buildouts and quantify risks based on transmission constraints and supply availability. The discussion brings into focus how market growth, regulatory shifts, and credible load forecasts converge to drive grid-planning decisions.
Data centers are among the most complex sites for energy permitting and interconnection, and bottlenecks in these processes threaten to slow deployment as demand grows. In this session, experts unpack key obstacles—from multi-agency approvals to safety considerations—and highlight strategies and emerging tools that can help convert permitting and interconnection from an art to a more predictable, streamlined process. Attendees will gain practical insights for overcoming challenges and accelerating approvals without compromising reliability or safety.
Speakers: Joe Ritter (Executive Vice President & Principal, Seminole Financial Services) and Pooja Shah (Practice Lead, Tax Credit Technical Due Diligence, DNV)
Developers are facing a widening gap between project economics and available financing tools. In this session, panelists will analyze the implications of reduced tax incentives, shifting lender expectations, and market volatility. Attendees will learn strategies for de-risking assets, the potential role of foundations and other catalytic sources, and the ways DERs and advanced building integrations are opening new investment opportunities as the sector adapts.
Developers are facing a widening gap between project economics and available financing tools. In this session, panelists will analyze the implications of reduced tax incentives, shifting lender expectations, and market volatility. Attendees will learn strategies for de-risking assets, the potential role of foundations and other catalytic sources, and the ways DERs and advanced building integrations are opening new investment opportunities as the sector adapts.
Speaker: Peggy Hock (Director, Utility Scale Project Sales, JA Solar USA)
From HR1’s tax credit rollbacks to expanding FEOC restrictions and new trade cases, major federal changes are reshaping the economics of solar, storage, and EV deployment. This session brings together legal, policy, and commercial experts to translate these developments into practical guidance for developers, manufacturers, and buyers. Topics include the evolving tariff landscape, sourcing constraints, material traceability, and the real-world implications of operating amid tightening regulations and shrinking incentives.
From HR1’s tax credit rollbacks to expanding FEOC restrictions and new trade cases, major federal changes are reshaping the economics of solar, storage, and EV deployment. This session brings together legal, policy, and commercial experts to translate these developments into practical guidance for developers, manufacturers, and buyers. Topics include the evolving tariff landscape, sourcing constraints, material traceability, and the real-world implications of operating amid tightening regulations and shrinking incentives.
Speaker: Kate Johnson (Executive Director, New England Women in Energy and the Environment)
In this session, top state-level experts will examine how shifting market conditions and evolving revenue structures are reshaping development strategies. Speakers will explore how workforce needs, manufacturing investment, and grid modernization pressures intersect with deployment goals. The panel will compare how leading states are balancing opportunity and risk to accelerate solar and solar adoption, providing attendees with practical insights and adaptable models for navigating rapidly changing markets.
In this session, top state-level experts will examine how shifting market conditions and evolving revenue structures are reshaping development strategies. Speakers will explore how workforce needs, manufacturing investment, and grid modernization pressures intersect with deployment goals. The panel will compare how leading states are balancing opportunity and risk to accelerate solar and solar adoption, providing attendees with practical insights and adaptable models for navigating rapidly changing markets.
Speaker: Michael Thomas (Founder and CEO, Cleanview)
In this data-driven session, Michael Thomas will explore the latest trends shaping clean energy deployment across the United States. Drawing from his team’s analysis of more than 10,000 solar, wind, and battery projects, he’ll reveal where development is accelerating, where it’s stalling, and what’s driving those shifts. Attendees will gain a clear, data-driven view of the current state of clean energy in the US — and what to expect in the year ahead.
In this data-driven session, Michael Thomas will explore the latest trends shaping clean energy deployment across the United States. Drawing from his team’s analysis of more than 10,000 solar, wind, and battery projects, he’ll reveal where development is accelerating, where it’s stalling, and what’s driving those shifts. Attendees will gain a clear, data-driven view of the current state of clean energy in the US — and what to expect in the year ahead.
Speakers: Maram Al Daraiseh (Renewable Energy Solutions Analyst , World Kinect) and Anna Gusel (Director, Market Strategy and Business Development, enSights)
As the clean energy industry navigates rising costs, policy shifts, and tightening margins, AI is emerging as a critical lever for scaling operations and protecting revenue. Speakers will demonstrate how operators, EPCs, and asset owners can use intelligent software and automation to maximize existing assets, optimize fleet-wide performance, and accelerate deployment without adding headcount. Examples will include predictive maintenance, market-based storage scheduling, and AI-driven customer and project risk management. Attendees will leave with practical perspectives on integrating AI into operations and leveraging it to expand business impact.
As the clean energy industry navigates rising costs, policy shifts, and tightening margins, AI is emerging as a critical lever for scaling operations and protecting revenue. Speakers will demonstrate how operators, EPCs, and asset owners can use intelligent software and automation to maximize existing assets, optimize fleet-wide performance, and accelerate deployment without adding headcount. Examples will include predictive maintenance, market-based storage scheduling, and AI-driven customer and project risk management. Attendees will leave with practical perspectives on integrating AI into operations and leveraging it to expand business impact.
Key Educational Themes
Click on the carat icons below to browse the descriptions of key themes at IESNA Flagship 2026’s conference program. Please check back soon for session titles and speakers.
How artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced data analytics are revolutionizing solar and storage operations—from predictive maintenance and energy forecasting to real-time grid optimization and autonomous energy management. Sessions will also explore digital twins, cybersecurity considerations, and the growing role of AI in accelerating the energy transition.
The expanding role of distributed energy resources (DERs) in transforming energy systems, including solar PV, local storage, vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technologies, microgrids, and virtual power plants (VPPs). Topics include integration strategies, advanced management tools, and technological innovations to support stable energy distribution amid rising demand and extreme weather challenges.
Recent and upcoming legislative developments at the federal, state, and local level; the impact of current policies on project development; navigating the Inflation Reduction Act; compliance requirements; and emerging regulatory trends that are influencing growth and innovation in renewable energy.
The evolving world of energy storage, including breakthroughs in battery technology, large-scale storage solutions, and hybrid systems designed to enhance grid reliability while supporting the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources.
The latest developments in EV charging infrastructure, including strategies for network expansion, grid integration, and the deployment of fast-charging technologies. Sessions will explore challenges and opportunities in scaling infrastructure, emerging technology trends, and the role of policy, standards, and investment in shaping the future of electric mobility.
Financing models, tax credit structures, fundraising strategies, and investment approaches for scaling solar, storage, and clean energy businesses in a fast-changing economic and policy landscape. Sessions will address capital market trends, risk mitigation, and innovative deal structures that are shaping the future of clean energy finance.
Manufacturing processes and supply chain dynamics critical to renewable energy systems production. Discussions will explore onshoring solar and storage manufacturing, strategies for overcoming material shortages and disruptions, and the impact of rapidly changing geopolitical factors and trade policies.
Navigating the regulatory landscape to accelerate solar and storage deployment, with a focus on streamlining interconnection processes, reducing permitting delays, and expanding grid capacity. Topics include strategies to support the growth of community solar, overcome community opposition, and advance energy equity through policies that promote wider access to clean energy—especially in underserved and low-income communities.
The latest advancements across all levels of solar energy deployment, highlighting emerging technologies, performance enhancements, and integration strategies for residential systems, commercial installations, and large-scale utility projects.
The synergy between solar energy and storage technologies, highlighting integrated systems that optimize power generation, storage capacity, and dispatch. Topics include innovation in system design, emerging technologies, energy management, and the role of solar-plus-storage in enhancing resilience, reducing peak demand, and increasing grid flexibility.
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