2024 Agenda

Interested in speaking on a panel at the 2024 event?
Contact our team at uss@solarmedia.co.uk.

Agenda at a Glance
08:00 - 09:00 Networking
09:00 - 09:25 Presentation

Stream One

Stream Two

Stream Three

09:30 - 10:30 Panel Discussion
  • How to ensure you’re considering biodiversity and land conservation throughout all planning and construction.
  • Biodiversity net gain of PV plants.
  • Sustainable sourcing strategies
  • How to maintain ESG efforts in the next 5 to 10 years as we approach net-zero target deadlines.

Speaker

Chief Financial Officer,
Exagen
09:30 - 10:30 Panel Discussion
This panel discusses the best approaches to solar deployment that impact permitting, including:
  • What are the main (and unexpected!) delays on time and resources?
  • How to balance the time-sensitive nature of permitting with environmental risk management.
  • The best practice for working with local authorities to certify projects.
09:30 - 10:30 Panel Discussion
  • What’s driving procurement priorities, and what are procurement professionals planning ahead for?
  • What PPA models are the most ideal for offtakers?
  • How can the solar industry cater for these major offtakers?
  • What are Procurement professionals looking for?
  • What other structures are available, should it vary with sector?

Speaker

Sourcing Lead – Network Rail Decarbonisation Programme,
Network Rail
10:30 - 10:50 Presentation
  • How the macro-economic landscape is and will be affecting energy prices.
  • What are the returns expectations for projects in the UK compared to other projects across Europe?
  • How are PPA structures evolving and innovating with fluctuating energy prices?
10:30 - 10:50 Presentation
10:30 - 10:50 Presentation
  • What are the planning considerations needed for floating solar projects?
  • How does floating solar factor into climate adaptability and future preparedness?
  • What revenue streams are available for floating solar, and how can you maximise these?
10:50 - 11:30 Networking

Stream One

Stream Two

Stream Three

11:30 - 12:15 Panel Discussion
  • What are manufacturers doing to plan ahead as the UK market continues to grow and become more competitive?
  • What considerations across workforce, grid access, O&M staffing are they taking?
  • With the supply chain still currently relying on products made overseas, what domestic manufacturing routes are available as the UK solar market continues to grow?
  • What will the UK’s place be on the competitive global stage?
11:30 - 12:15 Panel Discussion
Are we really making the most of the potential of community energy projects? Our panel says not!
  • How do you communicate the social benefits to your local authority effectively?
  • What are the best relationship management practices you need to employ to get local authorities and residents on your side?
  • How can you work collaboratively across county borders to elevate your community energy projects?
  • What benefit-sharing models are the best, and for which communities?

Moderator

Director,
Counter Context

Speakers

Investment Director,
Thrive Renewables
Leader,
Oxfordshire County Council
Community Renewables Manager at Younity & Founder of Croydon Community Energy,
Younity
Director,
Community Energy London, and South East London Community Energy
11:30 - 12:15 Panel Discussion
The chosen offtake structure can impact the profitability of PV projects and the feasibility of obtaining project finance. This panel discusses the merits and drawbacks of different offtake structures like feed-in-tariff, PPAs, CPPAs, merchant offtake in the context of:
  • The level and length of offtake agreements.
  • The risk appetite for the merchant revenues.
  • What do offtakers from varying sectors look for in their agreements and structures?
 

Speaker

Chief Operating Officer,
NextEnergy Capital
12:15 - 12:35 Presentation
12:15 - 12:35 Presentation
Following the government’s outline and plan to streamline the installation process on historic buildings across the UK, this session will look at a case study of historic buildings and how the new guidance has simplified the process of working with local authorities.
12:15 - 12:35 Presentation
By 2030 Wales aims to have 70% of the energy demand provided by renewables sources, but how does solar play into this? With a capacity of 3508MW, partly thanks to farms such as Llanwern Farm Solar Park, what’s next for one of the most promising markets in the UK?
12:35 - 14:00 Networking

Stream One

Stream Two

Stream Three

14:00 - 14:45 Panel Discussion
  • How do real estate developers approach the inclusion of solar in their projects?
  • How can manufacturers best supply real estate developer’s needs?
  • What is the long-term plan for real estate owners, and how will it be financed?
  • Why diverse real estate is critical to the solar industry in the UK outside of retail, office, and residential.
14:00 - 14:45 Panel Discussion
  • Age, gender, ethnicity, socio-economic factors are all essential when recruiting a workforce – so what’s stopping us?
  • Why it benefits the entire industry to make succession-planning a top priority for 2025 and beyond.
  • What are the best recruitment and retention strategies you can employ today?
  • What government schemes are operational right now?

Speakers

Head of Talent Acquisition & Development,
Sonnedix
Non-Executive Director,
POWERful Women
14:00 - 14:45 Panel Discussion
As the number of UK projects increases, how are these projects being delivered, and what are the main pinch points for EPC resourcing?
  • How is the workforce demand being met and where are the biggest gaps?
  • How can investors have better assurance and understanding of the EPC process – how to close the knowledge gap between financiers and developers?

Moderator

Chief Engineer,
Glennmont Partners
14:45 - 15:05 Presentation
14:45 - 15:10 Interactive Session
Beginning with a short presentation, the session will then turn to the audience to hear their own hurdles in upskilling and retention, with solutions and top tips provided by our expert speakers.
14:45 - 15:05 Presentation
A crash course in the Scottish solar market - following the 2023 commitment from the Scottish government to boost solar energy, this session will look at progress so far, and what needs to be done to achieve the 4GW minimum and 6GW ambition by 2030.
15:15 - 16:00 Panel Discussion
  • Challenges and strategies for effective grid connection and transportation.
  • What are the holistic approaches to grid connectivity and power distribution? What role does your local authority play in this?
  • What are the remaining barriers to accelerating grid connections and how we are tackling them?
  • How to best manage assets when considering grid-related challenges.

Speaker

Head of Connections Policy,
Ofgem
15:15 - 16:00 Panel Discussion
  • What are the best ways to communicate the inevitable changes a solar development brings?
  • How do you ‘pitch’ the societal benefits to residents?
  • How do developers need to work with local authorities to be best placed for any concerns?
  • Which type of developments are the most difficult to get on-side, and what can developers do about it?

Speakers

Leader,
Oxfordshire County Council
Director,
Counter Context
15:15 - 16:00 Panel Discussion
With PV panel warranties starting to expire and efficiency potentially decreasing across PV plants nationwide, how can you ensure that projects are operating with maximum efficiency?
  • How to best use digitisation tools and platforms to improve project design.
  • Revamping, repowering and recycling options for UK PV.
  • What essential technology is enabling a leap forward in PV panel efficiency?

Moderator

Managing Director EAM,
Elgin Energy

Speakers

Account Executive UK&I,
RatedPower
Director of Operations and Asset Management,
Low Carbon
Chief Engineer,
Glennmont Partners
16:50 - 17:00 Closing Session