What’s Next for Community Solar?

Elisa Wood interviews Nate Owen, CEO of Ampion, who provides an inside view of the US community solar market following a regulatory ruling in California that left many in the industry unhappy. Owen dives into the history that brought the industry to this point and explains why he’s bullish on its future. He delves into problems, like interconnection, that slow projects and market mechanisms and social benefits that drive its growth. Owen also details why it used to be hard for community solar projects to provide renewable energy certificates (RECs) and why that’s changed, as exemplified by the company’s deal with Wendy’s restaurant.  

Chapters

0:00 Introduction to Energy Changemakers

1:08 Introducing Ampion and the Wendy's Deal

3:00 The Importance of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)

6:00 Evolution of Community Solar and RECs

9:07 Value Proposition: Savings and RECs

11:45 Post-California Community Solar Outlook

15:14 Social Benefits of Community Solar

18:06 Challenges with Interconnection

20:39 Overcoming Interconnection Issues

22:15 Vision for the Future Grid

23:59 Transition to Solar Energy

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