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ACCELERATE SOLAR >>>
SOLAR INVESTMENT SHOWCASE & FORUM CAROLINAS
“SIS-CAROLINAS”

October 12, 2022
Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, NC

Welcome to the global energy transition! Connecting investors to innovators, ACCELERATE SOLAR, a division of the ESG CAPITAL NETWORK, will bring together innovation firms in photovoltaic development, solar panel installation, energy storage (ESS) arena as well as those driving change in power generation technologies, such as electrolyzers and green hydrogen. Indeed, the time has arrived for the acceleration of solar in the context of aggressive decarbonization goals. Institutional investors who represent the most active ESG private equity, hedge funds, high net-worth investors and pension funds will attend and participate.

Join industry leaders and innovators for vital discussion and networking in this high-level, business leisure gathering. What are the most applicable use cases of solar in utility, floating, C&I and portable as the planet shifts to decarbonization? How will the shift to carbon neutrality drive innovation and ROI in solar in the years ahead? The future of carbon neutrality and EV technology mandates are closer than most realize; the opportunities in solar and its supply chain are tremendous.

“We have this handy fusion reactor in the sky called the sun, you don’t have to do anything, it just works. It shows up every day.” — Elon Musk

SPEAKERS & ADVISORY BOARD

Stetson Tchividjian

Director Of Business Development
D3Energy, LLC

MARTY SUSZ

Director of Energy Management
Archdiocese of New York

ALI HUSAINAT, Ph.D.

Consultant
Texas Solar Energy

CHRIS KOENIG

Managing Partner
Pittsburg RV & Boat Storage, LLC

HAL SLATER

Owner
Slater Solar

STEPHEN ALMEIDA JR.

Member Board Of Directors
Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA)

Who will attend and participate?

ESG Capital Network will recruit core audience constituencies, in this priority:

1) Investors & Capital Sources:
     Private equity, for example: KKR, Windmill Capital, GI Partners, Breakthrough Energy, etc.
     Hedge Funds, i.e., Bridgewater Associates, Blackrock, etc.
     High net worth investors and building owners (commercial, industrial, residential)
     Debt sources, including banks
     Crowdfunding and alternative capital sources
     Pension funds
     Other institutional investors from U.S. and globally

2) Commercial and industrial energy end users:
     Military
     Colleges/Universities
     Manufacturing
     Telecom
     Healthcare Systems
     Public Sector
     Pharmaceutical

3) Engineering & Technology Firms:
     Photovoltaic innovators, including engineers, architects and scientists
     Green hydrogen executives
     Battery/ESS (Energy Storage Systems) firms, such as Panasonic, LG, Samsung

4) Solar/Photovoltaic Installation firms and engineers

5) Utilities:
C-suite leadership from leading utilities, including ConEd, Com Ed, Duke Energy, SoCal Edison, etc.

6) Service providers:
Examples, including Lithium-ion mining firms, end of life battery recycling firms, transportation firms, etc.

7) Public sector executives:
Federal, state, regional executives who are looking to further energy transition, JV with private sector, or who may have unique
incentives, grants, debt programs available.

Proposed Agenda

October 12, 2022	Solar Investment Showcase Conference Topics
7:30 a.m.	Coffee, Breakfast & Networking
8:30 a.m.	Opening Remarks
8:45 a.m.	Morning Keynote: View from the Public Sector on Incentives, Solar Acceleration & the Big Picture of Energy Transition In 2021, the U.S. government announced a new target to achieve 50-52% greenhouse gas pollution reduction of 2005 levels by 2030. This aggressive goal will accelerate green energy innovation and spark new jobs over the next eight years. The morning keynote will take a look at energy transition from federal, state and local perspectives, including incentives, grants and other monetization opportunities Proposed Discussion Points: What are the unique federal incentives available for solar installation at utility, C&I and residential levels? Are certain projects, based on scale and geographic location, more or less incentivized, and why? How has COVID accelerated energy transition? Challenges: Analysis of recent tariff and supply chain obstacles and overall impact on the industry Community mindset and collective thought about climate and the environment Beyond federal: Analysis of incentives and state and local levels Analysis of distressed opportunities, including brownfield development A pillar in the current Administration: Has the U.S. rejoining Paris Climate Accord accelerated interest and investment in energy innovation? Analysis of Biden Administration: $70 bn towards renewable power generation and opportunities Analysis of 'measures with impact': The Green Act and the Clean Energy for America * A “Hydrogen” future? The ‘punch’ and impact of hydrogen density Proposed speakers: Federal government: Department of Energy State of North Carolina: Energy Department and/or Economic Development State of South Carolina: Energy Department and/or Economic Development City of Charlotte: Economic Development and/or local incentives
9:15 a.m.	Utility Solar: Capital Raising, Investment, Project Development and ROI Analysis by Acreage and Megawatt Proposed Discussion Points: Analysis of growth of utility and new projects in the United States: 95% of the U.S. is open land according to recent information. How are investors and developers approaching this opportunity? What are the obstacles and how are they being overcome? Analysis of ownership structures: public, private and municipalities Analysis of land costs in various U.S. regions Exploring the experience of utility scale solar investors and developers: From land acquisition to working with local utilities, a closer look at challenges and opportunities Analysis of innovation in utility solar, including flat panels and solar tracking software Analysis of the impact of AI and connectivity innovations in building and maintaining utility solar Identifying new land opportunities for utility scale, including brownfields and related incentives The role of engineering procurement and construction companies: What type of land is best suited for utility solar? Proximity to the grid and energy storage: How are utility scale investors avoiding line loss and distance challenges? How are investors and project developers viewing innovations in energy storage and green hydrogen in tandem with utility scale? How are utility scale investors and developers viewing potential opportunities the growing e-mobility market, including traditional EV, fleet, heavy-duty trucking and mass transit? Speakers TBA
10:00 a.m.	A Case Study in the Ubiquitous Nature of Solar: Photovoltaics and Boosting ROI through a Hybrid Business Model In this case study, an investor will discuss the application of solar panels in a commercial boat storage facility. Indeed, the traditional boat storage facility witnessed demand increase when the owner created covered storage using solar canopies that protect the sailing vessels from direct sun and adverse weather. Praised by the boat owners, the owner was able to produce dual income from boat storage and PV solar generation, which is sold back to the utility. The rental rates for boat storage increased with the solar canopy covering. Proposed Discussion Points: How did you determine and/or discover that solar could be used as a covering for boat storage? At what height did you develop the solar canopies, and were there any obstacles? How did demand for boat storage increase with the introduction of the solar canopies? What is your total acreage and PV power generation? Describe your relationship with the local utility that buys your electricity. Are there any challenges with higher canopies, such as wind? Is there any additional maintenance or special treatment of the panels and infrastructure? Describe the type of panels used, converters and other infrastructure ROI: Describe the investment return for having this hybrid business. Revenue per month from solar and from boat storage. And, did your vacancy rate decrease after the solar canopy installation? Hear from: * Chris Koenig, Managing Partner, Pittsburg RV & Boat Storage, LLC (tentative)
10:20 a.m.	Networking Break
10:50 a.m.	Portable Solar Monetization Opportunities: From Street Lighting, Military Operations to Remote Energy Storage, How is this Market Segment Accelerating on an Annual Basis? Solar is ubiquitous. As such, the portable solar market allows entrepreneurs to devise a a range of creative product innovations, from off-the grid street lighting, public sector and industrial products, military, emergency lighting and remote energy storage. Indeed, solar PV technology is even appearing in key chains and clothing, such as hats and t-shirts. In addition, innovators have devised flexible and unique panels designed to fit almost any situation. In this session, panelists will discuss the viability of the portable and retail solar markets, including: analysis of past growth, prior innovations and expectations for the future. Proposed Discussion Points: Analysis CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of portable solar products What are the limitations to micro-sizing PV cells? How small is too small? Military operations: How have photovoltaics and ESS become vital in global military operations lacking existing energy/grid structure? How might this submarket continue to grow? What are the unique design and engineering requirements of portable, compared to utility scale or C&I? Public sector: How are federal, state and local agencies investing in solar (lighting, emergency situations, etc) and what are the benefits? How is the advent and increased use of solar products improving quality of life and reducing crime in communities? What is the future of the portable market in terms of engineering and new products? How might the portable market spur innovation in utility and C&I markets? Is there synergy between portable and utility, C&I? Why or why not? Financials: Analysis of operating costs vs revenue in portable solar operations
11:20 a.m.	Opportunity Rising: The Growth of Floating Solar as an Innovative Alternative to Compete with Utility Solar in Terms of Power Generation and ROI for Investors and Developers Floating sell has emerged as one of the latest innovations in the photovoltaics arena with generation capacity on par with traditional utility scale, and serving as an option for municipalities that seek additional revenue streams and more resilient electrical grid systems. In this session, panelists will discuss the viability of floating as an effective power generation source that offers long-term ROI for investors. Proposed Discussion Points: How has floating solar evolved to compete with utility solar in terms of power generation and ROI? What are the unique opportunities for municipalities to implement solar as a means to build grid resilience? What are the challenges of floating solar (i.e. flat water surface, weather challenges, tide challenges), and how are they overcome? What are the unique design and engineering requirements of floating solar, compared to utility scale or C&I? How is solar beneficial to the underlying lake/river and/or marine ecosystem? What are the unique installation requirements of floating solar? How is floating solar connected to the grid and or stored? Can it be installed in any location with a flat water surface? What has been the experience of investors with floating solar in terms of operating costs and ROI? What are the operational and maintenance costs of floating solar vs. traditional utility scale Hear from: * Stetson Tchividjian, Director Of Business Development, D3Energy, LLC (tentative)
11:50 a.m.	Networking Break
Noon	Keynote Presentation: Full Electrification: Opportunity for Solar Companies Proposed Discussion Points: 'Going off the grid' and the realization of advancement allowing for this unique achievement What types of technologies today allow residential customers full electrification? What are the obstacles and challenges to full electrification? Is the full electrification more in reach for C&I customers due to roof space availability and/or ample exterior land? How might full electrification face opposition from utility companies and regulators? What types of hardware and software will be required for full electrification? Case studies of full electrification Hear from: * Hal Slater, Owner, Slater Solar (tentative)
12:20 p.m.	Carolina Commercial & Industrial Solar Development, Installation and Technology Upgrades: The Outlook for this Diverse Market over the Next 2-5 Years Commercial and industrial building solar investment offers some of the highest returns in the photovoltaic arena. Often considered 'power plants on the roof,' this market segment is rapidly growing with logistics owners and operators such as Prologis, Amazon Distribution, FedEx, UPS adopting net-metering strategies to lower costs and boost ancillary income. Proposed Discussion Points: Case studies of solar installation on C&I: FedEx, UPS, Amazon Distribution, related costs and ROI Net metering obstacles and challenges: State by state analysis Solar and resale building value: What is the impact of solar on building resale value? Are solar-enhanced buildings more attractive to investors? What are the unique installation requirements on C&I? How might an existing C&I owner without solar approach the opportunity? What are the unique challenges in terms of roof maintenance after a solar installation? Analysis of square footage installation vs energy production and energy savings for C&I owners Are there specific models/products C&I owners prefer over others, why or why not? What has been the experience of C&I owners working with local utilities? How might this experience improve?
1:00 p.m.	Networking Luncheon
1:30 p.m.	Luncheon Keynote: The Play of Solar Photovoltaics in the Rapid Growth of E-Mobility E-Mobility is defined as 1) Fleet operations (logistics: FedEx, UPS, utility trucks, public sector vehicles), 2) Heavy duty trucking, 3) Mass transit, 3) Traditional EV (cars), 6) Marine, and 7) Aviation. In this session, solar photovoltaic and e-mobility executives will discuss the rapid ramp-up in infrastructure improvements in the coming decade, and opportunities for investors, capital sources, project developers and solar installation firms. Proposed Discussion Points: How has the solar photovolatic industry played in the traditional EV market arena, and how will it play in the larger fleet and heavy duty trucking arena? What changes in methodology and infrastructure are required for solar to play an active role in the coming EV fleet/heavy duty trucking arena? What has been the experience of PV executives in other forms of e-mobility, such as marine and aviation? How are PV executives working with public sector executives in mass transit transition opportunities? What are the challenges to solar in urban destinations? What is the play of ESS in the juxtaposition of solar and e-mobility growth? What types of innovations are on the horizon? How will this opportunity unfold in the next 2-5 years? How should investors and capital sources approach the juxtaposition of solar and e-mobility? What are the unique infrastructure requirements and upgrades? How is the rapidly accelerated e-mobility market a unique opportunity for the solar photovoltaic arena? What has been the experience of investors in terms of ROI with solar installations that support e-mobility?
2:00 p.m.	Acceleration of Solar Innovation from an Engineering Perspective: How Future Photovoltaic Cells May Yield Greater Power Density and Higher Returns Proposed Discussion Points: Analysis of the investment into solar industry hardware innovation How might investment in solar engineering yield higher quality and more effective energy production? A look at the evolution of photo voltaic cells and key benchmarks in history: Past, present and future benchmarks What types of institutional investment firms are investing in solar PV innovation and why? What has been their experience? What are their expectations? Solar growing at a 42% annual growth rate over the last decade More than 97 gigawatts of installed solar capacity at end of 2020 in U.S.; of which 47 gigawatts were utility scale Recent challenges to solar including wildfires and extreme weather: What have we learned?
2:30 p.m.	Net Metering 101: An Industry Update from a Major Utility Description/Discussion Points TBA
3:00 p.m.	Networking Break
3:15 p.m.	Inside the World of Energy Storage Systems: Investment, Engineering, Architecture and Innovation Innovation in energy storage in tandem with PV engineering and installation will be vital for future growth and ROI. In this session, hear from innovators who will change the ways in which energy is stored in the coming years. Proposed Discussion Points: Investment in energy storage acceleration? What is the hold up? What type of investors are deploying capital into next generation uses of batteries, and why? Is there a willingness to go into different sectors with battery innovation? Procuring battery elements on a global scale: “The Big Dig” What is the future of lithium? Analysis of global lithium supply, challenges, and opportunities. What is the global supply reserves for lithium in the face of COVID and supply-chain disruption? What is old is new: The future and viability of lead acid The search for advanced high-tech energy storage Finding yield in today’s active environment Analysis of new products, including: lithium air batteries, lithium polymer batteries, sodium ion improvements, nickel zinc improvements, solid state batteries, Lead plante technology, and more The advent of energy storage systems in neighborhoods and other ‘unexpected locations’ Federal incentives and other types of non-traditional financing for ESS in tandem with the PV arena
4:15 p.m.	The Green Hydrogen Roundtable & Cocktail Reception To conclude SIS CAROLINA, hear from experts on the next chapter in the acceleration of solar, green hydrogen. North Carolina might win one of four bids for $8 bn in infrastructure for hydrogen hubs in the Why might Carolinas win 1 of 4 bids for $8bn in infrastructure for hydrogen hubs in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Department of Energy is instructed to create 4-8 hubs in the United States. Specifically, experts will discuss: Electrolyzers as the bridge for co-gen unit, converting energy into hydrogen Modularity of hydrogen fuel cells and how that lay the new found energy infrastructure: delivering hydrogen, delivering renewable gas, integration of renewable energy resources by distributed energy resources and hardware Analysis of software programs for utilities Investors, including Warren Buffet are buying gas infrastructure as assets. Why are utilities coming to realization of need to electrify? The modular fuel cell: The drive and need for the modular fuel cell The challenge: resiliency and redundancy trumps energy efficiency and decarbonization, and how to overcome Best chemistries suited for energy transition: alkaline fuel cell runs on hydrogen and/or ammonia/ammonia carrier; PEM (proton exchange membrane) fuel cell is 100% hydrogen; SOFC (solid oxide fuel cell runs on methane, hydrogen SOFT as the ideal medium? Can it optimize natural gas today and run on hydrogen tomorrow? Hear from: * Stephen Almeida, Jr., Member Board Of Directors , Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA)
7:15 p.m.	Event concludes/Closing Remarks
Time TBA	Residential Market Outlook: Analysis of Homeowner Trends, Impact of Incentives and Innovation in Design Proposed Discussion Points: Analysis of homeowner investment in solar trends over the prior two-to-five years Analysis of the connection between federal, state, local incentives and the homeowner's appetite for solar projects Exploring innovations in residential solar design, including solar shingles and enhancing panel appearance Additional options for homeowners, including floating solar, and building solar on land vs. the home Residential trends and patterns in energy storage, and adoption of new technologies Is full electrification possible in residential? Why or why not? Are there success stories and or/case studies? Analysis of net metering cost savings and/or ancillary income for residential homeowners What has been the impact of supply chain disruption in the residential solar arena? Despite the obstacles and up-front costs, why is solar a sage investment for the residential homeowner/landlord?
Time TBA	Accelerate Solar Innovation Awards Proposed Awards: Energy Storage Innovation Award Green Hydrogen Innovation Award Residential Installation Firm of the Year (most new installations) Commercial & Industrial Installation Firm of the Year (most new installations) Photovoltaic Engineering Breakthrough Award Converter Engineering Breakthrough Award Utility Scale Project of the Year Floating Project of the Year Public-Private-Partnership Deal of the Year (P3) Incentive Program of the Year Supply Chain Innovation Award Capital Raising Deal of the Year Solar Industry M&A Deal of the Year Solar Industry Acquistion of the Year

ACCELERATE SOLAR >>>SOLAR INVESTMENT SHOWCASE & FORUM CAROLINAS“SIS-CAROLINAS”