5th Annual Utility Scale Solar Summit 2012

The Infocast Utility Scale Solar Summit is the primary business hub where leading utility scale solar project developers, investors, lenders, utilities, equipment suppliers, construction contractors and other key industry players will all be on hand to share their perspectives on how to meet the challenges of getting projects financed and completed. This year’s Summit will take place during a critical turning point as the industry's primary focus shifts from obtaining new PPAs to constructing and financing the impressive pipeline of existing projects.

Jeff Atkin will be moderating the panel: Permitting With Compliance in Mind

This panel will discuss how to involve EPC contractors/staff in the permitting process to mitigate the potential for delays, as well as how to revise permits “on the fly."

Evelyn Kim will serve as a moderator for the following panel: Performance Warranties and O&M

In this session, panelists will discuss the issues surrounding system performance and construction risks—and how to handle them—are still being worked out in the marketplace. Developers, EPC firms, equipment suppliers, and financiers each have their own perspectives. This panel will examine the issues involved and explore potential solutions for the utility scale solar sector.

• Who owns what risk? What risks should developers vs. EPC providers be taking?
• Should EPC firms be required to provide performance warranties?
• Should these be constituted as a warranty, a guarantee, or a backstop on the manufacture?
• How terms should vary when blended with an O&M agreement? What are the pros and cons of this approach?
• What types of long-term warranties, guarantees and long-term service agreements are necessary to attract both equity and debt into utility scale projects?
• What kinds of terms are currently being hammered out in the marketplace?
• What other solutions are available—segmenting risks, servicing, insurance, etc.?
• Are there specific examples where insurance was used and helped the financing?