2. What happens when the power to control your energy consumption and utility
bill lands in the hands of your community or neighborhood? This panel explores
that exact scenario. As suburban areas and neighborhoods across the nation
look to retrofit for 21st century challenges in renewable energy and
environmental sustainability, we will discuss the real-world opportunity for
both new and existing developments to function exclusively on solar power and
the benefits it brings to residents socially and economically.
3. 49% of households are currently unable to host a solar
photovoltaic (PV) system, leaving room for significant
growth in community shared, single solar arrays.
Source: Shared Solar: Current Landscape, Market Potential and the Impact of Federal Securities Regulation. National Renewable
Energy Laboratory
4. COMMUNITY SHARED POWER
Community shared solar allocates the electricity of jointly owned solar power systems to
offset individual consumers’ electricity bills, allowing multiple energy consumers – or a
larger community neighborhood – to share the benefits of a single solar array.
Community solar PV
panels installed
produce renewable
energy and electricity
Community
members subscribe
to enough solar to
cover their annual
electricity usage
Subscribers utility
bill is credited with
the electricity created
by the community
shared solar array
5. The importance of
solar power continues
to grow for
homeowners, with
64% ranking solar
power as a top three
energy-related issue
most important to
them.
Source: Deloitte Resources 2015 Study, Unlocking the Value of Community Solar; Utilities find opportunity in the inevitable growth of distributed energy.
6. By caring for these homeowners, there is boundless
opportunity for the shared solar industry. Shared solar
could represent 32% - 49& of the PV market by 2020 and
provide significant environmental, financial and social
benefits for homeowners, builders and developers alike.
Source: Shared Solar: Current Landscape, Market Potential and the Impact of Federal Securities Regulation. National Renewable
Energy Laboratory
7. THE PANEL
Kim Slowey (moderator) is a freelance writer who has been active in the construction industry for the last 25 years and is licensed
as a certified general contractor in Florida. She received her BA in Mass Communications/Journalism from the University of South
Florida and has experience in both commercial and residential construction. Her work can be found in publications including
Construction Dive.
Tracy Robinson is the Chairman and CEO of Helios Group, LLC, an integrated finance and development
company focused on renewable energy projects, where she executes and oversees all commercial and
legal affairs. Robinson is also the owner of Housing Louisiana Now, an energy efficiency and affordable
housing consulting firm that offers a variety of services including residential energy auditing, commercial
energy auditing, energy efficiency program design and administration, grant administration and
construction management. In 2012, Robinson co-founded Solar Advantage, LLC, a solar panel sales and
installation company with operations in Louisiana and New Jersey. By 2015, Solar Advantage had achieved
the rank of Top 500 Solar Installers in the country, as ranked by Solar Power World.
Alex H. Edwards III is the co-founder and CEO of Sustainable Holdings Inc., an organization dedicated
to the application of a patented model in green construction and affordable, sustainable living. This
venture brings together a lifetime of Edwards’ experience in healthcare and renewable energy and
challenges the understanding of what it means to be “healthy.” Edwards also currently serves as
consultant and business development advisor for Southern Chem Inc., where he furthers his mission to
tackle environmental harms and generate renewable energy.
Judi Schweitzer is a pioneer in designing and applying innovative green and sustainable community
development solutions for real estate policy, acquisitions, entitlements, development and construction
relating to master-planned communities, resorts, lifestyle and mixed-use commercial projects. She
founded Schweitzer + Associates, Inc. to apply her 25+ years of experience and knowledge in complex
multi-faceted real estate developments to the challenges facing the real estate industry today. Judi is
seen as an industry expert and is entrusted by industry organizations, as well as public, private and non-
profit entities to review and design policies, programs and solutions that are transformative in the
marketplace.
