Arizona Energy Future Conference
Arizona Energy Future Conference
Thursday, November 5, 2026 (8:30 AM - 6:00 PM) (MST)
Description
The Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association (AriSEIA) invites you to the Arizona Energy Future Conference on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Phoenix.
Arizona’s energy landscape is evolving rapidly, creating new opportunities and challenges across policy, technology, markets, infrastructure, and economic development. Hosted by AriSEIA, this one-day conference brings together leaders from the solar, energy storage, electrification, utility, policy, finance, manufacturing, and development sectors to explore the forces shaping Arizona’s clean energy future.
The 2026 program will feature timely discussions on federal and state energy policy, grid modernization, solar and storage markets, electrification, emerging high-load customers, and the evolution of the energy industry. Featured conversations include the future of federal energy policy, Arizona’s most consequential energy policy debates, the outlook for Salt River Project following the election, the implications of hyperscale energy demand for renewable markets, and how solar companies are adapting to new market opportunities.
The conference will also feature a keynote from Eric Wesoff, Executive Director of Canary Media, along with opportunities to connect with industry professionals, policymakers, business leaders, researchers, and innovators working to shape Arizona’s energy future.
The conference is designed for anyone interested in the intersection of energy, technology, policy, economics, and Arizona’s continued growth—including professionals, academics, students, policymakers, and others seeking to better understand the state’s rapidly changing energy landscape.
Date: Thursday, November 5, 2026
Location: Thunderbird School of Global Management, Phoenix, Arizona
Join AriSEIA for a day of discussion, connection, and exploration of the opportunities and challenges shaping Arizona’s energy future.
More information and register here: https://www.ariseia.org/
$530.05
Register here.
Thursday 11/5/26
Agenda:
8:30-9 am Registration & Breakfast
9-10 am The Next Chapter in Federal Energy Policy: What Solar and Storage Companies Should Watch in Washington
- Gretchen Dolson, Senior Vice President of Global Renewables Practice Lead, HDR (Moderator)
- Jeremy Woodrum, Senior Director of Government Affairs, Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)
- Steven Eddy, Director of Public Affairs, Tucson Electric Power (TEP)
- Katherine Gensler, VP of Government Affairs and Marketing, Arevon
- American Clean Power Association
10:10-11:10 am Arizona Energy Policy Reality Check: What Insiders Actually Think About the State's Biggest Policy Debates
- Autumn Johnson, Executive Director. Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association (AriSEIA) (Moderator)
- Nick Myers, Chairman, Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC)
- Mike Gardner, President, Policy 48
- Craig McFarland, President & CEO, Pinal Partnership
- Blaise Caudill, Deputy Director, Arizona Governor's Office of Resiliency
11:20-11:40 am AriSEIA Highlights of the Year
- Andrew Yancey, Partner, Bergin, Frakes, Smalley & Oberholtzer (Moderator)
- Jackie Cerna, President, Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association (AriSEIA)
- Autumn Johnson, Executive Director. Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association (AriSEIA)
- Court Rich, Vice President, Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association (AriSEIA)
11:40-12:10 pm What's Next for Salt River Project? SRP Update Post Election
- Autumn Johnson, Executive Director. Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association (AriSEIA) (Moderator)
- Chris Dobson, President, Salt River Project (SRP)
- Jim Pratt, General Manager and CEO, Salt River Project (SRP)
12:40-1:40 pm Lunch & Keynote
- Eric Wesoff, Executive Director, Canary Media
1:50-2:50 pm The Hyperscale Energy Era: What High-Load Customers Mean for Renewables Markets
- Court Rich, Co-Founder and Senior Partner, Rose Law Group (Moderator)
- Ellen Zuckerman, Head of Energy Market Development North and South America, Google
- Patrick Bogle, Director of Data Center Strategy, Arizona Public Service (APS)
- Karla Moran, Senior Project Manager in Economic Development, Salt River Project (SRP)
- Erin Mahan, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, SunSpec Alliance
3-4 pm Reinventing the Solar Business Model: How Solar Firms are Evolving to Meet New Market Opportunities
- Robert Neifert, Director of Business Development, Solar Gain (Moderator)
- Erin Weber Kiel, Senior Director of State Policy & Government Affairs, QCells North America
- Gabriela Olmedo, Manager of Policy & Regulatory Affairs, EnergyHub
- John Mitman, Founder & CEO, Obodo
4-6pm Reception
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