Solar Project Decommissioning

March 20, 2024 | Online :: Central Time

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As the solar industry continues to expand and mature, the retirement of aging solar panels is becoming increasingly prevalent. Solar decommissioning is pivotal in addressing environmental, economic, and legal considerations. This event will serve as a platform for in-depth discussions on environmentally responsible decommissioning methods, resource recovery, and sustainable waste management.

Join us to ensure that end-of-life management is as eco-friendly and efficient as its operational phase.

Learning Outcomes

Attendees will:

• Identify how responsible decommissioning practices align with the principles of a circular economy, reducing waste and promoting resource efficiency
• Analyze the regulatory frameworks and policies governing solar decommissioning
• Identify industry best practices for the safe and effective decommissioning of solar installations
• Recognize methodologies for dismantling, recycling, and disposing of solar components
• Discover insights into the financial aspects of decommissioning projects

Wednesday, March 20, 2024 : Central Time

9:00 – 9:15 a.m. :: Overview and Instruction

9:15 – 10:00 a.m. :: Solar End of Life Options: Comparing Solar Decommissioning and Repowering

With millions of solar installations in the United State coming in innumerable combinations of location, manufacturers, and style, it can be tricky to review a troubled solar project and understand precisely what can be done to replace failing or legacy components. An entirely new industry has sprung up along solar end-of-life that helps to repower troubled solar projects, with strides also taken in understanding the nuances of decommissioning different elements of solar projects. This presentation will provide a clear picture of decommissioning vs. repowering solutions to demonstrate how to make these practical reviews to understand available options.

10:00 – 10:15 a.m. :: Morning Break

10:15 – 11:00 a.m. :: Legal and Regulatory Considerations for Solar Project Decommissioning

First-generation solar projects are quickly reaching the end of their useful lives. At the same time, an unprecedented number of new projects will be installed in the coming years. In response, many states are creating regulatory requirements applicable to solar facility decommissioning and end-of-life issues. These new regulations will require, in many cases, comprehensive end-of-life planning to avoid unanticipated costs and to ensure that sites are properly decommissioned. This presentation will cover existing and emerging state and federal regulations as well as considerations for developers, landowners, lessees, and local governments.

11:00 – 11:45 a.m. :: When Politicians Enter the Room: Solar Decommissioning & Policy

In many cases, energy companies have forfeited their decommissioning bond to abandon a coal mine or gas well. Yet, in many cases, the cost of remediation far exceeds the value of the bond, leaving a locality, state or federal agency holding the bag. Many lawmakers fear the same with solar projects, which has led to strict and expensive decommissioning requirements in many states and localities.

This presentation will analyze the policy landscape of solar decommissioning, and evolving standards related to site remediation and panel disposal. It will also provide a snapshot of current legislation that, if signed into law, could affect your project’s bottom line. The session will also discuss an industry-led petition submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2021 to develop a universal waste standard for solar panels.

11:45 – 12:30 p.m. :: Lunch Break

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. :: It’s Decommissioned, Now What? Solutions for Removed Solar PV Material

Planning for decommissioning is as much about removing the solar material from the roof as it is choosing the optimal solution for your solar assets next steps. Between recycling, reusing for repowering, or donating locally and beyond, the available options for decommissioned solar material will change based on numerous project details. This presentation will provide data driven descriptions of the numerous possible solutions available to optimize environmental and economic returns on solar investment, as well as highlight the unique approaches needed for various material types.                   

1:30 – 2:30 p.m. :: Solar Project Decommissioning Delights: Unveiling the Harmonies of Streamlined Decommissioning

The advantages of streamlining the decommissioning process for solar panel owners and operators are multifaceted. From time and cost savings to improved safety and reputation enhancement, optimizing this critical phase contributes significantly to the overall success and profitability of solar farm operations. Investment in efficient procedures and best practices ensures a smooth, environmentally conscious decommissioning process, aligning with the evolving landscape of responsible solar industry practices. This session will discuss the following:

• Assessing the current decommissioning process
• Common challenges faced by solar farm owners and operators
• Identifying inefficiencies in the current process
• Developing a comprehensive decommissioning plan
• Efficient removal and disposal techniques
• Maximizing salvage and recycling opportunities
• Lessons learned from previous decommissioning projects

2:30 – 2:45 p.m. :: Afternoon Break

2:45 – 3:45 p.m. :: Do This, Not That: Critical Lessons for Future Installers to Reduce End-Of-Life Costs

The solar industry has overcome a myriad of hurdles over the last few decades, with 229 GW of solar installed in 2022 alone. Yet many of the equipment manufacturers that service the industry, the EPC firms that design and sell projects, and the installers who build them have not been privy to the reality of decommissioning the solar assets that they are responsible for due to the time and specialization of this industry. This presentation will provide implementable reflections and solutions that every step of the solar industry can utilize to improve solar end-of-life outcomes. This presentation will also offer insight into the main determinants of decommissioning related project costs, to help the audience understand the real pricing for these special projects.

3:45 – 4:30 p.m. :: Case Study: A Life Cycle Analysis of Decommissioned Solar in  PJM Territory

By utilizing a specific project pricing review from a project scheduled for immediate decommissioning in PJM territory, this presentation will provide real time confirmation of academic and financial assumptions and provide specific quantification for those wishing to accurately schedule out costs and environmental burdens of solar decommissioning at commercial scale.

Tom Hobbs, COO, SolarRecycling.com

Dietrich Hoefner, Partner, Lewis Roca

Saxon Metzger, MBA, PMP, Graduate Professor of Sustainable Business, Eighth Generation Consulting, LLC

David Murray, Principal, Legacy Solar Partners

We will be using Microsoft Teams to facilitate your participation in the upcoming event. You do not need to have an existing Teams account in order to participate in the broadcast – the course will play in your browser and you will have the option of using a microphone to speak with the room and ask questions, or type any questions in via the chat window and our on-site representative will relay your question to the instructor.

• Microsoft recommends downloading and installing the Teams app if possible. You may also use the Edge browser or Chrome.
• You will receive a separate email with a unique link to a personalized landing page which will include links to join all sessions of this event.
• If you are using a microphone, please ensure that it is muted until such time as you need to ask a question.
• The remote meeting connection will be open approximately 30 minutes before the start of the course. We encourage you to connect as early as possible in case you experience any unforeseen problems.

Please Note: This event is being conducted entirely online. All attendees will connect and attend from their computer, one connection per purchase. For details please see our FAQ

If you are unable to attend at the scheduled date and time, we make recordings available to all attendees for 7 days after the event

REGISTER NOW FOR THIS EVENT:

Solar Project Decommissioning

March 20, 2024 | Online

Your registration may be transferred to a member of your organization up to 24 hours in advance of the event. Cancellations must be received on or before February 16, 2024 in order to be refunded and will be subject to a US $195.00 processing fee per registrant. No refunds will be made after this date. Cancellations received after this date will create a credit of the tuition (less processing fee) good toward any other EUCI event. This credit will be good for six months from the cancellation date. In the event of non-attendance, all registration fees will be forfeited. In case of conference cancellation, EUCIs liability is limited to refund of the event registration fee only. For more information regarding administrative policies, such as complaints and refunds, please contact our offices at 303-770-8800

Credits

EUCI is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.

EUCI is authorized by IACET to offer 0.6 CEUs for this event

Requirements for Successful Completion of Program

Participants must sign in/out each day, be in attendance for the entirety of the course to be eligible for continuing education credit.

Instructional Methods

Power Point presentations and Q&A

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Upon successful completion of this event, program participants interested in receiving CPE credits will receive a certificate of completion.

Course CPE Credits: 7.5
There is no prerequisite for this Course.
Program field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Program Level: Basic
Delivery Method: Group Internet Based
Advanced Preparation: None

EUCI is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its web site: www.nasbaregistry.org

 

Who Should Attend

• Solar decommissioning project managers
• Solar recyclers
• Solar panel manufacturers
• Solar project developers
• Solar investors and sponsors
• Solar consultants and analysts
• Solar project environmental advisory firms
• Waste management professionals
• Sustainability managers
• Renewable energy compliance officers
• Environmental organizations and advocates
• Researchers and academics