Solar in paradise – How the Caribbean can lead the renewable revolution
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Join 10Power CEO and Founder, Sandra Kwak; Managing Director at the California Clean Energy Fund (CalCEF) and Sungevity Founder, Danny Kennedy; Solar Guru for USAID’s Caribbean Clean Energy Program, Senior Fellow for UC Berkeley’s Renewable Appropriate Energy Laboratory, and Chief Executive Officer of dissigno, David Williams; and Professor of Energy at the University of California, Berkeley, with parallel appointments in the Energy and Resources Group, the Goldman School of Public Policy, and the department of Nuclear Engineering, Dr. Daniel Kammen.
This panel will discuss how the island region of the Caribbean has come to be at the forefront of the renewable energy movement, with some of the highest targets for renewable electricity generation in the world. Islands are vulnerable to the effects of climate change, and were a key block in achieving the ambitious targets made at COP21 for a reduction in fossil fuel emissions, but many also have their own ambitious goals on carbon emissions. The geography of the Caribbean also means that these islands have some of the world’s highest electricity prices with some reaching US$0.52/KWh. This present an interesting opportunity for local and US businesses to develop renewables, and this panel will discuss:
- Why is the Caribbean so well suited for renewable development?
- What is the potential impact of renewable energy for economic development in the region?
- What are the investment opportunities for US companies? What barriers need to be overcome to invest in the Caribbean?
There will be a discussion of specific national contexts including Haiti and Jamaica, and the impact of the political and economic differences between them for renewable technologies. There will then be time for questions from the floor.
This event is hosted by Solar Head of State, a nonprofit that aims to catalyze the movement to renewable energy with high profile installations on government buildings. In September, Solar Head of State will install solar panels on Government House, Saint Lucia, the official residence of the Governor-General. In early 2017 more projects will be installed across the Caribbean including Belize, Jamaica, Guyana and Antigua.
Schedule
6:30pm – Networking with drinks and food
7:00pm – Panel discussion
7:45pm – Q&A