Register for this presentation at the top of this page next to "I'm interested." We will serve pizza for in-person attendees, but ask that you bring your own water bottle. Please note, space to attend this presentation in-person at The Ridges is limited to 25 people and registration is required to attend. A virtual option is also available to participate in this session. 

While projected growth over the next 10 years spurred by the IRA puts the solar market in reach of ambitious clean energy goals set by the industry and the federal government, more work is needed to achieve the pace required for a 100% clean energy electricity system. This presentation will detail the policy drivers impacting industry growth and the headwinds facing rapid decarbonization strategies. 

If you would like to request an ASL interpreter or other accommodation to attend this session, please contact Mackenzie Kucharsky at kucharsky@ohio.edu . 

About the presenter: 

Sarah Conley-Ballew is the assistant director of development at the Solar and Storage Industries Institute (SI2), the charitable and education arm of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). SI2 is focused on accelerating the transition to carbon-free electricity through clean energy research and analysis. The institute aims to use policy research, public education initiatives, and direct outreach to policymakers to explain the benefits of clean energy and develop pathways to widespread solar and storage use. 

Prior to joining SI2, Sarah was the founding Director of Rural Action’s Sustainable Energy Solutions Program, an initiative focused on catalyzing clean energy development in Appalachian Ohio by supporting regional efforts to scale up energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean transportation initiatives. She led a 3-year DOE-funded project to advance electric vehicle adoption and the development of EV charging infrastructure and provided technical assistance to small businesses and agricultural producers seeking USDA REAP grant funding.

Sarah was also the founding Executive Director of UpGrade Ohio, a nonprofit organization that formed as a result of Athens County’s participation in the Georgetown University Energy Prize Challenge in 2015. The Challenge offered a $5 million prize purse to a community that reduced its energy use by the greatest degree over a two-year period. Athens County was not the grand prize winner, but because of UpGrade Ohio’s efforts,  it successfully reduced residential and municipal energy use by 3%, which is roughly the equivalent of $5 million in collective savings. 

Sarah also served as a SolSmart Advisor in 2017, providing technical support to four Appalachian Ohio communities by streamlining policies and procedures that reduce the soft costs associated with solar development. These communities were among the first rural municipalities in the country to participate in the SolSmart program, and Sarah’s work contributed key insights into advancing solar in underserved rural communities. Conley-Ballew received the Midwest Energy News 40 Under 40 Award in 2019 and was a Clean Energy Leadership Institute (CELI) Fellow in 2022. Sarah lives in Athens County on ten acres with her three children and a bunch of chickens. She loves to mountain bike and cook Sunday brunch.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82388420653

Meeting ID: 823 8842 0653

One tap mobile
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kbPWMKa1Xy