Innovation for Universal Renewable Energy Access
Presentations & Abstracts from SOLAR 2025:
Opening Plenary Reception: Integrated Energy Systems for a 100% Renewable Future
Sharon Collingue, Arizona Institute for Resilience
Plenary Panel: Sustainable Solutions for Low-Income Communities & Households
Sachu Constantine, Vote Solar
Pete Parsons, Texas Solar Energy Society
Tamara Stands and Looks Back Spotted Tail, Lakota Women Business, LLC
Oral Session 1: Enabling the Energy Transformation:
1. Ayusha Gautam, U.S. Department of Energy
Advancing Equity and Decarbonization through Home Energy Rebate Programs and Federal Tax Credits
Extended Abstract
2. Ethan Blumenthal, North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association
Advancing Access to Behind-the-Meter Renewables in Vertically-Integrated Energy Markets
Extended Abstract
3. Kim Gordon & Brent Moellenberg, We Care Solar
Sustainable Clean Energy for Improved Obstetric Care
Extended Abstract
4. David Comis, Maryland Energy Administration
Solar Energy Equity in Maryland
Extended Abstract
5. Liz Veazey, Solar United Neighbors
Progress & Potential of Distributed Power Plants
Extended Abstract
Wednesday Oral Session 2: Technology Research & Applications
Qiuhua Duan, University of Alabama
Performance Analysis of Building-integrated Photovoltaic Rooftop and Window Systems in Commercial Buildings: A Case Study
Extended Abstract
Damian Pitt, Virginia Commonwealth University
Re-Evaluating the Land Use Impacts of Utility-Scale Solar Energy Development in Virginia
Extended Abstract
Aron Habte and Manajit Sengupta, NREL
Best Practices Handbook for Solar Resource Data for Solar Energy Application: Fourth Edition
Extended Abstract
Marc Perez, Clean Power Research
Localized, Cost-Effective, Firm 100% Renewable Power Generation Solutions without major grid expansion
Extended Abstract
Johana Salazar Cuellar, Pacific Gas & Electric | PG&E’s 100% Renewable Remote Grids
Extended Abstract
Oral Session 3: Converging Technologies and Strategies
Shruthi Chava, Triton Consulting NYC
Triton Apprenticeship Program Youth-Led Innovation: Bridging Solar Energy Education and Workforce Development
Extended Abstract
Martin Ogle, Entrepreneurial Earth LLC, Energy and Life
Advancing a Paradigm of Energy Education
Extended Abstract
Nea Maloo, Howard University
Designing for Performance: Teaching Zero-Carbon Housing through Competitive Frameworks
Extended Abstract
Taylor Ryan, NREL
BuildingsNEXT: The Nexus of Student Innovation & Market Barriers
Extended Abstract
Systems Symposium: Symposium on Large-Scale Renewable Energy Integration into Electricity Grids
Richard Perez, University at Albany
Debbie Lew, Energy Systems Integration
Ben Kroposki, PhD, PE, FIEEE, NREL
Lori Bird, World Resources Institute
Tuesday Poster Session 1: Technology Research & Applications
Buildings
1.1 Paul Kriescher and 1.2 John Avenson, Heart of a Building | A Journey to Zero Carbon Home
1.3 Yong You, University of Alabama | Simulation of Heat Transfer in Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
1.4 Yizhou Yang, University of Alabama | A Review of Artificial Intelligence in Building Integrated Photovoltaic Systems
1.5 Tasbeeh Alaqtum, Texas A&M University | College Station, TX Comparative Analysis of Net-Zero Energy and Well-Lit Schematic Design Layouts for Homes in Semi-Arid Regions
1.6 Boris Budagyan, Adapses Inc | AI-Driven Optimization of Integrated Solar PV and Smart Home Systems for Enhanced Energy Efficiency and Predictive Maintenance
1.7 Bing Chen, University of Nebraska | Sustainable Small House Preliminary 2025 Test Results
1.8 Dave Renne, Dave Renne Renewables | Case Study: Off-Grid Solar Home in the Colorado Rockies
1.9 Steven Stevens, AT&T Bell Telephone Laboratories | The Humble Airlock (or Vestibule) elevated to useful, and beautiful relevance.
PV, Sustainability, Transportation & Materials
1.10 Ramtin Mirmohammad, Sadeghi University of Oklahoma | Christopher C Gibbs College of Architecture Review of The Environmental Benefits and The Factors Influencing The Cost of Mass Timber Construction
1.11 Burford Furman, San Jose State University | Solar Powered Transportation, We can do it!
1.12 Adam Chrisman, SunEarth | The Solaray Corporation Solar Water Heating: A Pathway to Electrification and Sustainable Energy
1.13 Adharsh Adepalli, Texas A&M University | Impact of integrating Phase Change Materials (PCM) in the Performance of Solar Photovoltaic/Thermal System (PV/T) for Building Applications.
1.14 Tariku Negash Demissie, University Politecnica delle | Marche Effect of Tilt Angle on Dust Accumulation and Soiling Losses of PV Modules
1.15 Vladimir Pyltsov, Columbia University | On the opportunities of vertical solar PVs on buildings
Utility PV, Forecasting & Grid
1.16 Emma Lloyd & Anna Kieffer, Skidmore College | An Analysis of the Attitudes and Relative Preferences of Utility-Scale Solar Energy Neighbors in Upstate New York
1.17 Federico del Pozo Jr., University of Science and Technology – South Korea | Strategies of Applying Post- Processing Techniques in Solar Energy Forecasting in Determining Solar Energy Production
1.18 Richard Perez, University at Albany | Meeting the Load Growth challenge with Low-Cost 24/365 firm Solar/Wind Power generation a case study for Nova Scotia
1. 19 Sarthak Bal, Kronus Engineering | Grid Reliability and Flexibility
1.20 David Mueller, University of the Pacific | Machine Learning Driven Cloud Detection Using Solar Power Production
1.21 Saurabh Motiwala, IIT Bombay | Techno-economic Evaluation of Utility-Scale Solar PV + Bess Project in Gujarat, India
1.22 Bambi Ingram, University of Alabama at Birmingham | A Not-So-Remote Microgrid in Alabama
1.23 Joe Deden, Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center I Going all in on Solar in Minnesota
1.24 Satiish Datla, GreenBridge | AI GenerativeAI Agents: Transforming Renewable Energy Operations
1.25 Jaemo Yang, NREL | Development of An Unbiased Future Solar Dataset for Solar Resource Adequacy Research over CONUS
1.26 Aron Habte, NREL | Progress in International Radiometric Standards for Solar Energy Application
1.27 Aron Habte and Manajit Sengupta | NREL, Best Practices Handbook for Solar Resource Data for Solar Energy Application: Fourth Edition
1.28 Manajit Sengupta, NREL | Improving the National Solar Radiation Data Base
2025 Justice, Equity, and Diversity (JEDI) Scholars
1.28 Mohammad Elmi, Pennsylvania State University | Architectural Coatings for Buildings Sustainability by Solar Energy Management
1.29 Tariku Negash Demissie, Marche Polytechnic University (UNIVPM) | Experimental Investigation of the effect of dust on tilted solar PV module
1.30 Yong You, University of Alabama, Simulation of Heat Transfer in Building-Integrated Photovoltaics Using Computational Fluid Dynamics
Poster Session 2: Enabling the Energy Transformation
Education
Finance & Policy
- 2.5 Gilbert Michaud, Loyola University Chicago | Estimating the Economic Impacts of Large-Scale Solar in Kentucky, USA
- 2.6 Tierney Sheehan, RE-volv | Direct Pay is Unlocking a Community-Driven, Equitable Energy Transition. Now, How Do We Scale Impact?
- 2.7 Mohammad Eshaghi, UW-Madison | Bridging Finance and Participation: Crowdfunding for Renewable Energy Projects
- 2.8 Austin Mickles, Solar United Neighbors | The Impact of the Denver Solar Equity Rebate on the Community
- 2.9 Anna Moon, Collective Clean Energy Fund I Driving Impactful Partnerships: Accelerating Solar Energy Adoption through Strategic Financing
- 2.10 Aaron Nichols, Exact Solar | How State-Level Incentives Make or Break Solar Adoption
- 2.11 Shay Banton, IREC | Expanding Energy Equity Through Targeted Grid Integration Policies & Analysis
- 2.12 Catherine Cox, Maryland Energy Administration | Maryland Solar Access Program
- 2.13 Jennifer Bernstein, Texas Tech University Solar | Power in the Mojave: An undergraduate research project exploring local resistance, ecological concerns, and the politics of renewable energy
- 2.14 Michel Infante, Energy Outreach Colorado | Impact of Community Solar for Denver Multifamily Building & Residents
Integrated Assessments
- 2.15 Saxon Metzger, Eighth Generation Consulting | LLC Solar at End of Life: Challenges and Benefits of Circularity with a Focus on Tribal Perspectives, Workforce Development, and Sustainability
- 2.16 Allison Archambault, EarthSpark International, Wendy Sanassee, EarthSpark International, Peter Lilienthal, CU Boulder | Validating Electric Cooking in Planning and Operations of 100% Solar Microgrids in Haiti
- 2.17 Nir Krakauer, The City College of New York | Seasonal forecasting for renewable energy management
- 2.18 Rahim Khoie, University of the Pacific | Electric Vehicles Powered by Solar Energy; A Study of Impacts on Emissions of Electricity Sector
- 2.19 Robert Foster, New Mexico State University | Winrock International Solarizing Community Water Supply in Ethiopia: Sustainable Private Sector Development Model
- 2.20 Amare Assefa, Addis Ababa Institute of Technology | Reliability Analysis of Micro-Hydro Based Microgrid Due to Integration of Solar PV system: Case of Chipopoma Micro-grid, Malawi
- 2.21 Rumana Subnom, West Virginia University | Assessment of a 140 kW Rooftop Grid-Connected Solar PV System in West Virginia
- 2.22 William Young JR, UCF Renewables | A National Energy Security Issue
Community & Engagement
- 2.23 Mark Weber, The Minnesota Renewable Energy Society | Youth Engagement – Solar Boat Regatta
- 2.24 Jill Cliburn, Cliburn and Associates, LLC | Context, Communications, and Engagement: The Unfinished Business of Universal Solar and a Clean Grid Revolution
- 2.25 Henry Vandermark, Solar Wave Energy, Inc. | Checklist for the solar buyer, from proposal to completion as-built
- 2.26 Martin Smallen | Retrofit Detached Active/Direct Passive Solar for Emergencies
- 2.27 Ahmed Eldifrawi, Retired Economics of Residential Solar PV Systems | Insights from a Five-Year Case Study in Florida
- 2.28 Emma Miller, Colorado Agrivoltaic Learning Center | Challenging the Status Quo of Agrivoltaic Community Engagement
2025 Justice, Equity, and Diversity (JEDI) Scholars
