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PROGRAM
TUESDAY | NOVEMBER 15, 2011
8:00 - 8:45 am
Registration and Networking Breakfast
8:45 - 9:00 am
Welcoming Address
9:00 - 10:00 am
Putting Renewable Energy in Perspective: The Economic and Environmental Implications
It is important to understand the changing global energy mix and where renewable energy fits. Investors have been placing significant amount of attention and capital on this emerging industry in recent years and in some cases, this has translated into rapid renewable energy commercialization, but in other cases, it has translated to a need for additional funding. This session will put renewable energy into perspective considering today’s economic and political climate and address issues including:
Christopher Ruppel, Partner, R&S Capital Partners LLC
10:00 - 10:30 am
Networking Break
10:30 - 11:15 am
Morning Keynote Address by Steve Westly, Managing Partner of The Westly Group
Prior to founding The Westly Group, Steve Westly served as the Controller and Chief Fiscal Officer of the state of California. As Controller of the world’s eighth largest economy. He chaired the State Lands Commission and served on 63 other boards and commissions, including CalPERS and CalSTRS, the nation’s two largest public pension funds, which together invest more than $350 billion. During his four-year term, Mr. Westly spearheaded innovative tax programs that helped close the State’s budget deficit and also led an effort to commit more than $1 billion to clean technology investments.
11:15 - 12:15
The Financial Landscape: How does the Investor See It
This session brings you the latest views from investors. Understand how the global financial landscape has changed and how the markets are rebounding through the economic uncertainty. Restoring the United States to a position of global leadership in renewable energy is a national priority with implications for our economic competitiveness, national security, and environmental legacy. What impact will the current government policy and landscape incentives have on the industry?
Followed by a Panel Discussion with: Dirk Michels, Partner, K&L Gates LLP
Don Danh, Senior Vice President, East West Bank
12:15 - 1:15 pm
Networking Luncheon
1:15 - 1:45 pm
Afternoon Keynote Address by Jared Blumenfeld, Administrator for EPA's Pacific Southwest Region
Jared Blumenfeld was appointed by President Barack Obama and Administrator Lisa P. Jackson to serve as EPA Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest in November 2009. Region 9 is home to more than 48 million people in California, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, the Pacific Islands, and 147 tribal nations. Mr. Blumenfeld has spent nearly two decades on the front-lines of protecting the environment both at home and internationally. His priorities at EPA include strong enforcement; environmental justice; protecting and restoring our air, land and waters; building strong federal, state, local and tribal partnerships; and taking action on climate change.
1:45 - 2:45 pm
Working with Government: Maximizing Current Incentive Programs and Policy Initiatives
What are the government investment plans and initiatives to attract financiers? Understand where the new opportunities lie and what financial engineering strategies can be established to mitigate regulatory risk. The panel will address how to utilize government incentives, focus on strategies for product approval applications; monetizing incentives; treasury grant programs; state and federal loan guarantees; among other programs.
Panelists: Adam Zellner, President, Greener by Design
Suyen Pell, Managing Partner, Anahau Energy LLC
2:45 - 3:15 pm
Networking Break
3:15 - 4:30 pm
Surviving Beyond Subsidies: Early Stage, Private Equity, and Debt Financing
Beyond government incentives and assistance, what strategies will work in order to raise new capital? How are new energy companies obtaining financing for 2012 and beyond? How have the rules changed for getting funded today? And what financing trends are emerging to get deals done? Get inside tips from these active investors and lenders.
Followed by a Panel Discussion with: Ross Reida, Director, GridPath Capital
C. Thomas Paschall, Senior Associate, Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP
Ali Amirali, Senior Vice President, Starwood Energy
Lachlan McLean, Principal, US Renewables Group
4:30 - 5:30 pm
Business Valuation: What is Your Company Really Worth and How Do You Enhance It?
The financial markets have caught on and valuations of publicly listed renewable energy companies have exploded. This panel will discuss:
Reid Rutherford, CEO, Photon Energy Services
6:00 - 8:00pm
Networking Reception
Hosted by: Renewable Energy Markets
Sponsored by NextEra Energy Resources
8:00 - 8:45 am
Registration and Networking Breakfast
8:45 - 9:00 am
Welcoming Address
9:00 - 10:00 am
Putting Renewable Energy in Perspective: The Economic and Environmental Implications
It is important to understand the changing global energy mix and where renewable energy fits. Investors have been placing significant amount of attention and capital on this emerging industry in recent years and in some cases, this has translated into rapid renewable energy commercialization, but in other cases, it has translated to a need for additional funding. This session will put renewable energy into perspective considering today’s economic and political climate and address issues including:
- World energy and economic outlook: How is renewable energy viewed globally and what is the outlook for its development as a greater part of the energy mix?
- How are climate and sustainability drivers impacting on capital markets and investment decision-making?
- Forecast for economic growth and job creation
Christopher Ruppel, Partner, R&S Capital Partners LLC
10:00 - 10:30 am
Networking Break
10:30 - 11:15 am
Morning Keynote Address by Steve Westly, Managing Partner of The Westly Group
Prior to founding The Westly Group, Steve Westly served as the Controller and Chief Fiscal Officer of the state of California. As Controller of the world’s eighth largest economy. He chaired the State Lands Commission and served on 63 other boards and commissions, including CalPERS and CalSTRS, the nation’s two largest public pension funds, which together invest more than $350 billion. During his four-year term, Mr. Westly spearheaded innovative tax programs that helped close the State’s budget deficit and also led an effort to commit more than $1 billion to clean technology investments.
11:15 - 12:15
The Financial Landscape: How does the Investor See It
This session brings you the latest views from investors. Understand how the global financial landscape has changed and how the markets are rebounding through the economic uncertainty. Restoring the United States to a position of global leadership in renewable energy is a national priority with implications for our economic competitiveness, national security, and environmental legacy. What impact will the current government policy and landscape incentives have on the industry?
- Optimize capital in today’s financial markets: successful business models
- Needs of the financial sector in order to increase capital flow
- The role of strategic investors and how this has changed in recent times
- The growing role of utilities and large solar companies as strategic investors
Followed by a Panel Discussion with: Dirk Michels, Partner, K&L Gates LLP
Don Danh, Senior Vice President, East West Bank
12:15 - 1:15 pm
Networking Luncheon
1:15 - 1:45 pm
Afternoon Keynote Address by Jared Blumenfeld, Administrator for EPA's Pacific Southwest Region
Jared Blumenfeld was appointed by President Barack Obama and Administrator Lisa P. Jackson to serve as EPA Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest in November 2009. Region 9 is home to more than 48 million people in California, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, the Pacific Islands, and 147 tribal nations. Mr. Blumenfeld has spent nearly two decades on the front-lines of protecting the environment both at home and internationally. His priorities at EPA include strong enforcement; environmental justice; protecting and restoring our air, land and waters; building strong federal, state, local and tribal partnerships; and taking action on climate change.
1:45 - 2:45 pm
Working with Government: Maximizing Current Incentive Programs and Policy Initiatives
What are the government investment plans and initiatives to attract financiers? Understand where the new opportunities lie and what financial engineering strategies can be established to mitigate regulatory risk. The panel will address how to utilize government incentives, focus on strategies for product approval applications; monetizing incentives; treasury grant programs; state and federal loan guarantees; among other programs.
- Has tax equity financing been a reliable source of funding for renewable energy projects?
- How is tax equity different than investing in a project with cash?
- What deal criteria make a transaction work with tax equity contributions?
- What challenges have tax equity contribution deals seen in the market?
- Government support to foster innovation - are there sufficient tax credits and stimulus programs?
Panelists: Adam Zellner, President, Greener by Design
Suyen Pell, Managing Partner, Anahau Energy LLC
2:45 - 3:15 pm
Networking Break
3:15 - 4:30 pm
Surviving Beyond Subsidies: Early Stage, Private Equity, and Debt Financing
Beyond government incentives and assistance, what strategies will work in order to raise new capital? How are new energy companies obtaining financing for 2012 and beyond? How have the rules changed for getting funded today? And what financing trends are emerging to get deals done? Get inside tips from these active investors and lenders.
- How do investors plan to expand their market share
- What return metrics do investors seek?
- How will these transactions be structured and financed?
- How are the corporate investors / acquirers playing the field?
- What criteria to look for in an investment opportunity?
- What new business strategies are likely to dominate in the future?
- What types of companies are most attractive?
- What is the profile of projects that are likely to receive debt financing and what criteria make a project bankable?
- What financing strategies are in place and what different financing models have emerged?
- The role of asset finance and securitization - what types of asset must be used to secure the debt and how are these rated?
- Should the industry look into financing with bonds?
Followed by a Panel Discussion with: Ross Reida, Director, GridPath Capital
C. Thomas Paschall, Senior Associate, Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP
Ali Amirali, Senior Vice President, Starwood Energy
Lachlan McLean, Principal, US Renewables Group
4:30 - 5:30 pm
Business Valuation: What is Your Company Really Worth and How Do You Enhance It?
The financial markets have caught on and valuations of publicly listed renewable energy companies have exploded. This panel will discuss:
- Analyzing financial feasibility for an equity raise
- Assessing the value of intellectual property
- Preparing for a sale of the business
- Strategies for improving business valuation
Reid Rutherford, CEO, Photon Energy Services
6:00 - 8:00pm
Networking Reception
Hosted by: Renewable Energy Markets
Sponsored by NextEra Energy Resources
