Solar Surge?

After decades of fits and starts, is solar power finally hitting the big time? BrightSource Energy is about to break ground on one of the largest solar power plants in the world. The 392 megawatt plant will generate almost as much electricity as all the solar capacity installed across the entire United States last year, serving more than 140,000 homes. That will juice construction jobs (for a while) and has unions thrilled. But locating and building such industrial-scale plants can take eons. Should California build more mega facilities? Where? As we add more renewables to the mix, how can we assure a reliable grid? How does natural gas ally with solar to satisfy energy demand for a state expected to add millions of people in coming decades? Join us for a discussion of the future of energy and jobs in California with leading players from government, business and labor.

Speakers:

• John Woolard, CEO, BrightSource Energy
• Karen Douglas, Chairman, California Energy Commission
• Additional solar speakers TBA
• Greg Dalton, Climate One - Moderator