There is no better way to start off this conference. Leaders from the small, distributed and community wind industry will address key market trends, technology developments, policy, and business opportunities and challenges.

Without a doubt policy, both state and federal, is important to the growth of distributed wind. This session will provide an overview of current federal policies and programs, including the Federal Treasury grant program, tax credit for small wind power, USDA's REAP program and the DOE wind power program. Case studies will be presented to compare and contrast existing policies and “what if” scenarios to highlight which policy combinations can have the most impact on improving the bottom-line of small-scale wind turbines.

• Will federal wind programs weather the political storm in Washington?
  
• How can states provide wind leadership in tough times?
  
• Case studies in effective state wind policies and programs

Unique community wind case studies will be discussed in this session. Learn how landowners and developers used partnerships to develop, construct and finance community wind projects. Presenters will discuss how they were able to overcome development obstacles and ultimately secure turbines and financing in today’s wind energy market.

Objectives:

• Why develop a community wind project?
  
• Overcoming development milestones
  
• Identify and secure key relationships with industry suppliers, developers and financial institutions
  
• Leveraging state and federal incentives

This session will address the biggest barrier that small and distributed in face: permitting and zoning. Presenters will offer insights on how to overcome this hurdle, including:

• Explain what makes a good ordinance for small wind
  
• Offer examples from ordinances that have effectively paved the way
  
• Critique the effects of height rules, setback, and permitting fees on project economics

This session will focus on identifying the balance between the needs of community and utility scale wind projects when it comes to local permitting meetings, policies and ordinances. Also, learn how to combat wind energy myths.

Developing solid partnerships with local officials will not only benefit your small or distributed wind business, but also has the potential to pave the way for more wind energy projects. This session will discuss the importance of these collaborations, as well as, tools and resources you can bring to the table to develop and strengthen your relationship.

There are innovative project financing structures that are being utilized for community wind projects. This session will discuss and compare tax blockers and use of QF, as well as true public and private partnerships. In addition, presenters will discuss available leasing structures and techniques for raising new sources of equity financing for community wind.

Objectives:

• Learn about innovative leasing structures
  
• Analyze current markets for debt and equity specific to community wind
  
• Learn about different financial structure and incentive benefits

Current policy and future policy has the ability to affect the direction of distributed and community wind. This panel, made up of those working to influence the policy makers, will identify and review policy and legislation that has created conducive markets. In addition, we will look at what drives and motivations balanced and supportive legislation, those who create it and the role and responsibility industry as in that process.

Small wind turbine testing and certification is taking off in new directions. This session will delve into requirements and testing trends in the United States, as well as, internationally.

Creating relationships and understanding the perspectives of utilities, cooperatives and municipalities are key to securing commercial agreements that will drive project success. This session will discuss issues important to potential off-takers as potential development partners and power purchasers.

Objectives:

• Tips for community wind developers on building a rapport with a utility
  
• Identify opportunities for partnerships with utilities in the development of community wind projects

We have invited dealer principals and senior managers from the West Coast, the Midwest and the East Coast to share their experience around building their Dealer/Installer businesses. Our panel will discuss successful growth strategies focusing specifically and vendor partnerships, marketing and sales tactics, service offerings, customer relationships and finance. Our goal is to ensure that the Dealer/Installers in the audience leave with some new ideas on how to grow their business and with inspiration to achieve success. The customers and vendors in the audience should have good idea of what a good Dealer/Installers will do to earn and keep their business.

When it comes to techniques in developing community wind projects, including assessing the wind resource, cost effective strategies, new innovations and thinking outside of the box methods can go a long way. The goal of this session is to explore various techniques and tools that can help save time, money and headaches.

• Learn about various project development and wind resource assessment tools
  
• Take a look at successful piggy back project

Over the past few decades, wind resource assessment has changed from a “fly by the seat of your pants” best guess to a fairly sophisticated process. This session will offer new insights and tools that are now available to the small wind industry for more accurate estimates of the wind resource.

• The technology outlook on the Community Wind market, if and when the supply market picks up to the 2007/08 levels, will the technology leaders remain dedicated to supplying Community Wind turbines?
  
• The panel will describe in detail their cost effective maintenance programs- what is available and specifics of current programs.
  
• What will happen to the mid-size turbine market if larger turbine market demand skyrockets again?

This seminar will provide an introduction to the fundamentals of wind power. Anyone wanting to learn the basics of the wind energy industry will benefit from this seminar. Topics to be covered include an overview of the wind energy industry, a technology overview, a look at the importance of siting, permitting, and resource assessment. As part of your registration, you will also receive access to the exhibit floor on Saturday!

Separate Registration Required
Price: $50 advance I $75 on-site

Learn these key steps:

• How to find a dealer
  
• Assessing your wind resource
  
• Profiling your electrical load
  
• Selecting a turbine
  
•  Siting your turbine
  
• Developing a financial pro-forma
  
• Securing grants and incentives
  
• Securing financing Insuring your project
  
• Permitting and zoning
  
• Interconnecting
  
• Net Metering
• Installing
  
• Operating your turbine
  
• Maintaining your turbine
  
• Decommissioning your turbine