How SEIA's Distributed Power Project will Elevate Solar + Storage

In October, the Solar Energy Industries Association announced its combination with the Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA), a strategic move to cement the long-term political power of the solar + storage industry. Emerging from the combination is SEIA’s new Distributed Power Project spearheaded by Logan O’Grady, who joins Good Energy to discuss the work his team is planning for the near future.

O’Grady previously ran the Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association (MnSEIA), where he worked closely with CCSA prior to its combination with SEIA. The new Distributed Power Project will work closely with SEIA’s existing State Affairs team and state affiliates.

While definitions of “distributed power” vary, SEIA’s Distributed Power team will focus on community-scale and front-of-meter solar projects as well as standalone storage. O’Grady resonates with SEIA CEO Tim Pawlenty’s emphasis on getting every segment of solar + storage built and online as quickly as possible to meet rising energy demand.

Community solar provides energy bill credits for ratepayers who want to directly invest in solar without putting panels directly on their rooftop or property. In addition to these credits, the local farmers and landowners who host the community solar project on their land receive steady payments. The benefits of community solar stretch even further throughout its host community.

O’Grady notes that between the Distributed Power Project and SEIA’s State Affairs Team, SEIA will have a presence in solar advocacy in 27 states in 2027. These teams are looking for states to both pass good solar policy and then stand these policies up to deliver for their residents. O’Grady is looking forward to seeing how the SEIA-CCSA combination will smoothen out the state-level solar advocacy process and provide a stronger, united voice for policy makers to look towards for an industry perspective.

O’Grady encourages stakeholders interested in the Distributed Power Project to join SEIA state and regional committee calls as well as the Distributed Power Division, both available to SEIA members. He will additionally be hosting a Distributed Power Coffee Hour at RE+ in Las Vegas.

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