Let’s Talk Solar: How Utilities can Communicate Effectively with their Customers

Adam Maxwell conceptualizes, develops, and implements new products and services for the utility industry and adjacent markets, and manages the E Source Solar Strategy Service. Adam has been working on developing innovative ways for E Source to deliver offerings to its member utilities for over seven years. New offerings include research services, software products, market research studies, working groups, consulting engagements, design thinking workshops, conferences and DSM pilots. He also performs corporate strategy for existing E Source products and markets.

A subject matter expert in utility DSM and solar programs, Adam has worked in a consultative role with North American utilities, providing them with actionable insights to develop DSM and solar strategies and optimize their energy-efficiency, demand-response, and solar programs; marketing; and communications. Using the design thinking approach is a key element of Adam’s approach to helping utilities design DSM and solar programs that place customers as the focal point and truly meet their needs.

Adam was previously the Director of Research Inquiry, running a team of seven researchers to answer on-demand inquiries from E Source members. He was also the Senior Product Manager for the E Source Demand-Side Management Service, developing the research agenda to keep E Source at the forefront of DSM thought-leadership and providing consultative DSM services to utilities.

Prior to joining E Source, Adam worked as a sustainability consultant for UHG Consulting, based in Boulder, Colorado. Adam was responsible for researching the sustainability of businesses and providing actionable solutions to reduce their negative environmental impact. Areas of research include energy consumption, energy technologies, energy policy, waste streams, procurement processes, and behavioral/operational components, among others. Clients ranged from hotels to real estate offices. A major project included obtaining Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for the Colorado Convention Center.

Adam has a BA in psychology from Wesleyan University and is a certified scrum product owner.

Prior to joining SEPA, Jennifer Szaro spent nearly nine years as Renewable Energy Manager for the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) leading their solar energy, corporate sustainability and electric vehicle programs. She also conducted applied photovoltaic systems research for eight years as Senior Energy Analyst for the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), a research institute of the University of Central Florida (UCF). Jennifer received her Bachelor of Science Degrees in Environmental Science and Chemistry from Florida International University in 1997 and holds an MBA from UCF.

She has served on the board of directors for several nonprofit organizations, including: SEPA, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), the Florida Renewable Energy Association (FREA), Project Get Ready Central Florida and Drive Electric Florida. She is a LEED Accredited Professional and currently sits on the Dean’s Advisory Board for the UCF College of Engineering and Computer Sciences and the board of the Electric Vehicle Transportation Center.

Scott A. Vogt, Vice President, Energy Acquisition, oversees electricity supply procurement, wholesale contract administration and settling the wholesale power market for the ComEd zone. Additional responsibilities include providing strategic and financial analyses to inform regulatory policy and business development decision making.

Vogt joined ComEd in 1998 as a financial analyst, and served a variety of positions in Finance including Director of Exelon Corporate Planning, where he was responsible for the development of monthly financial forecasts, monthly financial reporting packages, and Exelon Project Evaluation. Vogt also held positions as the Director of Financial Planning and Analysis for both Exelon Nuclear and ComEd.

Vogt was a key member of the development and negotiation teams for both the Electric Infrastructure Modernization Act and Future Energy Jobs Act.

Prior to his appointment as Vice President of Energy Acquisition, Vogt was the Vice President of Regulatory Projects where he was responsible for supporting the Transmission and Distribution rate making processes as well as leading a team evaluating post-EIMA regulatory structures.

Scott holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Analysis from Indiana University.