2026 Conference Sessions

Speed to Power: How Design Choices Shape Construction Timelines for Utility-Scale Solar and Storage

January 21, 2026

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

304C

Utility-Scale Renewables

As demand for new solar and battery projects accelerates, design decisions are emerging as one of the most powerful levers for improving construction speed, cost and flexibility. This session brings together design engineers, a leading EPC contractor and a project owner to explore how early-stage design choices can set the tone for success in the field.

Panelists will discuss strategies for addressing supply chain uncertainty, adapting to shifting regulations and ensuring designs are flexible enough to accommodate real-world site conditions. The conversation will also highlight how close coordination between owners, designers and builders can streamline sequencing, boost productivity and maintain project momentum from concept to commissioning.

Panel Moderator

Blair Loftis, VP of Renewables - Westwood Professional Services

Chairperson

Jeff Hatfield, Sr. Business Development Executive - Barlett & West, Inc.

Speakers

Michael Nowicki, Section Manager, Electrical - Burns & McDonnell

Jordan Sapp, Executive Vice President, Client Services - Revamp Engineering, Inc.

Jonathan Cairns, Senior Director of Project Execution - Elevate Renewables

Joe Ibrahim, Market Director - Mortenson

POWERGEN has been really helpful in identifying the industry scale of what’s going on behind the scenes, and how that affects each and every one of us across different divisions, levels, and inputs in the industry itself [...] That’s something not everybody gets to experience at other conferences.

Sarah White

Associate Electric Co-op, Inc.

The most valuable part of POWERGEN is networking with peers, walking the exhibit floor, and seeing all the activity and energy across the industry. For me, the level of engagement is a strong indication that the future of this industry is in a good place, and I’m excited to be representing this event.

Raj Katamreddy

Vistra

I love the networking. Everyone who’s part of POWERGEN is here, and it’s great to collaborate, meet new vendors in the market, see who’s doing what, and learn about the projects that are happening. It’s a great place for intel.

Sarah Hoelzen

The Williams Companies, Inc

POWERGEN is really important to us. It's an ideal opportunity to come meet existing customers and partners, meet new customers and partners, and showcase the new products that we bring to market.

Sarah Nicholls

STAMFORD | AVK

POWERGEN gives us the opportunity to meet prospective engineering firms, EPCs, and customers, and to share insight into our capabilities in manufacturing centrifugal pumps and supporting the nuclear industry.

Santosh KulkarnI

ANDRITZ

POWERGEN allows us to connect with all of our peers and it brings in folks that are maybe not quite familiar with everything in power, and they get to come to one place and see it all in one place and make new connections.

Sammy Haggar

Wildcat Power Gen