DEC 6, 2016

37% of U.S. broadband households find solar panels highly appealing, strengthening outlook for solar in 2017

EPA, Illinois Commerce Commission, Honeywell, and Toyota to speak at Smart Energy Summit

IoT research leader Parks Associates today announced key speakers from Honeywell, Illinois Commerce Commission, Toyota Motor North America, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will speak at the eighth-annual Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer, February 20-22, 2017, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin, Texas. Parks Associates recently reported the number of U.S. broadband households with rooftop solar has surpassed one million and four million more are considering solar purchases. The strong outlook for solar solutions in 2017 indicates residential solar companies are key players in providing comprehensive home energy management solutions.

Smart Energy Summit is an executive conference that features new research on consumer adoption of smart energy solutions and analysis of utility strategies to integrate smart home, solar energy, and value-added services into grid operations, energy efficiency, and DR programs in order to expand their services.

“Smart home solution providers are driving adoption of energy-related products and services," said Tom Kerber, Director of IoT Strategy, Parks Associates. “The Smart Energy Summit has become a forum to discuss opportunities for collaboration between smart home players and energy providers. Cross-marketing agreements, for example, can increase consumer participation and satisfaction in the energy programs and improve consumer perception of energy providers. Comprehensive smart home/energy management solutions, which connect security or solar systems with energy services, can attract more mass-market consumers for all players, including utilities, service providers, retailers, and manufacturers.”

Parks Associates research shows that 41% of U.S. broadband households believe solar will eventually be the primary energy source for the home and 37% find solar panels highly appealing. The international firm reveals cost savings as the overwhelming driver behind adoption of these products.

“Although environmentalists are far more likely to own a solar panel, cost savings is still the primary purchase driver,” Kerber said. “Nearly 80% of U.S. solar panel owners made their purchase to save on electricity costs, while only 51% cite environmentalism as a purchase factor.”

Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer focuses on strategies for consumer engagement in the expanding market for energy solutions, including connected devices, energy management, utility services, and home control platforms and services, with an agenda designed with strategic insights from influential speakers in the industry.

Current sponsors are People Power, Carrier, Earth Networks, ecobee, Hampton Products, Powerley, MivaTek, and State Farm.

Conference supporters include Advanced Energy Economy, AltEnergyMag.com, Antenna, B2 Group, CIOReview, Conference Guru, Green Button Alliance, Hometoys, IoT Consortium, IoT Today, Israeli Smart Energy Association, KNXtoday, Mission Data, OpenADR Alliance, Smart Grid Spain, Smart Grid Today, TD The Market Publishers, TelcoProfessionals, Utility Dive, and WSNBuzz.com.

Parks Associates is accepting press pass requests for Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer at http://www.parksassociates.com/ses-presspass. More information about the Smart Energy Summit is available at www.SES2017.com. To speak with an analyst or request specific research data, contact Holly Sprague at hsprague@gmail.com or 720-987-6614.

About Smart Energy Summit

Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer addresses the evolution of the consumer utility market, the impact of COVID-19 on energy management programs, and new opportunities to drive engagement in utility-sponsored programs. Virtual panels and networking sessions, featuring executive-level experts from multiple industries, address strategies for utilities, service providers, retailers, software providers, and manufacturers to expand and monetize energy management and other energy-focused offerings through consumer engagement, new business models, unique partnerships, and innovative technologies.

Smart Energy Summit features an in-person conference February 13-15 at the Omni Austin Hotel Downtown, with virtual sessions on June 15, August 17, and November 9. The summit agenda features leaders from utilities, state and national regulators, telecom and security companies, retailers, and OEMs. Follow the event on Twitter at @SmartEnergySmt and #SmartEnergy23. For information on speaking, sponsoring, or attending Smart Energy Summit, visit www.smartenergysmt.com.