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70% of smart thermostat device purchases are by first-time owners

Schneider Electric, SolarEdge, Constellation Energy, Itron, and more share insights on the future of distributed energy resources at Smart Energy Summit 

Parks Associates today announced the last session for the 13th annual Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer, “Distributed Energy and New Value: Shifting from a Centralized Grid,” with an executive spotlight session featuring Ansul Rajgharia, Director, Schneider Electric, and two interactive panels, “Distributed Energy Resources (DER): Wind, Solar, and Storage” and “Investing in the Future: New Areas of Growth.”  

The research firm’s latest consumer data, from Smart Product Market Assessment: Smart Thermostats, shows 70% of households that purchased a smart thermostat in the past 12 months are first-time owners and the majority say they saved at least as much money as expected.  

“Builders, manufacturers, and utility players all have similar goals in helping reduce energy consumption and deliver energy-efficient solutions for homeowners,” said Chris White, Director, Research, Parks Associates. “We are excited to hear from these industry leaders on the future areas of growth and where the biggest impact will come from.”

Smart Energy Summit, sponsored by Schneider Electric, SmartThings, Rapid Response Monitoring, Zen Ecosystems, and Particle.io, features the latest consumer research and industry insights on the primary factors driving consumers to adopt energy management solutions. November 17 sessions feature the following speakers:

  • Magnus Asbo, Senior Director, Technical Marketing, SolarEdge
  • Keally DeWitt, VP, Marketing & Public Policy, GAF Energy
  • James Greenwell, President and CEO, SpotLite 360 IoT Solutions
  • Doug Houseman, Managing Consultant, 1898 & Co.
  • Marissa Hummon, CTO, Utilidata
  • Brett Little, Program Manager, GreenHome Institute
  • Katie Schieltz, Senior Manager, Product Management and Development, Constellation Energy
  • Laurent Schmitt, Head of Utilities & European Developments, dcbel
  • Brad Stutzman, Founder & CEO, O3 Energy
  • Michael Ting, Senior Product Manager, Itron

“I’m excited to speak to the Smart Energy Summit audience about clean energy solutions. At GAF Energy, we’re developing solar products that engage with consumers at the best time for them to go solar—when they’re replacing their roof,” said Keally DeWitt, VP, Marketing and Public Policy, GAF Energy. “Our Timberline Solar roof, which includes the world's first nailable solar shingle, has the potential to turbocharge solar adoption and transform the residential solar industry. I’m looking forward to learning how other leaders are developing important clean energy solutions.”

“The rapid introduction of EVs as well as storage behind the meter together with rooftop PV opens new revenue streams to homeowners from simple self-consumption savings into new optimization savings gained from real-time tariffs as favored by regulators in energy systems reaching high renewable penetrations,” said Laurent Schmitt, Head of Utilities & European Developments, dcbel. “This requires us to rethink behind-the-meter DER integration strategies across utilities, commercial aggregators, and energy market to enable such revenues and make it plug and play and automated for consumers.”

"Distributed energy is about independence.  Why rent your electricity when you can own it?" said Brad Stutzman, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, O3 Energy.

Parks Associates will feature its latest consumer and industry insights throughout the event, featuring data from its ongoing quarterly surveys of 10,000 internet households.

About Smart Energy Summit

The 15th annual Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer, hosted by international research firm Parks Associates, in partnership with DISTRIBUTECH in 2024, addresses energy and renewables technology trends in the residential and small-to-medium business markets. The executive conference features experts from utilities, retailers, software providers, manufacturers, and energy, broadband, and security service providers.

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 2024 features an in-person conference February 26-27, in partnership with DISTRIBUTECH, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The conference also features virtual sessions in 2024 on February 1, July 23, and December 12, following a successful virtual series in 2023 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/X at @SmartEnergySmt and #SmartEnergy24.

For information on speaking, sponsoring, or attending Smart Energy Summit, visit www.smartenergysmt.com.