Events > August 18, 2009

Distinguished Speaker Series

Julie Blunden

“Solar at 500 Megawatts and Counting”

California launched the California Solar Initiative in 2007 to invest $3 billion to generate 3000 megawatts of rooftop solar power.  The program is now two years ahead of schedule with more than 500 megawatts installed and about 50,000 customers now solar powered in the state.  The real news is what's happening outside the program with the utilities now committed to directly invest in solar and ready to buy power from large, central station power plants. Residential, commercial and public customers are saving money and reducing their carbon footprint with solar today.

Ms. Blunden's talk will provide attendees with an update on current developments in the solar power industry from the inside, and the impact that public and private initiatives are having on the way you use energy right now. This event is a must for anyone interested in where your energy is coming from, how solar energy will continue to develop into one of the key alternative energy strategies for our state and our world, and how current industry trends are shaping the delivery of solar power to the consumer.

Presented by Julie Blunden. Since April of 2005, Julie has served as VP of public policy and corporate communications, leading public relations, financial relations, public policy, and market development for SunPower Corporation. Prior to SunPower, Blunden was a consultant at KEMA-XENERGY on energy markets, renewable resources and policy to industry, utilities and state and federal governments. In that role, Blunden supported the Schwarzenegger administration in developing the Million Solar Homes Initiative. In 1997, she co-founded Green Mountain Energy Company, a national retail electric supplier of renewable power. Blunden began her career doing development and acquisitions in the independent power generation business at the AES Corporation. She received her MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and an AB from Dartmouth College majoring in engineering, modified with environmental studies. She serves on the board of directors at the Center for Resource Solutions and the Real Goods Solar Living Institute, as well as on the board of advisors for Vote Solar.