A successful clean energy project depends on good financial planning.

It’s time for clean energy organizations, financial services professionals and others to convene to better understand how they can work together to continue to advance the clean energy industry in North Carolina, the Southeast, and the nation. This workshop provides a great way to connect, share ideas and gain insiders’ perspectives into the world of clean energy financing.

This forum provides an avenue for accountants, architects, attorneys, banking executives, venture capitalists, clean energy developers, installers, engineers and others to connect, share ideas and gain insiders’ perspectives into the world of clean energy financing. Discussion topics include the fundamentals of clean energy financing and incentives and best practices for funding clean energy projects.

Join the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA) and the Garner Chamber of Commerce for an educational Open House at Effect Energy. You will learn how Effect Energy operates as a near “net-zero energy office” through the use of energy efficiency, changes in behavior and the installation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system on its rooftop.

With a hands-on approach to learning we will give you a tour of the office, show you the materials used by builders to improve energy efficiency and share ways that you can instantly lower your energy bill. Light refreshments will be served — so come grab a cold drink, learn about reducing your energy usage and network with other Garner businesses. NCSEA members will get an exclusive preview of the Open House on April 10. The public is invited to tour Effect Energy and learn about energy efficiency the day after. Read the details below.

Exclusive Preview
When: 4 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 10
Where: Effect Energy Inc., 145 US Hwy 70 West, Garner
Information: This event is for NCSEA members only. Please RSVP by Thursday, April 5

Public Open House
When: 4 to 6 p.m., Wednesday , April 11
Where: Effect Energy Inc., 145 US Hwy 70 West, Garner
Information: This event is open to the public. Please RSVP by Thursday, April 5

People are spending more time on the Internet and social media sites than ever. Utilize this time to engage your potential client and convert them into business. With a focus on the Clean Energy channel, we will break down the social media sector of advertising to help you determine how to create an effective social media strategy. Topics will include:  Clean Energy in NC, Creating an Effective Social Media Strategy, and Converting Business through Website Interaction. A networking reception will follow this event. It is free and open to the public. Please RSVP by Feb. 17.

                              [Space for this event is provided by Renewable Energy Special Projects Committee (RESPC) of Student Government.]

                       This event is part of, NCSEA's innovative educational series Clean Energy Connections which raises awareness for North Carolina's clean energy sector.

Self-Help Credit Union will launch its new Business Energy Loans for energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades to existing buildings and renovation projects of small businesses, child-care facilities, charter schools, multi-family homes and other commercial real estate. The launch is part of the North Carolina Sustainable energy Association’s (NCSEA) innovative education series, Clean Energy Connections.

Self-Help’s new product offers a $15-million loan pool leveraged from $5.5 million in funding from Bank of America’s CDFI partnerships program and will be deployed in Charlotte, Washington D.C., and other target cities in Bank of America markets. Borrowers will be encouraged to do the most cost-effective investments in envelope, HVAC, lighting and water.  Renewable energy, geothermal, retro-commissioning, and costs of third-partycertification are eligible as well. Full program materials will be posted at self-help.org.

 When: 3-5 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 16

 Where: The Great Aunt Stella Center, 926 Elizabeth Avenue, Charlotte

Information: Registration is required. Please RSVP here.

Featured presentations include “Financing Energy Upgrades”  by Self-Help Credit Union loan officers and 5-minute energy efficiency success stories by Meghan McDermott of Southern Energy Management; Rich Deming of Calor Energy and Josh Hawn of Sustainable Industrial Solutions

About Clean Energy Connections

Clean Energy Connections, presented by NCSEA, is designed for NCSEA members and the public. The informative series aims to increase awareness of clean energy topics across North Carolina. Events will be held throughout the year and include discussions on financing, speed networking and much more.  In addition to encouraging networking within individual communities throughout the state, Clean Energy Connections will provide up-to-date information on the growth of North Carolina’s clean energy economy.  You can expect an event to be held in your region whether you live in Asheville, Charlotte, Eastern NC, or the Triangle and the Triad.

Contact Charles Adair at Charles@energync.org to become a presenter or a sponsor.

The Speed Networking event has been postponed. We’ve heard from many members that the time did not fit with their schedules. We’ll be hosting this event in the future at a date to be determined. We will poll our members for the best time.

NCSEA Presents "Speed Networking," a unique event at the Durham Chamber of Commerce as part of its Clean Energy Connections series. During this session, you'll get the chance to meet one-on-one with almost everyone who attends. We will facilitate a fast-paced, high-energy event where you get to move around the room for individual meetings that will leave you with a pile of business cards and contacts. Whether you are a renewable energy or energy effieciency business or an indiviaul interested in clean energy services and products, you won't want to miss this event.

Space is limited to only 40 people so resiger early! This is a NCSEA Members-only event.