(V) Oregon Solar Energy Conference

This panel will dive into the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) challenges in the renewable energy field. We will explore real-world industry practices, including the virtual conference platform technology used at OSEC. Digitalization of business and linkage to the rollout of clean technology provides an opportunity to design innovations to be more inclusive and avoid the "source code error" of embedding inequities into advanced energy technology and communications.

While jobs in the renewable energy fields continue to grow at a rapid pace according to the IREA, women and people of color still can't seem to break through the "PV" ceiling. Finally, alliances are starting to form to try to address a cultural shift in the RE field, and many organizations are launching their own internal DEI teams and even fully employed positions.

This team of panelists will talk about their own personal and professional challenges and also share the innovative successes of moving in this direction with intention and thoughtfulness. We hope to have an open discussion from multiple perspectives and engage the audience around this sensitive and yet vitally important topic.