Austin July 2014 Luncheon

"Austin: The [Solar] Capital of Texas"

Speaker Danielle Murray will discuss how Austin Energy's solar portfolio has come to account for one-quarter of all solar capacity in Texas. Hear how the market has changed over the ten year history of AE's solar incentive programs, learn about AE's forthcoming community solar program, and the recently signed deal with Recurrent Energy to provide 150 MW of solar to the utility - the single largest project in Texas, at the lowest rate seen to date in the U.S.

Danielle Murray recently joined Austin Energy as the manager of Solar Energy Services. Most recently, Danielle has been the Renewable Program Manager for the City and County of San Francisco, where she led efforts to develop streamlined permitting and innovative financing mechanisms, served as chair of the Mayor's renewable energy task force, managed Solar America Cities and SunShot grant awards from the US DOE to reduce solar soft costs, coordinated district energy research and development, and engaged in extensive public and industry outreach. Prior to that, she worked for the City of Toronto's Energy Office, where she designed and implemented the Toronto Neighborhoods Initiative which provided grants and low-interest loans to homeowners to install solar water heating systems and other energy efficiency improvements.  Danielle has also worked for the Earth Policy Institute in Washington DC, researching and writing on the intersection of food, energy, and climate change, as well as serving in various volunteer and fellowship assignments in east and west Africa. Danielle received her Bachelor's degree in Human Biology from Stanford University and Master's degrees in Planning and Environmental Studies from the University of Toronto, and is a U.S. Green Building Council LEED accredited professional.