#2018MITEC Panel on Energy Democracy pic.twitter.com/WrH3fPaL2M

— Petr Musilek (@PetrMusilek) March 2, 2018

#Energy Democracy panelists being introduced by moderator Harvey Michaels #2018MITEC pic.twitter.com/zUG7FfxXp3

— MIT Energy Conference (@MITEnergyConf) March 2, 2018

There isn't a single meaning to #energy democracy. Can break it down into three parts: end of grid autocracy, distributed path to access, and community governance - @harvey_michaels #2018MITEC

— MIT Energy Conference (@MITEnergyConf) March 2, 2018

Two visions of carbon-free Transactive Grid #2018MITEC pic.twitter.com/aNm3v5i9q2

— ClimateX MIT (@ClimateX_MIT) March 2, 2018

#Energy Democracy - the #solar credit problem, shown by Isaac Baker of @Resonant_Energy. Financing is a huge hurdle for going solar #2018MITEC pic.twitter.com/n4T5o5iJSX

— MIT Energy Conference (@MITEnergyConf) March 2, 2018

.@Resonant_Energy's #Energy Democracy vision: "have local stakeholders engaged, understand how clean energy works and who it works for" #2018MITEC

— MIT Energy Conference (@MITEnergyConf) March 2, 2018

#Energy Democracy: How will we electrify the 1.4 billion people who live in this world without access to basic electricity? What will that look like? - Shazia Khan of @EcoEnergyPK #2018MITEC

— MIT Energy Conference (@MITEnergyConf) March 2, 2018

#Energy Democracy: tech winner for @EcoEnergyPK to introduce to customers - pay-as-you go solar. Have them go monthly to pay for #solar expenses, once system is paid off it unlocks and they can use it at their will. #2018MITEC

— MIT Energy Conference (@MITEnergyConf) March 2, 2018

#Energy Democracy: @solarforgood links #Solar developers and households. Bridges the gap between supply and demand and helps give individuals better control over their #power supply #2018MITEC

— MIT Energy Conference (@MITEnergyConf) March 2, 2018

#Energy Democracy: ~835 consumer owned and locally controlled rural electrical co-ops currently - Sheldon Petersen, CEO of CFC #2018MITEC

— MIT Energy Conference (@MITEnergyConf) March 2, 2018

Consumer-owned locally-based rural utility coops can be much more innovative and dynamic than investor-owned utilities. #energy #2018MITEC

— ClimateX MIT (@ClimateX_MIT) March 2, 2018

#Energy Democracy: investor-owned utility is in it for the money, co-op is in it for quality service at lowest possible cost. #2018MITEC

— MIT Energy Conference (@MITEnergyConf) March 2, 2018

"Rural utility coops have 13% of the meters in the US [number of households], and 42% of the distribution lines" - Sheldon C. Peterson #2018MITEC pic.twitter.com/R8k2WdD4zP

— ClimateX MIT (@ClimateX_MIT) March 2, 2018

#Energy Democracy: Think of the impact of bringing #solar to Dorchester today and what that'll look for the industry in the future. Increased diversity will drive solar (@Resonant_Energy) #2018MITEC

— MIT Energy Conference (@MITEnergyConf) March 2, 2018

#Energy Democracy: Challenge of generating demand without project in sight - longer development time. Last thing you want to do is get a community excited then tell them it'll be 18 months before it becomes a reality (@solarforgood) #2018MITEC

— MIT Energy Conference (@MITEnergyConf) March 2, 2018

“Solar is fun, solar is beautiful. Solar is a great starting point for the bigger conversation about energy democracy and enlisting communities.” - Issac Baker, @Resonant_Energy #2018MITEC pic.twitter.com/Sd0eQHTqPI

— ClimateX MIT (@ClimateX_MIT) March 2, 2018

“The key element in rural cooperative success is that these people are neighbors. Our consumers know their utility board members.” - Sheldon C. Petersen #2018MITEC pic.twitter.com/8OIU1NBG2k

— ClimateX MIT (@ClimateX_MIT) March 2, 2018

#Energy Democracy Q&A! Q: Previous panelists discussed the frustration of local regulations differing dramatically between regions. How do you marry community governance with the standardization necessary for business entry? #2018MITEC

— MIT Energy Conference (@MITEnergyConf) March 2, 2018

A1: In the case of co-ops, not as difficult as one may assume. Community solar context, so many different programs, incentives vary state by state, definitely a challenge - try to stay ahead by investing in regulatory process to have a seat at the table #2018MITEC

— MIT Energy Conference (@MITEnergyConf) March 2, 2018

A2: trying to plug solar into the grid into a community that doesn't want it is difficult. a lot of it is bureaucracy, there's a reason solar is more expensive than some other options. Utilities concerned with rate of return, not consumer - need to rewrite policy #2018MITEC

— MIT Energy Conference (@MITEnergyConf) March 2, 2018

#Energy Democracy panel taking a question submitted through @PigeonholeLive #2018MITEC pic.twitter.com/85Hq2fJB0a

— MIT Energy Conference (@MITEnergyConf) March 2, 2018

An insightful insightful question from the energy democracy panel audience! #Energy @PigeonholeLive #2018MITEC pic.twitter.com/M8WWgay77u

— ClimateX MIT (@ClimateX_MIT) March 2, 2018

16 states have laws allowing community solar. They are all different and inconsistent, and there are many barriers to justice in the details. - @sandhya_murali #2018MITEC

— ClimateX MIT (@ClimateX_MIT) March 2, 2018