CESA Working Groups and Learning Networks
CESA manages a number of working groups and learning networks, which are small groups geared towards discussing specific topics. Groups hold periodic meetings for discussion and resource sharing, and for presentations by experts in the field. Some of these groups are restricted to CESA members or representatives of state energy agencies. Participation requirements and restrictions for each group, and information on how to get involved, are described below. Those who sign up to join a CESA working group and/or learning network will receive information, resources, and event invitations related to the respective topic.
The Aggregated Distributed Energy Resources (ADER) Working Group focuses on the emerging and fast-expanding world of battery-based ADERs (also called virtual power plants). The group is a learning and information-sharing venue for state regulators, policymakers and agency staff. Monthly online meetings feature presentations by experts on topics of interest to group members, as well as providing members with the opportunity to share information and resources among themselves. Topics cover a wide range including ADER markets and value frameworks, ownership models and the role of third-party aggregators, program design and best practices, compensation and incentive mechanisms, regulatory frameworks, case studies, and technical components.
CESA Staff Contact: Todd Olinsky-Paul
Open to: State officials, staff and consultants
Frequency: Monthly, held on the fourth Thursday at 2 pm ET.
To join: Email [email protected]
Community Solar Working Group
This working group brings together states that have expressed interest in building community solar programs, this working group provides a collaborative space to share approaches, explore regulatory and market pathways, and learn from peers. This working group is supported by funding from the National Community Solar Partnership (NCSP+).
CESA Staff Contact: Hanna Jones
Open to: NCSP+ members, grantees of Solar for All funding
Frequency: Sessions are on the third Monday of the month at 2pm ET.
To join: Please fill out this registration form
Energy Affordability Working Group
This working group focuses on leveraging clean energy solutions to reduce energy costs and improve energy affordability for households and communities. Participants will explore policy, program, and market-based strategies that lower energy burdens, with an emphasis on equitable access to clean energy technologies. The group will provide a collaborative forum to share best practices, examine real-world case studies, and identify scalable approaches that help ensure clean energy delivers meaningful and sustained cost savings.
This working group launched in January 2026. This working group is supported by funding from the National Community Solar Partnership (NCSP+).
CESA Staff Contact: Hanna Jones
Open to: NCSP+ members, grantees of Solar for All funding
Frequency: Sessions are on the third Thursday of the month at 2pm ET.
To join: Please fill out this registration form.
Energy Equity Working Group
The Energy Equity Working Group gives CESA members a protected space to discuss states’ efforts to maintain momentum on energy justice and/or to implement energy equity efforts at the state level. It also considers how CESA members pursue equity in program development and implementation at their own agencies, and it offers best practices on topics such as community engagement, solicitation and grant development, and more.
CESA Staff Contact: Anna Ziai
Open to: CESA Members
Frequency: Quarterly (date/time currently in review)
To join: Email [email protected]
Energy Storage Working Group
As part of CESA’s Energy Storage Policy for States project, the Energy Storage Working Group provides CESA members with regular opportunities to learn and share knowledge about energy storage. The group meets regularly for policy and program updates from members, and to hear from experts on topics of interest such as market participation, energy storage valuation, energy storage in microgrids, and virtual power plants. The working group is regularly attended by representatives of 21 CESA Member states.
CESA Staff Contact: Todd Olinsky-Paul
Open to: CESA Members
Frequency: Sessions are the second Monday of every month at 1pm ET.
To join: Email [email protected]
Energy Storage Working Group for Utility Regulators
The Energy Storage Working Group for Utility Regulators provides regulatory agency staff with regular opportunities to learn from experts, share knowledge, and discuss challenges and strategies to benefit their energy storage work. The group meets monthly for updates and information sharing from attendees, and to hear from experts on topics of interest to the group including policy and regulatory frameworks, strategies to support state program development, and technical and safety considerations for energy storage.
CESA Staff Contact: Todd Olinsky-Paul
Open to: Regulatory agency staff
Frequency: Sessions are the second Wednesday of every month at 3pm ET.
To join: Email [email protected]
Low- and Moderate-Income Solar Office Hours
This bi-weekly group meets on the first and third Wednesday of the month to discuss low-and moderate-income solar and solar+storage programs. Some of the office hours have special themes, like presentations on different topics related to LMI solar. This is a space to talk to one another and share best practices, learnings, and ideas. Attendees set the agenda.
CESA Staff Contact: Hanna Jones
Open to: Solar for all grantees
Frequency: Sessions are on the first and third Wednesday of the month.
To join: Email [email protected]
Networked Geothermal Working Group
The Networked Geothermal Working Group serves as a touchpoint for CESA members to learn about and develop networked geothermal initiatives in their respective states. The group features guidance from external experts, peer-to-peer knowledge and resource sharing, and efforts toward member collaboration.
CESA Staff Contact: Anna Ziai
Open to: CESA Members
Frequency: TBD
To join: Email [email protected]
Offshore Wind Working Group
CESA facilitates multi-state dialogue on state offshore wind policies and programs. Working group participants provide regular updates on project and policy developments and discuss major policy areas such as planning, procurement, transmission, ports, workforce and economic development, community benefits, and more. This working group meets every two months.
CESA Staff Contact: Sam Schacht
Open to: CESA Members
Frequency: This working group meets every two months.
To join: Email [email protected]
Solar and Storage Monetization Working Group
This working group is focused on understanding how to monetize solar + storage to scale grid and resilience benefits. These sessions are held monthly, with presentations from subject matter experts and collaborative, Q&A-based discussions. Attendees will explore strategies to reduce energy costs, enhance resilience and meet their state decarbonization goals and learn about best practices to optimize value streams and develop solar+storage markets. This working group launched in December 2024. This working group is supported by funding from the National Community Solar Partnership (NCSP+).
CESA Staff Contact: Hanna Jones
Open to: NCSP+ members, grantees of Solar for All funding
Frequency: Sessions are on the third Tuesday of the month at 2pm ET.
To join: Please fill out this registration form
Solar for All Multistate Working Group
This working group brings together multistate Solar for All grantees to connect and discuss low-and moderate-income solar programs with a multistate footprint.
CESA Staff Contact: Hanna Jones
Open to: Solar for All grantees
Frequency: Sessions are the fourth Monday of the month at 4pm ET.
To join: Email [email protected]
Solar for All Terms & Conditions Compliance and Reporting Working Group
This quarterly working group supports Solar for All grantees in navigating terms and conditions compliance and reporting requirements for Solar for All. It offers a forum to connect, ask questions, and share best practices.
CESA Staff Contact: Hanna Jones
Open to: Solar for All grantees
Frequency: Meets quarterly, on the second Thursday of the final month of each quarter.
To join: Email [email protected]
Tribal Partners Solar Working Group
This working group provides a collaborative space for states and nonprofits that work with Tribal partners to connect on building out solar programs.
CESA Staff Contact: Hanna Jones
Open to: Solar for All grantees
Frequency: Sessions are the second Monday of the month at 12pm ET.
To join: Email [email protected]
Water Cooler Office Hours (Federal Energy Policies and Impacts on States)
The Water Cooler Office Hours (or “Water Coolers”) provide CESA members with an informal, protected space to learn about, discuss, and ask questions regarding federal energy developments and how they may affect state programs. Past Water Coolers have featured presentations and Q&A from experts on topics across the energy spectrum, e.g., national lab research on the interconnection queue and state electricity prices, the implications of federal legislation and actions on states, and more.
CESA Staff Contact: Anna Ziai
Open to: CESA Members
Frequency: Every three weeks on Tuesdays at 1pm PT
To join: Email [email protected]