What Does The American Clean Power Association Do?

Renewable energy, including wind, solar, hydropower and geothermal, has seen rapid growth in the United States over the last two decades. As costs have declined and technology has improved, renewable energy has become increasingly competitive with traditional fossil fuel sources. Renewable energy accounted for nearly 20% of U.S. electricity generation in 2019, up from just 9% in 2009.

The American Clean Power Association (ACPA) represents companies across the clean power sector in the United States. Formed in 2020 through the merger of the American Wind Energy Association and the Solar Energy Industries Association, ACPA is now the unified voice of the fast-growing renewable energy industry. Its mission is to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy through advocacy, research, and education (https://cleanpower.org/about/).

ACPA promotes policies that advance renewable energy growth, federal and state investments in clean power infrastructure, and market structures that recognize the value of renewable generation. It also conducts research on clean power markets and provides educational resources to its member companies and the public.

History

The American Clean Power Association (ACP) was founded in January 2021 through the merger of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) [1]. AWEA had been founded in 1974 while SEIA was established in 1974, so ACP brought together decades of experience and advocacy from the wind and solar industries.

Some key milestones in ACP’s history include:

• January 2021 – ACP is launched through the merger of AWEA and SEIA.
• July 2021 – ACP and the U.S. Energy Storage Association announce their intent to merge under the ACP name [1].
• September 2021 – The merger with US Energy Storage Association is finalized, expanding ACP’s scope to represent energy storage.
• March 2022 – ACP holds its inaugural Clean Power Annual Conference, bringing together members across wind, solar, storage and transmission.

Membership

The American Clean Power Association (ACPA) is a trade association representing companies across wind, solar, storage and transmission sectors, according to the ACPA membership page (cleanpower.org/membership). The association has over 1,000 member companies from across the renewable energy industry.

Membership is open to companies involved in renewable power, such as wind and solar project developers, manufacturers, construction firms, investors, utilities, legal and financial advisors, and more. Some key membership benefits include access to policy advocacy, industry research and analysis, business development opportunities, conferences and networking events, online resources, and professional training courses.

There are several membership tiers based on company type and size, ranging from small businesses and non-profits to large corporations and utilities. Members have access to committees focused on regulatory affairs, markets and transmission, workforce development, and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Advocacy

The American Clean Power Association is committed to advancing policies that support the continued growth of clean, affordable power in the United States. On the federal level, some of ACP’s key policy priorities include extending tax credits for renewable energy, modernizing the electric grid infrastructure, and updating permitting processes to enable faster project deployment. They advocate for clean energy targets, carbon pricing programs, and clean energy incentives in state legislatures across the country.

Recent advocacy accomplishments by ACP include helping to pass the historic Inflation Reduction Act which includes $369 billion in clean energy incentives, credits, and investments. They also celebrated the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which allocates $73 billion to update the nation’s electricity grid and make it more resilient. In 2021, ACP helped advance state-level policies leading to over 31 gigawatts of new renewable energy commitments according to their website. Through effective advocacy and partnerships, ACP aims to accelerate the transition to reliable, affordable, and clean power nationwide.

Research

The American Clean Power Association (ACP) conducts extensive research on clean energy and advocates for science-based policies. According to the ACP website, they publish a variety of reports and data to inform policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the public (Research and reports | ACP).

Some of ACP’s key research initiatives include tracking installation and investment trends in renewable energy such as wind and solar, analyzing transmission needs and infrastructure upgrades to support clean power growth, assessing employment and economic impacts of the industry, and conducting market analyses on energy storage technologies. They partner with universities and national labs on studies and have an in-house team of researchers and data analysts.

ACP produces regular reports on topics like renewable energy costs, state and federal policies affecting the industry, interconnection issues, corporate renewable energy procurement, and more. According to their site, recent publications include the Annual Industry Report, Quarterly Market Report, Clean Power Quarterly, Battery Storage Report, Wind Powers America Annual Report, and Economic Impacts of Wind Reports (The American Clean Power Association (ACP)). The data and insights help inform ACP’s policy positions and advocacy efforts.

Conferences & Events

The American Clean Power Association (ACPA) hosts several major conferences and events each year focused on the clean power industry. These include:

• CLEANPOWER – ACPA’s annual conference and trade show attracting over 7,000 attendees from across the renewable energy industry. The multi-day event features keynote speakers, educational sessions, an expo hall, and opportunities for networking. The next CLEANPOWER will be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota in May 2024 (https://cleanpower.org/expo/).
• AWEA Wind Energy Fall Symposium – ACPA’s fall conference providing updates on wind industry research, operations, project development, and policy. The 2022 symposium was held in October in San Diego, California.
• Leadership Training – ACP training programs equip emerging clean power leaders with skills in areas like project management, operations, and public engagement. Trainings are held throughout the year.

The goal of ACPA’s conferences and events is to bring together key stakeholders in the clean power industry to share knowledge, build relationships, showcase innovations, and collaborate on moving the industry forward.

Education & Training

The American Clean Power Association (ACPA) offers a variety of education and training programs to support the growth of a talented, diverse, and well-informed clean energy workforce. This aligns with ACPA’s priority to ensure the industry has access to skilled workers needed to drive the transition to a clean energy economy.

ACPA provides training for workers looking to enter the wind industry or transition from fossil fuel jobs. The Wind Worker Training Program offers multi-week intensive bootcamps that provide trainees with the skills needed for wind turbine technician roles. Graduates earn industry-recognized credentials to qualify for entry-level wind tech jobs (https://cleanpower.org/workforce-training/).

For students and educators, ACPA’s Wind Energy Education Program provides curriculum resources to incorporate wind energy topics into science and math classes. Lesson plans, experiments, and multimedia resources help get students interested in wind power careers. ACPA also offers scholarships, internships, and career guidance for those pursuing wind energy degrees (https://cleanpower.org/policy/workforce-development/).

Through its educational initiatives and training programs, ACPA works to build up the next generation of clean energy workers and ensure qualified talent is available to meet industry demand.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The American Clean Power Association (ACP) is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion across the renewable energy industry. In 2021, ACP established a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee to help drive these efforts.

Some of ACP’s diversity and inclusion priorities and programs include:

• The ACP Diversity & Inclusion Award, launched in 2022 to recognize companies taking meaningful action to promote DEI in renewable energy. The inaugural award went to American Electric Power (AEP).
• ACP’s Women in Renewables initiative, which supports the advancement of women through networking, mentoring, and highlighting role models.
• Partnerships with organizations like the Black Employees and Supporters Network, LGBTQ+ Renewables, and trade schools to increase outreach to underrepresented groups.
• Offering volunteer opportunities related to DEI efforts through the DEI Committee.

To advance equity in renewable energy, ACP conducts research and advocates for policies that expand access and ensure equal opportunity across communities. This includes supporting workforce training programs in underserved areas and calling for equitable clean energy investments.

Partnerships

ACPA works closely with a number of key partners and organizations to advance its clean energy goals. Some of the main partnerships include:

The Clean Power Conference Partnership brings together ACPA with 7 other leading clean energy organizations to host the annual Clean Power Conference & Exhibition – one of the sector’s largest events drawing 15,000+ attendees.

ACPA partners with the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and leading companies on the Solar+ Decade campaign to achieve 1,000 GW of solar power by 2030.

The Offshore Wind Executive Summit is co-hosted annually by ACPA, the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA), and the Business Network for Offshore Wind.

On diversity, ACPA partners with groups like the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), GRID Alternatives, and others as part of the Inclusion Challenge coalition to increase diversity in the industry.

ACPA works closely with national labs, universities, and other research institutions through its Offshore Wind RD&D Consortium to advance offshore wind technology and innovation.

Conclusion

The American Clean Power Association has demonstrated the sizable scope and positive impact of its work over the past four decades. Representing a diverse range of clean power technologies and companies, ACPA has successfully advocated for policies, conducted research, hosted events, provided training, and taken other steps to accelerate America’s transition to a clean energy future.

Looking ahead, ACPA will continue championing renewable energy development and deployment. With ambitious goals to reach 30% renewable electricity by 2030 and 50% by 2050, ACPA’s ongoing efforts around advocacy, education, and collaboration will be integral. The clean power transition promises to bring tremendous economic, environmental, and health benefits. ACPA will remain a driving force in realizing America’s full clean energy potential in the years and decades to come.