CLEANPOWER 2025 is set for Phoenix, Arizona, May 19-22. To prepare for the event, Wind Systems talked with ACP Chief Operating Officer Kelly Darnell about what to expect at this year’s premier renewable-energy conference.
This year’s CLEANPOWER show will be in Phoenix, Arizona. What about this venue made it ideal for the 2025 show?
Arizona is one of the nation’s epicenters for clean-energy manufacturing and solar project development. Arizona ranks eighth in the nation for operating clean-energy capacity with more than 8,000 MW, and our industry employs more than 10,000 workers in the state. Hosting our conference in Phoenix is a perfect opportunity to demonstrate the value of clean power in the Southwest and America as part of an “all-of-the-above” energy approach.
How will this year’s show differ from what attendees experienced in Minneapolis last year?
The core mission of CLEANPOWER, uniting leaders from across this energy sector for targeted networking, dealmaking, and top-level industry insight, remains consistent — but this year in Phoenix, we are taking everything to the next level. The demand for energy is skyrocketing, and at CLEANPOWER 2025, we’re investing in the industry’s ability to overcome barriers.
The CLEANPOWER program is unparalleled. In a defining moment for the industry, when the pressure to unite, navigate challenges, and seize opportunities has never been greater, joining the conference has never been more important.
We’re investing in expanding and strengthening our talent pipeline; we are introducing “CLEANPOWER in Color,” a brand-new event specifically tailored to elevating and connecting diverse, mid-level professionals in our industry, and we’re once again hosting the EmpowHER luncheon, back from last year by popular demand, to meaningfully connect women across the industry.
We’re fine-tuning logistics by bringing stages back to the show floor — enhancing attendee access to as much content as possible. The biggest change this year is that the exhibition will be split across two floors in the Convention Center.
If I were a first-time exhibitor, what should I expect from this year’s show?
CLEANPOWER is the place to build your brand and close deals. We consider the show the “goldilocks” of events — we unite nearly 10,000 decisionmakers and leaders from across the industry, to maximize your visibility with the right people. CLEANPOWER attendees mean business. In fact, “CEO” was the third most common attendee job title last year. For anyone considering exhibiting, be sure to reach out to our team as soon as possible.
What issues should I expect presenters to address?
The theme for this year’s event is, “Built to Power,” which serves as an ode to the incredible impact clean energy is making in revitalizing domestic manufacturing across the country.
Across six show-floor stages plus the general sessions, we’ll address the most critical, future-defining topics for American energy including: the manufacturing renaissance driven by clean energy, the grid buildout needed to support growing demand, the importance of an all-of-the-above energy strategy for reliability and affordability, the impact of federal policy shifts on energy investment and deployment, what’s next for permitting reform, innovations in technology across all the technologies, and more.
What kind of networking opportunities will be available for attendees?
Our team specifically curates networking opportunities to ensure attendees leave with meaningful, powerful connections. From large events such as the opening reception, networking breakfasts, and evening exhibit hall happy hours, to specific meet ups such as a veterans reception, women’s meetup, 5K run/2.5K walk and an entire CLEANPOWER in Color program, there is something for everyone. All of these events are sponsorable, and we especially encourage exhibitors to sponsor to maximize their visibility at the event.
Any notable speakers at this year’s event?
Every speaker at CLEANPOWER is notable, but we do have a few extra-exciting household names we will be announcing closer to the event. For now, I can share that we’re thrilled to welcome Trevor Noah to the stage during the Closing General Session on May 22 as well as many of our Board company CEOs, federal and state government leaders, and top policy and subject matter experts across the duration of the event.
More info cleanpower.org/expo
