Join the MREA at the 2026 MnSEIA Gateway to Solar Conference on September 29–30, 2026 in Minneapolis, MN.

The Gateway to Solar Conference, hosted by the Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association (MnSEIA), is one of the Midwest’s biggest and best solar + storage conferences. Each year solar installers and developers, manufacturers, distributors, financiers, engineers, utilities, job trainers, trade unions, non-profits, government agencies, and more gather for quality networking and education.

Meet industry professionals from across the state and country, hear from state officials, regulators, and legislators, and gain in-depth insight into Minnesota’s booming market and where it’s headed during this exciting two-day conference.

In addition to MnSEIA’s packed agenda, MREA and partners will be providing four NABCEP Continuing Education Sessions:

Tuesday, September 29th

• 11am-12pm – Briggs & Stratton – Daniel Moyer
  • Battery Energy Storage and Generator Integration Design Considerations – Join trainers from Briggs & Stratton Energy Solutions as they explore integrating standby generators and energy storage systems. They will explore the technical architecture of these hybrid systems, demonstrating how to significantly reduce generator fuel consumption and noise by leveraging battery energy storage systems. Attendees will gain practical experience through detailed wiring diagrams and two-wire signal to start configuration logic. This session will specifically focus on integrating Briggs & Stratton battery and generator solutions with inverters like Sol-Ark and EG4. By the end of this session, installers will be equipped to design and install systems where customers enjoy efficient, redundant, and truly off-grid capable power. 
• 2:30-3:30pm – Roof Tech – Guy Wellman
  • Less Callbacks, More Efficient R&R Jobs: Choosing a PV Mounting System That Holds Up – Roof Tech brings 30+ years of on-the-roof, in-the-field experience to the growing wave of repair and reinstall work hitting the industry. This session covers our AlphaSeal mounting system, engineered to withstand hurricane-force winds and extreme weather, so installs hold up long after the job is done — meaning fewer callbacks for you. We’ll also cover what to look for when choosing a mounting system for R&R jobs, plus how to get your crew certified through Roof Tech’s free online training classes.  

Wednesday, September 29th

• 9:30-10:30am – MREA – Emmitt Muckles
  • (PV 604) PV System O&M Fundamentals + Q&A: This one-hour course explores reasons for and tasks associated with operation and maintenance (O&M) procedures for different types of PV systems: from grid-tied and stand-alone, to multimode and hybrid configurations.
• 11am-12pm – MREA – Emmitt Muckles
  • (PV 425) Inspecting Solar PV Systems + Q&A: This one-hour presentation reviews National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements, paying particular attention to Articles 690 and 705. It also covers equipment listing and labeling requirements, circuit calculations, wiring methods, grounding, overcurrent protection, system labeling requirements, and common Code violations. Electricians, electrical contractors, PV installers, and inspectors will learn about NEC requirements and best practices for PV systems.