The Vista Energy Group (Vista) is pleased to announce the formation of its solar and renewable energy practice. The Vista Energy Group has long worked with clients on engagements focused on renewable energy and has extended its network to include Mr. Ron Celentano, a nationally-recognized expert in the solar energy field to its consulting team. Mr. Celentano has been at the forefront of advancing solar generation and system deployment in the commercial market in the Mid-Atlantic region and has actively contributed to the rules for solar as a renewable energy source in Pennsylvania. The announcement of it formal practice highlights Vista Energy Group’s commitment to provide timely insight and value to our clients as the energy markets continues to evolve. The solar and renewable energy practice will target Vista Energy Group’s client base including electric utilities, technology companies, financial parties and large commercial, industrial and institutional customers, looking to better understand their options and opportunities. This includes areas of the country which are mandating solar deployment over the next decade as part of statewide energy portfolio standards. Vista Energy has established expertise on the deployment of renewable energy projects and solar energy technologies including both photovoltaic and thermal technologies and is well positioned as an objective source of information. In addition, Vista has a wide network of industry experts and can ensure that clients are able to gain insight and expertise from the experts throughout Pennsylvania and the country. Our legacy is built on getting our clients to the right resource to obtain timely and useful insight and information. Vista Energy is experienced in understanding the many aspects of how and why renewable and solar energy deployment is critical to the energy landscape. The newly developed renewable and solar practice is designed to provide client assistance in the following areas. Feasibility Studies - Vista Energy can assess the feasibility of a solar deployment in any type of location. This includes systems that are dedicated to a specific end user, grid based deployment and other scenarios. Vista can assess the initial feasibility of a potential project. Vista’s role addresses financial, market and engineering feasibility. Once the initial feasibility study is completed Vista works with our Client to determine a path forward. Carbon Footprint Calculation - Vista Energy can calculate a “carbon footprint” for our clients. This will enable a client to establish a baseline so that any subsequent reductions in carbon emissions will be credited and may be worth the sale of Emission Reduction Units when carbon regulation is put in place in the US and elsewhere. As such there will be a clear record of a client’s environmental contributions by deploying solar and other renewable technologies. Regulatory Factors - The impact of regulation remains a concern that apply to deployment in both the state, federal and nongovernmental organizations modes. On a state level, issues such as net metering, renewable energy certificates, distribution interconnection requirements, economic subsidies, and commodity pricing are very important. On a grid based system, issues including transmission interconnection factors with the grid, wholesale electric markets, and federal jurisdictional issues arising from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission remain very important. Further, as the US moves toward a carbon constrained regulatory environment, those economic factors will become more important. Vista has a comprehensive understanding of potential carbon regulation and its effects on a potential project. Project Finance - Vista Energy can analyze all of the financing factors that are important in a project including the use of investment tax credits and accelerated depreciation. Vista is continually following the progress of legislation involving the extension of existing credits and new credits that are being considered. In addition, in some states the sale of solar renewable energy certificates (SREC) can contribute significantly to the ability to finance a potential projects. Contract Transactions and Negotiations - Vista assists clients in understanding key contractual issues and the need to formally negotiate power purchase agreement activities. Vista has served as an advisory role in helping clients better understand their relative risks and rewards associated with renewable energy and solar investments. This includes working with all the relevant stakeholders: attorneys, technology companies, counter-parties, insurance and hedging organizations. The Vista Energy Team Ronald E. Celentano, Senior Consultant Mr. Celentano is a nationally-recognized expert in the solar energy field. His achievements include: Grant Program Administrator for the Sustainable Development Fund – Co-designer of the SDF Solar PV Grant Program; started up the program and currently oversee operations; review grant applications and system designs; PV systems performance inspector; educate and provide technical assistance to consumers, installers and code officials; collect and analyze performance and cost data: Aug. 2001-Present Mid-Atlantic Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) – VP representing Pennsylvania: 2007- Present Governor’s Solar Working Group – Advisor for developing a generic township ordinance for the installation of both large solar PV farms and small solar PV systems on buildings, with the intension of reducing the barriers for solar deployment throughout the state of Pennsylvania: 2008-Present Solar Coalition of PA – Helped draft legislation for a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) in Pennsylvania, particularly spearheading the effort to include a Solar Share, or a separate requirement for solar photovoltaics; crafted language for statewide net metering and interconnection standards and application forms for on-site generation supplied by renewable energy sources; provided technical support and economic analysis to legislators and related parties; currently supporting the PA PUC develop the regulations and DEP develop technical standards for solar energy technologies and installation practices: 2004-Present MADRI Model Small Generator Interconnection Procedures – Represented the renewable energy small generator group as part of the Mid-Atlantic Distributed Resources Initiative, a consensus stakeholder process to develop statewide interconnection standards for the Mid-Atlantic region: 2005 Solar Electric or Photovoltaic (PV) System Projects – Designed/installed/serviced solar PV systems including several residential grid-tied PV systems, remote PV systems, commercial grid-tied PV systems : 1996-Present Solar Consultation, Education and Training – Consulted on be-half of the solar PV system owner on several commercial projects providing oversight with system design, drafting RFPs seeking solar PV installers, oversight with assuring proper installations, commissioning/testing PV systems; Involved with curriculum development and review, as well as conducting workshops for K-12 teachers regarding solar education throughout PA; Assisted training instructors for both Solar Energy International and Florida Solar Energy Center with several solar PV installers workshops; 2001-Present Dr. John N. O'Brien, President & CEO Vista Energy Group, Inc. Dr. O’Brien is considered one of the leading experts in energy regulatory matters in the United States with comprehensive knowledge of the restructuring of the electric and gas industry. He is also a former Commissioner on the Florida Energy Commission. Dr. O’Brien has also served as an expert witness, providing litigation support on cases dealing with contract disputes, mineral royalty rights and damage valuation. Dr. O’Brien also has authored over 40 articles and a book on various energy matters. Moreover, Dr. O’Brien has served on the Florida Energy Commission where he co-chaired the Climate Change Advisory Group and considered in depth many solar and renewable proposals. He conducted visits to the Florida Solar Energy Center where he heard and had input on how to better deploy solar and renewable resources. Matthew F. Rose, Principal Mr. Rose has more than twenty years experience as a consultant in the energy industry. He has extensive experience in providing advice to clients facing issues associated with energy and environmental matters. He has successfully assisted industry clients in evaluating market opportunities and improving their competitive position to take advantage of evolving energy markets. He also has extensive market research skills having worked at the Institute for Social Research at The University of Michigan. Mr. Rose has worked with a number of large industrial and institutional customers in understanding and establishing an energy strategy. Mr. Rose has worked extensively on energy efficiency and demand side management projects for major utilities and major end users. He has a long standing presence in the renewable energy space as well. Joel Blau, Esq. Senior Consultant Mr. Blau has worked in the energy industry for over twenty years and has extensive experience in utility regulation in the private and public sectors. He participated in electric industry restructuring proceedings in several states, including a New York case in which the PSC approved a petition to establish the first retail access program in the state. Mr. Blau served as Regulatory Counsel representing various energy companies in administrative and licensing proceedings. Mr. Blau also served as Senior Counsel on the New York Public Service Commission representing commission staff in utility rate cases and environmental proceedings. Robert J. Cassandro Esq. Senior Consultant Mr. Cassandro has experience in contract drafting and negotiation, regulatory intervention, compliance and monitoring, licensing, and market analysis. He is involved in preparing and negotiating contracts with suppliers, marketers, transporters, developers, engineering, design and construction professionals, power plant and landfill operators, independent power producers, utilities, financial institutions, end users, property owners, joint venturers, aggregators, and independent contractors. In addition, he is also involved in shareholder and corporate governance issues, as well as federal and state regulatory and licensing issues. Mr. Cassandro was also in-house counsel for the Long Island Lighting Company, a Fortune 500 energy company/utility, negotiating and executing energy related transactions and adjudicating regulatory issues relating to electric power and natural gas transactions and operations, independent power projects, fuel storage, project finance, computer software and construction contracts, and emission allowance trading.