The Future of CRE Sustainability

EP 20 — Kensington Vanguard’s Tara Brown-Selders on Mineral Rights That Kill Solar Projects

The renewable energy boom is creating unprecedented complexity in commercial real estate transactions, and traditional title insurance approaches are proving inadequate for solar and wind developments. Tara Brown-Selders, VP of Business Development, Kensington Vanguard, has spent three years building KV's energy division by recognizing that these projects require fundamentally different risk assessment, research depth, and regulatory navigation than conventional commercial deals. Her unique background as an ecopreneur turned title insurance specialist provides insights into how property rights, state regulations, and due diligence processes are evolving to support America's energy transition.
Tara explains why renewable projects are more land-intensive with additional parties and longer timelines, requiring specialized understanding of mineral rights versus surface rights ownership. She also touches on the critical timing decisions developers face when engaging title companies, the research complexity that extends far beyond traditional ownership verification, and why some multi-million dollar projects require comprehensive title work without needing insurance policies. 
 
Topics discussed:
 
The evolution from reactive insurance models to proactive risk assessment strategies that identify issues before they become deal-breakers in renewable energy projects.
Advanced approaches to mineral rights research and surface rights verification that can significantly impact project costs and timelines.
State-by-state regulatory navigation strategies using specialized regional expertise rather than attempting uniform national approaches.
The strategic timing of title company engagement to avoid wasting resources on unviable land while preventing late-stage discovery of deal-breaking property issues.
How ESG integration is reshaping due diligence processes by incorporating stakeholder alignment, community workforce development, and domestic content requirements into commercial real estate decisions.
The emergence of flexible renewable energy solutions like battery storage and micro-grid developments that require smaller land footprints but more complex integration planning.
Why some renewable energy projects require comprehensive title research without insurance policies while others demand full coverage, based on lender requirements and financing structures.
Women leadership strategies in traditionally male-dominated industries through organizations like Women in Title and EcoWomen that emphasize collaboration over competition.
The research complexity of renewable energy projects that extends beyond ownership verification to include mineral activity assessment, community readiness evaluation, and environmental impact analysis.

EP 19 — Wattch's Alex Snedeker on Digital Twins vs Linear Monitoring

The difference between managing solar assets and truly optimizing them often comes down to one critical factor: whether your monitoring system can separate addressable losses from inherent system design limitations in real-time. Alex Snedeker, General Manager of Wattch, has spent years watching O&M teams struggle with legacy monitoring platforms that generate more noise than actionable insights. The result is a dangerous cycle where asset owners think they're managing performance while millions in value slip through undetected gaps in their monitoring infrastructure.
 
Alex takes Sean through how digital twin technology fundamentally changes this dynamic by using mathematical modeling rather than AI to deliver deterministic outputs with 1-2% margin of error. Unlike linear monitoring models that work reasonably well for homogeneous ground-mount installations, commercial rooftop sites with multiple orientations, string lengths, and inverter capacities require comprehensive system modeling that accounts for every variable. The complexity multiplies exponentially with each addition of heterogeneity, making traditional monitoring approaches increasingly inadequate for CRE applications.
 
Topics discussed:
 
The fundamental limitations of linear monitoring models versus digital twin architecture for heterogeneous commercial rooftop installations with multiple orientations and system configurations.
How EPI methodology separates addressable system losses from weather-related variances and design-inherent limitations using real-time meteorological data integration.
The critical importance of commissioning-phase monitoring to identify installation mistakes before final contractor payment, when corrective action becomes economically unviable.
Mathematical versus AI-based approaches to solar performance modeling, emphasizing deterministic outputs that deliver 1-2% margin of error through physics-based calculations.
Portfolio management strategies that prioritize corrective action based on financial impact rather than kilowatt hour losses, enabling resource allocation optimization across multiple assets.
The evolution from reactive O&M practices to exception-based management systems that eliminate alert noise while maintaining high confidence in actionable insights.
Integration of PPA rate data with performance monitoring to calculate precise ROI for corrective actions, enabling data-driven decisions about which issues warrant intervention.
How comprehensive digital twin inputs including electrical layouts, real-time irradiance and temperature data, and third-party component performance data enable string-level and inverter-level diagnostic capabilities.
The workforce constraint challenges facing O&M teams managing accelerating deployment schedules, and how better monitoring tools can multiply team effectiveness without proportional headcount increases.

EP 18 — Aon’s Marc Nickel on the 3 Risk “Buckets” Every Developer Needs

The commercial solar landscape has fundamentally transformed since the Inflation Reduction Act unlocked $800 billion in private investment, but most developers are stumbling over basic tax compliance while missing massive opportunities. Marc Nickel, Sr. VP of M&A and Transaction Solutions at Aon, brings a unique perspective as both a former tax attorney and current insurance broker, having witnessed how tax credit transferability has democratized solar development and created entirely new risk management requirements. His insights highlight why documentation quality matters more than technical performance, and how smart developers are using tax insurance to unlock previously uneconomical markets.
 
The IRA has bent cost curves so dramatically that solar now makes sense in states like Oklahoma where cheap natural gas previously made renewable energy unviable. The ability to stack investment tax credits up to 70% through energy community designations, domestic content adders, and low-to-moderate income qualifications has opened markets that sophisticated developers are now racing to capture. But success requires understanding the three critical risk buckets: structural risk in your monetization strategy, qualification risk around equipment and compliance requirements, and recapture risk that's statistically far less dangerous than most developers assume. 
 
Topics discussed:
How the Inflation Reduction Act's $800 billion private investment surge created 300,000 new jobs while fundamentally reshaping commercial solar economics across previously unviable markets.
The three-bucket risk framework for solar tax insurance: structural risk in monetization strategies, qualification risk around compliance and equipment specifications, and recapture risk management.
Why cost segregation studies and proper appraisals represent make-or-break documentation that determines whether $50 million projects qualify for their full investment tax credit value.
How tax credit transferability transformed complex partnership structures into simple transfer agreements, democratizing access for small-scale developers previously shut out of the market.
The evolution of tax equity investor requirements from selective 40% coverage to full wrap insurance at 125% of ITC value, including penalties, interest, and contest cost protection.
Strategic timing for tax insurance consideration based on when monetization strategies become clear rather than waiting until project completion or commissioning.
Documentation best practices for IRS audit preparation, including maintaining clean audit trails from EPC contractors and ensuring third-party record accessibility.
How bonus adders including energy community designations, domestic content requirements, and low-to-moderate income qualifications enable 70% investment tax credits that make solar viable in traditionally uneconomical regions.
Common prevailing wage and apprenticeship compliance mistakes that can trigger IRS disputes, plus available cure payment mechanisms to restore full credit value.
Portfolio insurance strategies for developers with multiple projects, including designing standardized project parameters to achieve economies of scale while managing underwriting complexity.

EP 17 — SOLARCYCLE’s Jesse Simons on the Economic Case for Solar Recycling vs. Landfilling

The solar industry stands at a critical inflection point as millions of panels from the early installation boom approach end-of-life. Jesse Simons, Co-founder & CCO of SOLARCYCLE, explains why recycling rather than landfilling is quickly becoming both the ethical and economical choice. Having already processed over a million panels and with plans to scale to 10 million annually, SOLARCYCLE is pioneering closed-loop manufacturing that recovers 95% of materials from used panels and transforms them into new solar components.
 
Jesse shares with Sean how commercial real estate owners are at the forefront of the repowering movement, discovering that upgrading 10- to 15-year-old systems can double power density from the same rooftop footprint. With major investors like Microsoft, Fifth Wall, and Prologis backing their vision, SOLARCYCLE is demonstrating that the circular economy isn't just environmentally responsible — it's becoming financially compelling as landfilling costs rise and recycling technology improves. 
 
Topics discussed:
 
How commercial real estate is leading solar repowering, with companies like Target and IKEA already replacing 12- to 15-year-old systems not because they've failed, but because technology improvements enable twice the power density from the same footprint.
The economics of solar recycling versus landfilling, with hazardous waste landfilling costs reaching $18-20 per panel while recycling costs continue to decrease through technological innovation and scale.
SOLARCYCLE's differentiated recycling process that requires three distinct technological approaches for monofacial, bifacial, and thin-film panels, enabling 95% material recovery.
The transition from selling recovered raw materials back to creating closed-loop manufacturing, with plans to convert recycled solar glass into new glass sheets for domestic panel production.
Strategic "pre-cycling" approaches where developers incorporate end-of-life recycling costs into initial PPA pricing, addressing the unrealistic assumptions in many early decommissioning plans.
How corporate sustainability requirements are evolving, with Microsoft and other large buyers now requiring developers to demonstrate circularity plans for all new renewable energy installations.
Growth projections indicating 40-50 million panels will reach end-of-life annually by 2030 in the U.S. alone, creating both environmental challenges and economic opportunities.
Partial repowering strategies where commercial building owners retain racking systems while upgrading only panels, maximizing investment returns while maintaining sustainable practices.

EP 16 — kWh Analytics’ Isaac McLean on Insurance Data Showing True Cost of Maintenance Neglect

Commercial real estate owners are discovering that insurance for renewable energy isn't just a necessary evil — it's becoming a strategic tool for optimizing performance and unlocking additional ROI. In his conversation with Isaac McLean, Chief Underwriting Officer at kWh Analytics, Sean explores how data-driven insurance is transforming asset management for solar and battery installations. Isaac shares a striking example of how one client cut their deductible in half simply by implementing proper hail stow protocols, creating immediate financial benefit from operational improvements.
 
Recorded at Asset Management North America in San Diego, this episode dives into the evolving landscape of risk management for commercial properties with renewable energy assets. Isaac highlights the surprising ways battery storage is moving beyond backup power to become revenue-generating opportunities during peak demand hours, while simultaneously qualifying for valuable tax incentives through the Inflation Reduction Act. 
 
Topics discussed:
 
How insurance carriers are transforming from passive risk absorbers to active partners in asset performance through data-informed incentives that reward resilient design choices and proactive maintenance.
The strategic opportunity for commercial property owners to monetize battery storage systems by charging during off-peak hours and selling back to the grid during evening demand spikes, creating dual revenue streams alongside tax benefits.
Why emergency response planning remains dangerously overlooked, evidenced by real cases where firefighters delayed addressing solar fires due to uncertainty about electrocution risks during water application.
How hardware selection criteria differs between insurance underwriters and asset owners, with insurers preferring tried-and-tested panels with thicker glass against impact versus lighter, cheaper alternatives with thinner materials.
The emergence of specialized insurance tools like KWH Analytics' hail risk assessment form that systematically evaluates weather protocols and stow procedures to quantify resilience and adjust policy terms accordingly.
The evolving methodology for differentiating risk profiles between installation types (rooftop, carport, ground-mount), with specific underwriting considerations for permanence of mounting systems, elevation factors, and protection against vehicle strikes.
Why vegetation management, debris clearance, and connector inspections rank among the highest-impact maintenance practices for reducing premiums and preventing thermal events (fires), which represent the second largest loss category after natural catastrophes.
Strategic approaches to spare parts inventory planning that balance immediate risk reduction with long-term flexibility for aging assets, including considerations for secondary markets and engineering resiliency plans.
How thermal runaway risks in battery storage systems require specialized monitoring protocols and emergency response planning that differs substantially from traditional solar-only installations.
Future predictions for commercial real estate sustainability, including longer-lasting roofing materials protected by overhead solar panels, widespread integration of charging infrastructure, and increasing utilization of IRA tax credit transferability options.

EP 15 — Amicus’ Amanda Bybee on Creating Professional Pathways for Solar Maintenance Techs

The solar industry's workforce challenges run deeper than just hiring more technicians: we need a complete transformation in how we train, certify, and retain talent. Amanda Bybee, Chief Executive Officer of Amicus O&M Cooperative, joins Sean on this episode of The Future of CRE Sustainability to share the industry's first ANSI standard for solar and battery storage technicians. This framework introduces a four-level professional development pathway that could resolve chronic labor challenges while ensuring systems perform optimally for decades.
 
Amanda shares why commercial real estate owners should view O&M not as an optional expense but as essential performance insurance, warns against confusing workmanship warranties with proper maintenance, and makes a compelling case for a more circular approach to solar equipment at end-of-life. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes that despite constant market volatility and policy shifts, proper technician training cannot be sidelined — it's foundational to the industry's future and directly impacts the ROI of every installed system. 
 
Topics discussed:
 
The development and implementation of the industry's first ANSI-approved standard for solar and battery O&M technicians, creating a four-level professional framework that defines required knowledge, training objectives, and measurable competencies.
How standardized training pathways address the chronic solar labor shortage by creating clear career advancement opportunities rather than letting technicians bounce between companies seeking higher pay without validated skills.
Implementation strategies for organizations adopting standardized training, including starting with pilot programs, reassuring technicians about pay stability, and having senior techs engage with training materials from an instructor perspective.
The critical distinction between workmanship warranties (which cover installation defects) and O&M agreements (which provide proactive performance monitoring and preventative maintenance) — a confusion that leads many system owners to under budget for proper care.
The three-pillar business case for proper O&M: safety for people around the installation, performance optimization of the financial investment, and warranty preservation requiring documented maintenance.
Balancing urgent market challenges (e.g, tariffs, policy changes, supply chain disruptions) with the essential need for technician training, avoiding the trap of sidelining training because the consequences aren't immediately visible.
The industry's emerging approach to circularity, challenging the current paradigm by advocating for testing and reusing functional modules from decommissioned systems before recycling, creating a secondary market for replacement parts.
The financial reality of proper solar asset recycling, including the need to budget for end-of-life costs in initial financial projections and the importance of driving down recycling costs to prevent improper disposal.
How quality assurance during construction significantly reduces long-term O&M issues, particularly focusing on connection quality, wire management, and establishing golden row standards at project start.

EP 14 — Renewable Properties’ Richard Gamburg on Why Weather-Adjusted Data is the Only Solar Metric That Matters

The myth of "set and forget it" solar systems is costing commercial real estate owners hundreds of thousands in unexpected maintenance. Richard Gamburg, Technical Services Manager at Renewable Properties, pulls no punches about the realities facing CRE owners who invest in renewable energy on this episode of The Future of CRE Sustainability. With over 200 megawatts of solar assets under management across multiple states, Richard explains why weather-adjusted performance data is the only metric that matters and shares practical strategies for protecting long-term ROI. 
 
Richard tells Sean why roof-mounted systems can destroy ROI when inevitable repairs are needed, why community solar creates both opportunities and billing complexities, and how battery storage is changing utility relationships across the country. He also shares his experience developing specialized maintenance teams across diverse geographic regions, implementing unconventional solutions for equipment protection, and navigating the policy complexities that can make or break renewable projects.
 
Topics discussed:
 
The balancing act between cost-optimized construction and maintenance-optimized design in commercial solar projects, with specific considerations for long-term asset ownership versus quick-flip development strategies.
Why single points of failure like transformers and trans-switchers represent the greatest risk factors in commercial solar installations, including strategies for mitigating extended downtime during component failures.
The critical importance of weather-adjusted performance data as the only meaningful metric for system evaluation, compared with less valuable metrics like uptime and availability guarantees.
The hidden financial risks of roof-mounted solar systems for commercial properties, particularly when roof repairs necessitate complete system removal, storage, and reinstallation at significant cost.
Developing specialized maintenance teams across geographically diverse regions, including the "deep bench" strategy of cultivating multiple service providers with complementary expertise areas like medium voltage work and communications troubleshooting.
How community solar projects create direct customer relationships that increase visibility but introduce complex billing and customer acquisition challenges compared to utility-scale projects.
The evolving relationship between utilities and solar developers as battery storage integration becomes increasingly critical for grid stabilization and peak demand management.
Unconventional but effective solutions for equipment protection, including shade structures for inverters that prevent overheating failures in high-temperature regions.
The crucial role of policy teams in navigating state-specific regulations, interconnection requirements, and tax credit optimization strategies for multi-state developers.
Specialized requirements for battery storage maintenance, including thermal management strategies and cycling protocols to prevent bricking and ensure optimal long-term performance.

EP 13 — Duane Morris’ Brad Molotsky on Why Solar Survives While Wind Falls in New Energy Landscape

The post-election landscape is dramatically shifting the regulatory environment for sustainability in commercial real estate, with states stepping up to fill the federal void. In this episode of The Future of CRE Sustainability, Brad Molotsky, Partner at Duane Morris, provides a candid analysis of how commercial real estate sustainability is evolving as political winds shift, from building energy performance standards (BEPS) gaining momentum in 46+ cities to California's aggressive climate disclosure requirements affecting companies nationwide. 
 
Brad explains to Sean how the industry has evolved from focusing on simple energy efficiency in 2005-2010 to embracing clean energy under the Biden administration's Inflation Reduction Act, and now facing a federal retrenchment that's paradoxically accelerating state-level climate initiatives. Brad also details how prominent companies are strategically pivoting their messaging away from "ESG" toward "efficiency" while maintaining the same sustainability goals, and offers critical insights on which renewable energy incentives will likely survive under the new administration.
Topics discussed:
 
How sustainability messaging in CRE is returning to efficiency-focused language as ESG becomes politically contentious, enabling companies to achieve the same goals under less controversial framing.
The rapid emergence of state-level building energy performance standards (BEPS) with 14 jurisdictions already implementing requirements and 46 more committing to pass regulations by 2025-2026.
California's groundbreaking climate disclosure laws requiring companies with $500M+ revenue to report climate risks and those with $1B+ to disclose Scope 1-3 emissions, creating ripple effects across all supply chains regardless of location.
How foreign investors from Europe, Canada, and the UK are driving sustainability requirements in US commercial real estate due to their more advanced regulatory environments and ESG expectations.
The dramatic insurance premium increases (20-30% annually for multiple years) in climate-vulnerable regions forcing investment committees to incorporate climate risk into acquisition decisions.
Strategic approaches to renewable energy tax credits under changing administrations, with solar likely to survive due to its employment numbers (450,000+ jobs) versus wind and EV incentives facing elimination.
The unexpected investment opportunity in PFAS remediation technology as these "forever chemicals" become the subject of massive litigation against government agencies, property owners, and manufacturers.

EP 12 — Soluna’s John Belizaire on Unlocking Stranded Renewable Assets

Soluna is transforming the renewable energy sector by solving one of its biggest economic challenges: curtailment. In this episode of The Future of CRE Sustainability, John Belizaire, CEO, explains to Sean how their innovative approach of pairing data centers with renewable energy sites eliminates wasted energy while revolutionizing project economics. John shares how Soluna converts negative-priced curtailed energy into positive revenue streams, creating a symbiotic relationship between computing and renewable generation. 
 
Originally inspired by a wind project in Morocco where the grid couldn't accept the full power generated, Soluna discovered that up to 30-40% of clean power from solar and wind farms can be curtailed or wasted worldwide. Their solution brings flexible computing load directly to generation sites, enabling renewable projects to maintain production tax credits while improving financial returns for investors who previously saw diminished profits due to curtailment. 
 
Topics discussed:
 
How curtailment affects renewable project economics by forcing operators to pay to send power to the grid or shut down turbines, jeopardizing production tax credits and investor returns.
Soluna's behind-the-meter data center approach that transforms negative-priced curtailed energy into positive revenue streams, improving project IRR and enabling production tax credit capture.
The flexible load model that enhances grid stability by functioning as energy storage without requiring batteries, creating a win-win for both power producers and grid operators.
Strategies for navigating complex project finance structures when integrating data centers with existing renewable assets without disrupting established PPAs and tax equity arrangements.
How computing demand's shift toward power availability is creating a "grand awakening" in the energy sector, with data center developers now prioritizing renewable energy proximity over traditional site selection criteria.
The mechanism of subtractive energy that enables seamless integration with existing power purchase agreements while ensuring grid settlements remain balanced.
How co-located data centers with flexible load capabilities offer a more economical alternative to traditional grid-scale battery storage for managing renewable intermittency.
The role of AI in optimizing energy planning, grid management, and infrastructure maintenance across renewable energy and commercial real estate portfolios.

EP 11 — Acento's Emily Pierce on Scaling Sustainability in Workforce Housing

What does it really take to implement sustainability in workforce housing? Emily Pierce, VP of Sustainability and Impact at Acento Real Estate Partners, offers practical wisdom on this topic in this episode of The Future of CRE Sustainability. Emily tells Sean about the unique challenges of bringing environmental initiatives to multi-family properties, from managing split incentives across hundreds of units to building cross-departmental support. 
 
She also explains how Acento is making sustainability accessible through practical approaches like EV charging stations and solar initiatives, while maintaining strong financial performance. Emily touches on the importance of relationship building, effective communication, and speaking the language of different stakeholders are crucial for success in scaling sustainability programs across real estate portfolios.
 
Topics discussed:
Implementing comprehensive sustainability strategies in workforce housing while managing unique challenges of multi-family properties including split incentives and tenant engagement.
Strategic approach to building cross-departmental support through effective communication and relationship building, focusing on stakeholder-specific benefits and metrics.
Analyzing and implementing sustainability initiatives like EV charging and solar projects with careful consideration of lease structures and property characteristics.
Balancing environmental impact with financial returns through systematic property assessment, energy audits, and strategic project prioritization.
Integration of technology and software solutions for monitoring building performance and identifying sustainability opportunities across the portfolio.
Evolution of sustainability reporting frameworks and their impact on institutional investment, with focus on GRESB and TCFD standards.
Navigating policy changes and government requirements while maintaining focus on private sector opportunities for environmental initiatives.
Strategic approach to education and communication for driving behavioral changes and building support for sustainability programs.
Impact of natural disasters and climate events on market trends and their influence on risk assessment and resilience planning.
Development of comprehensive sustainability strategies that combine technological solutions with behavioral change initiatives for maximum impact.