Ep. 106 | How Arevon Built a World-Class Development Team from Scratch as a 4.5 GW Solar and Storage Operator | Shanelle Montana, Chief Development Officer, Arevon

What actually drives revenue for solar-plus-storage projects? In this episode, Catherine spoke with Sam Kuhlwein from Stem at the Asset Management North America (AMNA) conference in San Diego, where they dug into how energy management systems shape asset performance. They also talked about what gets in the way of performance: commissioning delays, low-quality data, and systems that can’t respond fast enough to dynamic grid signals. Sam shared how Stem approaches EMS design, why these systems ...

30 Sep 12min

What does it take to lead operations for Greenbacker’s largest utility-scale solar project and maximize performance across a diverse national portfolio? In this episode, Catherine spoke with Emily Modglin, Manager of Solar Operations at Greenbacker Capital, at Solarplaza's AMNA conference about: 🔹 Her transition from engineering and O&M into large-scale asset ownership 🔹 Managing the 240 MW Appaloosa Solar project in Utah and what makes it uniquely complex 🔹 How adaptability, creative pro...

30 Sep 19min

Karen Conover helped found WRISE — and in doing so, shaped a generation of women leaders and the clean energy industry itself. Today, WRISE has 3,000+ members and 47 chapters advancing diversity across renewables. But Karen’s influence goes further: at 29, she launched Global Energy Concepts, a wind power pioneer later acquired by DNV, helping scale wind in the U.S. and abroad. Two decades later, she’s still mentoring through Repowering Schools — and reflecting on what’s changed and what hasn...

26 Aug 17min

How do you scale a 1.3 GW C&I solar platform while navigating policy shifts, AI integration, and long-term asset performance? Catherine spoke with Elizabeth Brennan, COO of Luminace, a Brookfield Renewable company, at the Solarplaza AMNA conference in San Diego about: 🔹 Her path from engineering to executive leadership 🔹 How she defines growth vs. advancement 🔹 Recent expansions via deals with ECA Solar and Renewable Properties 🔹 Luminace’s legacy roots in Constell...

11 Aug 11min

For the past two decades, Michelle Montague has helped build WRISE— shaping programs, creating opportunities, and driving conversations about what true leadership and equity in energy should look like. When she first joined the organization, she stepped out of her comfort zone, volunteered for a committee, and quickly found a mission that would guide much of her career in renewables. Today, WRISE has over 3,000 members, 47 chapters, a robust slate of annual programming, and continues to expan...

8 Jul 16min

What does it take to bring hundreds of megawatts of utility-scale solar to rural communities—and truly earn their support? Valerie Newcomb, VP of Economic & Community Development at Urban Grid, brings deep communications expertise and a decade of leadership in the renewable energy industry to the table. In this episode, she shares how transparent engagement, agrivoltaics, and long-term investment are helping Urban Grid deliver real community benefits alongside clean energy. We cover: 🌱 Bl...

1 Jul 18min

What does it take to lead a top investment bank in the energy transition? Catherine McLean sat down with Britta von Oesen, Partner & Managing Director at CRC-IB, at Solarplaza's Asset Management North America (AMNA) Conference to talk about the trends shaping clean energy finance — from tax equity & M&A to carbon capture & distributed generation. Britta & her team recently advised Dimension Energy on a 122 MW ITC transfer deal purchased by a Fortune 500 company — a great e...

20 Jun 13min