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About the Episode:

Aaron Halimi, the President, and CEO of Renewable Properties shares his experience developing solar projects. Aaron highlights the potentials and challenges of community solar. He discusses his journey into the industry, starting from a project on his family's rural land in Central Californal, through his industry growth phase leading utility-scale origination at Borrego Solar, to founding Renewable Properties. We learn how community solar is evolving to provide more accessible and flexible options compared to residential and utility-scale projects. Aaron also addresses the pivotal role of education and storytelling in dealing with misconceptions about renewable energy. Lastly, the conversation broadens to discuss the integration of renewable energy and the emerging EV market and how to drive energy forward.

Helpful RESOURCES:

Connect with Aaron Halimi:

• LinkedIn

Check out Renewable Properties:

Website | LinkedIn | X | YouTube

Key Takeaways:

1. Evolution of Community Solar: Community solar has grown as a viable “Fourth Vertical” in the solar market, making it feasible to procure solar energy for those who do not have the option of solar on their individual home or building while presenting less developmental risks compared to utility-scale projects.
2. Crucial role of communication: Storytelling, education, and addressing public misconceptions about solar deployments are integral parts of any company's development strategy.
3. Expansion beyond solar: Renewable Properties sees opportunity tangential to the solar development sector to diversify its offerings, including the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, supporting a comprehensive approach to building community-based clean infrastructure.

NOTEWORTHY QUOTE:

“We as an industry need to continue to aggressively recruit and attract talent from other industries where there’s transferable skills. And even in industries where there might not be, we need to really be focused on that.”

— Aaron Halimi

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ABOUT THE HOST OF SUNCAST:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, consistently rated a top solar podcast in the clean energy sector. The content of the show is geared towards listeners looking for insights on where the markets are headed, how to position themselves or their companies, and what today's market leaders do to stay ahead of the pack.

Nico is an Investor, Executive Coach, and 16-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.

You can connect with Nico Johnson on Twitter, LinkedIn or email.

If you’ve been second-guessing your work decisions or maybe trying to reconsider how you "fit" in the renewable energy industry -> grab 20 minutes on Nico's calendar and discuss whether having him as Your personal coach might be the right next step.