Great outcomes require thorough and tireless preparation. When it comes to commercial solar builds, prep can mean everything from securing permits to locking down incentives to managing the ideal design and more. We spoke with our Project Development Manager, Chris Miller, about his unique and critical role preparing the DSD team to break ground on a new solar project.

1. What is your role at DSD as a Project Development Manager?

As a Project Development Manager, I am focused on driving the project from the time it is awarded up until the first shovel is ready to break ground. I coordinate daily with other DSD subject matter experts — such as civil and electrical engineering, IX/incentives, canopy and origination — as well as our customer, to deliver a fully permitted, construction-ready asset.

2. How is Development crucial in the solar project life cycle?

Development has the responsibility of de-risking a project to make it successful and reputable. I like to think of Development like baking a cake. The key ingredients to Development are an optimized design, utility/incentive approval, and the multitude of permits. All of these ingredients combined with excellent customer experience make DSD’s projects so special. It’s imperative we execute properly on all of these items during Development, otherwise we may have to re-make the whole cake.

“We are building long-lasting relationships while also delivering high-quality assets that ensure a cleaner, more sustainable future.”

3. How is DSD, and your work, transforming the industry?

There are hundreds of solar developers driven by providing clean energy to the Commercial & Industrial space, but DSD does this on another level. By heavily focusing on customer experience, transparency, project aesthetics and development process improvements, we are building long-lasting relationships while also delivering high-quality assets that ensure a cleaner, more sustainable future.