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What separates solar projects that get built from those that die in development? Brad Stutzman has spent 16 years figuring out the answer.
Brad is the Founder and CEO of O3 Energy, a Dallas-based solar development and construction company. He started in 2009 during the Great Recession, pivoting from real estate financing to renewable energy. O3 Energy has since deployed hundreds of on-site solar projects across commercial, municipal, and non-profit customers throughout the Southwest, Hawaii, Guam, and Mexico.
Key Discussion Points
How the 2009 recession and Obama's American Recovery Act launched Brad's solar career through the 1603 grant program
Why behind-the-meter projects reduce development risk by eliminating land acquisition and off-taker uncertainty
O3 Energy's approach to "practical innovation" and requiring ROI from every business improvement
How Brad converted a capped New Mexico landfill near Sandia Labs into a working solar facility (brownfields to brightfields)
A California project that transmits solar power between two city buildings using a parking lot array
Why Brad is repowering a project with Erthos flat-to-earth racking technology after wind damage destroyed the Ballasted fixed tilt system
The future of "renewable baseload power" through solar plus battery storage achieving grid parity
AI integration in solar monitoring platforms that analyze system performance and troubleshoot issues
Brad's 16 years in solar development reveal a consistent truth: successful projects require patience, practical thinking, and smart partnerships. His brownfield conversion near nuclear weapons storage required Nuclear Regulatory Authority sign-off. His California municipal project needed creative cross-property engineering. Neither would have happened without tenacity.
As Brad puts it, mistakes are only mistakes if you don't learn from them. O3 Energy continues expanding into the Midwest and Mexico while preparing for the next wave of solar plus storage. The company is actively seeking partners for development, construction, and asset management opportunities nationwide.
Connect with Brad Stutzman
Brad’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradstutzman/
03 Energy Website: https://o3energy.com/
Check out my new book: Wired for Sun: The Commercial Solar Playbook on Amazon https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/book
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