What does it take to build solar that lasts 30+ years? #366

Solar asset management inside a 35-year ownership model: CJ Colavito and Jay Smith of Standard Solar explain what it actually takes to own distributed generation projects for decades, from evaluating tracker and inverter reliability to redesigning inverter specs around eventual failure.

In this episode of Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague sits down with CJ Colavito, General Manager of Integrated Project Teams, and Jay Smith, VP of Operations and Maintenance and Asset Management, to discuss what they have learned from developing, building, owning, and operating commercial and community solar projects.

The conversation goes deep on one of the biggest challenges facing the solar industry: how to balance cost, performance, reliability, and long-term asset value.

Tim, CJ, and Jay also discuss:

• Why thorough project diligence can reduce delays, change orders, and budget overruns

• Standard Solar's integrated project team model and its focus on execution excellence

• The challenges of rooftop solar and why project scale matters

• Connector reliability, wire management, and lessons from thermal events

• What Standard Solar looks for when selecting tracker technology

• Tracker reliability, maintenance, snow shedding, and hail protection

• Standard Solar's approach to inverter selection and long-term reliability

• Why inverter failures can have a much greater financial impact than the initial equipment cost

• The importance of manufacturer support and warranties over the life of a project

• How changing supply-chain and foreign entity requirements are affecting equipment decisions

• Adding AC-coupled batteries to existing community solar projects

• How Standard Solar is adapting its business as the solar market and technology continue to evolve

The episode comes at an important moment for the industry. As solar portfolios grow and assets age, the focus is increasingly shifting from simply adding megawatts to ensuring those assets can perform reliably over the long term. 

Listen to the full conversation for an inside look at how an experienced solar owner-operator thinks about technology, reliability, O&M, project execution, and the future of distributed solar.

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CJ Colavito LinkedIn

Standard Solar Website

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The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems.  Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com