The Green Light

In this Green Light podcast episode, Catherine spoke with Juan Parra at Nexamp, the nation’s largest community solar provider, about the company’s $2B expansion plan & new, second HQ in Chicago. Juan also shared about Nexamp’s purchase of 1.5 GW of American-made solar modules from Heliene - the largest ever community solar module order in history. He shared about how he transitioned from volunteering with WE ACT into a long-term career in community solar, & about the most effective strategies for engaging local communities & leveraging IRA incentives. Juan also shared about Nexamp’s impactful Solar + Storage Construction Rotational Program, Solar Sunrise, which is providing members of local communities with opportunities to enter the industry & grow within Nexamp. If you’re a clean energy employer & need help scaling your workforce efficiently with top tier candidates, contact Catherine McLean, CEO & Founder of Dylan Green, directly on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3odzxQr. If you’re looking for your next role in clean energy, take a look at our industry-leading clients’ latest job openings: bit.ly/dg_jobs. 

From starting out in gas turbine logistics to now leading sales for decarbonization initiatives in the Americas, Linette Casey has seen it all in her 23 years at Siemens Energy.  And it all started with a Girl Scout trip. In this Green Light episode, Catherine spoke with Linette about her transition to renewables as well as the company’s green hydrogen partnership with Air Liquide. Linette also shared about how she overcame significant challenges in her career, such as having to prioritize family & remote work during a crisis, which she successfully navigated with the support of her male allies & colleagues. Beyond her achievements in clean energy, Linette has been incredibly dedicated to mentoring less experienced women in our industry. Through her work with the Boston Chapter of the Women’s Energy Network, Linette was able to help implement a brand new scholarship program for young women who plan to pursue a career in clean energy. She has also worked closely with Erin Twamley & the YMCA to help educate young women about the types of clean energy jobs available to them. If you’re looking for your next role in clean energy, take a look at our industry-leading clients’ latest job openings: bit.ly/dg_jobs.  If you’re a clean energy employer & need help scaling your workforce efficiently with top tier candidates, contact Catherine McLean, CEO & Founder of Dylan Green, directly on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3odzxQr.

Did you know that the DOE Loan Programs Office’s authority for clean energy commercialization increased tenfold - from $40 billion to $400 billion dollars - due to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law & the Inflation Reduction Act? In this Green Light podcast episode, Catherine McLean spoke with Arpita Bhattacharyya, Chief Climate Officer at the LPO, about the organization’s strategic priorities - from green hydrogen to EVs to geothermal to wind. They also spoke about the DOE’s Tribal Energy Finance Program & focus on environmental justice. Arpita also shared about her transition from project development at SunPower, to launching low emissions food at Impossible Foods, to the DOE.Arpita shared that the LPO has already deployed $20 billion in closed loans & conditional commitments, including through exciting projects involving Longpath Technologies, NextEra Energy, Ormat Technologies, Cyrq Energy, Global Infrastructure Partners, Blueoval sk LLC, Sunnova, Exelon, Ford, Eos Energy Enterprises, & Ultium Cells. If you’re interested in applying for funding with the LPO, learn more: http://tinyurl.com/chz6ea7u. If you’re looking for your next role in clean energy, take a look at our industry-leading clients’ latest job openings: bit.ly/dg_jobs. If you’re a clean energy employer & need help scaling your workforce efficiently with top tier candidates, contact Catherine McLean, CEO & Founder of Dylan Green, directly on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3odzxQr. 

As an American with Kenyan heritage and a multicultural upbringing that includes formative years in India, Elizabeth Kaiga brings a highly unique & necessary lens to the energy transition. Our CEO spoke with Elizabeth, DNV’s Chief Commercial Officer for Energy Systems in North America, at her office in Virginia. They spoke about her unconventional career path in the energy industry - starting from when she interned for the United Nations Environmental Programme, to then working at several global professional service firms. We especially loved hearing from Elizabeth about how she has successfully navigated her career as someone with a multicultural background & who has often been an ‘outsider’, as well as about the new energy equity offerings DNV is now providing to its clients. Elizabeth has been on the Board of WRISE for 7 years now & shared more with Catherine about the ways in which the organization is directly impacting lives through fellowships, job boards, mentoring, networking opportunities & its speakers bureau. She also highlighted the strong impact of WRISE’s corporate sponsors, including Google, Edison Energy, SOLV, RWE, Cordelio Power, MCE, Orsted, Qcells, Lightsource bp, Copia Power, AES, Longroad Energy and DNV. Elizabeth has also been on the Board of Solar Sister, a nonprofit that has helped over 10,000 women in Sub-Saharan Africa (an emerging market) gain access to clean energy solutions in off-grid communities and create clean energy businesses. Thank you, Elizabeth, for all that you do for our industry! If you’re looking for your next role in clean energy, take a look at our industry-leading clients’ latest job openings: bit.ly/dg_jobs. If you’re a clean energy employer & need help scaling your workforce efficiently with top tier candidates, contact Catherine McLean, CEO & Founder of Dylan Green, directly on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3odzxQr. 

What was it like to close a $76 million climate tech VC fund backed by Microsoft & Bank of America? In this Green Light episode, Catherine spoke with Allison Myers, one of the founders of the 100% women-owned firm, Buoyant Ventures, about this, as well as how Buoyant is advancing global sustainability initiatives by enabling startups to digitalize climate solutions. Think: software, AI, & machine learning. Some of Buoyant’s portfolio companies include Audette, which is streamlining the process of decarbonizing buildings, & Reeldata, which is creating sustainable aquaculture through AI. Allison also spoke about her transition into climate tech from healthcare & consulting & why she loves running a climate-focused VC firm.If you’re looking for your next role in clean energy, take a look at our industry-leading clients’ latest job openings: bit.ly/dg_jobs. If you’re a clean energy employer & need help scaling your workforce efficiently with top tier candidates, contact Catherine McLean, CEO & Founder of Dylan Green, directly on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3odzxQr. 

Did you know Sunnova recently secured a historic $3 billion partial loan guarantee from the Department of Energy? In this Green Light episode, Catherine spoke with Meghan Nutting, EVP of Government & Regulatory Affairs at Sunnova, from the Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) Leadership Forum. Meghan spoke about how Sunnova's Project Hestia will help reduce electricity bills for low income families. She also spoke about Sunnova’s recent partnership with FranklinWH Energy Storage on a first-of-its-kind 208V compliant battery to help deploy energy storage for multi-family homes. Meghan also shared some inspiring stories about Sunnova’s work with Tribal Nations, including through the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy & projects with Empowered by Light.From a Theater major to Deputy Press Secretary for a Senator to a World Bank Consultant & now a solar policy expert, Meghan shared about her transition into the clean energy industry. She also shed some light on net metering; how local, state & federal governments are incentivizing faster solar permitting times; & the impact of the IRA on supply chain challenges. If you’re looking for your next role in clean energy, take a look at our industry-leading clients’ latest job openings: bit.ly/dg_jobs. If you’re a clean energy employer & need help scaling your workforce efficiently with top tier candidates, contact Catherine McLean, CEO & Founder of Dylan Green, directly on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3odzxQr.

In this Green Light episode, Catherine spoke with Joy Seitz, CEO at American Solar & Roofing, about recent solar policy in Arizona & the SEIA Board Election for which Joy has been endorsed by the SEIA Nominating Committee. Arizona is now ranked #5 in the U.S. in terms of installed solar capacity, & with Joy’s 15 years of experience advocating for distributed solar generation in the state, she has lived through all of the ups & downs that it took to get there. Joy also shared how, as CEO, she vets her suppliers to ensure they align with her values like being DEIJ-focused, accountable & kind. Some of her longtime partners that have & continue to align with her company’s values include SMA, Qcells, Malarkey Roofing & BayWa. Joy shared how she is passionate about giving back to the community, including through her work with SEIA, the Environmental Defense Fund & ASU Innovation Open, & why it is critical to do so when in a position of power. Learn more about Joy & American Solar & Roofing: www.americansolarandroofing.com/sustainjoy.If you’re a SEIA member company, you’re able to vote for Joy in the SEIA Board Election! Someone in your company has received the email with the link. Unsure of who is receiving the email within your organization? Contact membership@seia.org.If you’re looking for your next role in cleantech, take a look at our industry-leading clients’ latest job openings: bit.ly/dg_jobs. If you’re a cleantech employer & need help scaling your workforce efficiently with top tier candidates, contact Catherine McLean, CEO & Founder of Dylan Green, directly on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3odzxQr. 

What was it like to transition from a White House intern to eventually become the COO of CleanCapital, which now manages 250 MW of clean energy assets in over 20 states & 150+ sites? In this Green Light episode, Catherine spoke with Zoe Berkery about this, CleanCapital’s recent $500 million funding round led by Canada’s ManuLife & why more senior women leaders are needed to accelerate the energy transition. Zoe also spoke about CleanCapital’s acquisition of BQ Energy, adders in the Inflation Reduction Act for brownfield projects, remote versus hybrid work, & CleanCapital’s Allyship Committee & DEIJ-focused internship program. This episode was recorded at the SunCast PowerUp Live stage at RE+, as you may hear some conference attendees in the background. If you’re looking for your next role in cleantech, take a look at our industry-leading clients’ latest job openings: bit.ly/dg_jobs. If you’re a cleantech employer & need help scaling your workforce efficiently with top tier candidates, contact Catherine McLean, CEO & Founder of Dylan Green, directly on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3odzxQr. 

What was it like to found a startup dedicated to building EV fleet charging hubs after nearly a decade of leading energy strategy for Google? In this Green Light episode, Catherine spoke with the brilliant Neha Palmer, CEO at TeraWatt Infrastructure, who had the foresight to anticipate the future real estate, operational & interconnect needs of EV fleets across the country. Fast forward to today & TeraWatt has properties in 18 states, just completed a large EV hub project near LAX, & has key partnerships with companies like South Korea’s SK Signet. Neha also talked about how she started her career as a gas engineer at PG&E & an Associate at Goldman Sachs before transitioning into cleantech, as well as her advice for those looking to join the cleantech industry.If you’re looking for your next role in cleantech, take a look at our industry-leading clients’ latest job openings: bit.ly/dg_jobs. If you’re a cleantech employer & need help scaling your workforce efficiently with top tier candidates, contact Catherine McLean, CEO & Founder of Dylan Green, directly on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3odzxQr. 

What does it take to succeed as an investor in the cleantech venture capital space in this market? In this Green Light episode, Catherine spoke with Kathryn Meng, Investment Director at RA Capital Management about how she has navigated the industry, transitioned from humanitarian to cleantech work, as well as about some of the trends she’s seeing. They also spoke about the necessity of having senior women leaders at VC firms to ensure that new hires & investments are determined in an equitable way. Before RA Capital Management, Kathryn worked for Cleantech Open Northeast, Worcester Cleantech Incubator, & Massachusetts Clean Energy Center & is a wealth of knowledge - both in terms of deciphering which investments to make, as well as in providing advice for entrepreneurs seeking capital. Kathryn is also part of Cleantech Leaders Roundtable (CTLR), the nation's most prominent private community of cleantech & climate-tech leaders. CTLR's mission is to bring together a diverse group of founders, investors, & entrepreneurs for the purpose of idea sharing, networking, & building a supportive and collegial fellowship.If you’re looking for your next role in cleantech, take a look at our industry-leading clients’ latest job openings: bit.ly/dg_jobs. If you’re a cleantech employer & need help scaling your workforce efficiently with top tier candidates, contact Catherine McLean, CEO & Founder of Dylan Green, directly on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3odzxQr.