The myth of “set and forget it” solar systems is costing commercial real estate owners hundreds of thousands in unexpected maintenance. Richard Gamburg, Technical Services Manager at Renewable Properties, pulls no punches about the realities facing CRE owners who invest in renewable energy on this episode of The Future of CRE Sustainability. With over 200 megawatts of solar assets under management across multiple states, Richard explains why weather-adjusted performance data is the only metric that matters and shares practical strategies for protecting long-term ROI. 

Richard tells Sean why roof-mounted systems can destroy ROI when inevitable repairs are needed, why community solar creates both opportunities and billing complexities, and how battery storage is changing utility relationships across the country. He also shares his experience developing specialized maintenance teams across diverse geographic regions, implementing unconventional solutions for equipment protection, and navigating the policy complexities that can make or break renewable projects.

Topics discussed:

• The balancing act between cost-optimized construction and maintenance-optimized design in commercial solar projects, with specific considerations for long-term asset ownership versus quick-flip development strategies.
• Why single points of failure like transformers and trans-switchers represent the greatest risk factors in commercial solar installations, including strategies for mitigating extended downtime during component failures.
• The critical importance of weather-adjusted performance data as the only meaningful metric for system evaluation, compared with less valuable metrics like uptime and availability guarantees.
• The hidden financial risks of roof-mounted solar systems for commercial properties, particularly when roof repairs necessitate complete system removal, storage, and reinstallation at significant cost.
• Developing specialized maintenance teams across geographically diverse regions, including the “deep bench” strategy of cultivating multiple service providers with complementary expertise areas like medium voltage work and communications troubleshooting.
• How community solar projects create direct customer relationships that increase visibility but introduce complex billing and customer acquisition challenges compared to utility-scale projects.
• The evolving relationship between utilities and solar developers as battery storage integration becomes increasingly critical for grid stabilization and peak demand management.
• Unconventional but effective solutions for equipment protection, including shade structures for inverters that prevent overheating failures in high-temperature regions.
• The crucial role of policy teams in navigating state-specific regulations, interconnection requirements, and tax credit optimization strategies for multi-state developers.
• Specialized requirements for battery storage maintenance, including thermal management strategies and cycling protocols to prevent bricking and ensure optimal long-term performance.