ESA

11/07/2025

Progress in Alabama! Our construction team is hard at work installing this solar project while protecting the site’s natural topsoil. No grading required.

Careful planning and site management are key at this stage, ensuring every step is executed efficiently and safely.

A well-organized build phase keeps the project on schedule as all the design, engineering, and development work truly comes to life.

08/11/2025

Over the past few weeks, our team has been actively engaging communities in Virginia around our upcoming solar projects.

We believe in transparency and community-driven development, so we've prioritized direct outreach to ensure neighbors have their voices heard.

We canvassed door-to-door, giving residents the chance to ask questions, share concerns, and tell us their stories about the project planned for their area. For one site, we brought updated design visuals that incorporated feedback we'd already received from the community.

We also hosted a community meeting where folks could review our plans, meet the landowner directly, and speak with our development team. The turnout showed us how much people value having a seat at the table when it comes to local energy infrastructure.

Beyond project work, we had the chance to explore the area. We toured Berry Hill Resort with a local guide who happens to be neighbors with one of our landowners. We also attended the Shenandoah Music Festival, where we caught the Motor Town All Stars perform. As a festival sponsor, we're proud to support this community event running throughout August.

Between meetings, we made sure to visit local shops and support the small businesses that make these Virginia communities special.

This kind of community engagement takes time, but it's how we build projects that work for everyone. Energy independence starts with strong local partnerships.

08/08/2025

⚡️PATHWAYS 2025: Power Forward⚡
What an incredible week bringing our team together for our annual mid-year event!

There’s nothing like face-to-face connection to remind us why we do what we do.

The renewable energy landscape has shifted dramatically, but one thing remains constant: America’s growing demand for electricity. With AI and emerging technologies driving unprecedented energy needs, the opportunities ahead of us are enormous.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE WEEK:

Kicked off with drinks and conversations at Eden Bar at Enzian Theater

Our escape room challenges and K1 kart racing day brought out everyone’s competitive spirit (shout out to all the winners)

Our final day of panels and presentations covered battery storage market insights, the art of strategic siting, our high quality visuals, and a deep dive into our major AdventHealth corporate campus project.

Yes, the industry has faced challenges with recent policy changes, but this week reinforced what we already knew: our team’s passion, expertise, and collaborative spirit position us perfectly for what’s ahead.

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07/18/2025

🌾 Landowner Spotlight: Meet Scott from Virginia

As a seasoned farmer, Scott knows the hardships that come with agriculture. From unpredictable yields to rising operational costs, the pressure to keep a farm profitable—while preserving its legacy—can be overwhelming.

Like many farmers, Scott found himself looking for a way to create stability without giving up the land that’s been in his family for generations. That’s when he turned to solar.

By leasing part of his land for solar development, Scott found not only financial relief but also a way to secure his farm’s future. It gave him peace of mind, knowing he could continue farming while creating a dependable income stream. Even more important—it allowed him to keep the land in agriculture, on his terms.

For Scott, solar wasn’t just a solution—it was a lifeline. One that supports his family today while preserving the land for future generations.

His story is one of many that shows how renewable energy and traditional farming can work hand-in-hand to support rural economies, protect heritage, and build a more resilient future.

📖 Read more about Scott’s journey here:

Discover how Virginia farmer Scott is using solar energy to achieve financial security, protect his family's future, and sustain his farming legacy.

07/10/2025

Local permitting remains one of the biggest challenges facing solar development in Virginia.

ESA's Project Development Manager Cara Romaine recently moderated a panel at the Virginia Solar Summit, bringing together industry leaders to discuss the realities of navigating local approval processes across the Commonwealth.

The panel featured Andrew Hull of Apex Clean Energy, Joel Malefyt of Summit Ridge Energy, and Jessie Robinson of New Leaf Energy - all developers working directly with Virginia communities on distributed solar projects.

The conversation covered practical lessons from the field: how overly restrictive zoning creates construction delays, why early community engagement matters, and what actually works when building local support.

Cara shared ESA's approach, which has helped secure 13 out of 15 land use permits in Virginia.

The key has been investing in better visual presentations, conducting regular community check-ins, and supporting local nonprofits through impact grants.

As she put it: "Success requires understanding the human dynamics at play in every community we enter."

The shift from opposition to support happens when developers focus on delivering concrete benefits to communities - tax revenue, affordable energy options, and economic development opportunities.

With state-level solar siting reform stalled in the legislature, the work continues at the grassroots level. ESA's experience shows that Virginia's solar industry will advance by treating community engagement as seriously as technical engineering.

The counties embracing solar do so because they see real value flowing to their residents, not because of abstract policy goals.

Cara's panel reinforced what we see across our Virginia projects: building energy infrastructure means building energy independence, one community partnership at a time.

Read our full blog post here:

Learn key Virginia solar permitting strategies from industry experts. Discover how to navigate local challenges, build community trust, and secure permits successfully.

07/04/2025

July 4th, 1776: 56 delegates signed the Declaration of Independence, breaking away from British control. They were tired of having decisions about their trade, taxes, and local affairs made by people 3,000 miles away who had never been to America.

The founders wanted control over their own resources and the ability to make decisions locally. They saw independence as owning your own future instead of depending on distant powers.

Today, American energy independence follows the same logic. When we build electricity infrastructure that's American-owned, and develop energy projects that create jobs in rural communities, we're applying the same principle.

Energy security means making decisions about our power here at home. It means infrastructure that strengthens national security while reducing costs for families and businesses. It means energy projects that support economic development in American communities.

The founders signed up for independence. We're still building it.

Happy Independence Day!

07/03/2025

We had the opportunity to invite some industry peers to join us on a private tour of Jack's Solar Garden in Boulder County, CO.

Luis Gonzalez was joined by reps from Ascend Analytics, Apex, and Nautilus to walk the 1.2 MW site while they were all in town for the Coalition for Community Solar Access Innovation Summit.

What sets this place apart is the scale of actual research happening underneath the panels. The Kominek family runs the largest commercial agrivoltaics research site in the United States on this 24-acre farm. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Colorado State University, and University of Arizona all have active studies measuring everything from soil moisture to crop yields to pollinator habitat.

Sprout City Farms grows vegetables commercially under the single-axis tracking panels and runs the country's first solar-grown CSA program. They're harvesting real food for local families while the same infrastructure generates electricity for 300+ homes. Audubon Rockies planted over 3,000 native plants around the array perimeter, creating habitat that supports local wildlife.

The financial model works because the Komineks generate revenue from electricity sales, land lease payments from researchers, and agricultural production. Boulder County updated their land use code specifically to support projects like this, which removed regulatory barriers that block similar developments elsewhere.

Most agrivoltaic projects exist as research demonstrations. Jack's Solar Garden operates as a profitable business that happens to host cutting-edge research. The difference matters for anyone trying to replicate this approach in other markets.

The technical discussion covered financing structures, land use policies, and operational challenges. Having analytics, development, and financing experts examine the same system together highlighted gaps between what works here and what's needed for broader deployment.

Thanks to the teams from Ascend Analytics, Apex, and Nautilus for joining the site visit. Field conversations like these help identify what policy changes could support more projects like Jack's Solar Garden across American farming communities.

07/02/2025

Congratulations to the four local organizations selected as recipients of the Long Ridge Road Community Impact Grant: Roc Solid Foundation, New Youth Vision Services, ForKids Inc., and Buffalow Family & Friends. We are proud to award a total of $7,000 in grants to support their impactful work in the Chesapeake, VA community.

⭐ Roc Solid Foundation builds hope for kids fighting cancer by providing them with hospital Ready Bags at diagnosis and backyard play structures during treatment. (https://hubs.ly/Q03tcVkR0)

⭐ New Youth Vision Services serves as a bridge linking together people and resources for youth to make the connections needed to transition successfully into adulthood, with services including GED/educational support, case management, life skills training, and job readiness services. (https://hubs.ly/Q03tcHWH0)

⭐ ForKids Inc. has delivered individualized services since 1988 designed to achieve stability for children and families, including emergency shelter, rapid re-housing, and supportive housing programs for families experiencing homelessness. (https://hubs.ly/Q03tcKKY0)

⭐ Buffalow Family & Friends is a family-oriented organization combating food insecurities and providing daily essential items to individuals in need, with a focus on encouraging and supporting seniors in the community. (https://hubs.ly/Q03tcNht0)

ESA's community solar developments deliver reliable electricity while strengthening local economic development. Each project creates measurable opportunities for the communities where we build new energy infrastructure.

Beyond generating cost-effective electricity, the project enabled ESA to contribute $7,000 in Community Impact Grants to local nonprofit organizations. These grants support programs that directly benefit residents and strengthen community resources.

This community-driven model ensures that American energy infrastructure projects create value at multiple levels. Local organizations receive funding to expand their work, residents gain access to affordable energy options, and communities develop more resilient energy systems that support long-term economic development.

📸 Pictured: ESA team members alongside representatives from the organizations supported through the Long Ridge project’s Community Impact Grant initiative.

06/27/2025

He could’ve sold to developers. He chose solar instead.

John Tuckerman is a fifth-generation farmer in Michigan who’s now farming alongside his son and grandchildren.

His family has worked the same land outside Blissfield for more than a century.

In addition to raising both conventional and organic crops, John has served on the county commission, the Farm Bureau board, and several community organizations.

His focus has always been the same: keep farmland productive, and make sure it stays that way for the next generation.

John’s proximity to the main highway meant years of pressure to sell for commercial use.

But instead of paving over farmland, he chose solar.

☑️ It keeps the land zoned for agriculture
☑️ It offers stable income without giving up ownership
☑️ And it preserves the option to farm it again in the future

For John, solar was a way to stay the course. The fields are still part of the farm. The legacy remains intact.

ESA is proud to partner with landowners like John who are making grounded, long-term choices about the future of their land.

Read more about John’s story here:

How solar farming in Michigan helps preserve agricultural land. John Tuckerman's 7-generation family farm chose solar to prevent development.

06/10/2025

ESA wins two FlaSEIA Solar & Storage Photo Awards 🏆

We’re honored to be recognized by Florida Solar: FlaSEIA with two awards celebrating our work at AdventHealth’s corporate campus:

🌟 Most Artistic Photo – Commercial
A stunning 3 MW solar installation across four buildings, two garages, and custom-designed canopies with EV charging stations in Central Florida. This large-scale system showcases how solar can be both functional and beautiful, integrating seamlessly into a major corporate environment.

🌍 Community Impact – PV
Our project enhances energy resilience and reduces carbon emissions, supporting AdventHealth’s mission of community well-being, operational reliability, and leadership in sustainable healthcare.

👏 Congratulations to the ESA team and thank you to FlaSEIA for the recognition. We’re proud to partner with organizations like AdventHealth to create a healthier, more resilient energy future.

05/19/2025

Beach Clean Up and Cookout with the ESA Team!

Last week, our ESA Culture Committee organized a Community Service Day to kick off the summer and bring our team together

We partnered with Volusia County to clean up the beach at Mary McLeod Bethune Park, reinforcing our commitment to environmental stewardship and supporting the communities where we live and work.

After a morning of teamwork and impact, we came together for a cookout, complete with George's famous tacos (with help from Ricardo, Miguel, and Josiah) and a traditional Valencia paella, masterfully prepared by Javier.

Grateful to our team for their hard work and to the Culture Committee for fostering a culture that prioritizes both our people and the planet.

04/22/2025

🌍 Happy Earth Day from ESA ☀️

We believe energy infrastructure should exist in harmony with nature. That’s why we take an ecological approach to every project we develop. Our goal is to foster biodiversity, protect vital ecosystems, and create opportunities for property owners.

Here’s how we bring that commitment to life:

🌿 Wildlife-Friendly Fencing
We use fencing that allows small animals and pollinators to move freely and thrive, supporting healthy local ecosystems.

🌳 Thoughtful Project Design
Our projects include multi-purpose buffers and preserve natural features like trees to blend power generation with the landscape.

🌱 Soil Management
We apply practices that promote healthy vegetation, protect topsoil, and keep land productive for years to come.

🐑 Integrating Livestock
By incorporating sheep grazing and agriculture, we create dual-purpose land that supports both clean energy and local farmers.

🦋 Habitat Protection
We avoid disrupting wetlands and old-growth forests while creating habitats that benefit bees and other essential pollinators.

Beyond our projects, our team genuinely enjoys being outdoors and treasures the time they spend giving back to the planet. Whether it's volunteering during our paid community service days, spending time in the field, or finding moments to explore and connect with nature in between work hours, our people live the values we build into every project.