Solar energy
10 utility-scale solar development experts
These ten professionals have developed utility-scale solar projects in their own roles at renewable energy developers. A reader can learn from them how large solar projects are developed from an early site to a finished project.
Professionals to explore
01—10Darrin Jacobs, AICP
LinkedInExperience: Director, Development · Lightsource bp
Director, Development at Lightsource bp since March 2024 and former Senior Manager, Development (2023–2024) and Manager, Development (2021–2023) there. The profile describes delivering over 1.1 GW of utility-scale solar and storage projects across PJM and MISO with a focus on greenfield work. Former Solar Project Developer at Indiana Municipal Power Agency (2021) and Zoning Administrator at Henry County Planning & Zoning (2015–2021).
Dustin Thompson
LinkedInExperience: Vice President of Development · Clēnera
Vice President of Development at Clēnera since March 2023; the profile also lists Senior Director Of Development and Director of Development roles there. It describes overseeing the development of the company's utility scale solar PV projects in the western US and managing projects through all phases of development, including land acquisition, permitting (CEQA/NEPA), interconnection and PPA negotiation.
Hun Kim
LinkedInExperience: Development Director · Recurrent Energy
Development Director at Recurrent Energy since September 2022, where the profile says the role leads the development of utility-scale PV+S and standalone battery storage projects across CAISO, WECC and Canada. Former Regional Director of Renewable Energy Team at Samsung C&T America, Inc. (2019–2022) and Business Development Manager at Samsung C&T Corporation (2015–2019).
Jesse Phillips
LinkedInExperience: Vice President of Development · Idemitsu Renewables
Vice President of Development at Idemitsu Renewables since May 2026; the profile describes leading market and project development of utility scale solar and storage systems. Former Director of Development (2023–2026) and Senior Project Development Manager (2021–2023) at Idemitsu Renewables, and Project Manager at Cypress Creek Energy (2016–2019).
Jonathan Berry
LinkedInExperience: Manager - Utility Scale Development · RWE
Former Manager - Utility Scale Development at RWE (2023–2025) and former Manager - Solar Development at RWE (2022–2023). Founder & Principal Utility-Scale Energy Development Tribal Energy Advisory at Brighter Nations since October 2025; the profile says that over the past decade the person has advanced more than a gigawatt of renewable energy projects across the U.S., from large-scale solar and battery storage to broadband and housing developments.
Kendal Crawford
LinkedInExperience: Utility Scale Developer, Business and Project Development · Onyx Renewables
Utility Scale Developer, Business and Project Development at Onyx Renewables since September 2017. The profile describes a background in utility-scale solar PV development, including turnkey project development from greenfield to commercial operation. Founder Chief Executive Officer at Crawford Renewable Energy Solutions, LLC since December 2012 and former Co-Founder Executive Vice President at Solar Design & Development, LLC (2010–2013).
Michael Cressner
LinkedInExperience: Vice President of Development · Orion Renewable Energy Group LLC
Vice President of Development at Orion Renewable Energy Group LLC since May 2023. As Senior Director of Development there (2022–2023), the profile describes overseeing greenfield development and project acquisitions for utility scale wind and solar projects in WECC, MISO, PJM and SPP markets. Former Project Manager, Development at STA Development, LLC (f/k/a Solar Millennium, LLC) (2009–2012).
Patrick Brown
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Project Development · Hanwha Renewables
Vice President Project Development at Hanwha Renewables since June 2025, leading development of its North American pipeline. Former Vice President Project Development at Qcells EPC (2022–2025) and at BayWa r.e. Americas (2019–2021); the profile describes managing development of BayWa's 3 GW+ North American solar and storage pipeline, from land acquisition and real estate matters to interconnection.
Rich Clark, P.E.
LinkedInExperience: Vice President of Utility Scale Development · NewEdge Power
Vice President of Utility Scale Development at NewEdge Power since December 2025; the profile says the person has led utility-scale solar work since 2013. Former Vice President of Development (2024–2025) and Director of Development (2024) at Cubico Sustainable Investments, and Vice President Of Development and Engineering at Industrial Sun (2021–2024).
Seth Green
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director, Development · Lightsource bp
Former Senior Director, Development at Lightsource bp (2021–2025), where the profile describes serving as Lead Developer for more than 1 GW of solar and storage projects within ERCOT, WECC and MISO and managing project development tasks including site control. Project Lead Developer at TAR since September 2026 and former Sr. Director, Development at 7X Energy, Inc. (2021).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's level and region to your question: development managers and directors suit questions about specific sites, landowners and local permitting, while vice presidents and heads of development suit questions about running a multi-market pipeline. Also consider which grid regions the person has worked in, since interconnection rules and timelines differ between markets such as ERCOT, PJM, MISO and CAISO.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you pick and secure land for a utility-scale solar project, and what kills sites early?
- 02How do you manage a project through the interconnection queue, and what drives upgrade costs?
- 03How do local permitting and community opposition affect project timelines, and how do you handle them?
Reaching utility-scale solar development experts
How can I contact one of these utility-scale solar development experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 9 companies, including Lightsource bp, Clēnera and Recurrent Energy, based on profile data retrieved on October 3, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach utility-scale solar development experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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