Scaling Solar: Lessons in Stakeholder Engagement from Rooftops to Utility-Scale
Username
Andrew Breiter-Wu
Proposer First Name
Andrew
Proposer Email
andrew@breiterplanet.com
Proposer Last Name
Breiter-Wu
Proposer Company/Organization
Breiter Planet
Proposer Phone
(617) 334-5785
Proposer Job Title
President
Proposer Additional Info
Andrew Breiter-Wu is a renewable energy leader and the President of Breiter Planet Properties, where he brings over a decade of expertise in solar and energy storage project development. Recognized by the Boston Business Journal as one of the "25 Under 25," Andrew has a strong track record of helping property owners and investors unlock the value of their assets through sustainable energy solutions. His passion lies in project origination and building trusted partnerships with landowners, small businesses, and stakeholders to drive renewable energy adoption. With a focus on innovation, profitability, and environmental impact, Andrew continues to shape the future of clean energy infrastructure in the U.S.
Proposed Session Description
"Scaling Solar: Lessons in Stakeholder Engagement from Rooftops to Utility-Scale Farms" shares practical strategies for transparent communication and stakeholder alignment across solar project types. Solar developer Andrew Breiter-Wu offers insights into fostering trust and addressing challenges in residential, commercial, and utility-scale projects. Attendees will learn effective techniques for engaging property owners, tenants, and community partners to drive project success at any scale.
Diversity and Inclusiveness
This session, "Scaling Solar: Lessons in Stakeholder Engagement from Rooftops to Utility-Scale Farms," directly addresses diversity, equity, and inclusion by focusing on engaging a wide array of stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, roles, and communities. Solar projects span a broad spectrum of environments—residential, commercial, and utility-scale—which brings together a variety of perspectives, including property owners, tenants, property managers, abutters, and local community members.
The session will emphasize strategies to actively listen to and address concerns from traditionally underrepresented voices, particularly in utility-scale projects where abutters and community members may have limited influence. By showcasing methods for inclusive communication, education, and transparency, attendees will learn how to engage and empower these groups, promoting equitable involvement in solar projects and ensuring that all voices are heard and valued in the decision-making process.
Learning Objectives
Identify key stakeholders and ambassadors in various solar projects, from residential to utility-scale, and evaluate their roles in project success.
Develop a transparent communication plan that effectively addresses and aligns the interests of diverse stakeholders.
Apply conflict resolution and negotiation strategies to overcome common stakeholder challenges in solar development.
Implement best practices for empowering project ambassadors to foster community support and stakeholder engagement.
Has this session been presented before?
No
Target Audiences Level of Expertise
Level 1 - No prior knowledge needed.
Session Format
Collaborative problem-solving session
Workshop or skill-building session
Session Format Details
Interactive Presentation with Q&A
Structure: 45-minute presentation followed by a 15-minute Q&A.
Details: Andrew would lead the presentation, sharing insights and examples on stakeholder engagement across project types, with periodic audience prompts for input.
Engagement: Attendees are encouraged to ask questions and share their own experiences during the Q&A, making the session both informative and interactive.
Recommended Length
60-minute session
90-minute session
Comments about your speaker roster
Andrew Breiter-Wu will lead this session, bringing over a decade of experience in solar development and construction across residential, commercial, and utility-scale projects. As the President of Breiter Planet, Andrew has developed unique strategies for engaging diverse stakeholders, from individual homeowners to large commercial and multifamily property managers. His practical, field-tested insights are invaluable for attendees looking to strengthen stakeholder relationships and drive solar adoption effectively.
Andrew’s expertise in transparent communication and conflict resolution ensures that the session will not only be informative but also directly applicable to real-world challenges. If additional perspectives are needed, Andrew can bring in industry colleagues experienced in specific project types or stakeholder management aspects to create a well-rounded and impactful speaker roster.
Anything else you'd like to tell us about your session proposal?
This session goes beyond technical insights, offering a holistic approach to solar project development that highlights the importance of building trust, transparency, and mutual respect. By focusing on the human elements—communication, negotiation, and community empowerment—this session aims to equip attendees with not only the practical tools for project success but also the relational skills to foster long-term, positive impacts within the communities they serve.
Additionally, the session’s approach to stakeholder engagement across varying scales—residential to utility-scale—ensures that attendees from different professional backgrounds and project types will find relevant takeaways. It’s designed to be highly interactive, encouraging audience participation to create a collaborative learning experience that reflects the session’s emphasis on inclusion and alignment in the sustainable building movement.
Presenters
Full Description
"Scaling Solar: Lessons in Stakeholder Engagement from Rooftops to Utility-Scale Farms" offers a deep dive into the essential practices of stakeholder engagement and transparent communication that drive successful solar projects across scales. Led by Andrew Breiter-Wu, an experienced solar developer and contractor, this session provides actionable insights on building and maintaining trust with key stakeholders—from homeowners and commercial property managers to local governments and abutters in utility-scale developments.
Attendees will explore real-world examples and lessons learned from Breiter Planet’s portfolio of projects, ranging from small residential installations to large-scale solar farms. The session will emphasize how effective stakeholder alignment can help navigate unique challenges at each project level, including:
Residential and Small-Scale Projects: Engaging individual homeowners by addressing concerns around aesthetics, property values, and energy savings through clear, ongoing communication.
Commercial and Multifamily Projects: Coordinating with property managers, condo boards, tenants, and financial stakeholders to align project goals, overcome logistical hurdles, and ensure seamless integration with existing infrastructure.
Utility-Scale Projects: Managing relationships with abutters and local governments, addressing environmental concerns, and educating communities on the benefits of solar development through transparency and dialogue.
The session will also cover strategies for identifying and empowering project ambassadors within these stakeholder groups who can champion the project and facilitate engagement. Participants will leave equipped with practical techniques for building alignment, fostering positive relationships, and navigating obstacles across solar projects of all sizes.