From Uncertainty to Optimism: REC Solar’s Scott Therien on the Next Era of Clean Energy

In this episode of Green Giants: Titans of Renewable Energy, Wes Ashworth sits down with Scott Therien, Director of Strategic Partnerships at REC Solar, to explore what long-term success really looks like in commercial solar.

Scott isn’t just a veteran of the solar coaster. He’s a grounded, clear-thinking voice who has helped REC Solar evolve from a contractor into a national independent power producer. Over the past 15 years, he’s seen policies change, markets swing, and companies rise and fall. Through it all, he has remained focused on one thing: building systems that last.

This conversation isn’t about hype. It is about pragmatic optimism, the kind that only comes from hard-won experience.

In this episode, we unpack:

• Why staying power beats speed in solar development, and how to build for the long haul
• How financial models become trust models, and why long-term alignment is non-negotiable
• The evolving role of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) in the age of direct pay and IRA incentives
• What most procurement teams get wrong about buying solar, and how to reframe the value conversation
• The hidden risks of system ownership, and how poor design decisions haunt projects for decades
• How structured finance is raising the bar on system quality, operations, and accountability
• The real meaning of “resiliency,” and why it requires more than just batteries
• Why a post-ITC solar market could unlock new flexibility and cost savings
• Scott’s advice to clean energy professionals feeling overwhelmed by policy shifts or market uncertainty

From microgrids to mission-critical campuses, from bad roof installs to investor-backed trust, this episode offers a grounded, inside look at how the solar industry is maturing and what it means for developers, buyers, and operators alike.

If you work in solar project development, public sector energy procurement, or renewable infrastructure investment, this episode is packed with insight on how to navigate the next chapter.

Links:

Scott Therien on LinkedIn

REC Solar's website

Wes Ashworth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/weslgs/

• Email: [email protected]
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