Raptor Report

A few themes stood out from our conversation with Michael: Having resilience isn't the same as proving it. Auto-stow and high-angle tilt are meaningful advances, and it is just as important to make sure they perform as designed in the field. Michael's analogy: hail stow should function like a sprinkler system in a commercial building — tested, verified at inception, and re-verified on a regular cadence. Hail gets the headlines, but it isn't the full picture. Transformer health, vegetation and inverter fires, and other quieter exposures all shape a site's risk profile. Preventative and predictive maintenance across the full balance of system is what keeps the picture complete. Build for the project's lifetime, not just COD. Solar projects are financed for 20 to 30 years, while insurance policies renew annually. Resilient design and disciplined preventative maintenance are what keep an asset insurable across its full life. Shared data makes the whole industry stronger. Insurers, OEMs, developers, operators, and research labs each hold pieces of the risk picture, and no single party sees it all. Shared hail maps, third-party verified stow testing, and open conversations about near-misses are how the industry compounds what it learns. As Michael put it, quoting a former client: "A hail loss for any of us is bad for all of us." Michael Perron is the Renewable Energy Market Lead and a member of the management team for FM’s Renewable Energy unit. He leads broker engagement, contributes to renewable energy strategy, and serves as a central internal market voice across underwriting, engineering, research, approvals, and other FM staff functions. With nearly 10 years focused on renewable energy and more than 20 years as a broker, Perron brings an “internal insider” perspective to FM—bridging broker insights, client expectations, and technical risk expertise. Prior to FM, he co‑led Brown & Brown’s Energy & ClimateTech practice and previously led WTW’s U.S. Power & Renewables team. He also contributes thought leadership for FM and works closely with the marketing team on externally facing content. Who's Raptor Maps? Raptor Maps is a solar management platform at the intersection of AI and robotics. Our services combine the industry's most comprehensive visual analytics suite with the ability to orchestrate solar management, construction, and operations work by people and robotics. In turn, Raptor Maps provides the digital foundation teams need to scale their capabilities without straining their budgets and to ultimately increase the reliability and return of their solar assets.

In this episode of The Raptor Report, hosts Avery Black and Don Nista sit down with Scott Moskowitz, VP of Market Strategy and Industry Affairs at Qcells North America, to discuss the current "inflection point" of the U.S. solar industry. With a decade of experience in solar policy and market research, Scott provides a high-level look at why domestic manufacturing has evolved from a niche goal to a "national economic security imperative" in the face of massive load growth from AI and data centers. Episode Highlights: The Grid Maintenance Trap: Why an aging, 100-year-old grid is driving up electricity rates and how scalable, fast-to-deploy solar is the primary lever to maintain consumer affordability. Domestic Manufacturing as an R&D Engine: A look at the Qcells Solar Hub in Georgia and why co-locating R&D with manufacturing is critical for accelerating the commercialization of high-efficiency tandem perovskite cells. The Policy Lever: Why demand-side incentives like the Domestic Content Bonus are just as vital as supply-side credits (45X) for sustaining long-term manufacturing investments and scaling the U.S. supply chain. Smart Orchestration of "Dumb" Panels: Why manual monitoring is no longer sufficient for utility-scale assets and how visual analytics are providing the "digital foundation" required to spot voltage and heat anomalies before they impact ROI. The Power of Collaboration: Insights into how manufacturers, policymakers, and operators must integrate education to ensure the industry can scale to meet 2030 demand targets efficiently. Who's Raptor Maps?   Raptor Maps is a solar management platform at the intersection of AI and robotics. Our services combine the industry's most comprehensive visual analytics suite with the ability to orchestrate solar management, construction, and operations work by people and robotics. In turn, Raptor Maps provides the digital foundation teams need to scale their capabilities without straining their budgets and to ultimately increase the reliability and return of their solar assets.

On this episode of the Raptor Report, Avery Black and Don Nista sit down with Andrew Morse, VP of Software at FTC Solar and Founder of Straylight Ventures, to discuss the expanding role of robotics in the solar industry.Andrew provides a unique perspective on automation, arguing that robotics are not a replacement for the workforce but a natural evolution of the technologies we already deploy, such as tracker control systems. The conversation centers on the concept of the "Force Multiplier"—how leveraging robotics for repetitive or dangerous tasks allows human crews to double productivity and focus on high-value critical thinking.In this episode, we cover:The Force Multiplier Effect: How to double field productivity without doubling headcount.Safety & Efficiency: Reducing risk by removing technicians from heavy lifting and high-voltage environments.Technology Evolution: Why robotics are the next logical step in site instrumentation and control.Adoption at Scale: Moving beyond pilot programs to widespread industry integration.Related Resources:The Raptor Maps 2025 State of Solar Robotics: https://raptormaps.com/resources/state-of-solar-robotics-2025Straylight Ventures 2025 Solar Robotics Report: https://straylightventures.com/product/2025-solar-robotics-report/FTC Solar Robot-Ready Report: https://www.ftcsolar.com/robot-ready-solar-construction/ Who's Raptor Maps? Raptor Maps is a solar management platform at the intersection of AI and robotics. Our services combine the industry's most comprehensive visual analytics suite with the ability to orchestrate solar management, construction, and operations work by people and robotics. In turn, Raptor Maps provides the digital foundation teams need to scale their capabilities without straining their budgets and to ultimately increase the reliability and return of their solar assets.

In this episode of The Raptor Report, we sit down with Nick DeVries, CTO of Silicon Ranch Corporation, one of the nation's largest independent solar power producers. With over 14 years at Silicon Ranch and a background spanning semiconductor manufacturing to solar power plant design, Nick brings a unique perspective on building assets designed for 40+ year lifespans.Nick introduces the concept of solar being "digitally native"—unlike other forms of energy generation that were built before modern data tools existed, solar has always generated streams of actionable data. He explains how this advantage is enabling Silicon Ranch to manage operations across 180+ projects in 16 states through AI-powered analytics, from thermal imagery identifying equipment issues to comprehensive environmental monitoring. We dive deep into how artificial intelligence is helping operators process the overwhelming amount of visual and sensor data flowing from modern solar farms.The conversation also explores Silicon Ranch's strategic approach to domestic sourcing, highlighting the operational advantages of shorter lead times, higher quality control, and faster issue resolution that come from building with U.S.-made equipment. Nick shares how their long-term ownership model—owning both the power plants and the land for decades—enables smarter material choices and stronger community relationships.Finally, Nick unveils his innovative research on "solar savannas"—a novel ecosystem approach to agrivoltaics that combines solar panels, grasslands, and livestock to create mutually beneficial relationships between energy generation, land health, and biodiversity. This groundbreaking work demonstrates how solar development can enhance rather than compete with agricultural land use. Who's Raptor Maps? Raptor Maps is a solar management platform at the intersection of AI and robotics. Our services combine the industry's most comprehensive visual analytics suite with the ability to orchestrate solar management, construction, and operations work by people and robotics. In turn, Raptor Maps provides the digital foundation teams need to scale their capabilities without straining their budgets and to ultimately increase the reliability and return of their solar assets.

In this episode of The Raptor Report, we explore the rise of floating solar with Thomas Lang, Director of Technology and Business Development at AccuSolar. As demand for clean energy accelerates and land availability tightens, floating solar presents a unique opportunity to generate renewable power while conserving precious water resources.Thomas unpacks how floating solar works, where it’s being deployed, and why it’s becoming an increasingly attractive option for utilities, municipalities, and data center developers. From anchored rafts on cooling ponds to evaporation reduction and seasonal panel tilting, this conversation covers both the fundamentals and the advanced considerations of deploying solar on water.What you’ll learn in this episode:What floating solar is—and why it's not "rocket science"How systems are installed and maintained without boatsWhere floating solar is most impactful (think cooling ponds, reservoirs, water treatment sites)The performance edge: up to 15–20% higher energy yield than ground-mountThe environmental upside: up to 50% less water evaporation, less algae growthLCOE insights: Why floating solar is cost-competitive despite higher capexHow public policy and federal mandates are shaping market growthThomas also shares his unconventional path into clean energy—from Middle East counterterrorism work to pioneering floating solar in the U.S.—and gives a glimpse into where the industry is headed next. Who's Raptor Maps? Raptor Maps is a solar management platform at the intersection of AI and robotics. Our services combine the industry's most comprehensive visual analytics suite with the ability to orchestrate solar management, construction, and operations work by people and robotics. In turn, Raptor Maps provides the digital foundation teams need to scale their capabilities without straining their budgets and to ultimately increase the reliability and return of their solar assets.

In this episode of The Raptor Report, we’re joined by Daniel Dus, CEO of Cleantech Industry Resources (CIR), for an in-depth conversation about how the solar industry is evolving—and how CIR is helping to lead that transformation.Daniel brings nearly two decades of experience in renewable energy and shares his journey from bootstrapping a utility-scale project during the 2008 financial crisis to building CIR into a global, tech-forward powerhouse. Listeners will gain insights into how CIR is rethinking project development through a unique model: offering commoditized engineering and consulting services on-demand, across solar, wind, battery storage, and EV infrastructure.We discuss how CIR:Has commoditized 95% of the development process for renewable projects.Uses AI and advanced software to cut tasks like due diligence from 100 hours to less than 10.Operates a global, 24/7 team across time zones to manage projects in real-time.Enables IPPs, developers, and EPCs to scale quickly without growing internal overhead.Is rapidly hiring—from seasoned solar veterans to interns—with a focus on knowledge transfer and inclusion.Daniel also explores the broader implications of AI in solar, the importance of “organizational scar tissue,” and how CIR’s model differs from traditional development and construction firms. He shares how the company supports clients during periods of project surge, policy shifts, or market uncertainty—providing a flexible solution without the bloat of traditional operations.We touch on the impacts of tariffs, supply chain dynamics, and the importance of vendor agility in today’s competitive landscape. Daniel emphasizes that while software and automation are critical, experience remains irreplaceable—and CIR's approach blends both.Whether you're a solar professional, a tech innovator, or simply passionate about the clean energy transition, this episode is packed with practical insights on scaling solar with speed, precision, and transparency. Who's Raptor Maps? Raptor Maps is a solar management platform at the intersection of AI and robotics. Our services combine the industry's most comprehensive visual analytics suite with the ability to orchestrate solar management, construction, and operations work by people and robotics. In turn, Raptor Maps provides the digital foundation teams need to scale their capabilities without straining their budgets and to ultimately increase the reliability and return of their solar assets.

Who's Raptor Maps? Raptor Maps is a solar management platform at the intersection of AI and robotics. Our services combine the industry's most comprehensive visual analytics suite with the ability to orchestrate solar management, construction, and operations work by people and robotics. In turn, Raptor Maps provides the digital foundation teams need to scale their capabilities without straining their budgets and to ultimately increase the reliability and return of their solar assets.

https://lightsourcebp.com/us/ Who's Raptor Maps? Raptor Maps is a solar management platform at the intersection of AI and robotics. Our services combine the industry's most comprehensive visual analytics suite with the ability to orchestrate solar management, construction, and operations work by people and robotics. In turn, Raptor Maps provides the digital foundation teams need to scale their capabilities without straining their budgets and to ultimately increase the reliability and return of their solar assets.

Chris Wilson is Raptor Maps' Inspections Enablement Specialist, but many know him as "The Drone Whisperer." This episode takes a deep dive into how drones are used on solar farms and how emerging technologies are changing the landscape of solar inspections. Who's Raptor Maps?   Raptor Maps is a solar management platform at the intersection of AI and robotics. Our services combine the industry's most comprehensive visual analytics suite with the ability to orchestrate solar management, construction, and operations work by people and robotics. In turn, Raptor Maps provides the digital foundation teams need to scale their capabilities without straining their budgets and to ultimately increase the reliability and return of their solar assets.

Kyle Cooper is the CEO of ACT Power Services, an independent service provider created to provide industry-leading Operations and Maintenance services to clients across the solar industry. Kyle discusses ACT Power's high-touch, collaborative operational model with their customers, the complexities of managing a solar + storage site, displacing outdated industry practices, and more. Who's Raptor Maps?   Raptor Maps is a solar management platform at the intersection of AI and robotics. Our services combine the industry's most comprehensive visual analytics suite with the ability to orchestrate solar management, construction, and operations work by people and robotics. In turn, Raptor Maps provides the digital foundation teams need to scale their capabilities without straining their budgets and to ultimately increase the reliability and return of their solar assets.

https://1planetrecycling.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/oneplanet-solar-recycling/ Who's Raptor Maps? Raptor Maps is a solar management platform at the intersection of AI and robotics. Our services combine the industry's most comprehensive visual analytics suite with the ability to orchestrate solar management, construction, and operations work by people and robotics. In turn, Raptor Maps provides the digital foundation teams need to scale their capabilities without straining their budgets and to ultimately increase the reliability and return of their solar assets.

Bill Badnaruk and Kenton Dreiling join the show to discuss how Enel is utilizing drones and other technologies to conduct solar PV inspections. Bill serves as the Head of Industrial Risk and Cross Technology Improvement for an established leading company for clean energy: Enel North America. Kenton works alongside Bill as the Robotics Technology Manager for Enel. This episode will go in depth and explore how Enel is utilizing drones and other technologies to conduct solar PV inspections. Who's Raptor Maps?   Raptor Maps is a solar management platform at the intersection of AI and robotics. Our services combine the industry's most comprehensive visual analytics suite with the ability to orchestrate solar management, construction, and operations work by people and robotics. In turn, Raptor Maps provides the digital foundation teams need to scale their capabilities without straining their budgets and to ultimately increase the reliability and return of their solar assets.

Jacob is a PV SCADA and battery storage subject matter expert with over 10 years of experience within the solar industry. Who's Raptor Maps?   Raptor Maps is a solar management platform at the intersection of AI and robotics. Our services combine the industry's most comprehensive visual analytics suite with the ability to orchestrate solar management, construction, and operations work by people and robotics. In turn, Raptor Maps provides the digital foundation teams need to scale their capabilities without straining their budgets and to ultimately increase the reliability and return of their solar assets.

https://www.sunrun.com/https://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/f150-lightning/https://www.aes.com/luna-and-lab-energy-storage Who's Raptor Maps? Raptor Maps is a solar management platform at the intersection of AI and robotics. Our services combine the industry's most comprehensive visual analytics suite with the ability to orchestrate solar management, construction, and operations work by people and robotics. In turn, Raptor Maps provides the digital foundation teams need to scale their capabilities without straining their budgets and to ultimately increase the reliability and return of their solar assets.

PVEL Hail Tests https://www.linkedin.com/company/pv-evolution-labs/videos/native/urn:li:ugcPost:6851549281535565825/?isInternal=true&viewAsMember=true https://www.linkedin.com/company/pv-evolution-labs/videos/native/urn:li:ugcPost:6958394408673144832/?isInternal=true&viewAsMember=true Who's Raptor Maps? Raptor Maps is a solar management platform at the intersection of AI and robotics. Our services combine the industry's most comprehensive visual analytics suite with the ability to orchestrate solar management, construction, and operations work by people and robotics. In turn, Raptor Maps provides the digital foundation teams need to scale their capabilities without straining their budgets and to ultimately increase the reliability and return of their solar assets.

Dustin Hayes is a hybrid installer with Clean Solar - the fastest-growing residential and commercial solar installation company in the San Jose, California area. We’ll be digging into Dustin’s experience installing solar for residential properties as well as his current efforts involving energy storage systems. Who's Raptor Maps?   Raptor Maps is a solar management platform at the intersection of AI and robotics. Our services combine the industry's most comprehensive visual analytics suite with the ability to orchestrate solar management, construction, and operations work by people and robotics. In turn, Raptor Maps provides the digital foundation teams need to scale their capabilities without straining their budgets and to ultimately increase the reliability and return of their solar assets.

The West Texas Power Plant that Saved the Worldhttps://www.amazon.com/Texas-Power-Plant-Saved-World/dp/1682830934 Who's Raptor Maps? Raptor Maps is a solar management platform at the intersection of AI and robotics. Our services combine the industry's most comprehensive visual analytics suite with the ability to orchestrate solar management, construction, and operations work by people and robotics. In turn, Raptor Maps provides the digital foundation teams need to scale their capabilities without straining their budgets and to ultimately increase the reliability and return of their solar assets.

Mike Williamson is the Director of Construction for Northeast Solar PV and Energy Storage for Ameresco. We'll be digging into how solar farms are constructed, the importance of battery energy storage systems, and what the future of the solar industry looks like. Who's Raptor Maps?   Raptor Maps is a solar management platform at the intersection of AI and robotics. Our services combine the industry's most comprehensive visual analytics suite with the ability to orchestrate solar management, construction, and operations work by people and robotics. In turn, Raptor Maps provides the digital foundation teams need to scale their capabilities without straining their budgets and to ultimately increase the reliability and return of their solar assets.

More information on: Babcock Ranch - https://babcockranch.com/Urban Land Institute - https://uli.org/Florida Green Building Coalition - https://www.floridagreenbuilding.org/U.S. Green Building Council - https://www.usgbc.org/ Who's Raptor Maps? Raptor Maps is a solar management platform at the intersection of AI and robotics. Our services combine the industry's most comprehensive visual analytics suite with the ability to orchestrate solar management, construction, and operations work by people and robotics. In turn, Raptor Maps provides the digital foundation teams need to scale their capabilities without straining their budgets and to ultimately increase the reliability and return of their solar assets.

Raptor Maps Cofounders Nikhil Vadhavkar and Eddie Obropta star as the feature guests of the first-ever Raptor Report podcast. This episode digs into the origin story of Raptor Maps and explores both how solar has evolved over the past decade and what the industry's future holds. Raptor Report is your new go-to source for all things solar. Each episode will highlight the latest trends and developments within the solar industry. Who's Raptor Maps?   Raptor Maps is a solar management platform at the intersection of AI and robotics. Our services combine the industry's most comprehensive visual analytics suite with the ability to orchestrate solar management, construction, and operations work by people and robotics. In turn, Raptor Maps provides the digital foundation teams need to scale their capabilities without straining their budgets and to ultimately increase the reliability and return of their solar assets.