Convo: Dr. Rick Brown on Independent Clean Energy Consulting
In this episode of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Dr. Rick Brown, Founder and Chairman of the Board at TerraVerde Energy, an extraordinarily accomplished independent clean energy consulting firm representing school districts, public agencies, and commercial enterprises. TerraVerde supports their clients with the design and deployment of clean energy projects and programs that reduce costs, increase resiliency, and enhance sustainability.
Dr. Brown founded TerraVerde in 2009 and served as CEO through December 2019. Since TerraVerde’s founding, the consulting firm has supported the successful implementation of close to $650 million worth of distributed solar PV and battery energy storage systems for which they have provided independent technical and financial feasibility analyses, project development support, project implementation management, and continue to provide ongoing asset management services for a portfolio of nearly 400 solar and battery energy storage systems.
He and Ted discuss his involvement in California legislation regarding clean energy and numerous regulatory proceedings impacting the growth of solar, storage and other distributed energy resources. He played a central role in the passage of SB 585, California legislation that provided $200 million in funding for the California Solar Initiative rebate program and in budget legislation directing the expenditure of $1.5 billion in Proposition 39 funds.
Since retiring as CEO, Dr. Brown has spent a lot of time on advocacy work, through a number of different venues. He continues to work on the State’s solar policy, specifically net energy metering, and market and capital innovations in support of decarbonizing and increasing the resilience of the energy and building sectors.
