our growing team
As we look ahead to our fifth year in operation as a premier, independent developer of utility-scale solar power projects, my co-founder Nik and I - as well as the rest of the Candela team - are delighted to welcome Jim Woodruff to the company.
2022 was a transformative year for Candela, during which we completed development and broke ground on the 240 MW 7V Solar Ranch Project, the first under our partnership with Naturgy.
We’re continuing this momentum in 2023 with the addition of Jim as Vice President of Public Affairs. Jim has a key role to play across our growing project pipeline. Solar is the fastest growing segment of power generation, with more capacity being added in the past year than in any other type of energy generation technology. Long-term, this is excellent news both for the industry and the planet. Shorter-term, the rapid penetration of solar in the U.S. market brings added challenges and responsibilities for developers - including ensuring that key stakeholders are in places we develop projects, and that utility-scale projects have an accessible, professional and informed team focused on not just siting, permitting and building a solar power project plant, but also for the needs and concerns of the communities and the people that live there.
Consistent with Candela’s approach to recruiting the most experienced development team in the industry, Nik and I have a long history with Jim, dating back to 2008, when he left Southern California Edison (SCE) to join us at NextLight Renewable Power as VP, Government Affairs. A seasoned regulatory attorney and litigator, as well as an adept public and community relations professional, Jim was essential to helping NextLight develop five of the then-largest photovoltaic solar projects in the world across California, Arizona and Nevada. He also negotiated large power purchase agreements with NV Energy and SCE, served as the business’ primary spokesperson and oversaw its marketing. He continued and expanded this role alongside Nik, me and several other members of the current Candela team at First Solar, Inc. - pushing even further into leading labor and community relations for utility-scale solar projects, as well as interaction with multiple federal entities including the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and numerous state and local agencies. Jim subsequently added to his three-decade career as an independent consultant and project manager based in LA, including assisting Candela, before coming (back) on board full time.
We’re gratified and excited to have his skills, experience and knowledge as we grow our team and portfolio. Solar power generation is one of the most flexible and least environmentally impactful forms of utility-scale power generation when projects are properly executed with the best technology, in the right sites, and with the proper local outreach, coordination, and education. With Jim leading Candela’s public affairs function, Nik and I know we’re better equipped than ever to serve the needs of all our stakeholders at the local, state and federal levels as we expand the world’s ability to generate clean energy.
Brian Kunz, Co-Founder and CEO
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