March 18, 2025

Engineering the Future of Community Solar with Patrick Canning | EP267

Engineering the Future of Community Solar with Patrick Canning | EP267

In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague sits down with Patrick Canning, Principal Engineer and founder of Canning Engineering, at the RE+ Northeast conference in Boston. Patrick shares his journey from traditional civil engineering to becoming a specialized solar design expert, culminating in launching his own engineering firm focused on community and utility-scale solar projects.

Patrick reveals how his experience leading engineering and interconnection teams at prominent companies like Nexamp provided the foundation for his current work. His firm, though small, delivers high-value engineering solutions primarily for 1-5 MW ground-mount community solar installations across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Illinois markets.

The conversation delves into what truly differentiates specialized, local engineering services from commoditized alternatives. Patrick emphasizes the critical importance of having engineers who can physically visit project sites, especially for complex installations involving brownfields, battery storage, or challenging utility requirements. His team's ability to provide hands-on expertise and responsive service for projects requiring nuanced attention has become their competitive advantage.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into the full spectrum of services offered by Canning Engineering, from complete IFC (Issued for Construction) documentation to energy modeling and interconnection support. This episode offers a window into how specialized engineering expertise continues to play a vital role in advancing community solar deployments across multiple states.

Whether you're a solar developer, EPC contractor, or industry professional interested in the technical challenges of community solar, this episode provides a compelling look at the engineering expertise driving clean energy projects forward. Listen now to discover how local engineering talent is helping to grow solar in the Northeast and beyond.

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