Who should be on my clean energy decision-making team?
A successful clean energy project typically involves two internal groups: a decision-making team that sets goals and approves the project, and an implementation team that gathers data and moves the project forward.
Clean energy projects touch multiple parts of an organization — finances, operations, sustainability goals, legal obligations, and tenant relationships. Getting the right people involved early avoids delays and ensures the project has the support it needs to move forward.
The decision-making team typically includes C-suite leadership, sustainability directors, finance and legal teams, building owners or tenants, and fund owners (for REITs or institutional portfolios). Their role is to determine project goals, outline the approval process, sign contracts, and authorize payments when necessary.
The implementation team usually involves sustainability staff, facilities management, and tenant representatives. They're responsible for gathering on-site data (utility bills, electrical equipment documentation, roof assessments), clarifying any technical or operational requirements, and keeping the project moving through each phase.
Getting both teams identified and aligned at the start of the process — before you begin soliciting proposals — makes everything smoother. It's much easier to answer a provider's questions quickly when the right people are already at the table, and it avoids the common scenario where a project stalls because a key stakeholder wasn't looped in until late in the process.