What if the key to unlocking massive renewable energy investments isn't just about the money, but what happens after the deal is done? The Infocast Solar + Wind Finance & Investment Summit revealed a critical shift: As capital floods into solar and storage, the spotlight is now turning to what happens post-COD (Commercial Operation Date). How well assets perform beyond commissioning is fast becoming the ultimate measure of success.

Solar deployment is surging, with the U.S. now ranked second globally for solar capacity and third in solar manufacturing. In 2024 alone, Texas added 7 GW and California added 4.2 GW of storage capacity. But this rapid growth comes with rising complexity. Interconnection queues are ballooning, transmission approvals are lagging, and developers and asset owners face the daily challenge of navigating tariffs and regulatory uncertainty. Meanwhile, demand for reliable, deployable energy—driven by the explosion in data centers—has never been greater.

Amid these pressures, a common theme echoed throughout the Summit: organizations that leverage context-rich data to guide decisions are the ones best positioned to thrive. Whether managing the risk of underperformance or optimizing asset operations, the ability to prioritize based on data and context has become a critical differentiator.

Industry Trends Shaping Solar + Storage

Several key trends emerged during the Summit, all pointing to the need for smarter tools and better decision-making. Transmission and interconnection issues were top of mind. Developers highlighted the importance of transparency and data-sharing with ISOs to manage upgrade costs and streamline queue positions. These challenges are prompting a rethinking of site selection, procurement timing, and construction lead times.

Tariffs and tax credit incentives were another hot topic. One developer managing a multi-state portfolio shared their experience of running a "tariff war room," a testament to the daily battles they face. These unpredictable shifts often push costs downstream, complicating contracts and financing arrangements. Financing partners, wary of taking on these risks, are increasingly seeking clarity and data-backed risk-sharing provisions. The recurring sentiment around the room, in one example, was that domestic content could become more of a minimum requirement, rather than a qualification for adders.

The rise of merchant exposure in offtake agreements adds further complexity. As traditional long-term PPAs give way to market-based arrangements, investors and lenders are demanding better data to inform their decisions. Robust, contextualized data is no longer a luxury—it's essential for evaluating project viability.

AI and automation also took center stage. From automating contract reviews to analyzing performance, AI is helping teams focus on higher-value work. But clean, organized data is the prerequisite for unlocking these benefits. Many organizations still face the challenge of wrangling disparate data sources into a usable format.

Great Opportunities Ahead for Asset Owners, IPPs, and O&M Providers

Despite these headwinds, tremendous opportunities await asset owners, independent power producers, and O&M service providers. Context-rich data and the ability to prioritize effectively can reduce risk, enhance profitability, and support sustainable growth.

Asset Owners and IPPs

For asset owners and IPPs, consistent, reliable performance is no longer optional. Tightening debt service coverage ratios mean that even a small dip in production can significantly impact profitability. A 1-2% drop in generation may not sound like much, but it can quickly translate into missed revenue targets.

Inverter failures, utility downtimes, and inaccurate weather modeling are common challenges. Yet, the bigger issue is often a lack of visibility. Without strong data governance and contextual insights, problems go undetected until it's too late.

Lenders are now scrutinizing actual performance data to inform P75 and P90 models, moving beyond projections. This shift presents a unique opportunity for asset owners who can provide clean, trustworthy data and demonstrate operational transparency. Tracking component-level performance, analyzing fleet-wide trends, and prioritizing interventions based on impact are now strategic necessities.

EPC and O&M Service Providers

EPCs and O&M providers face a different set of pressures. As project timelines shrink and demand for rapid deployment grows, teams must deliver peak performance from the start. Layer on compliance challenges, like prevailing wage and domestic content requirements, and the need for operational efficiency becomes even more urgent.

Implementing smart workflows and democratizing access to asset data can make a world of difference. Teams equipped with contextualized insights can avoid delays, reduce costs, and improve uptime. When everyone from field technicians to supervisors can quickly identify which issues need attention now and which can wait, resources are used more effectively, and profitability increases.

Context is the Key to Performance

At the core of these trends lies context. Raw data can be overwhelming. But with context, it becomes a powerful decision-making tool. For instance, knowing an inverter is underperforming is helpful. Knowing it's causing a 10% drop in site output during peak pricing hours transforms that insight into immediate action.

Contextual data helps unify stakeholders—from asset managers to lenders—around shared goals. Standardizing definitions, like how availability is calculated, minimizes confusion and fosters collaboration. Informed prioritization enables organizations to act strategically rather than reactively, protecting performance and profits.

AI: Empowering Smarter Decisions

AI is helping organizations scale their impact. Automating repetitive tasks like compliance tracking and performance summaries allows teams to focus on strategic decisions. AI also flags patterns and anomalies, making prioritization more accurate and efficient.

However, AI is only as good as the data it receives. Many teams still struggle with disjointed, messy data. Clean, integrated, and contextualized information is the foundation that unlocks AI’s full potential. Those who invest in data readiness today will reap the rewards of efficiency and insight tomorrow.

Looking Ahead: Performance Drives Growth

While the Summit spotlighted financing strategies, the real opportunity lies in post-COD performance. In a market where uncertainty reigns, ensuring that assets deliver on their promise is the key to profitability and portfolio growth.

Participants and speakers alike echoed optimism about the future of solar and storage. Despite uncertainty and the desire / rise in gas plants, summit panelists reminded audience members of the 3-5-year development timeline to bring gas turbine peaker plants only. Add in that turbine manufacturers are currently booked out for many years. This industry has thrived for decades on strong fundamentals: cost competitiveness, speed of deployment, and infrastructure flexibility. The energy transition is accelerating, and solar + storage is poised to play a central role in meeting the world's growing power needs.

Organizations that prioritize context and leverage AI are better equipped to optimize performance, reduce risk, and drive long-term success. The ability to turn raw data into actionable intelligence is no longer a differentiator—it’s a necessity.

Ready to transform your asset operations with context-rich data and AI-powered insights? See how LCOE.ai helps IPPs, asset owners, and service providers optimize performance, reduce risk, and drive sustainable growth. Request a demo to learn more.