Programmatic strategy for solar expansion

This case study exemplifies the impact of strategic program management in a renewable development campaign. By aligning teams, tools, and timelines under one approach, Atwell enabled a small client team to achieve outsized results, setting a precedent for how thoughtful partnerships drive long-term value.  Had we operated in silos, we wouldn’t have been able to drive the level of impact the client needed. The programmatic approach enabled us to align strategy, execution, and expertise—delivering a cohesive solution that met the moment.

Background: A scalable vision for U.S. solar development

A renewable energy developer entered the market with a bold goal: quickly establishing a pipeline of utility-scale solar and wind projects. With limited dedicated staff and a vision to identify and act on landowner interest across multiple areas of interest (AOIs), the developer sought a partner who could offer more than one-off project support.

Atwell stepped in to provide programmatic-level guidance, integrating land, GIS, environmental, and civil expertise to build an agile, scalable approach to land acquisition. By shifting from a site-by-site approach to a scalable model, Atwell supported the client by developing a repeatable, data-driven land strategy to unlock long-term success.

Client goals: Build fast, adapt strategically

Speed to market was a top priority. However, the client’s internal resources weren’t equipped to develop AOIs, initiate outreach, and quickly pivot based on early-stage landowner interest. Their program required:

• A flexible system to evaluate and prioritize AOIs
• Data-driven landowner engagement
• Strategic mapping to align opportunities with interconnection feasibility
• Scalable tools and processes they could rely on across multiple states

Atwell’s role extended beyond executing tasks. We became a strategic advisor helping shape the client’s U.S. market entry plan, managing complex plans at scale.

Challenges and solutions: Managing complexity at scale

Atwell’s program management approach helped DTE exceed its solar acreage goals, contributing significantly to DTE’s position as a leader in the renewable energy sector. By harnessing the power across Atwell’s land solutions, development, survey, environmental, payments, documents, project management, and leadership teams, Atwell finished the year at 128% of its goal, reflecting the company’s shared commitment to expanding solar infrastructure and reducing carbon emissions.

Challenge 1: Confusion due to shifting AOIs

An opportunistic approach made it difficult for the client’s small team to visualize priorities and manage opportunities.

Solution:

Atwell’s GIS team developed a live, client-accessible web map and summary dashboard to track AOIs, landowner response, and regional overlays. Simultaneously, our program managers created a visual AOI assessment that aligned client goals against constraints in the market.

Challenge 2: Siting constraints after initial land success

The first AOI to yield strong landowner interest was located at a transmission line surrounded by environmental hurdles.

Solution:

Working collaboratively, Atwell’s environmental, engineering, and civil teams developed alternative paths for transmission access. We identified substation locations and mapped routing scenarios that avoided wetlands and minimized construction risk, giving the client viable siting options within their first target region.

Program management in action: Integrated and adaptive support

Beyond addressing isolated challenges, Atwell’s value came from connecting the dots. Our program team coordinated inputs from land experts, GIS analysts, and environmental planners to enabled faster pivots when a project didn’t meet strategic criteria.

We also joined the client in the field to walk multiple AOIs, review long-term priorities, and plan for upcoming geographic expansion, demonstrating commitment and building trust that extended far beyond the immediate work.

Outcomes: Enabling growth through strategic partnership

Atwell’s integrated programmatic support helped the client launch and refine its U.S. solar development strategy across several additional states.

As a direct result of our work the client looked to Atwell for follow-up work across their national pipeline, with even markets expected in upcoming months.

Most importantly, our efforts helped establish Atwell as a trusted long-term partner, capable of navigating complexity and scaling with the client’s ambition.

The positive impact of integrated, streamlined program management

Our client didn’t need just a land agent or mapping service—they needed a programmatic solution that could evolve alongside their U.S. expansion. Atwell provided that solution: a collaborative, integrated model that streamlined complexity, accelerated execution, and positioned the client for scalable success.