(San Jose, Calif., May 21, 2026) VDE Americas, a global leader in technical advisory and catastrophic risk assessment and mitigation services for solar power generation facilities, today announced that Lisa Casey, previously with the U.S. Department of Energy Loan Programs Office, has joined the firm as a senior project engineer. This strategic addition will help VDE Americas mitigate technical and financial risks for solar developers, owners, lenders, asset managers, operators, and insurers.
In a market that prioritizes speed to power, unmanaged solar project risks are compounded, multiplied, and potentially cascading. Project stakeholders need to account for the low-probability, high-impact tail risk events—such as one-in-500-year hailstorms—that can cripple an investment portfolio. Moreover, site-specific engineering must account for real-world conditions of use, which are often harsher and more variable than those encountered during product testing.
As a senior project engineer, Casey will lead technical due diligence and advisory engagements for renewable energy projects, with a focus on utility-scale solar PV and energy storage systems. Leveraging her experience at the DOE’s Loan Program Office, Casey will support stakeholders through project development, construction, financing, and operations, by evaluating project designs, major equipment, site conditions, performance assumptions, and long-term operational considerations to help clients make informed investment decisions.
Prior to her work at the U.S. Department of Energy Loan Programs Office, Casey spent over a decade at Clark Construction Group as an engineer and project manager. During her tenure, she managed complex, high-value projects and developed company-wide risk management and training initiatives. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering with a minor in Earth and Ocean Sciences from Duke University. Casey also holds a Certificate in Energy & the Environment from Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment.
“The rapid growth of utility-scale solar coupled with the increasing frequency of severe weather events has driven demand for our services to an all-time high,” said Beth Copanas, director of technical advisory at VDE Americas. “Lisa Casey's technical due diligence expertise and industry experience will be instrumental as we scale to meet this demand and continue delivering high-value solutions to our customers. We are incredibly excited to add her expertise to our team.”
