5 Questions With… Piper Miller

Get to know us! Each month, we sit down with one of our employees to get their perspective on the industry and share a little more about them with you. This week, our “5 Questions With” features Piper Miller, our Vice President of Development.

As VP of Development, Piper leads market and development strategy in the Southeastern U.S. and oversees Pine Gate’s 5GW pipeline in the region. Her role is deeply integrated with regulatory policy and supporting robust markets for utility-scale solar. 

1. What does Pine Gate Renewable’s mission of “getting solar done” mean to you?

I vividly remember when Pine Gate chose this mission back in 2017. There’s something powerful in the juxtaposition of a simple, no-nonsense statement carrying a profound message. It’s just like Pine Gate: execution-minded and determined not to just develop and build solar projects, but to change the paradigm of our energy landscape and make the transition to renewable energy happen. 

2. What are you most optimistic/excited about in this industry?

The speed at which it’s happening. We like to joke that three months in the solar industry is equivalent to a year in the real world. The only constant is change, and things are getting better all the time — equipment efficiency is improving, battery storage is becoming more prolific and the technology is so creative. It’s a thrill.

3. What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?

The acronym “BLUF”: Bottom Line Up Front. In our world, we have to ask people a lot of complex questions that require quick answers. Putting the takeaway or request succinctly upfront and then providing additional context, if needed, is key to effective communication. 

4. What is an unknown skill you possess outside of your day job?

I’m a musician and have been writing/singing my own songs on the guitar since I was 13. Music is an enormous passion of mine and a big part of my life. While I love all music, I’m especially drawn to folk, indie and alternative rock. There’s nothing like a good jam sesh’! 

5. What’s one thing still on your bucket list that you hope to achieve in the next 5 years?

I’ve always wanted to go to the Redwood Forests in California and see old growth trees. There’s something majestic not only about their sheer size (diameters of more than 20 feet!) but the fact that they’ve been around for thousands of years. Living in Asheville, I feel lucky to be surrounded by forests, but I would love the feeling of looking like an ant next to an enormous tree!