Opterra Energy Systems

Daryle S. Blue

Construction Operations Leader

Daryle S. Blue is a Construction Manager at Opterra Energy Systems with more than 20 years of experience in the clean energy industry. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Labor Management from the National Labor College at the University of Maryland. Blue has managed commercial, industrial roofing and solar projects ranging from 99 kW to 20 MW, serving hospitals, medical office buildings, retail environments, municipalities and school districts. His project experience includes Kaiser Permanente, Applied Materials and Macy’s. Based in Sacramento, Blue works across project sites while balancing his career with family life and his passion for NASCAR, Giants baseball and Niners football.

Daryle Blue leads teams through the process of collaboration between project management teams and customer staff. While managing the project sites from cradle to grave. Daryle collaborates with subcontractors and local unions to build a quality, long-lasting project. The best projects are done through many layers of discussion between project management teams and staff personnel. From the very beginning, when the utility location takes place, through various discussions about where the solar arrays will be most beneficial to the customer. While working through shading analysis to determine the best location for an array, through many rounds of design and ultimately the first column drilling, there are many contacts to share information with.

An aggressive approach to our projects is meant to set up the customer for many years of successful use. These are grouped as environmental needs (bioswells, water tables, migratory birds, etc.). These are all walked and discussed prior to any work taking place.

Working together with Opterra PM’s engineering staff, Daryle works with customers to help guarantee a professional approach to quality builds. Safety is the foremost condition on any project. Discussions between the foreman and the construction manager are done daily. The key to a strong relationship and quality installations is the ability to rely on the team to follow all safety protocols set in place to cover any condition that may present itself. Discussing the potential risk before the start of a task prevents potential harm from dismissing the possibility that “it won’t happen to me. “ I’ve been in the trade a long time. Having said that, Daryle is proud to have a reputation for crew respect and teamwork on every project.

Keeping customers up to speed throughout the construction process helps them feel confident their projects are being handled professionally, and with the same level of care they expect from the best.

The most entertaining part of the project is meeting with the utility. At this point, the customer can see the results until the inspections are complete and the utility grants permission to operate (PTO). That is when the whole process, from beginning to end, can tell a story, which becomes the narrative that a small fraction of time those who were involved could relate a story that they can tell anyone who will be interested, especially their constituents and staff.