# 136: Underwriting the Energy Transition: Why Insurance Matters for Clean Energy with Sara Kane

In this episode of Experts Only, host Jon Powers sits down with Sara Kane, Executive Vice President, Power & Renewables Practice Leader at CAC Group, part of The Baldwin Group. While insurance may not be the first thing people associate with climate solutions, it plays a critical role in enabling the growth of renewable energy. Sara shares how the insurance industry evaluates risk for solar, wind, and energy storage projects—and why that risk management is essential for financing and scaling clean energy infrastructure. Jon and Sara discuss the evolution of renewable energy insurance, how natural disasters and extreme weather are reshaping risk models, and why closer collaboration between insurers and developers is key to building more resilient energy systems. The conversation also explores Sara’s career path from studying environmental science at Duke and Yale to becoming one of the early underwriters in the renewable energy insurance market. Finally, Sara shares powerful stories from her volunteer work with GivePower, including recent projects bringing solar power and clean water to communities in Nepal, Kenya, and the Philippines. Topics covered include: - Why insurance is essential to financing renewable energy projects - How climate risk is reshaping the insurance industry - Lessons from underwriting early solar and wind projects - Building more resilient clean energy infrastructure - Expanding energy access through solar microgrids Thank you for listening!