Josh Smith

Josh combines technical expertise with a nuanced understanding of market dynamics, positioning CI Renew to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the rapidly changing energy landscape.

Co-founder and Managing Partner at CI Renew, Josh has played a central role in building the company's trajectory, partnerships, and project pipeline from the ground up—shaping strategic direction and expanding the company's portfolio across the Mid-Atlantic region.

Throughout his tenure, Josh has developed over 150 megawatts of commercial and industrial solar projects and has been directly involved in nearly $400 million in project financing. His visionary approach has helped shape CI Renew into a full-service, precision platform capable of developing, financing, and operating some of the Mid-Atlantic's most complex solar projects.

Whether spearheading development for multi-site municipal portfolios, navigating complex regulatory environments or building public-private partnerships that expand access to solar, Josh is the definition of execution-focused leadership. Balancing long-term vision with day-to-day results, his expertise in land use, permitting, utility-scale interconnection, and commercial deal structuring ensures every deal is built to perform—financially, technically, and sustainably.

As CI continues to grow, Josh's focus on strategic partnerships, geographic expansion and inclusive growth drives the company's evolution. A vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion in the renewable energy space, his leadership has been crucial in forging relationships that are accelerating the deployment of large-scale solar projects while expanding opportunities in solar development.

A former construction manager at Whiting-Turner, Josh has been with CI since its earliest days as KDC Solar, advancing through every level of the company—from Project Manager to Senior Vice President to Managing Partner. He holds a BS in Civil Engineering.