Watch our short film!
What is this short film about?
Here is the synopsis
Persistence: A Land Story is a short film about Steve Valvo, a trucking company owner, former farmer, and lifelong builder who believes in hard work and standing up for the right to make something lasting. When Steve saw an opportunity on his own land, he took it. On his 30 acres, he made a choice many people don’t expect: adding a community solar project. Not to make a statement—but because it made sense. It helps cover property taxes, keeps the land in the family, and provides affordable, fixed-price power to people in his community. This film is about pride in the land, taking care of what you own, and having the grit to choose your own path—one that supports both family and neighbors.
Video Shorts
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Behind the Scenes Experience
What makes RIC Energy's approach different?
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"We took a leap of faith and are making short films about our landowners. Energy developers do not normally hire film crews specializing in creative storytelling and hand over the reins with no script. You will not see any corporate marketing videos here; this is about authentic storytelling of real humans and the impact that this energy project has on their lives.
Our team has been to many photoshoots of energy projects in our careers. But there is something special about a solar project operating in peak autumn in New York. The saturation of the oranges and reds foliage contrasted with the dark evergreens remind you of why you love autumn. It was spectacular!
Getting here was no easy task. For three days, between weather delays, chasing breaks in the rain forecasts, our film crew and team were chasing daylight.
Our drone photographer is a true professional and got to Steve Valvo’s Silver Creek property at sunrise and captured the solar project right at "golden hour" as the panels woke up and started generating power.
At Steve's house the sky couldn’t decide what it wanted to do, so we kept watching the clouds and ran outside every time the rain paused.
We were there to film him.
We asked him to tell us about his family, his many entrepreneurial endeavors, about the truck stops and early mornings, and about why this land matters to him. He told us how he stood next to our CEO, Jonathan, at town hall during COVID, when things felt uncertain and people were divided, because he believed in his right to use his land the way he saw fit.
Between rain showers, we captured the solar rows from low angles, with gray clouds rolling behind them, making the steel and glass look almost like sculptures. But the real focus was Steve a working man who made a clear decision for his family and his future. By the end of the day, soaked and tired, we felt we captured the meaning we set out for."
