Suncast

How can solar developers and landowners at the community solar level free up capital, lower lease costs and improve the overall economics of these longterm deals? SolaREIT has positioned itself as a strategic financial provider to the community solar market by addressing this very question. Laura Pagliarulo, the Founder & President of SolaREIT, leverages her extensive finance & renewable energy experience to execute on an innovative land acquisition strategy that gives solar developers more flexibility without giving away the farm (pun intended). SolaREIT has created a structure that specifically values (and compensates in a novel manner) the land underneath solar projects. SolaREIT also introduced the option for lump-sum payments to landowners. In this way, they are able to offer instant financial liquidity for landowners while bundling the value of multiple portfolios in a way that traditional developers are unable to manage on their own. Laura explains how they offer an alternative

Have YOU had trouble procuring modules lately? I know I’ve heard from dozens of folks that they are hurting in this specific area.If that’s you, I want to hear from you…shoot me an email “HELP ME GET MODULES NICO!” in the Subject line and we’ll get right on it. (Nico at mysuncast dot com)How are solar modular manufactures vetted? Where do buyers turn when the much sought-after Bloomberg “Tier 1” suppliers are sold out of modules, making it harder for developments under 20 MW in scale to find vetted suppliers? The demand for solar panels in the US has opened up new markets abroad for suppliers. India has emerged as a leading supplier with its strong trade relationship with the US, and Emmvee, an Indian company, is heretofore little known solar panel manufacturer in the country that is making its entry to the United States. I wanted to learn  more about how buyers should think of these new market entrants, and what considerations are key (and what perhaps are not-so-important as they once were).

How do you fund a solar project?  What about the business operations costs necessary to get the project going to begin with?What structures can you consider, and HOW do you choose the one that’s right for you?We’re pulling back the veil so you don’t have to wander in the darkness here. The business of developing solar power projects is complex, time-consuming, and capital intensive. And for the last decade, hundreds of entrepreneurs have endeavored to apply their creative efforts and work ethic towards solving both the development of the solar projects (not dissimilar to other land-based development deals tbh) and the financing of them.  The latter has proven the more arduous to accomplish as the solar industry had to earn its keep in the world of high finance and prove that the product and its cashflow was durable and risk-mitigated. Unsurprisingly, those who have fared the best are those professionals who were already working in finance in some way, and were able to turn their

Domestic manufacturing is vital in helping to mitigate supply chain risks that arise from tariffs or other supply chain disruptions. Trina Solar, one of the largest solar module manufacturers globally and the leading provider of solar panels to the US this year, has at long last made a significant investment towards advancing the U.S. renewable energy market. Steven Zhu, President of Trina Solar divulges the timeline and magnitude of their new state-of-the-art (5 GW) solar module manufacturing facility in Wilmer, Texas. They will not only produce “green” products, but use green power to produce those products, showing their commitment to sustainability and ESG goals. Beyond fortifying the supply chain, this facility brings significant socio-economic benefits. With the creation of around 1600 jobs, it serves as a catalyst for local economic growth. Moreover, the plant helps reduce the carbon footprint associated with overseas importation and provides long-term sustainable domestic production fr

COP28 is the 28th annual Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention (UNFCC) on Climate Change which will be held in Dubai (UAE) and runs from November 30-December 12.If that's more than you already knew, you're in luck because today we learn from folks who have participated in multiple COP events and learned the ins and outs from the inside. This year's COP marks the pivotal halfway point between when the Paris Agreement was established at COP21, and its 2030 targets. COP28 UAE also marks the conclusion of the inaugural five-yearly global stocktake, providing a pivotal moment for the world to evaluate advancements toward the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement. This presents a unique opportunity for global stakeholders to come together, align their efforts, and strategize on bridging existing gaps in climate action. Participants and leaders from all corners of the world tackle the urgent agenda of climate change and enact sound strategies towards combating it.Our gu

Each year we highlight one non-profit making a big impact in the world, and we ask you to join us in supporting their mission on Giving Tuesday.Nonprofits play a crucial role in international development, often solving equity gaps and civic/infrastructure gaps that for-profit, corporate and even governmental organizations are incapable of addressing. They envision a better world and strive to make it reality, particularly for the underserved and marginalized. This year’s nonprofit for our annual Giving Tuesday episode is Green Empowerment, who are bringing clean water and renewable energy to rural communities across the world. More than 2 billion humans lack clean water access and another 1 billion are devoid of reliable electricity.  Organizations like Green Empowerment are an instrumental development partner charged with helping these billions achieve a better quality of life through deploying global charity into communities of need around the world.Andrea Johnson, the Executive Director of

Hey there, SunCast listeners! As those of us here in the United States of America gather around the table on this Thanksgiving Day, I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for tuning into the SunCast podcast over the years. Your support has meant the world to me, and it's because of you that this podcast has thrived for eight incredible years.When I started SunCast, I had a vision of creating a platform that would elevate the voices and stories of leaders in the clean energy industry. And thanks to your unwavering support, we have over 650 examples of HOW the Clean Energy Revolution is taking form. Together, we have explored the latest advancements in solar, energy storage, business models, and more. We have connected with entrepreneurs, innovators, and change-makers who are driving the clean energy transition forward.Through the SunCast podcast, we have created a community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about shaping a sustainable fut

In this bonus episode, we’ll introduce you to the Earthlings 2.0 podcast with Lisa Ann Pinkerton, which is now a part of REsource Labs, our Creator Network!  In today’s episode, hear an innovative approach to improving the modern EV battery with guest, Virginia Klausmeier President & CEO of Sylvatex!As electric vehicles become more common worldwide, battery production must rapidly scale to meet the rising demand. The burgeoning electric vehicle market, however, faces limitations imposed by battery costs and material availability. Cathodes, constituting 60% of an EV battery's expense and carbon life cycle, are predominantly produced through energy-intensive and costly processes that also demand a significant amount of water. In light of the automotive industry's widespread commitment to emission reduction and net-zero goals by 2050, the existing challenges posed by current cathode manufacturing techniques emerge as a formidable obstacle for the industry.Virginia Klausmeier and her company S

Tax equity has long presented barriers for distributed energy projects to access financing. However, a new provision in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) now enables tax credits to be transferred, opening up liquidity for project developers and BILLIONS of dollars in opportunity.Billy Lee, Co-founder & President of Reunion Infrastructure has over 15 years of experience in renewable energy project finance, having worked on some of the earliest solar tax equity deals while at SunEdison. After observing barriers that distributed energy projects faced in accessing tax equity, Billy co-founded Reunion to create efficiency and scale in this new market for tax credit transfers enabled by the IRA. With a substantial pool of clean energy tax credits exceeding $2 billion, the company operates as a dynamic marketplace that facilitates connections between sellers and buyers, enabling streamlined transactions of these tax credits. Today, Reunion stands as an innovator doing due diligence and risk manag

Did you know that more than 90% of today’s energy storage technology is based on a 140+ year-old concept?  Care to guess what that is?  Hint - has to do with moving water, waiting, then moving water again. Humans have been harnessing the energy of river currents for centuries, using water wheels spun by rivers initially to process grains and cloth. Today, hydropower provides about 16 percent of the world's electricity, generating power in all but two U.S. states. Contrary to popular belief, however, hydroelectric power can seriously damage the climate, displacing millions of inhabitants and in some cases generating more GHGs than their fossil counterparts!With this in mind the genius idea of Energy Vault was born. If you missed our episode with their CEO, Robert Piconi, last month, then you truly missed out on a conversation worth revisiting.  If you don’t have the time, however, for a 60+min treasure trove, then today you can check out a 10 min Tactical Tuesday vignette of

With carbon emissions from heavy industry and power generation at record highs, reducing industrial emissions on a large scale is imperative. Pioneering this mission are the innovative leaders at 8 Rivers, who are leading the field with their carbon capture and oxy-combustion technologies.Damian Beauchamp, President and CDO at 8 Rivers, discusses their in-house approach to technological innovation, the first outcome of which is their industry-leading carbon capture technology. Beauchamp, a multifaceted entrepreneur, innovator, executive, and chemist, not only offers strategic leadership and guidance at 8 Rivers but also infuses the organization with his enthusiasm for outpacing the rest of the industry when it comes to capturing carbon and helping to meet the global goal of net zero by 2050. In this conversation, we are exploring 8 Rivers’ process of innovation, recruitment strategies for scaling up their team, and lessons learned from generating more than $ 2 billion in economic value (and ju

Utility-Scale solar has predominantly been developed on flat terrain due in part because conventional solar trackers are not well-suited for undulating terrain. But now, Nevados is opening up new frontiers with their innovative All Terrain Trackers. These trackers are designed to accommodate the curvatures and gradients of undulating landscapes, which opens up new opportunities for solar deployment as well as minimizing the impact on the land from grading. In this conversation, Yezin Taha, Nevados's CEO and founder, elaborates on how this tracking technology not only reduces land damage but installs effectively on up to 37% grade slopes. He further delves into their resilience against weather phenomena—tipping panels up to 75 degrees for optimal protection against wind and hail. Listen as guest-host, Peter Kelley digs into the why and how behind the product in this Live interview from our PowerUp Live Stage! If you missed our Executive Profile with Yezin, that’s back in Episode 623 o

Timing is everything along with finding a gap in the market! Before 2016 not much work was going into real-time tracking and forecasting of clouds using satellite data. But a professional meteorologist from Down Under found his niche utilizing a game-changing global fleet of Japanese weather satellites to track cloud movement, weather patterns, and aerosols that affect albedo and solar irradiance impacting solar panel performance. James Luffman is the CEO of Solcast, a weather-tech data company based in Australia.  Along with DNV, which recently acquired his company, James is building never-before-seen weather data and forecasting that brings true scalability to the solar industry. Their strategies, from adopting product-led growth models to leveraging advanced satellite technology for improved resolution and frequent imagery, all aim to enhance the efficacy of real-time weather forecasting for solar.This discussion encapsulates the intersection of technology, meteorology, and renewable e

High interest rates and inflation have had a major impact on market potential for residential solar customers this year.  Unfortunately, Homeowners generally view solar as a high dollar discretionary purchase rather than a valuable investment. Thus, we are seeing a bottoming out of residential solar sales compared with years’ past. In today’s discussion, we get to the bottom of what the data suggest is going on, and what you can do about it. Brian Ghiglia, Senior Director of Business Development at REC and Spencer Fields, Director of Insights at EnergySage, discuss the insights from millions of proposals generated via online clean energy marketplace (EnergySage) and data-driven strategies (adaptive selling) utilized by veterans to encourage homeowners to choose solar, even in a down market. In this conversation, Brian and Spencer discuss the importance of educating homeowners on more than just first-month savings. Solar is a long-term investment into the overall value of their home, but many sa

On Today's Episode: Over a decade ago, the majority of the large scale solar projects announced, in the queue across the US and backed by major PE firms were not the flat panel PV farms we now see covering the landscape. No, the majority of solar when I entered the industry at the turn of the first decade of this century was concentrating solar thermal power (CSP) and it’s a technology that is both highly promising and has been highly fraught with challenges. As China leaned into building large manufacturing complexes around crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, the economics of CSP evaporated, seemingly overnight.  Many today would likely tell you that CSP is, well, Dead.Christie Obiaya would like to tell you a different story, one that illuminates the reality that timing is everything, and as so often is the case, CSP was a promising technology that was pushed into the limelight before software was available to provide the kinds of tight controls necessary to really make it feasible at scal

On Today's Episode: As interest rates rose, residential solar companies’ sales have declined, with figures down by 5-10% compared to previous years. For many, it’s possibly the first time you have experienced an industry downturn, as we as an industry have ridden high on low interest rates and widely-available financial products for the better part of the last decade. Yet, some regional installers who are embracing diversification, innovative financing options, and a dedicated approach to customer service, are handling this economic adversity and high-interest rates with greater resilience.Today’s conversation features leaders from 3 perspectives of the residential solar industry: Scott Nguyen, CEO of Bodhi Solar, a SaaS platform for residential installers, Rachel Finn, Commercial Finance Specialist at the largest residential solar distribution company, Greentech Renewables, and Stan Pipkin, CEO of Lighthouse Solar, a leading TX-based installation company.  All three have perspectives on the im

On Today's Episode: It’s a foregone conclusion at this point that to reach the necessary level of renewable energy penetration on the grid that will meaningfully address climate change, energy storage is a must. All that wind & solar energy also needs to be dispatchable. And, while batteries are seen as a crucial component of energy storage systems, the limitations with today’s battery chemistries and energy densities suggest that we still need storage alternatives. Both lithium-ion batteries and pumped hydro storage currently dominate the energy storage market but they each represent challenges related to cost and environmental impact. What if we could re-think hydropower using gravity but avoiding the dramatic environmental cost?Listen as Robert Piconi, the Co-founder & CEO of Energy Vault, discusses their diverse technology portfolio that provides software and hardware energy storage solutions to meet clients’ needs from municipalities to major investor-owned utilities. Piconi and his tea

On Today's Episode: Innovative technologies are key to driving the clean energy transition. Prizes like the American-Made Solar Prize offered through the Dept. of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) reward innovators who are making solar power more efficient, more affordable, and more accessible. The competition's 6th round has recently concluded, with millions in prizes awarded to trailblazing entrepreneurs who are at the forefront of advancing solar technologies.Garrett Nilsen, SETO’s Deputy Director, introduces the latest winners: ReJoule and Latimer Controls. These teams distinguished themselves amidst a pool of brilliant applicants. ReJoule won not only the American-Made Solar Prize, but also the JEDI Prize for their commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. The winners share their experiences and strategic insights for navigating the competition stages and how their prize winnings will power their pilot projects. These technologies have the transformative potential to a

On Today's Episode: Few companies have contributed to the progress being made toward more scalable battery storage solutions than Fluence Energy (FLNC).  With a deep heritage in power and energy from its founding as a JV between AES and Siemens, the Fluence technology and leadership team has weathered the test of time better than most of their peers. However, there are still challenges that influence battery storage availability, such as global supply chain disruptions, rising demand for affordable and efficient energy storage, and safety concerns. Learn from a voice of experience how domestic battery storage manufacturing is shifting the paradigm and uncover how storage technology adds reliability and resilience to the grid.John Zahurancik, President, Americas at Fluence, is an energy storage expert who is on a mission to prove and scale up energy storage technologies. In this conversation with Nico Johnson, Zahurancik explains how he and the Fluence team are focused on domestic manufacturing

On Today's Episode: Solar developers often find themselves encountering complex project challenges, including varying regulations across jurisdictions, obtaining community approval, and supply chain complications, all in the face of looming deadlines.  All too often, projects are delayed or shelved, which further impedes our progress towards cleaning up the grid.  This episode brings together experts across the project supply chain who are committed to overcoming these barriers. Rob Anders from EDP Renewables discusses how they navigate the regulatory labyrinth, while Eric Veuleman from Beta Engineering sheds light on the evolution of construction techniques. Jaime Fernandez of Nextracker offers insights into tackling supply chain issues, and Chris Haltom from TorcSill presents ways technology improvements can fast-track projects. What connects these industry leaders is their emphasis on the human element — they reiterate that early community engagement and focus on job creation is as