Suncast

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

On Today's Episode: In today's fast-evolving, tech-driven world, there is a need for diverse perspectives more than ever before. While the renewable energy sector advances at a rapid pace, there remains a disparity in the representation of women contributing to this progress. The potential innovation and fresh perspectives brought by women are often overlooked due to persistent barriers and gender bias in the industry. The call for women to join the field is out there, the question is how to inspire women to make the transition into the field.Today's podcast highlights an insightful conversation with two women breaking barriers in the renewable energy sector, Nhan Pimentel, VP of Home Solutions, and Joanna Marienhagen, Head of Product Management and Solution Development at SMA Solar Technology. From tackling issues such as developing a personal brand amidst the stereotypes in predominantly male fields to communicating effectively and being flexible in rapidly changing environments, Nhan and Joanna s

On Today's Episode: In a world dominated by technology and data, we often lose sight that people are at the heart of the matter. Building connections & partnerships in communities is essential to any project's success. Building (and Telling) compelling narratives helps us connect with our target audience on a deeper level and significantly enhances the impact of marketing strategies. However, capturing and presenting these stories in campaigns effectively is challenging, especially given the rapid shifts in media, the difficulties in sourcing stories across geographical and corporate boundaries, and the sheer volume of content we are capable of generating these days. So I’ve assembled an esteemed panel if practitioners: Scarlett Chepke from SOLV Energy, Pallavi Singla from Nextracker, and Tom Weirich from EDP Renewables, all distinguished leaders in marketing and communication. They offer insight into harmonizing technology with creative thought to make a lasting connection with your ideal

On Today's Episode: As clean energy continues to dominate global conversations, understanding the intricacies of this high-growth sector are more critical than ever. Supply chain disruptions, surging financing costs, and complex regulatory landscapes continue to slow progress, especially in the areas of battery storage and M&A. We recently had the opportunity to speak with the folks responsible for navigating these waters at one of the most respected banking & advisory practices in the game: Keybanc Capital Markets(KBCM). In today’s discussion, we are joined by Aaron Klein, Julian Bailliet, Ari Citrin, Timothy Beach, Everett Currier, and Ryan Pirnat, all Managing Directors from KBCM. This group of experienced industry experts have not only managed through regulatory challenges and financing obstacles, but they have been involved in deploying nearly $10Billion in capital to build our clean energy infrastructure. Renowned for their strategic agility and market acumen, our interviewees hav

On Today's Episode: I finally got around to a complete recap and takeaways from this year’s RE+ main event, a milestone in the clean energy industry that saw an astounding attendance of over 40,000 people. Joining me is industry expert Nate Jovanelly, who for the past 2 years has hosted the Industry Pulse segment at our PowerUp Live Podcast Stage, and hosts his own podcast called Limitless (you really should already be subscribed to this one!). Nate is also co-founder of Sunraise Capital and one of my go-to resources for all things related to residential solar & financing. But today’s convo is not about either of those, directly.  Rather, Nate & I give our take on this year’s RE+, takeaways, thoughts, superlatives, and more. This year’s RE+ in Las Vegas truly highlighted the outstanding growth in the industry, and we kick things off with a recurring theme in many conversations on the show floor: workforce development.  We also talk about how the industry is “crossing the chasm

On Today's Episode: While businesses grapple with skyrocketing energy costs, increasingly frequent power outages, and mounting pressure to reduce carbon emissions, clean energy & energy efficiency providers struggle with how to find & convert them as customers. The complexity of on-stie energy challenges often leaves businesses feeling overwhelmed with options for transitioning to cleaner, more resilient, on-site energy solutions, also known as distributed energy resources. Adding to this complexity are the 'soft costs' associated with developing these solutions, which include consulting, engineering, sales, and procurement, which can account for a staggering 50% of project costs. The energy market also suffers from a pervasive information asymmetry. Buyers often find themselves at a loss for who to trust, and suppliers struggle for project traction due to customer indecision.Gareth Evans, the CEO and founder of VECKTA, designed a company specifically to tackle these challenges head-on. Thei

On Today's Episode: The solar energy sector is witnessing momentous identify shifts. I’d call it an identity crisis, but we’re not that far yet. Jigar Shah, however, might be so bold. As homeowners transition from merely generating energy to storing and redistributing it to the grid, there's a growing sense that our traditional understanding of "solar" as the industry in which we participate might be too narrow. But what does this mean for installers, utilities, and everyday consumers?Jigar Shah, the director of the Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office, offers an exciting (if provocative) glimpse into the future we shall inherit. With his hand in funneling billions to pioneering energy projects that transcend the boundaries of solar, encompassing batteries, electric vehicles, and more, Shah has taken on the mantle of Chief Story Architect, so to speak, in conveying the captivating concept of the “virtual power plant”. Shah elaborates on how this next evolution of the grid will place homeowner

On Today's Episode: The next best thing to being at RE+ Vegas, is catching the PowerUp Live Show.  Get the lowdown from Nico for the PowerUp Morning Show, LIVE with Nico Johnson & Lauren Glickman, presented by Meyer Burger, and RE+ Daily Round Up with Nico Johnson & Josh Porter, presented by Modern Energy to share their experiences of Day 3 at RE+ Vegas.  If you want to catch the whole PowerUp Live show, make sure to visit suncast.live to hear from some of the top voices speaking on the state of the industry today.If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.SunCast is presented by Sungrow, the world’s most bankable inverter brand.You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 63

On Today's Episode: The next best thing to being at RE+ Vegas, is catching the PowerUp Live Show.  Get the lowdown from Nico and Lisa Ann Pinkerton for the PowerUp Morning Show, LIVE with Nico Johnson & Lisa Ann, presented by Meyer Burger, and  RE+ Daily Round Up with Nico Johnson & Josh Porter, presented by Modern Energy to share their experiences of Day 2 at RE+ Vegas.  If you want to catch the whole PowerUp Live show, make sure to visit suncast.live to hear from some of the top voices speaking on the state of the industry today.If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.SunCast is presented by Sungrow, the world’s most bankable inverter brand.You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book l

On Today's Episode: The next best thing to being at RE+ Vegas, is catching the PowerUp Live Show.  Get the lowdown from Nico and Lisa Ann Pinkerton for the PowerUp Morning Show, LIVE with Nico Johnson & Lisa Ann, presented by Meyer Burger, and  RE+ Daily Round Up with Nico Johnson & Josh Porter, presented by Modern Energy to share their experiences of Day 1 at RE+ Vegas.  If you want to catch the whole PowerUp Live show, make sure to visit suncast.live to hear from some of the top voices speaking on the state of the industry today.If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.SunCast is presented by Sungrow, the world’s most bankable inverter brand.You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book l

On Today's Episode: Let’s be honest, the rapidly accelerating demand for clean, renewable energy has outpaced the development and implementation processes in the solar sector. As the queue for interconnection lengthens and the need for efficiency grows, utility-scale solar developers face mounting challenges. From the scarcity of skilled engineers and designers to bottlenecks in site selection and grid optimization, the sector has long been in need of innovation to streamline these complex processes and reduce human errors.David Trainavicius, founder and CEO of PVcase, and Jake Anderson, Head of Business of Anderson Optimization (recently acquired by PVcase) are at the forefront of this transformation. Specializing in automating the tedious engineering and site selection processes, their combined expertise aims to simplify, and shorten, the solar development cycle. David’s extensive experience as a solar consultant for over 100 companies gives him unique familiarity with the utility-scale sector's c

On Today's Episode: In this special episode recorded from the tradeshow floor at RE+ Mid Atlantic, we explore a pressing question: Is there a workforce issue in the solar industry? Will it work itself out in the medium term? We've assembled a group of industry experts to share how their companies (and clients) are navigating the workforce challenges facing the renewable energy sector as we scale up.Catherine McLean of Dylan Green discusses the evolving work arrangements—hybrid, remote, or in-office—and their impact on women during the pandemic. She also addresses the financial challenges of relocating for jobs in major cities. Whit Fulton, CEO of ConnectDER, talks about the hurdles in getting hardware products like their meter socket adapter to market, and highlights the crucial role of state energy offices in standardized training. Jason Higginson, Head of Marketing for APsystems, covers how supply constraints, like components and metals, are influencing the industry. And finally, Todd Ahern and Ad

On Today's Episode: What can the solar industry learn from the efficiency and scalability that have characterized the oil and gas industries for the last hundred years? As the world grapples with the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels, solar power has emerged as a crucial player in this global shift. This change is not without its challenges, however, such as the need for significant capital investment, the intricacies of supply chain logistics, and the mounting pressure of market competition. These issues are even more daunting for manufacturers of solar modules, who not only face the common challenges of running a business but also the specific hurdles of an industry in the throes of transformation.With a unique perspective shaped by over two decades in the oil and gas sector, Martin Pochtaruk serves as the Founder & President of Heliene, a North American manufacturer specializing in high-efficiency solar photovoltaic modules. He has steered Heliene through the thick and thin, bo

On Today's Episode: It’s that wonderful time of the year folks!  With just two weeks left before the monumental annual pilgrimage to the RE+ Trade Show (this year in Las Vegas!), we’ve once-again curated a special "Know Before You Go" episode bringing in tips from industry leaders to help you prepare and make the most of this event while not being overwhelmed by what’s sure to be the biggest show yet with over 45,000 attendees!  This essential listen features six industry experts who share their top tips for making the most of the show, whether you're a newcomer or a veteran.You’ll hear from:Danielle Danko, Senior Director of Marketing at RE+:Danielle provides a comprehensive guide to navigating the expansive layout of the RE+ event. She delves into the dual venues and three expo halls, along with the newest entertainment options, including RE+ Tonight and the AREA 15 Bloc Party.Trish Moratto, Communications Manager of SMA:Trish focuses on optimizing your schedule to maximize impact. She s

On Today's Episode: You’d be hard-pressed to find someone in the solar industry who hasn’t heard of, worked for, competed against, or just stood in awe at the company today’s guest built w/his brother.  Borrego Solar is an institution in the solar industry here in the USA alongside such names as REC Solar, SunPower, and SolarCity.  The Hall brothers and their 3rd co-founder have unlocked something special that has created one of the most enduring (and prolific) solar companies of our time. And I finally got the opportunity to dig deep with Mike Hall, the 20+ yr CEO of this industry leader, to get the goods on just what makes this company tick and how they’ve had such staying power and dominance through the years. The clean energy industry is experiencing rapid growth and transformation, yet it faces significant challenges that must be overcome to reach its full potential. Two of the most pressing challenges include connecting renewable energy resources to the electric grid and dealing

On Today's Episode: With many sectors of the global economy experiencing contraction through the last year-plus-long economic downturn, the Energy sector, and in particular, renewable energy, stands out as a beacon of possibility. So, you might be asking yourself, “How can I switch my career toward a more legacy-building and growth-oriented industry like Energy?” Stay-tuned bc today’s episode will help you answer some of those burning questions!The energy industry is standing at a crucial crossroads, faced with a multitude of challenges that are as much environmental as they are economic. As the world grapples with the alarming consequences of climate change, the rise of China's energy consumption further adds to the urgent call for sustainable solutions. At the heart of this are traditional fossil fuels, which, while pivotal to our past prosperity, are increasingly seen as unsustainable for a resilient future. This setting calls for pioneers who can bridge the gap between our current energy practic

On Today's Episode: The solar energy industry is facing an increasingly pressing challenge: the scarcity of usable flat land. As the demand for solar energy grows, suitable areas for traditional solar trackers and arrays are becoming limited. The situation is complicated by the costs and environmental impact of grading land to create flat surfaces for installation. This process, often referred to as solar's "dirty little secret," is not only expensive but also poses significant environmental and post-construction issues. The industry is now compelled to find innovative approaches to adapt solar technology to uneven and non-flat terrains.Yezin Taha, the CEO of Nevados Engineering, is at the forefront of addressing this complex problem. With a background in engineering and a pioneering spirit, he has led Nevados in developing a revolutionary method to install solar panels on uneven terrain. The company's unique approach eliminates the need for grading land, reducing both financial and environmental bu