Episodi
-
If you think batteries are just for backup, think again. The post-NEM 3.0 world has flipped residential solar economicsāand companies like TeraHive are leading a storage revolution thatās all about ROI, not just resilience.
Ram Bhat, Head of Product at TeraHive, explores how software-first thinking and DC-coupled architecture are transforming whatās possible in home energy systems. Ram brings deep expertise from Enphase, fuel cells, and flywheels into a conversation thatās equal parts technical and strategic.
Youāll hear why the next big winners in storage will nail low cost, modularity, and software intelligenceāand how software approaches to battery management could be the key to unlocking this much-needed grid-edge solution.
Expect to learn:
š¹ How NEM 3.0 is reshaping battery attachment economics
š¹ Why autonomous, AI-driven systems are critical to homeowner adoption
š¹ The power of DC-coupled architecture for cost and efficiency
š¹ What it takes to serve the āmiddle-incomeā solar-plus-storage market
If you're trying to future-proof your product offeringsāor your business modelāyouāll want to hear this.
If you want to connect with today's guest, youāll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.
Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!
SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.
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 todayās guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.
Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/
You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus
-
What if your truck could power your houseāand save you hundreds a month on electricity?
Could your EV be a secret energy arbitrage opportunity?
Barry Cinnamon, a true solar pioneer, shows that itās possible right now with Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) systems. Listen in as Barry breaks down why V2H is finally ready for prime timeāand why the utility-centric V2X model is failing to deliver real value for homeowners.
Barry's message is clear: customers want control, not complexity. And with a 240V inverter in your EV (at least, in his Ford Lightning) plus the right home inverter/battery setup (ht to FranklinWH here), you can skip the expensive hardware and take back some control of your utility costs!
This isnāt just a backup power story. Itās about a seismic shift toward energy independence.
Expect to learn:
š¹ How Barry hacked his Ford F-150 Lightning to power his home
š¹ Why utilities are resisting customer-centric energy models
š¹ The real cost difference between home solar + EV vs. staying on the grid
š¹ What grid defection looks likeāand why itās accelerating in California
Whether you're an installer, a homeowner, or just EV-curious, this is your primer on the future of decentralized energy. Itās practical, passionate, and packed with real-world insight.
If you want to connect with today's guest, youāll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.
Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!
SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.
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 todayās guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.
Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/
You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus
-
Episodi mancanti?
-
Why havenāt more homeowners installed batteriesādespite growing outages and rising rates? I tend to agree with Vinnie Campo, co-founder and CEO of Haven Energy, who believes the answer lies in who owns the asset.
But beyond who owns the asset (and assuming, then, that it should not be the homeowner?), is there a way to deliver a truly zero-cost, fully managed battery system that benefits both homeowners and the grid?
In this episode, Vinnie shares how Haven is flipping the script on residential energy storage. Backed by strategic investors (and co-founded by former Casper Mattress execs), Haven is creating a seamless path for utilities and CCAs to deploy batteries at scaleāwithout burdening customers with financing complexity or upfront costs.
We explore Havenās creative partnership with one of those CCAs, Clean Power Alliance, helping deliver batteries to their base of 3 Million homeowners. We also learn just how they make it possible to deploy āzero costā batteries, and why Vinnieās background in energy trading helped bring this vision to reality.
š This isnāt just about batteries. Itās about solving the grid's most urgent problemsāand unlocking energy resilience for everyone.
Expect to learn:
š¹ How Haven offers batteries at no cost ever to income-qualified homeowners
š¹ Why utilities and homeowners value batteries for very different reasons
š¹ The secret to aligning grid capacity with backup power needs
š¹ What makes VPP deployment finally scalable and financeable
If you want to connect with today's guest, youāll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.
Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!
SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.
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 todayās guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.
Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/
You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus
-
The biggest threat to scaling community solar isnāt cost. Itās interconnection.
Live from the PowerUp Stage at RE+ Northeast, Samantha Weaver of the Coalition for Community Solar Access dives into why so many promising clean energy projects never make it past the planning phase. Spoiler: itās not because the technology isnāt readyāitās because the system isnāt.
With jaw-dropping examples (a 100-project backlog that would take 50 years to process?!), Samantha breaks down how sluggish utility review processes, outdated cost models, and data black holes are bringing progress to a crawl.
This is an eye-opening conversation that shows how the right policiesāand partnershipsācan turn gridlock into greenlight.
Expect to learn:
š¹ The policy loopholes causing multi-million-dollar grid upgrade surprises
š¹ What āzombie projectsā are and why theyāre choking the interconnection pipeline
š¹ The one map every solar developer needs before applying
š¹ Why community solar is essential for the 70% of Americans who canāt go solar on-site
Donāt miss this behind-the-scenes look at the roadblocks to energy equityāand what itāll take to clear the way.
If you want to connect with today's guest, youāll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.
Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!
SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.
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 todayās guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.
Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/
You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus
-
You can buy solar panels in many places around the world for around 10 cents-a-wattā so why are Americans still paying an average of about $3.70 for every watt installed?
In this candid and fiery live episode, Nico Johnson sits down with long-time clean energy champions Andrew Birch and Kerim Baran to unpack whatās really slowing down solar deployment in the U.S. The verdict? Bureaucracy, bad trade policy, and a lack of open-market access are dragging us down.
From SolarApp to tariffs to balcony solar, this conversation delivers a clear-eyed exploration of clean energy economics and the tension between innovation and regulation. Birchy argues for smarter global trade to lower prices and create more jobsānot fewer. And Kerim asks the tough questions about sovereignty, security, and system-wide inefficiencies. Weāve got further reading down in the resources section, but first youāll want to tune into this discussion to learn:
š¹ How smarter permitting could unlock a solar job boom in the U.S.
š¹ Why Australia achieves $1/Watt installsāand whatās holding the U.S. back
š¹ Why tariffs donāt protect jobsāthey stall innovation
š¹ What Elon Musk could do to fix residential solar (no, seriously)
This is the solar debate we should be having. Buckle up, SolarWarriors, weāre in for yet another stomach-churning ride on the solarcoaster.
If you want to connect with today's guest, youāll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.
Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!
SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.
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 todayās guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.
Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/
You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus
-
What if the utility bill you barely understand holds the key to stabilizing the grid, accelerating electrification, and saving you money?
Rachel Bryant has spent nearly 20 years navigating the complex world of energy regulationāas both an engineer and a lawyer. Now at GridX, sheās helping utilities across the country translate convoluted tariff structures into clear, actionable decisions for customers. The result? Better engagement, smarter energy use, and a grid that can flex with our electrifying future.
Recorded live at RE+ Northeast, this conversation unpacks why traditional cost-of-service rate structures are crumbling under the pressure of EVs, solar, and home electrificationāand how time-variable pricing might just be the answer. From peak load reduction to EV charging patterns, Rachel breaks down how data, software, and savvy communication can bring utilities and customers into alignment.
Expect to learn:
š¹ Why most people still donāt know they can choose their electricity rate
š¹ How GridX lets customers simulate bill impacts down to the penny
š¹ Why EVs are the gateway drug to grid participation
š¹ Whatās holding some utilities back from embracing time-of-use pricing
If you want to connect with today's guest, youāll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.
Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!
SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.
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 todayās guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.
Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/
You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus
-
Texas: where oil and gas once reigned supremeāand now, renewables are rewriting the rules.
In this special live episode recorded at Intersolar & Energy Storage North America 2025, Doug Lewin and Nico Johnson flip the script. Doug takes the mic to interview Nico about his biggest takeaways from the show, and the two dive deep into whatās fueling Texas' meteoric rise in solar, storage, and energy expansion.
Expect a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about why Texas has become the unexpected juggernaut of clean energyāand what risks could upend that growth if policymakers aren't careful.
Expect to learn:
š¹ How Texas' merchant energy market supercharged solar and storage
š¹ Why oil and gas giants are quietly backing clean energy
š¹ The looming policy threats that could slow Texasā renewable momentum
š¹ How massive new data center loads are reshaping ERCOT
Get ready for bold insights, insider perspectives, and a fresh view of how Texas is setting the pace for America's energy future.
If you want to connect with today's guest, youāll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.
Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!
SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.
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 todayās guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.
Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/
You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus
-
āDonāt pitch slap me.ā
Thatās the line Spenser Meeks uses to describe the all-too-common trap most any professional falls into when presenting information (Usually via presentation decks) ā jumping straight into specs and data before earning your audienceās attention. In a lively convo, Spenser and Nico break down why 60% of all conference speaking sessions (yes, your conference panels) are rated āmehāā¦ and how better storytelling could fix that.
If youāre tired of your message falling flat or sales calls that go nowhere, learn to help people care before they calculate. Spenser, whoās trained the moderators and presenters for RE+ and other top trade shows, shares the emotional and psychological blueprint that can transform technical pitches into conversations that land.
š Why storytelling creates instant emotional engagement
š§ How to structure sales conversations for maximum buy-in
š¬ The āone-linerā framework that makes your value unforgettable
šØ How to ditch boring slides and make your presentations pop
Whether youāre prepping for your next pitch or just want your message to stick, this episode will help you stand outāwithout shouting specs.
If you want to connect with today's guest, youāll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.
Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!
SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.
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 todayās guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.
Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/
You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus
-
The FinTech Reboot Solar Has Been Waiting For
What happens when local banks finally start playing ball in solar lending? Ravi Mikkelsen is here to tell us.
In this āWhere Are They Nowā episode, we reconnect with Ravi Mikkelsen, the co-founder and CEO of Atmos Financial, who first joined SunCast in 2021. Since then, the solar financing world has been flipped on its headārising interest rates, shifting policies, and a return to leases have left installers and homeowners alike with questions and headaches. Ravi has been quietly building an answer in the form of a fintech platform that bridges the gap between traditional banking and solar projects.
If youāve ever wondered why solar loans still feel so complicatedāor what it would take to truly democratize clean energy financeāthis is your episode.
š¹ Why solar loans are getting more expensiveāeven as hardware costs fall
š¹ How dealer fees can wipe out the homeownerās tax credit benefit
š¹ The return of leasesāand what that says about market conditions
š¹ Why Atmos is moving out of deposits and doubling down on lending
Tune in to hear how Atmos is powering the next wave of solar finance by making it easier, cheaper, and more transparentāfor everyone involved.
If you want to connect with today's guest, youāll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.
Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!
SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.
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 todayās guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.
Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/
You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus
-
āVirtual power plantā might be trendingābut Eversourceās Tilak Subrahmanian says it misses the mark.
In this RE+ Northeast PowerUp Live stage interview, Nico sits down with Tilak for a refreshingly candid utility perspective on how distributed energy resources (DERs) are being integrated, managed, and monetized at scale. Spoiler: it's not just about demand response anymore.
From managing EV charging loads to influencing ISO capacity calculations, Tilak breaks down how Eversource is designing a distributed grid built for policy, performance, and people. If youāve ever wondered how utilities actually think about DERs, this is the episode for you.
What youāll learn:
š¹ How 70,000 residential and 400+ commercial customers help Eversource manage load
š¹ What āedge DOMsā and āgrid DOMsā areāand why they matter
š¹ How Eversource partners with OEMs like Renew Home and EV manufacturers
š¹ Why toaster ovens are the secret weapon in small business energy efficiency
This is utility thinking, unfiltered. Tap play and gain a deeper understanding of the real opportunitiesāand challengesābehind the energy transition.
If you want to connect with today's guest, youāll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.
Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!
SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.
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 todayās guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.
Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/
You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus
-
Whatās blocking our climate tech breakthroughs?
Itās not the tech. Itās the process.
Ben Downing has seen the system from both sidesāfirst as a Massachusetts state senator, then as VP at Nexamp scaling solar across the country. Now, as Chief Growth Officer at The Engine, MITās accelerator for ātough tech,ā heās helping commercialize game-changing innovations that can decarbonize the toughest sectorsāsteel, cement, transmission, and beyond.
But itās not just about the science. Itās about fixing the systemsāpermitting, infrastructure, policyāthat stall progress. In this episode, Ben shares why real-world deployment is the biggest hurdleā¦ and how The Engine is building what he calls a āSolutions Factoryā to overcome it.
Expect to learn:
ā” Why product-market fit is the #1 blind spot for climate tech founders
ā” How startups like Sublime and Commonwealth Fusion are scaling real impact
ā” Why Massachusetts might be the best place to pilot manufacturing
ā” How to rebuild broken processes that stall startup success
Benās optimism is infectiousāand itās backed by hard-won insight from the frontlines of policy and innovation. If youāve ever wondered why brilliant climate ideas stall out and how to course-correct, press play and take notes.
If you want to connect with today's guest, youāll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.
Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!
SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.
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 todayās guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.
Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/
You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus
-
The U.S. grid is facing its biggest stress test since WWII. The answer? Batteries.
Joan White, Director of Storage & Interconnection Policy at SEIA, joins Nico on the PowerUp Live stage at RE+ Northeast to unpack the audacious 700 GWh storage deployment target laid out in SEIAās latest white paper. Thatās a 50% increase over the ābusiness as usualā trajectoryāand Joan believes itās not just possible, but necessary.
As AI data centers, EV adoption, and manufacturing supercharge national energy demand, the grid must evolve. Energy storage isnāt a luxury anymoreāitās a requirement. Joan walks us through the policy levers, market dynamics, and cost curves shaping this once-in-a-generation energy transformation.
š¹ Why SEIA is pushing for 700 GWh of storage (and how we get there)
š¹ The invisible hand of tariffs and trade cases reshaping the battery market
š¹ The threat of repealing the ITCāand how states are stepping up
š¹ How storage can finally retire fossil peaker plants and replace standby fees
Joan doesnāt just know the policyāsheās writing the playbook. Whether youāre a policymaker, developer, or just curious about whatās next for the grid, this oneās a must-listen.
If you want to connect with today's guest, youāll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.
Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!
SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.
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 todayās guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.
Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/
You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus
-
When Maria Robinson took the helm at the Grid Deployment Office within the US Department of Energy (US DOE), she stepped into one of the most pivotal (and difficult) roles in the clean energy transition.
Now that sheās no longer a government employee, Maria reveals what really happens inside DOE decision-making rooms, why the grid is far more fragile than most realize, and how her new role as CEO of IREC is helping shift the power back to the people.
From wildfire response to data center load growth and interconnection bottlenecks, Maria clearly understands what is driving (or stifling) our energy transition āyou donāt want to miss this conversation.
š Why our grid is more outdated than you think
š„ The inside story of DOEās wildfire response efforts
š What solar pros need to know about FERC (and why theyāre not paying attention)
š§© How IREC is taking on the hard problems utilities donāt want to face
Tune-in, and after youāve had a listen, consider sharing this with someone to help us spread the word!
If you want to connect with today's guest, youāll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.
Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!
SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.
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 todayās guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.
Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/
You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus
-
Residential solar may still be a long way from recovery ābut the commercial and industrial (C&I) solar market is heating up. In this power-packed episode recorded live at RE+ Northeast, Nico sits down with John Carroll of SolarEdge to explore why the commercial market could be the biggest growth driver in clean energy this year.
From training installers to navigating the evolving incentive quagmire, John unpacks the forces reshaping the C&I landscape in 2025..
š The IRAās surprising ripple effects on project development and jobs
āļø Top challenges facing new C&I installersāand how to overcome them
š How module-level power electronics are changing the economics of scale
ššŗšø Why SolarEdge is doubling down on U.S. manufacturing and domestic content
If you want to connect with today's guest, youāll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.
Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!
SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.
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 todayās guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.
Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/
You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus
-
Microgrids are essential to the clean energy futureābut theyāre still too complex, slow, and unbankable. Thatās the problem Adib NaslĆ© set out to solve. With Xendee, heās built a platform that makes distributed energy systems faster to plan, easier to finance, and smarter to operate.
Nico digs into how Adib and his team turned 20 years of national lab research into a commercial product now used by governments, fleet operators, developers and data centers. If you want to understand where AI, microgrids, and electrification convergeāthis is the episode for you.
š¹ The 3 biggest choke points in microgrid adoption
š¹ Why software, not hardware, is the key to energy independence
š¹ How Xendee is supporting Neom, Fiji, and Travel Centers of America
š¹ The power of dynamic forecasting and rolling 72-hour optimization
If you want to connect with today's guest, youāll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.
Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!
SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.
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 todayās guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.
Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/
You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus
-
At a time when uncertainty looms for many clean energy companies, Encore Renewable Energy just secured a $389 million financing deal that proves the big moneyās still looking for good bets to be made. Chad Farrell walks us through their recent landmark deal with Brookfield and what it signals for the broader renewables industry.
From raising capital the slow, scrappy way to winning major infrastructure funding, this episode is packed with insights for anyone navigating the shift from developer to independent power producer. And it also is a strong signal from the capital markets that distributed generation has solid support.
š¹ The novel financing structure that lets Encore Renewable Energy move at industry-scale speed
š¹ How solarās economic case is winning over skepticsāacross party lines
š¹ What Encore Renewable Energyās growth path says about capital market trends
š¹ Why community engagement is key to unlocking project velocity
If you want to connect with today's guest, youāll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.
Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!
SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.
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 todayās guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.
Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/
You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus
-
800 episodes. 1 unforgettable conversation. For the first time in years, Nico Johnson becomes the guest on his own show, interviewed by friend and fellow podcaster, Lisa Ann Pinkerton. What follows is a raw and powerful exploration of the highs, lows, and turning points behind SunCastās success. Whether youāre building a brand, running a business, or just love clean energyāthis episode has something for you.
š¹ How vulnerability built SunCastās loyal following
š¹ Why podcasting is a secret weapon for industry influence
š¹ Failures that almost killed the show
š¹ What clean energy needs most in the next 5 years
Hope you like this one. Itās 9+ Years in the making!
If you want to connect with today's guest, youāll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.
Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!
SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.
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 todayās guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.
Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/
You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus
-
Live from the Hub Stage at Intersolar 2025, Nico gathers a powerhouse podcaster panel to dig into whatās really going on in the solar & battery sectors. Sean White (Solar Sean), Chris Crowell (Solar Builder), and Joe Ordia (Solar Surge) donāt hold back as they swap stories and product insights live from the show floor, and discuss the tough realities facing the solar sector presently.
Itās equal parts geek-out, gut check, and group therapy. Donāt miss this behind-the-scenes take from media voices walking the solar beat daily.
š¹ Candid takes on layoffs, slow budgets & where growth is hiding
š¹ The comeback of module-level battery storage with a twist
š¹ Why solar permitting (still) might be our biggest bottleneck
š¹ How repowering could be the next big business opportunity
If you want to connect with today's guest, youāll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.
Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!
SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.
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 todayās guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.
Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/
You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus
-
There are billions of square feet of commercial rooftops in the U.S. that should have solarābut donāt. Why? Because financing these projects has been nearly impossibleā¦ until now. For years, the thousands of unrated businesses, nonprofits, and local institutions that want to go solar are stymied by one primary roadblock - financing. One developer is finally unlocking commercial solar for the long tail of the market, and weāre here to share exactly how.
Claire Broido Johnson (Sunrock DG) and Josh Goldberg (Sunstone Credit) have ācracked the code on commercial solarā, giving small businesses and nonprofits access to solar PPAs and loans through an empowered network of hundreds of local solar businesses.
Today we explore:
š¹ Why most commercial solar deals failāand how to fix it
š¹ How Sunstone Credit built a financing model banks actually trust
š¹ Why permitting & local regulations are still the biggest hurdles
š¹ How solar EPCs can unlock more deals with the right financial tools
The future of C&I solar is hereāand itās not just for Walmart & Target anymore.
š If youāre an installer, developer, or solar entrepreneur, this episode is packed with insights you canāt afford to miss.
If you want to connect with today's guest, youāll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.
Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!
SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.
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 todayās guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.
Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/
You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus
-
Smithville, Texas, a town known for its giant gingerbread man and Hollywood cameos, is making headlines for something even biggerāits solar future. With a 1.4MW solar power plant now generating clean energy for over 100 homes, this small town is proving that the energy transition isnāt just for big cities.
In this episode, we go behind the scenes of Smithvilleās solar transformation, from the unique financing mechanism that made it possible to the community benefits already taking shape. Hear from the local government and developers as they share the challenges, solutions, and surprising impacts of bringing solar to rural America.
š¹ The financing strategy that covered 50% of the project cost
š¹ How a 25-year power purchase agreement is saving the city $40K per year
š¹ The unexpected way Smithville is maintaining the land (hint: š)
š¹ Why this project could be a model for small towns across the U.S.
Join us for a look at how Americaās small towns can take big steps toward a clean energy future.
If you want to connect with today's guest, youāll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.
Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!
SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.
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 todayās guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.
Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/
You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus
- Mostra di più
