148: How to SimpliPhi Batteries, Catherine Von Burg

Welcome to Episode 148, Solar Warrior!

Today’s entrepreneur has spent the better part of a decade following a very inspiring mission to provide clean electricity and energy access to the world.

The medium is a company she cofounded called SimpliPhi Power, and Catherine Von Burg is an inspirational and thoughtful leader with an impressive track record. They have delivered Gigawatts of storage to the US DOD with ZERO defects in an era when battery startups fail year after year. Listen in to hear how she and her team have done it.  

Catherine Von Berg has leveraged her biomedical research and humanitarian background to grow, quite under the radar, one of the most interesting companies I’ve seen in the energy storage space, SimpliPhi Power. She is unorthodox and counter culture in many ways, and exemplifies the spirit of the women we are all honoring this Women’s History Month, but also the spirit of entrepreneurship and leadership that any company would want at the helm.

We had an amazing 2 hour discussion, most of which made it into today’s episode. If you’re a fan of longform, consider joining the SunCast Tribe where you can get the uncut version of this and many other epic conversations.

Resources:

Connect with Catherine on LinkedIn

Follow Catherine on Twitter

Check out the SimpliPhi Power website

Catherine at WCS Talks

Books Mentioned:

The Autobiography of Malcolm X

The Double Helix: A Personal Account of the Discovery of the Structure of DNA

In Darkest England, and the Way Out

About the Host of SunCast:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, a regular conversation with Solar Industry professionals who are leading in emerging solar markets. The content of the show is geared towards listeners looking for insights on where the markets are headed, how to position themselves or their companies, and what today's market leaders do to stay ahead of the pack.

Nico is a 10-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.  He served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala and is considered one of the market's leading experts on solar PV expansion in the region.

Nico can be reached on Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

147: Impact Positive - Katherine Ryzhaya

Welcome to Episode 147 of SunCast! 

If you haven't listened to yesterdays mini-episode with Jon Bonnano, please go check that out, as it’s the prologue to this interview you’re about to hear!

This episode is the first up in a new series we’re calling Impact Positive. Today's guest is Ms. Katherine Ryzhaya, Chief Commercial Officer at Lightsource BP. Our aim is to shine a light on under-represented perspectives, people groups, and pathways meant to inspire you along your journey and geared to help make your impact positive as well.

I admittedly didn’t know much about Katherine when Jon brought her to my attention, but boy am I ever glad to have met her. I expect you’ll enjoy getting to know her as much as I did. Her story is impressive, as is her sheer determination, will power, intelligence and intuition.

Resources:

Connect with Katherine on LinkedIn

Connect with Jon on LinkedIn

Learn more about Lightsource BP

About the Host of SunCast:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, a regular conversation with Solar Industry professionals who are leading in emerging solar markets. The content of the show is geared towards listeners looking for insights on where the markets are headed, how to position themselves or their companies, and what today's market leaders do to stay ahead of the pack.

Nico is a 10-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.  He served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala and is considered one of the market's leading experts on solar PV expansion in the region.

Nico can be reached on Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

146: Introducing Impact Positive, with Jon Bonanno

Welcome to Episode 146 of SunCast!

Today, Jon Bonanno and Nico discuss a new idea to introduce those who aren't in the spotlight but are impacting the world positively to a larger audience. Tune in to hear their ideas and how you can help!

Resources:

Connect with Jon on LinkedIn

About the Host of SunCast:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, a regular conversation with Solar Industry professionals who are leading in emerging solar markets. The content of the show is geared towards listeners looking for insights on where the markets are headed, how to position themselves or their companies, and what today's market leaders do to stay ahead of the pack.

Nico is a 10-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.  He served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala and is considered one of the market's leading experts on solar PV expansion in the region.

Nico can be reached on Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

145: Tara Doyle, Part II - Leadership & Life

Welcome to Episode 145 of SunCast!

If you’ve jumped straight to this episode and haven’t yet listened to Part 1 with Tara, well I strongly encourage you to go back and check that one out first. Today is Part II, picking up where we left off to go further into her story and discuss regular topics such as Lessons Learned and Hot or Hype.

Remember you can always find me on Twitter, LinkedIn or email 

Resources from today’s episode:

Connect with Tara on LinkedIn

Connect with PVEL on Twitter

Tara Doyle’s PVEL Bio

Announcement of PVEL spinout from DNV-GL

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:

144: Tara Doyle, PVEL’s Secret Weapon

Welcome to Episode 144 of SunCast!

Today’s entrepreneur just took a HUGE leap, literally taking her company with her. Tara Doyle and her solar lab tech nerds at PVEL sold their company, then-called PV Evolution Labs, to DNV-GL half a decade ago (you can hear more on that here).

In January, they spun it back out as a separate business retaining the PVEL brand. She’s a spitfire on a mission, and we talked so much that I couldn’t fit it into 1 episode. So, today is Part 1, and next week will be part 2 (on Tuesday). So keep an eye out.

Hope you’re having a phenomenal March. Surely you’re aware it’s Women’s History Month? I’m taking Tara’s advice and incorporating more female voices into SunCast, starting with hers!

Come along today to learn, How Tara started as an Admin at Powerlight (including the sheer “who luck” that got here the job) and how she parlayed that open door into a career and a glass-ceiling-busting epic journey.

And, next week we’ll have not two but Three episodes, as I’ll be introducing a new series called Impact Positive, the brainchild of my friend Jon Bonanno. First up in that series is Katherine Ryzhaya, so stay tuned.

Remember you can always find me on Twitter, LinkedIn or email 

Resources from today’s episode:

Connect with Tara on LinkedIn

Connect with PVEL on Twitter

Tara Doyle’s PVEL Bio

Announcement of PVEL spinout from DNV-GL

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:

143: Emerging Market Dynamics with Luis Morales

Welcome to Episode 143 of SunCast with Luis Morales!

Luis Morales has been involved in growing the Latam and Caribbean solar market for nearly a decade, having run Latam for Enphase and dominating markets like Puerto Rico & Mexico.

Today we hear his insights into the common mistakes he sees when entering new markets.

Resources:

Connect with Luis on LinkedIn

Emerging Markets Are Too Small… and Other Fallacies That Aren't Helping Your Business by Luis Morales

Books Mentioned:

Start with No - Jim Camp 

Zero to One - Peter Thiel

Good to Great - Jim Collins

Mindset - Carol Dweck

Why Nations Fail - Daron Acemoglu & James Robinson

Finding Ultra - Rich Roll

142: Costa Nicolaou, PanelClaw

Welcome to Episode 142 of SunCast, Solar Warrior!

Costa Nicolaou has been at the helm of PanelClaw since it’s inception, guiding the company to a 40% market share of the flat roof solar racking market. As employee #1 he’s watched as the racking market has exploded to a healthy $1.5Billion little niche!

Costa’s energy and enthusiasm are infectious, but we also dig into some hard-won lessons, like how much it cost PanelClaw to get out of the low margin ground mount racking business.

Resources:

Connect with Costa on LinkedIn

Check out the PanelClaw Website

Books Mentioned:

Power of Habit - Charles Duhig

Titans of the Climate - Kelly Sims Gallagher

About the Host of SunCast:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, a regular conversation with Solar Industry professionals who are leading in emerging solar markets. The content of the show is geared towards listeners looking for insights on where the markets are headed, how to position themselves or their companies, and what today's market leaders do to stay ahead of the pack.

Nico is a 10-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.  He served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala and is considered one of the market's leading experts on solar PV expansion in the region.

Nico can be reached on Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

141: Rick Ivins, Value Engineering & Finding Focus

Welcome to Episode 141!

Today’s exceptional entrepreneur, Rick Ivins, was introduced to me by Chris Grablutz, who happens to work for one of Rick’s companies, PV Pros. Thanks Chris!  Rick has an insatiable appetite for learning, and it has manifested in his building not 1 but 3 companies in the last decade (you’ll learn why he killed one of them and how the other 2 are now thriving). 

I thought it appropriate that we bring him on to share about 2 things very important to the Solar industry 1) value engineering to improve project quality, and 2) training up good people in your organization. Rick is another infinite learner, just like you, so be sure you have your pen & paper ready for note taking!

Resources:

Connect with Rick on LinkedIn

Check out purepower.com & pvpros.com

Rick’s Article - Urgent: Rapid Shutdown Increases Project Costs Starting Jan 1, 2019

Books Mentioned:

Power of Habits - Charles Duhig

Atomic Habits - James Clear

About the Host of SunCast:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, a regular conversation with Solar Industry professionals who are leading in emerging solar markets. The content of the show is geared towards listeners looking for insights on where the markets are headed, how to position themselves or their companies, and what today's market leaders do to stay ahead of the pack.

Nico is a 10-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.  He served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala and is considered one of the market's leading experts on solar PV expansion in the region.

Nico can be reached on Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

140: A 7 Figure Solar Business in Under 2 Years, Matthew Britt of Switch Energy

Welcome to Episode 140 of SunCast.

Matthew Britt, CEO of Switch Energy, is a Canadian entrepreneur and startup junkie who is one of the best networkers I’ve ever met. His story is a very interesting one, and as I got to know him, I knew he’d be a great resource for you fellow #SolarWarriors since he’s got such a varied and deep experience in starting and running successful enterprise. We dive deep on how he retired at 30 from his first career and is plowing all the earnings and next decade of his life into the school of hard knocks that is revolutionizing the energy industry. Matt is constantly pinging me telling me how he’s connected with this or that guest, and I think you, solar warrior, are going to love his energy.

A Canadian entrepreneur, Matt jumped into solar in 2018 with Zero prior experience in the business. Today, he is leveraging partnerships, the 'new economy' and millennials to grow fast! And, he's doing it in very efficient and innovative ways. He's also an avid SunCast listener, and I'm not aware of another listener who's actively utilized what they've learned from SunCast in their own business the way Matt has.

In today's episode, Matt shares how he is building on his past experience with the fitness and network marketing industries to create lasting partnerships. He also gave insight into how he has learned as a Gen X'er to work with and learn from millennials, and how that has helped their content marketing to win in a crowded marketplace. Matt is the real deal when it comes to being a startup junkie, and I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation. I think you will as well.

Resources:

Connect with Matthew on LinkedIn

Follow Matthew on Twitter

Check out Switch Energy’s Website

Books/Audio Mentioned:

Challenge to Succeed - Jim Rohn

Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Learn - John C. Maxwell

About the Host of SunCast:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, a regular conversation with Solar Industry professionals who are leading in emerging solar markets. The content of the show is geared towards listeners looking for insights on where the markets are headed, how to position themselves or their companies, and what today's market leaders do to stay ahead of the pack.

Nico is a 10-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.  He served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala and is considered one of the market's leading experts on solar PV expansion in the region.

Nico can be reached on Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

139: NJ Solar’s Founding Father, Lyle Rawlings

Welcome to Episode 139!

Today’s #solarwarrior is a true pioneer in the industry, and described as “the founding father of renewable-energy legislation in New Jersey’’ by the New York Times!  Thanks to John Moran for putting Mr. Lyle Rawlings on my radar. His company Advanced Solar Products has been crusading for solar in New Jersey and beyond for nearly 30 years.

Resources:

Follow Lyle on Twitter

Check out Advanced Solar Products Website

Email Lyle: lyle@advancedsolarproducts.com

Connect with Lyle on LinkedIn 

Books Mentioned:

The Powerhouse (Inside the Invention of a Battery to Save the World) - Steve Levine

The Angels of our Better Nature - Steven Pinker

Links:

Empowered by the Sun - NYT

Here Comes the Sun Power - CBS

Profile of One of New Jersey’s Champions of Clean Renewable Energy - NJ Spotlight

About the Host of SunCast:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, a regular conversation with Solar Industry professionals who are leading in emerging solar markets. The content of the show is geared towards listeners looking for insights on where the markets are headed, how to position themselves or their companies, and what today's market leaders do to stay ahead of the pack.

Nico is a 10-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.  He served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala and is considered one of the market's leading experts on solar PV expansion in the region.

Nico can be reached on Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

138: Aruba - Caribbean’s First 100% Renewable Commitment

Welcome to Episode 138 of SunCast, Solar Warrior!

In October 2009, Mike Eman was sworn in as Prime Minister of the small island state of Aruba, a dutch territory in the Caribbean, and over the course of 8 years established a leadership position in championing renewables. Aruba became the first Caribbean island to declare a 100% renewable target, way back in 2012, long before the recent fanfare we’ve covered here on the US cities also taking up that banner. He partnered with Sir Richard Branson & Jigar Shah via their Carbon War Room, and created the 10-island challenge, a call to other Caribbean islands to increase renewables penetration & wean off fossil fuels.

Today, Mike and I discuss how this all came to be, the obstacles his administration faced in passing this legislation, the lessons learned along the way, and the work he’s now doing to help other Small Island Developing States with similar visions for sustainability. His perspective is beautiful, so I hope you’ll take the time to check it out.

Watch Mike’s TedX Talk:

Resources:

Connect with Mike on LinkedIn

Follow Mike on Twitter

Mike’s Facebook

Mike’s Wikipedia

Watch Mike’s UN Caribbean Interview

Aruba’s Prime Minister Mike Eman Shows Path to a Sustaibable Future

Hurricane Irma Climate Change Wakeup Call

Books Mentioned:

85 days: The Last Campaign of Robert Kennedy

About the Host of SunCast:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, a regular conversation with Solar Industry professionals who are leading in emerging solar markets. The content of the show is geared towards listeners looking for insights on where the markets are headed, how to position themselves or their companies, and what today's market leaders do to stay ahead of the pack.

Nico is a 10-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.  He served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala and is considered one of the market's leading experts on solar PV expansion in the region.

Nico can be reached on Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

137: Andrew Beebe, Obvious Ventures

Welcome to Episode 137 of SunCast!

Today’s guest is someone I’ve followed for a long time, and am honored to finally have on SunCast.

In ’02, Andrew Beebe took a much-needed sabbatical from tech after selling his startup Big Step, in order to find new direction.

Ignoring advice from solar legend Dick Swanson, he scaled a solar EPC business long before being an EPC subcontractor was a popular model, and was still able to sell his solar company to then-market-leader, Suntech, going on to run Global Sales for that company.

Of course, many are following and interested in what he’s currently up to with his VC partners at Obvious Ventures. Not-to-miss is the Hot or Hype section where Andrew discusses where he sees beyond the hype in bleeding edge technologies! Hint - #electrifyeverything!

Resources:

Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn

Follow Andrew on Twitter

Follow Obvious Ventures on Twitter

A Venture Capitalist’s View on the Promise of Electric Aviation

Preparing For Liftoff by Andrew Beebe

Book Recommendations:

           

(Click the links above to check them out on Amazon - and you help support SunCast!)

Never Split the Difference - Chris Voss
(also Nico’s top book recommendation of 2018, as mentioned on Episodes #83, #101, #133, & #135 !!)

The Lean Startup - Eric Ries

7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Covey

Built to Last - Jim Collins

About the Host of SunCast:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, a regular conversation with Solar Industry professionals who are leading in emerging solar markets. The content of the show is geared towards listeners looking for insights on where the markets are headed, how to position themselves or their companies, and what today's market leaders do to stay ahead of the pack.

Nico is a 10-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.  He served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala and is considered one of the market's leading experts on solar PV expansion in the region.

Nico can be reached on Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

136 - SunShare, US Pioneer in Community Solar

Welcome to Episode 136 of SunCast!

We’re kicking the new year off with an entrepreneur out of Colorado who has been instrumental in pioneering the category of solar we today call Community Solar, you may have also heard the alternate phrase "Solar Gardens".

Unfamiliar w/that term? Well today you’ll learn not only what it is, but why David decided to spend the better part of his 20’s capturing a huge share of this booming segment his company coined as the 4th vertical. You may also recall that term "4th vertical" was first mentioned here on SunCast by one of his former employees, and now CEO of Nikola Power, JW Postal).

Resources:

Connect with David on LinkedIn

About the Host of SunCast:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, a regular conversation with Solar Industry professionals who are leading in emerging solar markets. The content of the show is geared towards listeners looking for insights on where the markets are headed, how to position themselves or their companies, and what today's market leaders do to stay ahead of the pack.

Nico is a 10-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.  He served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala and is considered one of the market's leading experts on solar PV expansion in the region.

Nico can be reached on Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

135 - Year In Review (2018)

Welcome to Episode 135 of SunCast!

Do you prefer New Year’s Resolutions, or Goals? At SunCast, we are resolved to continue bringing you, solar warriors, quality content that will improve your lives and businesses. In this episode, host Nico Johnson looks back at some key moments from the podcast throughout 2018. Tune in for highlights from the wide array of fascinating guests and topics covered this year, and a preview of the first two episodes that kickoff 2019!

Episodes Mentioned:

Founders & Pioneers:

Ep 62 - Suvi Sharma

Ep 82 - Ed Feo

Ep 85 - Mike Silvestrini

Ep 95 & 96 - Kyle Cherrick

Ep 106 - Lior Handelsman

Ep 109 & 110 - Jenya Meydbray

Ep 118 - Shawn Qu

Ep 120 - Andy Klump

Ep 123 - Bruce Levy

Ep 127 - Sam Vanderhoof

Get Tactical, Get Practical:

Ep 74 - Scott Sullivan

Ep TT 81 & 88 - Josh Weiner

Ep 83 & 101 - Never Split the Difference

Ep 97 - Nick Gogerty, SolarCoin

Ep 107 - Community First - NPR-Style Episode

Ep 117 - Adam James

Ep 121 - Lisa Ann

Ep 125 - Bill Nussey

Current events & commentary

Ep 94 - Intersolar Know-Before-You-Go Series ’Tradition’

Ep 112 - SPI Know Before You Go - The Introduction of Our Partnership with PV Magazine

Ep 113 - Puerto Rico 1 yr Hurricane Maria Anniversary

Ep 130 - Christian Roselund

About the Host of SunCast:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, a regular conversation with Solar Industry professionals who are leading in emerging solar markets. The content of the show is geared towards listeners looking for insights on where the markets are headed, how to position themselves or their companies, and what today's market leaders do to stay ahead of the pack.

Nico is a 10-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.  He served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala and is considered one of the market's leading experts on solar PV expansion in the region.

Nico can be reached on Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

134 - Jigar Shah Anniversary Episode

Welcome to Episode 134 of SunCast!

It was almost exactly a year ago that I had the honor and privilege of having the eponymous Jigar Shah on SunCast. To celebrate the anniversary of this episode, and the fact that it’s currently the most downloaded episode of the year, I’m re-publishing it so the numerous new listeners to SunCast this year get a chance to hear it. 

Maybe you've heard him on the popular podcast The Energy Gang, or you helped put him at the top of the Solar #100 list as one of his nearly 20K Twitter followers, but hopefully today you’ll hear something you haven’t heard before as we discuss:

• How Jigar's early career and family life shaped the companies he's built

• Why Jigar believes you can't build a business as a side-hustle

• SunEdison's early days of financing, and how that influences his own investing ethos

• What Jigars sees smart entrepreneurs doing to win

• And of course, his Bold Prediction

Links & Resources:

Follow Jigar and Generate Capital on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn

Generate Capital

About the Host of SunCast:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, a regular conversation with Solar Industry professionals who are leading in emerging solar markets. The content of the show is geared towards listeners looking for insights on where the markets are headed, how to position themselves or their companies, and what today's market leaders do to stay ahead of the pack.

Nico is a 10-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.  He served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala and is considered one of the market's leading experts on solar PV expansion in the region.

Nico can be reached on Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

or by email nico@mysuncast.com

133 - Christmas Gift - Podcast Roundup

Merry Christmas Solar Warriors!

Thank you for a Wonderful Year in 2018!!

Since today is about giving more than receiving, I wanted to give you a gift. I don’t have another interview, rather I’d like to share with you some of my favorite podcasts of the year, and in so doing, also shout out to some of the fellow podcasters I believe are bringing incredible value to the world.

Unlock the remaining 15 podcasts by becoming a member of the SunCast Tribe here!

Top 5

1. Drilled - Amy Westervelt (Critical Frequency)  https://pca.st/S2o5 by https://twitter.com/amywestervelt 

2. Energy Transition Show (Chris Nelder): Ep 62: How Advanced Cost Recovery Swindled the South  https://pca.st/NGPV by https://twitter.com/chrisnelder - RMI, deep analytical, yet approachable, complete w/geek rating

3. Experts Only (Jon Powers, Clean Capital) - Live from SPI - Economics of Microgrids - https://pca.st/id5r  by https://twitter.com/powersjon - other "live from” style events

4. Watt it Takes: Sept 13th How Sunnova John Berger Convinced Oil & Gas Investors to believe in Solar (Energy Gang feed) https://pca.st/Uezb by https://twitter.com/emilykirsch

5. More Power to You - 57 episodes! Ep 41 - Community Solar: Trends, Models & Case Studies, w/Dan Chwastyk, K Kaufmann & Jared Leader from SEPA https://pca.st/9oWk by https://twitter.com/cohenjosh

If you’d like to get access to the other 15 on my list, plus all the other exclusive content I share then join my SunCast Tribe, and help support the podcast.

About the Host of SunCast:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, a regular conversation with Solar Industry professionals who are leading in emerging solar markets. The content of the show is geared towards listeners looking for insights on where the markets are headed, how to position themselves or their companies, and what today's market leaders do to stay ahead of the pack.

Nico is a 10-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.  He served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala and is considered one of the market's leading experts on solar PV expansion in the region.

Nico can be reached on Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

132: Solar Inventions - Breakthroughs in Solar Science with Dr. Ben Damiani

Welcome to Episode 132!

Have you ever gotten into a conversation with someone only to realize you were totally unprepared for how much knowledge and value you were about to receive? That’s how I’d describe the following interview, at least it was my experience. The unassuming and mild-mannered entrepreneur and scientist who’s today’s featured founder has spent his entire career working on technology many of us doesn’t even realize exists, and which may come to completely reconfigure how your solar cells function.

Ben Damiani is the co-founder of Solar Inventions, and his research has already dramatically improved solar cell manufacturing, but there’s more to come.

Resources

Connect with Ben on LinkedIn

Check out the Solar Inventions Website

Follow Ben on Twitter

Drilled Podcast

Books Mentioned

Ben Franklin by Walter Isaacson

The River of Doubt by Candice Millard

Article on Design Optimization for Higher Stabilized Efficiency and Reduced Light‐Induced Degradation in Boron‐Doped Czochralski Silicon Solar Cells

About the Host of SunCast:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, a regular conversation with Solar Industry professionals who are leading in emerging solar markets. The content of the show is geared towards listeners looking for insights on where the markets are headed, how to position themselves or their companies, and what today's market leaders do to stay ahead of the pack.

Nico is a 10-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.  He served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala and is considered one of the market's leading experts on solar PV expansion in the region.

Nico can be reached on Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

131: Anastasios Hionis, Planning a Solar Project

Welcome to Episode 131, Solar Warrior!

Today's entrepreneur journey takes us back to California, as we have a look at a young founder with a ton of experience in his field. Anastasios Hionis, may refer to him simply as Stas, is the founder and CEO of PV Amps. He has the rare quality of being a visionary leader AND A technical get-it-done kind of guy…and the even more rare combo of both electrical and mechanical engineering professional licenses. And today we dig in to how this entrepreneur and his team implement proven processes to reduce the risk, cost and frustration of solar PV projects.

And, thanks to listener and friend, John Espino, for recommending Anastasios for SunCast.

As the founder of PV AMPS, Anastasios “Stas” Hionis, PE leads a proactive, solutions driven, engineering consultancy that implements proven processes to reduce the risk, cost and frustration of developing, executing, and operating Utility, Commercial and Industrial Solar + Storage projects for Developers, EPCs, Owners, and Operators. Anastasios’ objective, along with his engineering team and curated partner network, is to increase the market value of Renewable Energy Assets by stewarding their successfully Launch, Verification and Optimization. He achieves this using a holistic, life-cycle-based view and implements a transparent and collaborative process in the design, planning, validation, performance testing, certification, and operational optimization of each asset. Anastasios holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA and is certified as a LEED Accredited Professional. He is a Professional Electrical and Mechanical Engineer in CA and holds an Electrical Engineering license in multiple states and has authored case studies and articles for the solar industry.

Resources:

Check out PV AMPS Website

Email Anastasios: stas@pvamps.com

Connect with Anastasios on LinkedIn

Gary Vaynerchuk - Crushing it! Audiobook

Eric Ries - Lean Startup

The Toyota Way

About the Host of SunCast:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, a regular conversation with Solar Industry professionals who are leading in emerging solar markets. The content of the show is geared towards listeners looking for insights on where the markets are headed, how to position themselves or their companies, and what today's market leaders do to stay ahead of the pack.

Nico is a 10-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.  He served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala and is considered one of the market's leading experts on solar PV expansion in the region.

Nico can be reached on Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

130: TT: 100% renewables targets, Christian Roselund - PV Magazine

Welcome to Episode 130 of SunCast!

This week Christian Roselund, Americas Editor at PV Magazine is back to continue our discussion on 100% renewable targets. Last week there were a flurry of targets being announced by Cities, Utilities, Co-ops, it seems many people are getting on the bandwagon, but is it feasible, and if so, what will it take? Christian is particularly passionate about this topic, and we hope you are too.

Resources:

Connect with Christian on LinkedIn

Read PV Magazine USA

Future PV Roundtable Event at SPI 2018

About the Host of SunCast:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, a regular conversation with Solar Industry professionals who are leading in emerging solar markets. The content of the show is geared towards listeners looking for insights on where the markets are headed, how to position themselves or their companies, and what today's market leaders do to stay ahead of the pack.

Nico is a 10-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.  He served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala and is considered one of the market's leading experts on solar PV expansion in the region.

Nico can be reached on Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

129: Casey Collins, Duke University Energy Manager

Welcome to Episode 129, Solar Warrior!

Casey Collins has a unique perspective & insight into the Solar Industry as he works with the 5th largest energy buyer in the state of NC, Duke University. North Carolina is perennially among the largest solar states & recently announced the 2019 Renewable Energy and Net Metering Rules. 

Resources:

Connect with Casey on LinkedIn

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About the Host of SunCast:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, a regular conversation with Solar Industry professionals who are leading in emerging solar markets. The content of the show is geared towards listeners looking for insights on where the markets are headed, how to position themselves or their companies, and what today's market leaders do to stay ahead of the pack.

Nico is a 10-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.  He served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala and is considered one of the market's leading experts on solar PV expansion in the region.

Nico can be reached on Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus