192: Impact Positive - Sishir Garemella

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Sishir is the founder of Sunvest Capital, Sunvest brings years of deep solar intelligence combined with expertise in financing to make solar possible by inspiring trust in good quality equipment, providing easy affordable EMIs and monitoring performance across the life of your solar loan.

Thanks to our podcast sponsors for continuing to help make this content free to you!

IF you have stuck Commercial Solar projects, you really should consider how they can help:

Energetic Insurance and Extensible Energy

Resources

Connect with Sishir on LinkedIn

Check out the Sunvest Capital Website

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

191: [SPI'19] Clean Energy 10 Yrs after ARRA, panel hosted by Silverline Communications

SPI Panel hosted by Laura Taylor, Silverline Communications

The clean energy landscape has changed dramatically in the 10 years since Laura Taylor founded Silverline Communications. During that year, newly elected President Barack Obama announced the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to bring the country back from the brink of recession. The ARRA included billions of federal dollars to fund clean energy research and development, as well as a substantial investment in businesses to drive job growth and economic expansion. Since then, the clean energy industry and the regulatory environment have evolved dramatically. With that advancement, PR and marketing implications have emerged. Our responsibilities as renewables advocates and communicators have shifted, as we work towards the common goal of a bright, sustainable clean energy future. 


SunCast host, Nico Johnson, had the honor of being asked to Emcee this Silverline Communications 10th Anniversary breakfast panel at SPI this year!  Listen in as the Silverline team brings together some very powerful and respected voices as expert panelists offering their unique perspectives on how the clean energy industry has expanded and flourished in the last decade, and what the future might hold. 


Panelists:

LAURA TAYLOR - Founder and President, Silverline Communications [Moderator]

LAURA ABRAM - Director, Public Affairs, First Solar 

GIL JENKINS - Director, Corporate Communications, Hannon Armstrong 

GREG MERRITT - Director, Marketing and Communications, Smart Electric Power Alliance 

KELLY SPEAKES-BACKMAN - Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Energy Storage Association 

TOM WEIRICH - Director of Marketing, Rubicon Capital Advisors 


Thanks to Silverline Communications, Ellen Backus and Laura Taylor, for the invitation for Nico to be present and for having SunCast reproduce this conversation here. Also, thanks to Silverline for much of the blog copy of this post, which originally appeared in their invitation to the breakfast.


190: Jake Rozmaryn, Antenna Group VP & Forbes 30 Under 30

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I’ve been truly impressed watching this young titan of industry as he scaled his fledgling Marketing firm, and then sold it to Beckerman, joining Antenna Group to become the largest cleantech-focused PR & Marketing agency in N. America. As you might have suspected, I try to get Jake to open up about how all that came about, and his story doesn’t disappoint. Like me you’ll probably enjoy learning just how close the agency came to closing, only to rise to new heights, an exercise that persists to this day.

Jake has been a starter, an influencer, a leader, and a true industry advocate for more than a decade, belying his youth and making him one of the most connected people in cleantech, let alone solar. If you’ve been longing for more founder stories, especially from the young ones in our business, then stay tuned!

Thanks to our podcast sponsors for continuing to help make this content free to you!

IF you have stuck Commercial Solar projects, you really should consider how they can help:

Energetic Insurance and Extensible Energy

Books Mentioned

Resources

Connect with Jake on LinkedIn

Check out the Antenna Group Website

Jake and his team had a string of industry firsts, like this Marketing Outlook

Examples of some of the thought leadership that Jake has penned: Antenna Group Blog

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

189: Addressing the Global Water Crisis w/Mark Baker of Water Mission

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Mark Baker, Program Director for Disaster Response at Water Mission. Water Mission has been implementing solar projects for water pumping around the world for 20 years, and played a key role in helping bring clean drinking water back to the island of Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria hit the island two years ago.

Today you’ll hear the story of how Water Mission has been helping build solar-pumping systems to provide critical water infrastructure in times of need around the world. Mark is an inspiring leader, and I really enjoyed his perspective on life and business.

I’d also like to encourage you to visit www.watermission.org and consider supporting their Hurricane Dorian Relief fund, aimed at providing up to $1M in matching funds for Hurricane victims in the Bahamas.

And, in case you missed it on Tuesay, Today I’m hosting a webinar with Tuesday’s guest, Angella Rainford, all about her lessons learned from winning and executing on a 50MW solar project in the Jamaica power tender. You can find a link to register for the webinar at www.mysuncast.com. I hope you’ll join us.

Resources

Connect with Mark on LinkedIn

Learn how you can help in the relief effort for Hurricane Dorian

Check out the http://www.watermission.org/

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

188: Angella Rainford, Rekamniar Ventures

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Angella is the founder of Soleco and Rekamniar Frontier Ventures (“Rekamniar”). Rekamniar co-developed one of the largest solar plants in the Caribbean and the largest in Jamaica (51 MWp). Prior to this, Angella worked at Goldman Sachs in the Merchant Banking division (Principal Investment Area) in London and New York.

Prior to joining Goldman, she worked as part of the portfolio team at Sterling Stamos, a private investment management firm specialized in alternative and multi-asset investment solutions. She began her career as a Business Analyst at McKinsey & Company in New York.

Angella has served as an advisor to Helios Investment Partners, a $3.0 billion private equity fund based in London focused on investments in Africa. She is also served on the Board of Directors for GK Capital Management, the financial advisory and investment arm of the GraceKennedy Group, and currently is a Director of GK UK Foods and JN Money Services, a subsidiary of the Jamaica National Building Society.

Join us for the webinar with Angella Rainford here: www.bit.ly/prechargecrefwebinar

Resources

Connect with Angella on LinkedIn

Check out the Soleco Energy website

Learn more about the upcoming CREF events

186: Karin Berardo, ESG & Impact Investing

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Karin Berardo was one of the first guests on SunCast and had the first 2-part episode, airing way back in Feb 2016 as episodes 10 & 11. She was also the first Female Guest! That interview contains some timeless advice, so I’d love to see you going back in the archives to give it a listen

Karin went on to become CEO of a global cleantech hedge fund, and has a well-established track record leading investment in the sector. She’s also become one of the leading experts on the topic of ESG. Not sure what ESG means? You’re not alone, so I ask Karin to unpack it for us. But there’s so much beyond the very practical advice and insights she provides, so I hope you’ve got your notepad ready!

Abren is a woman-led business in partnership with professionals bringing deep expertise across a range of specialties in sustainable infrastructure. Cultivating deep impact is in our DNA. It drives us to create bold new investment models that transform the world by restoring environmental balance, honoring dignity and justice in our communities, and achieving a competitive return to invested capital.

~

A special thank you to Aurora Solar. If you would like to download their free Solar Sales Proposal guide, you can do so at http://www.mysuncast.com/aurora

~

Books Mentioned

Resources

Check out the Abren website

Check out the Chicago Global website

Connect with Karin 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

182: SPI’19, Know before you go! (NASEW19)

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As Solar Power International, now known as North America Smart Energy Week, nears, we bring you our 2nd annual “Know before you go” episode. Tune-in to learn what to expect at this year’s show, including advice from industry vets to optimize your experience, and even how Introverts can get the most out of the moments! If you have add’l advice, feel free to share it on Twitter or LinkedIn, and check the links below for how to find Nico in person at SPI this year.

And don’t forget to listen back to last year’s episode (#112) for even more timeless advice for how to maximize your precious time before, during and after the tradeshow!

Visit me at the first-ever Podcast Lounge at SPI:  www.podcastlounge.live 

And thanks to Aurora Solar for helping keep SunCast free to you - check out their special offer for SunCast listeners at www.mysuncast.com/aurora.

Resources

Connect with Aimee Tuck on LinkedIn

Connect with Danielle Danko on LinkedIn

Connect with Christian Roselund on LinkedIn

SPI FAQ: https://www.solarpowerinternational.com/about/faqs/  

SPI iOS App

SPI Android App

Join the Tribe? Check out Episode 86, in which I explain how YOU can become an Energy Tribe member and support the growth and stability of SunCast moving forward! www.mysuncast.com/member to join today!

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

181: Jon Powers - Clean Capital

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Today’s entrepreneur, Jon Powers, is a true warrior, and a veritable solar warrior. When Jon returned from serving the US Army in Iraq, he had a vision for how important clean energy is for our nation’s independence, and charted a path to help the armed forces transition away from Fossil Fuels. Little did he know this would lead him to the White House the first-ever Chief Sustainability Officer under the Obama administration. His fingerprint is on many of the important initiatives underway in the Federal arena, and he’s now turned his eye to the private sector with an eye towards disrupting the finance and fintech side of clean energy. I’m also honored to have Jon on b/c he’s a fellow podcaster. If you’ve not yet heard his Experts Only podcast, you should add it to your queue. We discuss the genesis of the podcast, the startup woes and wins at Clean Capital, and more on today’s episode.

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

180: Carbon Free vs 100% RE w/SEPA’s Julia Hamm

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Today is part 2 of our interview with SEPA President & CEO, Julia Hamm.

Episode 165 is part 1, and I strongly encourage you to go back and check that one out as we cover SEPAs role in launching the modern US Solar era, Julia’s early involvement, how she’s working with Puerto Rico, and more. 

In this episode we dig into SEPA’s state of the union moving beyond 2019, their 4 pathways framework for achieving a smarter & cleaner grid, Julia’s ardent perspective on Carbon-free vs 100% RE, and hiring & keeping “A” Players.

Books Mentioned:

Resources:

Connect with Julia on LinkedIn

Follow Julia on Twitter

Check out the SEPA website

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

179: Drone-Enabled Solar Design Software, Scanifly

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Today’s entrepreneur, John Novak, cut his teeth in the trenches doing design for well-known east-coast solar firms before he stepped out to start Scanifly, a drone-based solar site evaluation & design tool. I’ve been talking lately a lot with entrepreneurs helping solve the “Digitalization of solar” with software and hardware that speeds up inefficient processes and mundane tasks, and greatly accelerate our industry’s ability to scale. I believe John and his team at Scanifly are on to something with their approach, and his entrepreneur story is an intriguing one.

If you would like to check out the SPI Podcast lounge and nominate a guest or apply to participate, head to http://www.mysuncast.com/podcast-lounge

And a special thank you to Aurora Solar. If you would like to download their free Solar Sales Proposal guide, you can do so at http://www.mysuncast.com/aurora

Books Mentioned

Resources

Connect with John on LinkedIn

Check out the Scanifly website

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

178: #CarbonOffsetChallenge - Etienne Lecompte

Today we chat with Etienne Lecompte, CEO of PowerHub and we learn the 3 practical ways you can reduce your carbon footprint. I also inquire about the recent #carbonoffsetchallenge Etienne issued to me on Twitter.

You’ll learn 3 helpful ways you can reduce your carbon footprint, and hear how Etienne Lecompte, CEO of Powerhub, has challenged me and the SunCast Tribe to take the #carbonoffsetchallenge!

…and now to you, SolarWarrior!

Will you accept? Who will you challenge?

Find us on Twitter @nicomeo & @theATN, tag us, tag the folks you challenge, and be sure to use the hashtag #carbonoffsetchallenge. And as a bonus, upload a pic of how YOU are offsetting your carbon footprint. As a bonus, I’m offering a primo prize to the person who can demonstrate the MOST carbon footprint offset between now and September 15th. You will be featured for 10 minutes on-air at the SPI Podcast Lounge! We’ll have Etienne swing by, and we’ll do a followup on the importance of taking personal responsibility for your carbon footprint, featuring YOU, the grand prize winner.

For those who don’t win but still want to feel like a winner, then you should download the amazing free resource being offered to SunCast listeners by Aurora Solar - it’s their highly researched guide to writing the perfect solar proposal, and you can get your copy by going to www.mysuncast.com/aurora.

Resources

Check out the #carbonoffsetchallenge hashtag on Twitter

Connect with Etienne on LinkedIn

Keep up to date with Etienne on Twitter

Check out the Powerhub website

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

177: Nicole Steele, GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic

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Nicole Steele, started as GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic’s Executive Director in 2014, at a time when there was little precedent for low-income solar policies and programs across the region. Under Nicole’s leadership, GRID Alternatives Mid Atlantic has installed more than 2MW of solar on over 250 rooftops of low-income families. Nicole’s leadership has led to visionary programs like the Solar Works DC program, which trains District residents in solar installation and career readiness skills. She’s an inspiration, and is dedicated to equitable renewable energy access and sustainable policy.

If you would like to check out the SPI Podcast lounge and nominate a guest or apply to participate, head to http://www.mysuncast.com/podcast-lounge

Check out GRID Mid-Atlantic’s Solar Soirée on September 19th: https://gridalternatives.org/regions/midatlantic/grid-mid-atlantics-solar-soire%C3%A9-five-year-anniversary

And a special thank you to Aurora Solar. If you would like to download their free Solar Sales Proposal guide, you can do so at http://www.mysuncast.com/aurora

Books Mentioned

Resources

Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn

Check out the Grid Alternatives Mid Atlantic website

Tickets to 5th Anniversary Solar Soiree

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

176: Women & Diversity in Renewables - Kristen Graf of WRISE

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Kristen Graf is the Executive Director of the non-profit Women of Renewable Industries & Sustainable Energy, or WRISE as it’s better known. For a decade, she has championed, mentored and modeled the female executive rise in engineering and renewable energy business. She’s made hard choices along the way, but in the end her work has helped more than 30 chapters and hundreds if not thousands of women finding their way into the male-dominated energy business.

If you would like to check out the SPI Podcast lounge and nominate a guest or apply to participate, head to http://www.mysuncast.com/podcast-lounge

And a special thank you to Aurora Solar. If you would like to download their free Solar Sales Proposal guide, you can do so at http://www.mysuncast.com/aurora

Resources

Connect with Kristen on LinkedIn

Learn more about WRISE on their website

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

175: SPI Announcement - Live Podcast Lounge! Apply Now

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I'm thrilled to announce that we’ll be hosting the first-ever Podcast Lounge live from Solar Power International! Check out today’s episode for details and learn how YOU can be featured and involved! Calling all podcasters, apply today!

Learn more about how you can be a featured guest or podcast host at the first-ever SPI Podcast Lounge, presented by SunCast Media by visiting: mysuncast.com/podcast-lounge

Learn more about Aurora here: mysuncast.com/aurora

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

174: Deep Chakraborty, Enact Systems

Today’s entrepreneur is Deep Chakraborty, a seasoned solar veteran with experience bringing quality products to market. Some of you probably know Deep from his days launching and growing the Centrosolar brand in the US, but in today’s episode, you’ll learn how he applied product savvy from Detroit’s automotive industry to launch Enact Systems, a fast-growing software platform helping solar developers globally.

ENACT SYSTEMS Inc. is a leader in cloud-based software for the solar industry. ENACT’s EnerCloudTM Platform powers complete solar business operations for 100+ customers, ranging from top global corporations to emerging project developers. ENACT is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Resources

Check out the Enact Systems website

Connect with Deep 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

173: Tapping the Sap: Converting Brownfields into Brightfields with Chad Farrell, CEO, Encore Renewable Energy

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Chad Farrell was originally involved in real-estate redevelopment in Vermont when he realized that solar is a perfect complement to the brownfields, landfills and other ‘problem’ sites not suitable for traditional development.

Now, Encore Renewable Energy, the company he founded, has become a trusted and go-to development partner for some of the largest companies and projects in the region.

Encore Renewable Energy is a leading integrated clean energy company focusing on commercial, industrial and community-scale solar PV systems and 21st century solutions for under-utilized property.

Resources:

Check out the Encore Renewable Energy website

Connect with Chad on LinkedIn

Follow Chad on Twitter

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

172: Jim Spano on Solar Development & Finance

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Jim Spano is co-founder of RadiantREIT, Managing Partner of Spano Partner Holdings and a nationally recognized expert in solar development and finance. He has been instrumental in the development of over 300 megawatts of solar generation primarily in the Northeast United States. He is the founder and President of the New Jersey Solar Grid Supply Association (NJSGSA), Vice-President of the Mid Atlantic Solar and Storage Industry Association (MSSIA), on the board of the International Battery and Energy Storage Association (IBESA), a conference committee member of the Intersolar North America Conference, as well as numerous other industry positions.

Resources

Reach out to Jim on LinkedIn

Learn more about RadiantREIT

Check out the Spano Partners Holdings website

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

171: Empowering Solar Salespeople, Part 2 - Jonathan Budd, CEO Powur

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Today is part 2 of our interview with Jonathan Budd, Founder and CEO of Powur. In our last episode, we got the background and point of inspiration for how Jonathan decided to create Powur, but we ran out of time to get into the details of exactly how this innovative new sales empowerment platform works.

Today we go into those details, and we also round out the discussion as per usual with Jonathan’s key advice to entrepreneurs and solar salespeople, his book recommendations, life hacks and more.

Resources

Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn

Check out the Powur Website

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

170: Does Powur Really Work? Let’s Hear From CEO Jonathan Budd

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Today’s entrepreneur, Jonathan Budd, CEO of Powur, was, like many of you, introduced to me through a SunCast listener and past guest. If you’ve been as curious as I was these last 3 years about the business model of Powur and whether it’s both legitimate and relevant to your network, as his small army of independent sales reps would have you believe, then stick around for today’s episode. Jonathan explains all about how he has built Powur as a solar salesforce powerhouse quietly establishing legitimacy and a nationwide footprint. 

We didn’t have time to even get through it all in 1 take, so today is Part 1, episode 171 will be part 2!

Resources

Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn

Check out the Powur Website

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

169: Trading Goats for Solar in Africa. Guled Ahmed, Power Offgrid

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Did hear about that one company in Africa trading goats for solar? Join me today as I engage with Guled Ahmed of Power Offgrid, a fledgling solar company in Somalia that has done just that!

Guled has become a friend through #energytwitter and reached out to me about the innovative ways he’s building his fledgling startup offering solar power to rural communities in Africa. He may be the first and only company in the world thus far to exchange solar power for Goats, yes, you heard that right, and he goes into the how and why on today’s episode. Guled Ahmed is an enterprising immigrant from Somalia who’s been building his company, Power Offgrid, as a side-hustle funded from his real estate investments in Arizona. He has an inspiring story, and just might leave you wondering whether YOU are accomplishing all that you could be with your time and talents!

Books Mentioned:

Resources:

Connect with Guled on Twitter

Check out the Power Offgrid Twitter

Check out the Power Offgrid Website

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