240 - Amanda Bybee, Founder Amicus O&M Cooperative - Part 1

Hey, Solar Warrior!

Welcome back to the final week of our Women’s History Month series, highlighting female leadership in the renewable energy industry. However, it’s no secret that this has been a tough month for everybody. If you're taking a moment in your lockdown, wherever you are, as we prepare to fight this pandemic together, I'm really grateful and honored for the myriad ways that we've been able to interact. Know that our team at Sun cast is thinking about the different ways we can help bring the community together, support you, and encourage each one of you as you are trying to deal with your own challenges.

I'm really, grateful for my friend Tara Doyle, who introduced me to today's guest, Amanda Bybee. Before I began conversations with Amanda, I didn't know much about her life and work. And I must tell you, I was engrossed by Amanda's story.

She had such a phenomenal background and journey to get to where she is today. And we learn all about the Amicus O&M Cooperative as well as her time at Namaste Solar, and even back to the early days of Solar Austin and the early early push to get renewable energy and solar into the agenda in Texas.

I am honored to be able to provide you with this Part One of the interview, and we'll be following the Part Two on Thursday.

If you love this episode, let us know on Twitter, LinkedIn or email!

Remember you can always find the resources and learn more about today’s guest & recommendations on the SunCast Blog. 

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

IF you are developing Commercial solar projects, you really should consider how they can help:

CPS America and

Extensible Energy

Resources

Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn

Follow Amicus O&M Cooperative on LinkedIn

Check out the Amicus O&M Cooperative website

Amanda Co-Founded the Clean Energy Credit Union

Remember that the transcript of this episode is available HERE

Books mentioned

Companies we keep - John Abrams

The great game of business - Jack Stack

Crucial conversations - Kerry Patterson

Let my people go surfing - Yvon Chouinard

Small Giants - Bo Burlingham

Leadership and self-deception - The Arbinger Institute

239 - How to become a Solar Maven w/Kendra Hubbard, SEIA board Member

If you’ve ever pulled yourself up by the bootstrings, ever worked hard-as-hell just to get on a level playing field, ever kept at something b/c it was simply worth doing, then today’s episode is for you.

Today’s Energy executive is my longtime friend and true #SolarWarrior, Kendra Hubbard.

Kendra and I met in 2011 in Philly at a regional solar conference, the way I’ve met so many of you. She earned and kept my respect for her tenacity and ingenuity from the first moment we met. Today I share with you some of the ways she’s become a thought leader in the solar industry, and how she manufactured her ascension to become one of the general assembly elected members of the board of SEIA. She’s an inspiration, and I’m honored to know her.

If you love this episode, let us know on Twitter, LinkedIn or email!

Remember you can always find the resources and learn more about today’s guest & recommendations on the SunCast Blog. 

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

IF you are developing Commercial solar projects, you really should consider how they can help:

CPS America

Extensible Energy

Resources

Support Kendra’s effort to raise awareness for climate change and renewable energy!

Kendra is doing a 300-mile bike ride, so she is raising money for the Climate Ride cause on Vote Solar's team. Your generous donation is an investment in a healthier, safer future and will help Climate Ride to make this a reality.

Connect with Kendra on LinkedIn

Follow Kendra on Twitter

Follow Unirac on LinkedIn and Twitter

Check out the Unirac website

Remember that the transcript of this episode is available HERE

Books mentioned

The Solar Cat - Jim Augustyn

238 - Why take the leap into Microgrids? with Rosana Francescato [SPI 2019]

Happy Tuesday, Solar Warrior.

Today's guest is Rosana Francescato, Communications Director at Clean Coalition, a non-profit organization that drives policy innovation to remove barriers to procurement and interconnection of Distributed Energy Resources (DER), and also collaborates with utilities and municipalities to create near-term deployment opportunities that prove the technical and financial viability of local renewables and other DER.

This conversation took place in the Podcast Lounge back at SPI 2019, and was led by PV Magazine contributors, Christian Roselund and Erica Johnson. Hear Rosana separate fact from dicromato about an often confusing electricity topic: Microgrids! Much has been said about the traditional power grid, but their smaller versions offer viable solutions due to independent control capability, better known as "Island Mode". Rosana covered this and other benefits that this approach has to offer in supporting our savings grid infrastructure, from phasing out diesel generators, to mitigating risks in the face of natural disasters.

Resources

Connect with Rosana on LinkedIn

Follow Rosana on Twitter

Follow Clean Coalition on LinkedIn

Check out Clean Coalition’s website

Article: Community Microgrids in the spotlight!

Remember that the transcript of this episode is available HERE

“No silver bullet will fix the situation in California and the grid vulnerabilities that exist across the country. But an approach that includes renewables-driven Community Microgrids, in addition to the other steps outlined here, will go a long way to making our communities more resilient and avoiding a new normal that is disruptive, costly, and dangerous.” - Rosana Francescato.

237 - Mona Dajani, Deal Machine, Network-aholic, sabre-wielding bada$$

Today’s guest does not consider herself an entrepreneur, so I’ll give her some other titles. Whether she would be self-referential or not, Mona Dajani is a deal machine. She’s also the only woman ever to be head of energy and infrastructure of a major law firm, and The only lawyer on the board for ACORE. In short, she’s a trusted advisor and has been the steady hand in nearly $100B in renewables transactions. 

Mona unpacks for me the 3 key elements of a ‘good deal’ - Reliable pathway, Risk mitigation, and the reality of the macro-environment.

We also unpack where deals get stuck, what Mona does to relax, and as you’ll hear, she has an infectious laugh. I like to think that contributes greatly to the appeal of this self-proclaimed network-aholic. At times, she appears superhuman, but rest assured, I get Mona comfortable enough to reveal her secrets to success and a life well lived. I know you’ll love seeing the corners she’s peering around.

Resources

Connect with Mona on LinkedIn

Follow Mona on Twitter

Follow Pillsbury on LinkedIn, Twitter and check out their website

Mona featured on Women In Sustainability blog

Understanding Energy Storage Investment

Energy Storage: Batteries not yet included

Remember that the transcript of this episode is available HERE

Book mentioned

Never Eat Alone (Live)

By Keith Ferrazzi

One of the favorite quotes from Mona. Simplify your message, explain your position in plain language.

236 - The PV Afterlife - The challenge & opportunity of Recycling [SPI 2019]

Happy Tuesday, Solar Warrior.

PV recycling is something that our industry has been working on for at least four years, maybe longer. Many question marks gravitate around recycling solar PV modules, one of them being the final destination of these assets if not recycled properly, often associated to increase the world’s pollution levels.

Today we're joined by Evelyn Butler from Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Garvin Heath of the US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

Garvin himself has been very entrenched in the efforts with a lot of his other research activities. It's an area near and dear to his heart, so I'm excited to share both his and Evelyn’s insights about this topic.

Key points discussed:

• PV recycling working group and its main activities

• Should PV wastage be exported or processed locally?

• What data supports the PV's end of life?

• What new data points are rising to help the industry move forward in this space?

• Challenges around policy and legislation.

Resources

Connect with Evelyn and Garvin on LinkedIn

Follow Evelyn on Twitter

Check out the SEIA and NREL website

Remember that the transcript of this episode is available HERE

235 - Britta von Oesen - CohnReznick Capital (Women's History Month)

Happy Thursday, 

I hope you enjoyed Tuesday’s episode with Erika Myers of SEPA all about the evolution of EV Charging. 

Hey did anybody see my LinkedIn Live?? We’re Live! Woohoo! If not, make sure you’re following me on LinkedIn and you’ll get notified next time I go Live!

Today’s the second in our Women’s History Month lineup of all-star clean energy leaders.

Britta von Oesen is a longtime Solar Warrior. The story about her entry into the industry is fascinating. Britta is a Managing Director with CohnReznick Capital and leads the San Francisco Office.  She has 10+ years of experience in investment banking, tax equity, corporate strategy, and development in the wind, solar, and broader environmental sector. She has directly advised on over 5GW of solar, wind and battery storage projects, and contributed to the financing or sale of $20B+ worth of projects with CohnReznick Capital.

Hear how she turned from financial crisis to financial dealmaker during The Great Recession. Britta has been responsible for 5GW and some of the biggest transactions in the last decade of the solar boom.

But that’s not the whole story - she’s a dedicated mother and a sterling example that you can lead at home and the office without compromise. As we continue our all-female lineup during this Women’s History month, I hope you’ll get a ton of value from this mighty manager, mother, and friend.

Resources

Connect with Britta on LinkedIn

Follow Britta on Twitter

Follow CohnReznick Capital on LinkedIn

The Surprising Ingenuity behind “Good Night Moon”

Surrender: A Life Lesson From Goodnight Moon

Remember that the transcript of this episode is available HERE

Books mentioned

Girl, Stop Apologizing (Audible Exclusive Edition): A Shame-Free Plan for Embracing and Achieving Your Goals

By Rachel Hollis

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

By Susan Cain

234 - How to optimize Electric Vehicle infrastructure? with Erika Myers of SEPA [SPI 2019]

Happy Tuesday, SolarWarrior!

I’m pleased to remind you that SunCast is prioritizing inclusion and diversity among our guests. As such, celebrating Women’s History Month, we are going to feature all-female SunCast’s guests for the rest of the month.

We are joined today by Erika Myers, Principal of Transportation Electrification at Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA). She has 16 years of experience in the clean energy sector and specializes in the nexus between the grid, electric vehicles, and renewable energy.

This conversation took place back in the Podcast Lounge live at SPI 2019.

Key ideas explored:

• Distribution System Infrastructure and Planning to support optimized charging and Electric Vehicles (EVs)

• Trends in EV infrastructure

• Charging amount for medium and heavy-duty trucks

• What are the challenges of long haul trucking electrification?

• How to help fleets?

Resources

Connect with Erika on LinkedIn

Follow Erika and SEPA on Twitter

Visit the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) website

Remember that the transcript of this episode is available HERE

233 - Watch 60 Minutes THIS Sunday - RMI featured!

Hey #SolarWarrior, welcome back!

This episode is not a typical Flashback Friday. In fact, it is a Flashforward Friday! And I am going to be introducing Chris Burgess from Rocky Mountain Institute and an exciting announcement. This Sunday, you can watch Rocky Mountain Institute on CBS’ 60 Minutes. Justin Locke and Chris Burgess from the Islands Energy Program will be featured with partners from Bahamas Power and Light and the Government of The Bahamas discussing the power of distributed renewable energy to build a more resilient future for the islands and set an example for the world grappling with climate change.

In case you are not on our list and you've missed it or you haven't checked your email, today at 12:30 Eastern Standard Time, I will be hosting an Ask Me Anything session with none other than Mr. Jeff Ressler, CEO of Clean Power Research. Click here to sign up!

Resources

Don’t Miss RMI on 60 Minutes This Sunday!

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn

Follow the Rocky Mountain Institute on Twitter

Remember that the transcript of this episode is available HERE

232 - Trading Spaces, How to Transfer Skills to Clean Energy - Joe Tassone

Heyo Solar Warrior, and welcome to another episode of SunCast.

When former guest and industry pioneer, Jim Spano, introduced me to Joe Tassone, I never could have imagined how much I’d go on to learn from him, but I’m grateful for the introduction.

Joe has been developing projects and leading teams since his twenties, and has seen the boom years come and go in the Telecom industry. We explored the path that led him to ultimately founding his own company in the telecom space, and his eventual transition to the solar energy industry. Joe impressed upon me not only the fundamental and transferable skills of development, but also the value of being a giver, a networking, and a customer-focused zealot! Joe is one of the best I’ve met at followup, and he credits much of his success to an insatiable desire to meet people and connect the dots.

Key ideas explored:

• How to transition from telecom to solar

• What are the similarities and transferrable skills?

• Core skills for a project developer

• The importance of customer service

• The power of your network

Resources

Connect with Joe on LinkedIn

The Boy and the Dam..Crisis averted? - By Joseph Tassone

Remember that the transcript of this episode is available HERE

Books mentioned:

• John DiJulius III - The Relationship Economy

• John Maxwell - 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership

• The Traveler's Gift - Andy Andrews

If you love this episode, let us know on Twitter, LinkedIn or email!

Remember you can always find the resources and learn more about today’s guest & recommendations on the SunCast Blog. 

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

IF you are developing Commercial solar projects, you really should consider how they can help:

CPS America

Extensible Energy

One of Joe’s favorite quotes. Lead by telling stories.

231 - Tidbit Tuesday, Announcements + Tantalizing Facts

Hey there #SolarWarrior, I just wanted to drop into your earbuds today to give you and quick announcement, and also to share with you something I recently discovered that blew my mind!

But first, the announcement…

If you haven’t yet listened to Episode #221 (published Jan 23rd) with Clean Power Research’s CEO, Jeff Ressler, then I would recommend you do so before Friday? Why you might ask? Well, b/c Jeff is going to be joining me for a SunCast Tribe exclusive Ask Me Anything live recording!

That’s right, the guy who has led Clean Power Research from the captain’s chair for the last decade will be joining us to answer Your burning and tantalizing questions! But you can ONLY get an invite to the AMA if you’re a card-carrying member of the SunCast Tribe. How do I do that, you ask? Hit the Subscribe button and join our world-class community of do-gooders.

Did you ever wonder just how much of the Earth’s resources we are using on a daily basis? I learned of a specific date every year that measures the moment we exceed in resource consumption the Earth’s capacity for replacing those resources.

Something I’m pondering - What is the Day of overcapacity of the Earth? Do you know?

Entra en nuestra web: https://www.bbvaaprendemosjuntos.com/es Suscríbete a nuestro canal de youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI6QcXatdaEAaRTRjl3dc0w...

It’s known as Earth Overshoot Day in English

So, here’s to you #SolarWarrior. Thank you for being a contributor to the preservation of our One Planet, and thank you as well for taking the time to drop in today and learn something new. 

Did you like this little tidbit?

If so, Let me know - nico@mysuncast.com

I look forward to catching up with you again on Thursday as we hear from my new friend Joe Tassone all about how he successfully transitioned from a telecom business into the solar industry.

Remember that the transcript of this episode is available HERE

230 - From spreadsheets to software: An OS for renewables - Andrew Eisenberg, Green IT

Happy Thursday, and thanks for tuning in!

Today’s Entrepreneur, Andrew Eisenberg, has been building a business for more than 15 years serving the renewables industry and reducing risk for his clients.

His company, Green IT Energy Applications, provides a comprehensive suite of products that help renewable energy portfolio owners mitigate risk, analyze data and manage portfolios of assets around the world. He calls it “an Operating System for renewables”.

This is another conversation that I got a ton of value from the pre-interview. So if you’re a member of the SunCast Guild, keep an eye out for some bonus material of that call soon, and if you’re unfamiliar with the guild, you can learn more at www.mysuncast.com/member.

Remember you can always find the resources and learn more about today’s guest & recommendations as well as more than 220 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com, oh, and while you’re there, we’re going to be hosting our first Ask Me Anything of the year for our Tribe members with recent guest Jeff Ressler of Clean Power Research, so make sure you’re subscribed to the email newsletter for details on that!

If you love this episode, let us know on Twitter, LinkedIn or email! Thanks to our podcast sponsors for continuing to help make this content free to You!

IF you are developing Commercial solar projects, you really should consider how they can help:

CPS America and

Extensible Energy

Resources

Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn

Check out the Green IT Energy Applications website

Insights from Goodnight Moon, by Margaret Wise Brown

One of the quotes which most impacted Andrew’s journey



229 - Is Solar Ready for Merchant Markets? Sheldon Kimber, CEO Intersect Power

Welcome to Tactical Tuesday, a short-form conversation with subject-matter experts designed to give you practical tools, tips, and advice for building your solar business or career. 

This conversation took place in the Podcast Lounge live at SPI 2019 between Christian Roselund, Editorial Director of the Rocky Mountain Institute, and Sheldon Kimber, Founder & CEO of Intersect Power, a developer of utility-scale renewables. Sheldon has almost 20 years of experience in energy finance, development, and entrepreneurship. If you’ve been having questions around merchant power, this is your chance to sort them out!

Key ideas explored:

• The concept of the merchant tale and why does it matter?

• Why merchant power has gotten better over the years?

• Revenue per megawatt hour.

• Should you get a PPA?

If you love this episode, let us know on Twitter, LinkedIn or email!

Remember you can always find the resources and learn more about today’s guest & recommendations on the SunCast Blog. 

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

IF you are developing Commercial solar projects, you really should consider how they can help:

CPS America and

Extensible Energy

Resources

Connect with Sheldon on LinkedIn

Check out Intersect Power’s website

228 - Chris Burgess on Rocky Mountain Institute’s role in the Caribbean

Heyo, Solar Warrior, and welcome to another episode of SunCast.

What do Richard Branson and today’s guest have in common? You’ll have to listen to find out.

Chris Burgess is Director of Projects for the Rocky Mountain Institute’s Islands Program. But he wasn’t always a non-profit guy, and I wanted to know the “why” that drove him from a successful entrepreneurial journey toward working for a non-profit.

“Renewable energy allows us to outcompete (rather than regulate) problems. Most people find themselves regulating the problem, but I wanted to build solutions that eliminate the problem[s]” - Christopher Burgess, Rocky Mountain Institute

Key ideas explored:

• What skills did he begin to develop at EPA that helped him engage in the early discussions w/Alpha

• How to manage your day job vs side hustle?

> Took 4 years to cut the cord and give up golden handcuffs of the “pension” mindset

• Branson’s 10-island challenge - what is it, why did it matter?

• Take 10 islands to 100% renewable.

• Why an entrepreneur went to a job at a nonprofit?

• What are the cornerstone documents or elements of support that RMI helps local governments craft?

• Role of nonprofits in regional development programs, with financial leverage examples

• 3 pillars of their development strategy

• Core skills for a project developer

If you love this episode, let us know on Twitter, LinkedIn or email!

Remember you can always find the resources and learn more about today’s guest & recommendations on the SunCast Blog. 

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

IF you are developing Commercial solar projects, you really should consider how they can help:

CPS America and

Extensible Energy

Resources

Introduction to Rocky Mountain Institute-Carbon War Room's Islands Energy Program, created in 2017. Support Rocky Mountain Institute today: https://www.rmi.org/give/ Blog: https://www.rmi.org/insights/blog/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/RockyMtnInst Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockyMtnInst/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/organization/20826/admin/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockymtninst/ Flipboard: https://flipboard.com/@rockymtninst/ Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/u/1/b/102015370483341366862/+RockyMtnInstitute Video created by James Brown Media.

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn

Follow Rocky Mountain Institute on LinkedIn and Twitter (also their website!)

Article: Solar Under Storm

Download HERE

RMI on the withdrawal of Paris Climate Accord

Subscribe to RMI’s Energy Transition Magazine!

Books mentioned:

The Uninhabitable Earth: A Story of the Future

By David Wallace-Wells

How to Win Friends & Influence People

By Dale Carnegie

Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow

By Yuval Noah Harari

Soft Energy Paths: Towards a Durable Peace (Harper Colophon Books Cn653)

By Amory B. Lovins

Other books by Amory Lovins

227 - Yotta Solar - SPI Startup of the Year, w/CEO Omeed Badkoobeh [SPI 2019]

Hey there, Solar Warrior!

Today’s Tactical Tuesday features SunCast Tribe member, Omeed Badkoobeh, Co-Founder & CEO of Yotta Energy. Omeed has put together a highly technical and capable team to solve one of the more challenging problems facing storage - location!

Yotta generated a lot of buzz at SPI this year, garnering the Startup of the Year award by Mercom Capital! So, I asked Omeed to discuss what they’re up to at the Podcast Lounge live at SPI 2019. Tune-in to hear our friend Christian Roselund of PV Magazine as he learns more about Yotta innovative storage approach. Omeed breaks down the technology of their product, their fundraising efforts, and the grid services Yotta is offering.

Resources

Connect with Omeed on LinkedIn

Check out the Yotta Energy website

Article about Yotta Named Solar Power International 2019 Startup of the Year

226 - Breakthrough Lithium Extraction, EnergyX CEO - Teague Egan

Happy Thursday, and thanks for tuning in!

Today’s Entrepreneur, Teague Egan, is a young titan with an established track record of successful ventures, investments and philanthropy who has turned his eye toward the rise of renewable energy. Today’s discussion broadly focuses on the technology Teague’s company, EnergyX, is working to bring to market, focused on improving the lithium extraction process and vastly lowering the cost.

Teague discusses how he stumbled upon the business idea, found the right technology partners and is currently in trials to commercialize the product. I believe we’ll be hearing a lot more of EnergyX, and I invite you today to enjoy this foray into the raw materials side of what many believe is the future most valuable resource on the planet - Lithium.

If you’re a member of the SunCast Guild, keep an eye out for some bonus exclusive material in the coming days that didn’t fit into this episode but is illustrative of how Teague is building his company.

If you love this episode, let us know on Twitter, LinkedIn or email! Remember you can always find the resources and learn more about today’s guest & recommendations on the SunCast Blog. 

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:

CPS Americas and

Extensible Energy

Learn more by clicking on their respective company links.

Resources

Connect with Teague on LinkedIn

Follow EnergyX on Twitter

Check out the EnergyX Website

225 - Panasonic on Storage w/ Bill Gallagher (Solar-fit Renewable Energy Show) and Dan Glaser [SPI 2019]

Today, I'm turning the show over to Mr. Bill Gallagher, President at Solar-Fit and host of the Solar-Fit Renewable Energy Show, and Daniel Glaser, Sales Engineer at Panasonic.

The conversation took place in the Podcast Lounge live at SPI 2019, and it focused on the technology that Panasonic introduced back then called EverVolt. We also discussed the increasing interest in solar energy and storage in Solar Power International over the last decade, and how other trends within the energy sector have diminished. 

Resources

Connect with Dan on LinkedIn

Connect with Bill on LinkedIn

Check out the Panasonic website

Check out the Solar-fit website

Check out the articles from PV Magazine and Solar Industry Magazine covering the Panasonic Evervolt Storage Evolution

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:

CPS Americas and

Extensible Energy

Learn more by clicking on their respective company links.

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 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

224 - How GAF Energy's Martin DeBono brought tech sales to Solar

Today’s Entrepreneur is Martin DeBono, the President at GAF Energy, a company that is transforming the roofing industry by integrating solar into every roof.

Martin’s tech background at industry giants Cisco and Siebel gave him key skills in channel management that he’s now translated to the growth of some of the most respected brands in the rooftop solar business. Indeed, his tenure at SunPower marked one of the most incredible growth of that company’s history.

Resources

Connect with Martin on LinkedIn

Check out the GAF Energy website

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:

CPS Americas and

Extensible Energy

Learn more by clicking on their respective company links.

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 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

223 - TT: Load Management + Backup power using Lumin & Tesla Powerwall2 [SPI 2019]

Hey there, Solar Warriors! We're going to kick this week off with another episode from the Podcast Lounge live at SPI 2019. This was a really cool session about responsive energy management, and I was joined by folks who are by no means stranger to this topic: representing Lumin, we had Kevin O'Shea, Co-Founder and CCO and Michael Hibshman, Head of product at Lumin, and representing Cape Fear Solar Systems, we had John Donoghue, Founder and President, and Jason Ortiz, Residential Project Manager.

We had this crew talking about achieving whole home backup through load management. It represents both a complex topic and solution as well, but we dug into this technological innovation while we unpacked how it solves roadblocks such as grid outages, complexities of circuit schedules, and homeowners who want to be on the cutting edge of innovation.

Resources

Connect with John on LinkedIn

Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn

Connect with Michael on LinkedIn

Connect with Jason on LinkedIn

Check out the Lumin website, AND the Cape Fear Solar website

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:

CPS Americas and

Extensible Energy

Learn more by clicking on their respective company links.

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 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

222: Demand-Response Microgrids w/ AJ Perkins of DR Microgrid [SPI 2019]

Today, we are going to have some time with Mr. AJ Perkins, President and Co-Founder of DR Microgrid. His company is still young, but they are working on very interesting entities. AJ and I sifted through the implications around the rise of resiliency and battery storage, solar plus storage, and more. AJ talks about the initial stages of his introduction to the grid resiliency side of the business, and what is leading his vision towards DR Microgrid.

Resources

Connect with AJ on LinkedIn

Check out the DR Microgrid 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 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

221: From Redmond to the Sun: Why Jeff Ressler Left Microsoft to Focus on Clean Energy

Jeff Ressler, CEO of Clean Power Research, has had a remarkable career. From designing the park experience at Disneyland to designing the user and audience experience at Microsoft, he’s learned first-hand how worldclass thinkers leverage data and software to improve the lives of customers. Tune-in to today’s episode to learn how he graduated college without a job and ultimately ended up traveling the world with Bill Gates for 2 yrs! And hear what compelled him to leave the nest at MSFT to run the software company that helped launch and manage the California Solar Initiative.

Resources

Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn

Check out the CleanPower website

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:

CPS Americas and

Extensible Energy

Learn more by clicking on their respective company links.

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 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