Episode 734: From Google’s Moonshot to GM’s Vehicle-to-Everything | Lessons in Innovation from Ty Jagerson

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About the Episode:

How does an idea go from concept to lab, from lab to field, and finally attract massive capital investment? What can a decade of business building behind the iron curtain in post-cold-war Eastern Europe teach you?

Ty Jagerson has spent his over 25 years executive career launching and growing businesses at Xerox (PARC), SolFocus, Google X, and most recently General Motors. His work at Google X, on Tapestry-the Moonshot Factory project, focused on overcoming the data bottlenecks that hinder the integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) like solar and electric vehicles into the grid. Long before he spun novel technology out of PARC (you might have heard of SolFocus?) he was learning the ropes in Ukraine and Russia exporting space tech, in the 90s!  Throughout his career Jagerson’s work reflects a relentless pursuit of integrating renewable energy into the grid, all while navigating the high-stakes, competitive landscape that he likens to the "Hunger Games" of the energy industry.

You’ll discover:

  • The long arc of innovation and how it often takes (7 to 14 years!) for technology to really become commercially viable.

  • Insights into how corporate environments may not always be the best incubators for innovation but can serve as safe havens for developing ideas from external sources.

  •  The importance of industry "scar tissue" and how past failures contribute to future successes.

  • Insights from Ty’s work at Google X and V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) at GM on integrating DERs.

Listen in to learn how one iconic clean energy pioneer, Ty Jagerson, navigated the challenges of integrating DERs with the grid, offering critical lessons for entrepreneurs striving to innovate and succeed in the energy sector.

Helpful RESOURCES:

Connect with Ty Jagerson:

Check out Phoenix Energy:

NOTEWORTHY QUOTEs:

“If you look at the long trajectory of human progress. There’s this underlying technology component of the human experience, and it tends to be fairly cumulative.”
— Ty Jagerson
“If you’re really going to create something that is enabling a transformational breakthrough in an industry, you’ve got to be tackling the right problem sets.”
— Ty Jagerson

Thanks again to this week's sponsor, helping keep the podcast FREE to you!

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is Chint Power Systems America!

CPS America is the #1 supplier of 3-phase string inverters for Commercial & Industrial and Utility-Scale projects with more than 8 gigawatts of inverters installed on 20,000+ sites around the nation!

Visit https://www.mysuncast.com/cps

We are grateful for our GOLD sponsor:

Speed up PV installations for lower LCOE with TrinaTracker and improve overall system value with optimized compatibility using Trina Solar’s industry-leading modules and the TrinaPro utility-scale or C&I Solutions. Please visit https://www.mysuncast.com/trina

ABOUT THE HOST OF SUNCAST:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, consistently rated a top solar podcast in the clean energy sector. 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 an Investor, Executive Coach, and 16-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.

You can connect with Nico Johnson on Twitter, LinkedIn or email.

If you’ve been second-guessing your work decisions or maybe trying to reconsider how you "fit" in the renewable energy industry -> grab 15 minutes on Nico's calendar and discuss whether having him as Your personal coach might be the right next step.

Episode 733: RE+ 2024: The Know Before You Go Guide for the Biggest Show Yet

We'd love if you'd leave us a 5 ⭐ rating & review and it's never been easier: www.ratethispodcast.com/suncast

About the Episode:

RE+ is only TWO Weeks Away! 

Back by popular demand, we’ve curated our annual "Know Before You Go" episode to help you make the most of this not-to-miss event. It’s the 20th anniversary, and with over 50,000 attendees expected—it’s set to be the biggest show yet!

Tune in as industry leaders share their secrets to navigating the expanded show floor, optimizing your schedule, exploring educational sessions, and maximizing your networking opportunities for an exceptional experience at RE+ 2024.

You’ll hear from:

  • Tim Morris, Director of Marketing at RE+ Events

  • Erik Holvik, Associate Director of Business Development at EnergySage

  • Emily Teitsworth, Executive Director of the Honnold Foundation

  • Mike Munsell, VP of Brand Partnerships at Heatmap News

  • Lisa Ann Pinkerton, Founder & CEO at Technica Communications & Host of Earthlings 2.0

In our "Know Before You Go" episode, we cover:

  • How to navigate the expanded RE+ campus and the all-new RE+ Connect app (Pro-tip - This year’s App is actually very useful - I have previewed it, and it’s the best yet!)

  • The many networking opportunities available, from happy hours to after-hours events, including the most popular party -> Solar Fight Night (get your tickets before it sells out!)

  • How the Honnold Foundation, led by famous “Free Solo” climber, Alex Honnold, is advancing energy equity in marginalized communities, and where you can meet him at the show!

  • Practical tips for a successful event, including staying hydrated, wearing comfortable footwear, and managing business cards effectively.

Don’t miss our PowerUp Live morning show for a lively start to your day, featuring a Bloody Mary bar and a swag contest to kick off the RE+ experience. (and bring YOUR swag by the stage if you’d like to be entered into the contest!)

If you’re heading to Anaheim, this episode is your essential guide for RE+ 2024 success. Add our PowerUp Live Podcast Stage to your list of must-visit locations—we can’t wait to meet you in person!

Helpful RESOURCES:

Resources:

Connect with Tim Morris:

Connect with Erik Holvik:

Connect with Emily Teitsworth:

Connect with Mike Munsell:

Connect with Lisa Ann Pinkerton:

Check out RE+ Events:

Check out EnergySage:

Check out Honnold Foundation:

Check out Heatmap News:

Check out Technica Communications:

Check out Earthlings 2.0, The Podcast:

Website | LinkedIn | X | YouTube| Facebook | Instagram | Resource Labs

NOTEWORTHY QUOTEs:

“People really need to think ahead this year about how they want to approach this, because it is a lot, and there’s a lot of places they can go, and they’re not going to be able to see everything all in one go. So you know, best bring a team as well to help you experience all of what RE+ has to offer.”
— Tim Morris
“It really becomes more of a think tank, especially with the sessions that are happening, the networking after the sessions, the happy hours, all of these different events really just allow everyone in the industry to collaborate and come together and share ideas.”
— Erik Holvik
“Our main focus is supporting organizations that are working in marginalized communities, using solar for community development and conservation.”
— Emily Teitsworth
“The after hours shows are packed with people, and there are so many events going on... oftentimes the conversations that you have during dinner during the evening hours are just as impactful as those you have on the show floor.”
— Mike Munsell
“Carve off a couple of hours prior to this conference. Do your homework. Do your outreach. Your time at the events will be much more fruitful if you sit down and do a little bit of homework and don’t just wing it.”
— Lisa Ann Pinkerton

Thanks again to this week's sponsor, helping keep the podcast FREE to you!

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is Chint Power Systems America!

CPS America is the #1 supplier of 3-phase string inverters for Commercial & Industrial and Utility-Scale projects with more than 8 gigawatts of inverters installed on 20,000+ sites around the nation!

Visit https://www.mysuncast.com/cps

We are grateful for our GOLD sponsor:

Speed up PV installations for lower LCOE with TrinaTracker and improve overall system value with optimized compatibility using Trina Solar’s industry-leading modules and the TrinaPro utility-scale or C&I Solutions. Please visit https://www.mysuncast.com/trina

ABOUT THE HOST OF SUNCAST:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, consistently rated a top solar podcast in the clean energy sector. 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 an Investor, Executive Coach, and 16-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.

You can connect with Nico Johnson on Twitter, LinkedIn or email.

If you’ve been second-guessing your work decisions or maybe trying to reconsider how you "fit" in the renewable energy industry -> grab 15 minutes on Nico's calendar and discuss whether having him as Your personal coach might be the right next step.

Episode 732: What’s Really Stalling Solar’s Momentum? Insights from Sunnova’s CEO

We'd love if you'd leave us a 5 ⭐ rating & review and it's never been easier: www.ratethispodcast.com/suncast

About the Episode:

Despite more capital coming into the solar industry than ever before, healthy unit economics, rising utility rates, and even declining equipment costs, equity and debt instruments are trading at distressed levels, with working capital increasingly scarce. What's causing this disconnect, and how can the industry recover?

John Berger, Founder and CEO of Sunnova, is a veteran in the energy market with over two decades of experience. His company is one of the largest solar installation companies in the world, so it’s safe to say he has a privileged view from inside the industry. In today’s conversation, Berger discusses the pressures facing the solar industry, including regulatory hurdles, rising interest rates, and the perpetual whipsaw of the capital markets. He sheds light on how Sunnova is navigating these headwinds, as well as his thoughts on the path forward for the solar revolution.

John spoke with Nico about:

  • Why, despite strong solar economics, capital markets are still lagging.

  • Sunnova’s response to this high-interest rate environment.

  • The importance and impact of domestic content on the solar supply chain.

  • Berger's predictions on how the upcoming elections could affect the industry.

This conversation answers a lot of questions about the current state of solar in capital markets, so hit play!

Helpful RESOURCES:

Connect with John Berger:

Check out Sunnova Energy:

Website | LinkedIn | X | Facebook | Instagram

NOTEWORTHY QUOTEs:

“We’re headed towards a revolution, and what I mean by that is the technology is increasingly going to deliver cleaner, less expensive, more reliable power to consumers and the current regulatory structure, yes the utilities are standing in the way, but eventually what ends up happening is the consumers rise up, and they’re also these consumers are called voters, and they get what they want, which is cheaper, more reliable, cleaner power.”
— John Berger
“I think at the end of the day, you know what the IRA is going to look like is Obamacare, which the Republicans scream and yell and hate on it, but at the end of the day, when they’re asked to vote against it, they’re like, well I’m not doing that. It’s too popular for my constituents.”
— John Berger

Thanks again to this week's sponsor, helping keep the podcast FREE to you!

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is Chint Power Systems America!

CPS America is the #1 supplier of 3-phase string inverters for Commercial & Industrial and Utility-Scale projects with more than 8 gigawatts of inverters installed on 20,000+ sites around the nation!

Visit https://www.mysuncast.com/cps

We are grateful for our GOLD sponsor:

Speed up PV installations for lower LCOE with TrinaTracker and improve overall system value with optimized compatibility using Trina Solar’s industry-leading modules and the TrinaPro utility-scale or C&I Solutions. Please visit https://www.mysuncast.com/trina

ABOUT THE HOST OF SUNCAST:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, consistently rated a top solar podcast in the clean energy sector. 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 an Investor, Executive Coach, and 16-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.

You can connect with Nico Johnson on Twitter, LinkedIn or email.

If you’ve been second-guessing your work decisions or maybe trying to reconsider how you "fit" in the renewable energy industry -> grab 15 minutes on Nico's calendar and discuss whether having him as Your personal coach might be the right next step.

Episode 731: The BESS Book: A Cell to Grid Guide to Utility-Scale Battery Energy Storage Systems with authors Drew Lebowitz & Swetha Sundaram

We'd love if you'd leave us a 5 ⭐ rating & review and it's never been easier: www.ratethispodcast.com/suncast

About the Episode:

I have been looking [and waiting] for this book for years.  

And if you’re in Utility-scale battery storage, I’m going to boldly suggest that you have too.

The wait is over, as the most comprehensive compendium on utility-scale battery energy storage is finally on shelves (or it was, it’s about to sell out!) 

Looking to expand your knowledge of utility-scale batteries and the evolution of solar+storage and standalone battery projects? Whether you're a developer integrating batteries into your solar projects, an engineer trying to wrap your head around which technology to spec, or a layperson trying to stay ahead of industry trends, The BESS Book: A Cell to Grid Guide to Utility-Scale Battery Energy Storage Systems is the book for you.

Hear from the book's authors, Swetha Sundaram and Drew Lebowitz, as they draw from their extensive experience in energy storage engineering to provide what I believe is likely the most complete attempt to map the battery energy storage landscape A-to-Z. With deep expertise gleaned working for leading engineering firms like DNV and RWE, they’ve crafted a comprehensive resource that covers the full lifecycle of utility-scale battery projects—from cell chemistry to financing the projects and workforce to build these plants at scale.

Discover:

  • Why Nico believes this is the battery storage manual every engineering department should have on-hand.

  • The latest advancements in lithium-ion battery technology, illustrated with real-world case studies.

  • The key technical and financial aspects of [nearly all] utility-scale Li-ion BESS.

  • Critical considerations for integrating batteries with solar and wind projects.

  • Essential instruction on safety, environmental concerns, and industry standards compliance.

  • And so, so much more

Grab your copy of The BESS Book and listen in to gain the insights you need to lead in the energy storage industry.

NOTEWORTHY QUOTEs:

“So we start with cell, we move to module, to rack, to system, the system encompassing everything else, not just within the container that has the battery, but also on your project site, everything from interconnection to the civil work to you know how you are actually laying out these systems and controlling them and building them.”
— Drew Lebowitz
“There’s so much inter-exchange that goes on. So that in itself is a great reason for this book, because even if you are in the storage industry, there’s always things that you don’t know, there’s gaps you could get filled in on.”
— Swetha Sundaram

Thanks again to this week's sponsor, helping keep the podcast FREE to you!

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is Chint Power Systems America!

CPS America is the #1 supplier of 3-phase string inverters for Commercial & Industrial and Utility-Scale projects with more than 8 gigawatts of inverters installed on 20,000+ sites around the nation!

Visit https://www.mysuncast.com/cps

We are grateful for our GOLD sponsor:

Speed up PV installations for lower LCOE with TrinaTracker and improve overall system value with optimized compatibility using Trina Solar’s industry-leading modules and the TrinaPro utility-scale or C&I Solutions. Please visit https://www.mysuncast.com/trina

ABOUT THE HOST OF SUNCAST:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, consistently rated a top solar podcast in the clean energy sector. 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 an Investor, Executive Coach, and 16-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.

You can connect with Nico Johnson on Twitter, LinkedIn or email.

If you’ve been second-guessing your work decisions or maybe trying to reconsider how you "fit" in the renewable energy industry -> grab 15 minutes on Nico's calendar and discuss whether having him as Your personal coach might be the right next step.

Episode 730: How Each Home Will Be Its Own Energy Generation Machine

We'd love if you'd leave us a 5 ⭐ rating & review and it's never been easier: www.ratethispodcast.com/suncast

About the Episode:

With an anticipated  40% increase in energy consumption by 2035, the grid faces immense pressure.

How do we service the rising demand driven by AI, data centers, and home electrification?

The solution, distributed energy resources (DERs) allows homes to generate, store, and smartly consume their own energy. This shift from a centralized to a decentralized energy system aims to address the growing demand and enhance the efficiency of energy distribution.

Raghu Belur, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Enphase Energy, has led Enphase in pioneering microinverters and comprehensive home energy management systems. Raghu shares his insights on how the industry is evolving, from the shift from solar consultants to energy consultants, to the inevitable rise of energy markets and the homeowner as an energy trader. His work ensures that millions of homes can seamlessly integrate solar energy, batteries, and EV chargers. 

Raghu spoke with Nico about:

  • How DERs solve current and future grid capacity challenges

  • The importance of simplicity and user experience in home energy systems

  • The transition from net metering to real-time energy markets

  • Global energy market trends

  • Why every home needs an intelligent energy system and how to “reinvent the grid from the inside out”

Helpful RESOURCES:

Connect with Raghu Belur:

Check out Enphase Energy:

NOTEWORTHY QUOTEs:

“It’s got to be through distributed energy resources. It’s got to be through DERs, where every home has its own generation, has its own storage and has its own intelligent consumption while it’s continuing to support the grid.”
— Raghu Belur
““Everything’s going to go to energy markets, but that’s the evolution that we all need to be prepared for.”
— Raghu Belur

Thanks again to this week's sponsor, helping keep the podcast FREE to you!

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is Chint Power Systems America!

CPS America is the #1 supplier of 3-phase string inverters for Commercial & Industrial and Utility-Scale projects with more than 8 gigawatts of inverters installed on 20,000+ sites around the nation!

Visit https://www.mysuncast.com/cps

We are grateful for our GOLD sponsor:

Speed up PV installations for lower LCOE with TrinaTracker and improve overall system value with optimized compatibility using Trina Solar’s industry-leading modules and the TrinaPro utility-scale or C&I Solutions. Please visit https://www.mysuncast.com/trina

ABOUT THE HOST OF SUNCAST:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, consistently rated a top solar podcast in the clean energy sector. 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 an Investor, Executive Coach, and 16-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.

You can connect with Nico Johnson on Twitter, LinkedIn or email.

If you’ve been second-guessing your work decisions or maybe trying to reconsider how you "fit" in the renewable energy industry -> grab 15 minutes on Nico's calendar and discuss whether having him as Your personal coach might be the right next step.

Episode 729: How to Start a Solar Company that Customers Rave About | Hunter Trenary of Sun Collectors

We'd love if you'd leave us a 5 ⭐ rating & review and it's never been easier: www.ratethispodcast.com/suncast

About the Episode:

Deciding where and which customers to focus on can make or break a business. How do you go about choosing one market over another? Furthermore, how do you build a business in an otherwise overlooked market that makes the nation’s largest solar company, Sunrun, take notice?

Hunter Trenary, co-owner of Sun Collectors, recently shared his journey of establishing a solar company in Peoria, Illinois. Starting from scratch in a market with untapped potential, Trenary and his partner navigated the complexities of local regulations, brand building, and sustainable growth while being self-funded. By doing things the “hard way”, Hunter and his team have managed to not only educate the community about the benefits of solar but also establish a reputation for delivering premium installations in house earning them rave reviews from their customers. No surprise, Peoria is now the home to Sunrun’s 2nd IL office (I wonder what took them so long!?) 

In this episode, you’ll discover:

  • How Sun Collectors navigated the challenges of growing a solar business in a market with little existing demand

  • Sun Collectors community engagement initiatives that keep the flywheel turning

  • The strategies Hunter and his team employ to make solar accessible and affordable for its customers

By focusing on one market and investing heavily in the local community, Sun Collectors has built a thriving business that stands out from the competition.

Helpful RESOURCES:

Connect with Hunter Trenary:

Check out Sun Collectors:

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

NOTEWORTHY QUOTEs:

“If you just do good business and just treat people the way you want to be treated, they’re going to go tell a few friends and that’s ultimately why we get the amount of referrals that we do. It’s because we just stand behind our word and just take care of our people.”
— Hunter Trenary
“That’s why we like putting our sales reps in a position where they can create generational wealth and set themselves up and teach them how to ultimately make a big impact on the planet, and more so, how to leave the planet a better way than how we found it.”
— Hunter Trenary

Thanks again to this week's sponsor, helping keep the podcast FREE to you!

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is Chint Power Systems America!

CPS America is the #1 supplier of 3-phase string inverters for Commercial & Industrial and Utility-Scale projects with more than 8 gigawatts of inverters installed on 20,000+ sites around the nation!

Visit https://www.mysuncast.com/cps

We are grateful for our GOLD sponsor:

Speed up PV installations for lower LCOE with TrinaTracker and improve overall system value with optimized compatibility using Trina Solar’s industry-leading modules and the TrinaPro utility-scale or C&I Solutions. Please visit https://www.mysuncast.com/trina

ABOUT THE HOST OF SUNCAST:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, consistently rated a top solar podcast in the clean energy sector. 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 an Investor, Executive Coach, and 16-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.

You can connect with Nico Johnson on Twitter, LinkedIn or email.

If you’ve been second-guessing your work decisions or maybe trying to reconsider how you "fit" in the renewable energy industry -> grab 15 minutes on Nico's calendar and discuss whether having him as Your personal coach might be the right next step.

Episode 728: The Rocket Scientist Making Rechargeable Lead-Acid Batteries, Michael Burz of Enzinc

We'd love if you'd leave us a 5 ⭐ rating & review and it's never been easier: www.ratethispodcast.com/suncast

About the Episode:

From thermonuclear weapons that helped stop the Cold War, to a Le Mans 24 Hour Eco Car, and now pioneering a revolutionary battery, today’s guest has a truly remarkable career path.

We're revisiting one of our top episodes from 2022 featuring a real, actual rocket scientist - Michael Burz, the CEO and Co-Founder of Enzinc.  His startup is is commercializing a truly innovative zinc-based battery that promises the power density and re-chargeability of lithium at lead-acid prices. Michael's journey from designing cruise missiles to creating eco-cars at Nissan's Design Studio showcases his exceptional ability to innovate across industries.

In this Flashback Friday clip, you’ll discover:

  • How Burz's upbringing and his mother’s aviation background influenced his career.

  • Michael’s work designing Cruise Missiles at General Dynamics and engineering thermonuclear weapons during the Cold War. 

  • Michael's leadership in designing and building an all-carbon composite race car for Le Mans in record time and under budget.

  • The collaboration with the US Naval Research Laboratory that led to defining and designing their zinc battery technology.

If you’d like to hear more than just this snippet, then I’d encourage you to queue up episode 448 and learn more about how one engineer's relentless pursuit of innovation is shaping the future of battery storage.

Helpful RESOURCES:

Listen to the full episode with Michael Burz:

Connect with Michael Burz:

Check out EnZinc Inc.:

NOTEWORTHY QUOTEs:

“If you take a look at the energy storage, not only could it be used for cars, but it could be used for a whole bunch of other applications, particularly, in the renewable energy space, and that kind of led us in the path of defining and designing the battery.”
— Michael Burz
“We wanted to design electric cars and so I felt that I could combine my aerospace, automotive and computer skills and integrate all those together into a really cool electric vehicle. Because we felt that electric vehicles needed elements of each one of those disciplines.”
— Michael Burz

Thanks again to this week's sponsor, helping keep the podcast FREE to you!

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is Chint Power Systems America!

CPS America is the #1 supplier of 3-phase string inverters for Commercial & Industrial and Utility-Scale projects with more than 8 gigawatts of inverters installed on 20,000+ sites around the nation!

Visit https://www.mysuncast.com/cps

We are grateful for our GOLD sponsor:

Speed up PV installations for lower LCOE with TrinaTracker and improve overall system value with optimized compatibility using Trina Solar’s industry-leading modules and the TrinaPro utility-scale or C&I Solutions. Please visit https://www.mysuncast.com/trina

ABOUT THE HOST OF SUNCAST:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, consistently rated a top solar podcast in the clean energy sector. 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 an Investor, Executive Coach, and 16-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.

You can connect with Nico Johnson on Twitter, LinkedIn or email.

If you’ve been second-guessing your work decisions or maybe trying to reconsider how you "fit" in the renewable energy industry -> grab 15 minutes on Nico's calendar and discuss whether having him as Your personal coach might be the right next step.

Episode 727: A Simple Logistics Improvement Worth Billions To The Solar Industry, Philip Schwarz of PVpallet

We'd love if you'd leave us a 5 ⭐ rating & review and it's never been easier: www.ratethispodcast.com/suncast

About the Episode:

Have you ever considered the environmental impact of the non-solar components we deploy in the solar industry? It’s good that we generate clean energy, and even better that we quantify the embodied energy of things like the solar panels we use.  But, it takes a relatively “dirty” and old-fashioned industry to actually deliver those solar modules - logistics.  And, one of the lowest-common-denominator, least-thought-about products in the logistics toolkit is a century-old ‘technology’ made of wood…the pallet. 

While essential for transporting solar panels (among millions of other products), these pallets contribute to significant waste (over 6,000 pounds of wood waste per megawatt); they also emit on average about 8kg of CO2 per unit! Millions of wooden pallets end up in landfills each year.  Worse still, the breakage of solar panels during transport costs the industry billions. This overlooked issue impacts both profitability and sustainability, reducing the overall positive impact of the clean energy sector's green footprint.

During his 15 years in the solar industry, Philip Schwarz has witnessed the waste, costs, inefficiencies, and safety issues associated with using wooden pallets. Inspired by a napkin sketch from his original co-founder, Philip went all-in on the potential for reusable packaging in the solar industry. The resulting company, PVpallet, has grown to become the industry’s leading provider of reusable packaging solutions.

There are numerous lessons to be learned throughout this conversation:

  • The novel engineering behind their reusable pallet design

  • How PVpallet uses reverse logistics and recycled materials to improve customers’ ESG scores

  • Why product innovation is a costly endeavor, and how they almost lost it all

  • The underlying economics that make this product make sense (and why people are still resistant to change)

Queue up this innovator’s story if you’re looking for inspiration to help you build your dream.  By the way, Philip has also built a great culture and is Always looking for good people. ;-)

NOTEWORTHY QUOTEs:

“We’re literally throwing millions of pallets into landfills every single year and that problem is only growing with the industry.”
— Philip Schwarz
“Just do what you say you’re gonna do. Yeah. And that’s so simple. But it’s so poignant and so important.”
— Philip Schwarz

Thanks again to this week's sponsor, helping keep the podcast FREE to you!

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is Chint Power Systems America!

CPS America is the #1 supplier of 3-phase string inverters for Commercial & Industrial and Utility-Scale projects with more than 8 gigawatts of inverters installed on 20,000+ sites around the nation!

Visit https://www.mysuncast.com/cps

We are grateful for our GOLD sponsor:

Speed up PV installations for lower LCOE with TrinaTracker and improve overall system value with optimized compatibility using Trina Solar’s industry-leading modules and the TrinaPro utility-scale or C&I Solutions. Please visit https://www.mysuncast.com/trina

ABOUT THE HOST OF SUNCAST:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, consistently rated a top solar podcast in the clean energy sector. 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 an Investor, Executive Coach, and 16-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.

You can connect with Nico Johnson on Twitter, LinkedIn or email.

If you’ve been second-guessing your work decisions or maybe trying to reconsider how you "fit" in the renewable energy industry -> grab 15 minutes on Nico's calendar and discuss whether having him as Your personal coach might be the right next step.

Episode 726: Community Solar: Renewable Energy At A Discount Everyone Can Afford; Aviv Shalgi of Solar Simplified

We'd love if you'd leave us a 5 ⭐ rating & review and it's never been easier: www.ratethispodcast.com/suncast

About the Episode:

You might think of community solar as a “Groupon for your energy bill” - you get discounted access to clean energy without needing to install solar panels, and leverage the buying power of a group purchase!

Aviv Shalgi, CEO and co-founder of Solar Simplified, is dedicated to expanding the reach of community solar. Solar Simplified acts as an aggregator, linking subscribers with solar project developers. And as the industry grows, the role of aggregator plays an ever-increasing part in helping folks who ordinarily can’t go solar (shade issues, don’t own your home, or a myriad of other reasons) plug into the sun…virtually. How is Aviv helping change how solar is built, bought and bartered?

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The vital role of clear communication and building trust in advancing community solar

• The need for better risk-sharing models and industry standards

• How aggregators ensure the success and growth of community solar

• How aggregators manage billing protocols with utilities and ensure regulatory compliance

Learn how Solar Simplified fills the gap by connecting customers to community solar projects.

Helpful RESOURCES:

Connect with Aviv Shalgi:

Check out Solar Simplified:

NOTEWORTHY QUOTEs:

“The way that we like to explain community solar to subscribers is that they don’t actually buy this power, they buy a Groupon.”
— Aviv Shalgi
“Unlike any other product that’s out there right now in the country, this is a guaranteed savings product. It’s highly regulated by state governments, by the federal government, by so many different agencies that we literally cannot charge you more.”
— Aviv Shalgi

Thanks again to this week's sponsor, helping keep the podcast FREE to you!

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is Chint Power Systems America!

CPS America is the #1 supplier of 3-phase string inverters for Commercial & Industrial and Utility-Scale projects with more than 8 gigawatts of inverters installed on 20,000+ sites around the nation!

Visit https://www.mysuncast.com/cps

We are grateful for our GOLD sponsor:

Speed up PV installations for lower LCOE with TrinaTracker and improve overall system value with optimized compatibility using Trina Solar’s industry-leading modules and the TrinaPro utility-scale or C&I Solutions. Please visit https://www.mysuncast.com/trina

ABOUT THE HOST OF SUNCAST:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, consistently rated a top solar podcast in the clean energy sector. 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 an Investor, Executive Coach, and 16-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.

You can connect with Nico Johnson on Twitter, LinkedIn or email.

If you’ve been second-guessing your work decisions or maybe trying to reconsider how you "fit" in the renewable energy industry -> grab 15 minutes on Nico's calendar and discuss whether having him as Your personal coach might be the right next step.

Episode 725: Fewer holes, No Leaks. Solar Racking Reimagined, with Pegasus CEO Kai Stephan

We'd love if you'd leave us a 5 ⭐ rating & review and it's never been easier: www.ratethispodcast.com/suncast

About the Episode:

What is the unsung hero of solar installations?

Racking…  It's a "set it and forget it" component for contractors, as its reliability is essential to avoid costly service calls, making that critical product choice a “near-religious experience” for most installers. 

Kai Stephan, the founder and CEO of Pegasus Solar, has developed one of the fastest growing solar mounting software and hardware solution providers here in the United States on the vision of simplifying the product and giving homeowners and installers more peace of mind.

His entrepreneurial journey was not all smooth sailing. After leaving a kush Utility job at SoCal Edison to found Pegasus, Kai encountered more than a few challenges.  What do you do when your launch-customer files for bankruptcy? Pivot.  What do you do when regulations change the rules of engagement? Reinvent yourself. Pegasus is not exactly the business Kai thought he’d leave his corporate nest to create, but it’s proved a worthy competitor in a very competitive landscape for more than a decade, and seems to only be getting better.

Despite the hurdles, Kai has remained committed to his vision to make rooftop solar easy with a product that’s “better by design”. I’d encourage you to watch the video version of this one if you can, as I had an AHA Moment myself when Kai finally explained to me the genius of the product design. Here’s a significant stat for you - 5 Million units shipped over the past decade with ZERO product failures and…ZERO Roof Leaks!

There are numerous lessons to be learned along the way:

  • The design features that make Pegasus solar installations fast, easy and more reliable

  • Kai's approach to navigating financial setbacks

  • A novel approach to water-intrusion testing that includes a kiteboard 

  • How software automation accelerates solar panel layouts

  • Pegasus’ creative process behind new product development

Hit play to gain insights into Kai’s entrepreneurial journey and how Pegasus’ hardware and software solutions are improving residential solar installation.

Helpful RESOURCES:

Connect with Kai Stephan:

Check out Pegasus Solar:

Resources:

BOOKS MENTIONED AND RECOMMENDATIONS:

 
 

NOTEWORTHY QUOTEs:

“Whatever area that your product or services are in. It’s not just the person that’s paying the bill. That is a very key component to it. But think about how whatever it is flows through the entire channel, and how you can remove friction along all those different touch points.”
— Kai Stephan
“My hope is that the work that we will have done will have truly enabled a faster adoption of solar through lower cost hardware, through higher accessibility to a better technology to enable more people to enter the industry who may not have the resources or training through easier products to work with.”
— Kai Stephan

Thanks again to this week's sponsor, helping keep the podcast FREE to you!

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is Chint Power Systems America!

CPS America is the #1 supplier of 3-phase string inverters for Commercial & Industrial and Utility-Scale projects with more than 8 gigawatts of inverters installed on 20,000+ sites around the nation!

Visit https://www.mysuncast.com/cps

We are grateful for our GOLD sponsor:

Speed up PV installations for lower LCOE with TrinaTracker and improve overall system value with optimized compatibility using Trina Solar’s industry-leading modules and the TrinaPro utility-scale or C&I Solutions. Please visit https://www.mysuncast.com/trina

ABOUT THE HOST OF SUNCAST:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, consistently rated a top solar podcast in the clean energy sector. 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 an Investor, Executive Coach, and 16-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.

You can connect with Nico Johnson on Twitter, LinkedIn or email.

If you’ve been second-guessing your work decisions or maybe trying to reconsider how you "fit" in the renewable energy industry -> grab 15 minutes on Nico's calendar and discuss whether having him as Your personal coach might be the right next step.

Episode 724: Operating Systems for a Drama-Free Workplace | Maria Kingery of Southern Energy Management & 360Impact

We'd love if you'd leave us a 5 ⭐ rating & review and it's never been easier: www.ratethispodcast.com/suncast

About the Episode:

“Unclear expectations are a downpayment for future resentment.”
— Maria Kingery

Maria Kingery is the Founder & Principal of 360Impact and Co-Founder and Chief Impact Officer of Southern Energy Management. With over two decades of experience, Maria has honed her coaching practice to shepherd leaders through the gauntlet of business growth. Previously working within the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) framework, Kingery now offers a “delightfully independent” coaching style that helps business leaders unlock their potential and build a culture that empowers others. Her approach is rooted in practical, actionable advice tailored to each unique business, incorporating frameworks like the 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership. 

There is wisdom gleaned from her 20+ years of entrepreneurship, and it’s an honor to share some of her business philosophy with you here.

You’ll discover:

  • The importance of clear core values in guiding business behavior

  • How coaching frameworks can streamline business operations

  • The “Drama Triangle” and strategies for building a drama-free workplace

  • How to select the right coach to help achieve personal and professional aspirations

Listen in now and discover how core values and coaching can be the catalysts for your business success.

BOOKS MENTIONED AND RECOMMENDATIONS:

 
 

NOTEWORTHY QUOTEs:

“My stated purpose in life is to impact the impactors.”
— Maria Kingery

Thanks again to this week's sponsor, helping keep the podcast FREE to you!

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is Chint Power Systems America!

CPS America is the #1 supplier of 3-phase string inverters for Commercial & Industrial and Utility-Scale projects with more than 8 gigawatts of inverters installed on 20,000+ sites around the nation!

Visit https://www.mysuncast.com/cps

We are grateful for our GOLD sponsor:

Speed up PV installations for lower LCOE with TrinaTracker and improve overall system value with optimized compatibility using Trina Solar’s industry-leading modules and the TrinaPro utility-scale or C&I Solutions. Please visit https://www.mysuncast.com/trina

ABOUT THE HOST OF SUNCAST:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, consistently rated a top solar podcast in the clean energy sector. 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 an Investor, Executive Coach, and 16-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.

You can connect with Nico Johnson on Twitter, LinkedIn or email.

If you’ve been second-guessing your work decisions or maybe trying to reconsider how you "fit" in the renewable energy industry -> grab 15 minutes on Nico's calendar and discuss whether having him as Your personal coach might be the right next step.

Episode 723: From Tetris To Clean Energy: Henk Rogers' Conversion Story

We'd love if you'd leave us a 5 ⭐ rating & review and it's never been easier: www.ratethispodcast.com/suncast

About the Episode:

If you think it takes grit to build a battery energy storage company, try going behind the Iron Curtain two years before the end of the Cold War to broker a licensing agreement for what would become the best-selling video game of all time: Tetris.

Either of those feats would be remarkable; to accomplish both is a whole other level of entrepreneurial achievement.  While some of you may not be familiar with today’s guest, you’ll definitely be familiar with his work, and you may have even watched a movie about him!

Henk Rogers is known as the father of role-playing games in Japan and for introducing Tetris to the world. Leveraging his software development and licensing expertise, Henk is now tackling what he considers the greatest problem of our time: climate change. And, yes, he was even played by Taron Edgerton in the 2023 Apple TV+ movie ‘Tetris’!

A mid-life health scare helped Henk realize that he needed to trade pixels for a higher purpose. Through founding the Blue Planet Foundation, he is helping to do just that, starting in his home state of Hawaii where he was instrumental in driving their goal of 100% renewable energy by 2045. With his most recent venture, Blue Planet Energy, he is developing advanced battery energy storage systems to enhance safety, reliability, and output for renewable energy.

In this Flashback Friday clip, you’ll discover:

  • How Henk Rogers discovered Tetris and revolutionized the gaming industry

  • The pivotal moment that redirected his career toward environmental activism and the fight against climate change

  • The unwavering determination that has propelled him to the forefront of the renewable energy movement in Hawaii

  • The strategies he's employed to transform the Aloha State into a model the rest of the planet can follow

If you’d like to hear more than just this snippet, then I’d encourage you to queue up episode 150 and explore how a gaming legend became a driving force in the fight against climate change.

Helpful RESOURCES:

Connect with Henk Rogers:

Check out Blue Planet Energy:

Check ot Blue Planet Alliance:

Check out Blue Planet Foundation:

Full episode:

Resources:

NOTEWORTHY QUOTEs:

“This is not how I die. I don’t want my legacy to be that I made a bunch of money and died. That’s not enough. I want my life to have to mean something.”
— Henk Rogers
“If we cannot become sustainable, we’re doomed. We’re going to like drink our last drop of water, breathe our last bit of oxygen. At the end of the day, we have to get to the point where we’re living sustainably on this planet.”
— Henk Rogers

Thanks again to this week's sponsor, helping keep the podcast FREE to you!

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is Chint Power Systems America!

CPS America is the #1 supplier of 3-phase string inverters for Commercial & Industrial and Utility-Scale projects with more than 8 gigawatts of inverters installed on 20,000+ sites around the nation!

Visit https://www.mysuncast.com/cps

We are grateful for our GOLD sponsor:

Speed up PV installations for lower LCOE with TrinaTracker and improve overall system value with optimized compatibility using Trina Solar’s industry-leading modules and the TrinaPro utility-scale or C&I Solutions. Please visit https://www.mysuncast.com/trina

ABOUT THE HOST OF SUNCAST:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, consistently rated a top solar podcast in the clean energy sector. 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 an Investor, Executive Coach, and 16-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.

You can connect with Nico Johnson on Twitter, LinkedIn or email.

If you’ve been second-guessing your work decisions or maybe trying to reconsider how you "fit" in the renewable energy industry -> grab 15 minutes on Nico's calendar and discuss whether having him as Your personal coach might be the right next step.

Episode 722: A 100-Year Vision for a new kind of Energy Company with Cherry Street’s Michael Chanin

We'd love if you'd leave us a 5 ⭐ rating & review and it's never been easier: www.ratethispodcast.com/suncast

About the Episode:

What does it take to build a 100-year business? How does one expand beyond integration of off-the-shelf products to branding power plants as a unique identifiable product? What does it take to secure an entire City’s rooftops…like Atlanta? 

Michael Chanin, the CEO and founder of Cherry Street Energy, is bringing this ambitious vision to fruition. Chanin's team is embracing the power of renewables for transforming our infrastructure, and my meeting with him left me inspired. Chanin is not your typical investment-banker-turned-renewable-energy-entrepreneur.  How this Macon, GA native found his way to banking is in itself an unlikely turn in his career. So, when he decided to leave Wall Street for Main Street, it was in many ways a return to his roots as a social anthropologist and activist at heart.

Chanin found his calling in the clean energy sector through his banking work with early financial pioneers like Vivint who were leveraging public markets to bring solar to neighborhoods around the country.  But, he saw a gap (Opportunity) beyond the residential solar revolution in how these products (power plants) could benefit municipalities, universities, and communities writ large.  What he built as a delivery mechanism, Cherry Street Energy, has quickly become Georgia’s foremost non-utility provider of renewable power!  And, with over 1000 projects in the queue, Michael and the Cherry Street team are just getting started.

In this episode, discover:

  • Cherry Street Energy’s unique approach to finance and deploy distributed energy resources.

  • Culture, collaboration, kindness, and a long-term vision as essential ingredients to success.

  • How Warren Buffett changed Michael’s career prospects

  • Their Shine On program for workforce development “from blue collar to new collar”

  • The operational fabric supporting Cherry Street Energy's progress.

Hit play to learn how Cherry Street Energy is paving the way for a sustainable, low-carbon future.

NOTEWORTHY QUOTEs:

“Energy is a right. It’s why we created the utility monopolies so that everyone has equitable access to reliable power.”
— Michael Chanin
“We have this idea that we’re elevating and lifting up our customers, helping them achieve their goals. We have these incredible partners and customers that say we want to not only incorporate sustainability in our mission, but we have these major goals of equity and inclusion. How can we create a diverse workforce? How can we get the benefits of the renewable energy economy to shine on everyone?”
— Michael Chanin

Thanks again to this week's sponsor, helping keep the podcast FREE to you!

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is Chint Power Systems America!

CPS America is the #1 supplier of 3-phase string inverters for Commercial & Industrial and Utility-Scale projects with more than 8 gigawatts of inverters installed on 20,000+ sites around the nation!

Visit https://www.mysuncast.com/cps

We are grateful for our GOLD sponsor:

Speed up PV installations for lower LCOE with TrinaTracker and improve overall system value with optimized compatibility using Trina Solar’s industry-leading modules and the TrinaPro utility-scale or C&I Solutions. Please visit https://www.mysuncast.com/trina

ABOUT THE HOST OF SUNCAST:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, consistently rated a top solar podcast in the clean energy sector. 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 an Investor, Executive Coach, and 16-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.

You can connect with Nico Johnson on Twitter, LinkedIn or email.

If you’ve been second-guessing your work decisions or maybe trying to reconsider how you "fit" in the renewable energy industry -> grab 15 minutes on Nico's calendar and discuss whether having him as Your personal coach might be the right next step.

Episode 721: Achieving 250x growth, How CPS Americas scaled to >1000 customers & #1 Market Share in under a decade, with Bryan Wagner

We'd love if you'd leave us a 5 ⭐ rating & review and it's never been easier: www.ratethispodcast.com/suncast

About the Episode:

Every growth story has roots in finding scalable and duplicatable processes. From a Big Mac to the Macintosh, the capacity to create products people want and galvanize a team around delivering them is what sets true market leaders apart from their peers.  However, in the more than 700 interviews we’ve done at SunCast, we know that the path to the top is not linear nor is it free from failure. So, when I see someone succeeding for multiple years in a leadership position, I want to know what made it work.  Such is the case with CPS Americas.  

Are you curious what frameworks & models contributed to their becoming the #1 Three-Phase String Inverter Supplier in the US?
What visionary leaders’ stories or tried-and-true methods did their leadership ‘borrow’ for application to the power electronics industry?

Bryan Wagner, GM and President of Chint Power Systems Americas (CPS), shares the strategies and insights that helped CPS reclaim their top position in the US Market. Through efficient management, teamwork, their “Lightspeed '' system and “triangle offense”, Bryan divulges for the first time the leadership and operational tactics that have cemented their market dominance and fostered an enviable team culture.

Here’s what you’ll discover:

  • How CPS navigated quality challenges to reclaim market leadership

  • The importance of developing a customer-centric culture and welcoming feedback

  • Why slow is smooth, and smooth is fast in an evolving market

  • Insights into the future of string inverters and energy storage solutions

  • The value of an approachable leadership style and empowering your team

Listen in to hear Bryan Wagner's expert advice on driving growth and innovation in the solar industry.

Helpful RESOURCES:

Connect with Bryan Wagner:

Check out Chint Power Systems Americas:

BOOKS MENTIONED AND RECOMMENDATIONS:

 
 

NOTEWORTHY QUOTEs:

“That’s how we think of storage. Our core team and leadership will carry the idea that was started a couple of years ago into the next phase. On the field, we’ll make decisions based on how we improve the Lightspeed for that business.”
— Bryan Wagner
“You are only ever as good as your team.”
— Bryan Wagner

Thanks again to this week's sponsor, helping keep the podcast FREE to you!

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is Chint Power Systems America!

CPS America is the #1 supplier of 3-phase string inverters for Commercial & Industrial and Utility-Scale projects with more than 8 gigawatts of inverters installed on 20,000+ sites around the nation!

Visit https://www.mysuncast.com/cps

We are grateful for our GOLD sponsor:

Speed up PV installations for lower LCOE with TrinaTracker and improve overall system value with optimized compatibility using Trina Solar’s industry-leading modules and the TrinaPro utility-scale or C&I Solutions. Please visit https://www.mysuncast.com/trina

ABOUT THE HOST OF SUNCAST:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, consistently rated a top solar podcast in the clean energy sector. 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 an Investor, Executive Coach, and 16-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.

You can connect with Nico Johnson on Twitter, LinkedIn or email.

If you’ve been second-guessing your work decisions or maybe trying to reconsider how you "fit" in the renewable energy industry -> grab 15 minutes on Nico's calendar and discuss whether having him as Your personal coach might be the right next step.

Episode 720: Derek Chase Built A Robotics Company For Better Solar Inspections

We'd love if you'd leave us a 5 ⭐ rating & review and it's never been easier: www.ratethispodcast.com/suncast

About the Episode:

Imagine a Roomba on a solar farm with a camera that can automatically inspect modules, wiring, even hot-spots, and report all that information back instantaneously to the asset manager. That level of computer vision and automation is finally possible, and it looks a Lot like a fun Disney character you’d recognize!

Derek Chase, founder and CEO of OnSight, is revolutionizing solar asset management through robotics and computer vision that uses  a WALL-E-like advanced autonomous navigation robot to significantly enhance the accuracy of solar farm inspections with AI-powered detection. With more than 15 years in the industry, Derek has pioneered scalable operations and maintenance solutions, successfully building and selling one of the most successful O&M businesses in solar - SunSystem Technologies. 

But Derek is not one to sit on his haunches and relax, nor are his co-founders (most from his previous venture), and his story of stumbling upon the idea for OnSight (at a Garage Sale, no less) is sure to inspire and inform your entrepreneurial tendencies.

Expect to learn:

  • How OnSight's robots autonomously navigate and inspect solar farms, capturing high-resolution data beyond human capability

  • The role of machine learning and computer vision in detecting subtle issues, like high-resistance connections that could cause fires

  • Strategies for funding and assembling a world-class team

  • The future of solar asset management with predictive maintenance and comprehensive data collection

  • Lessons in entrepreneurship, risk-taking, and perseverance 

Listen in to discover how Derek Chase and OnSight are solving the unseen risks of solar one robot at a time.

NOTEWORTHY QUOTE:

“If anybody wants to start a business, go get a job as a project manager first. You’ll learn how to get a lot of stuff done on time and manage a budget.”
— Derek Chase

Thanks again to this week's sponsor, helping keep the podcast FREE to you!

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is Chint Power Systems America!

CPS America is the #1 supplier of 3-phase string inverters for Commercial & Industrial and Utility-Scale projects with more than 8 gigawatts of inverters installed on 20,000+ sites around the nation!

Visit https://www.mysuncast.com/cps

We are grateful for our GOLD sponsor:

Speed up PV installations for lower LCOE with TrinaTracker and improve overall system value with optimized compatibility using Trina Solar’s industry-leading modules and the TrinaPro utility-scale or C&I Solutions. Please visit https://www.mysuncast.com/trina

ABOUT THE HOST OF SUNCAST:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, consistently rated a top solar podcast in the clean energy sector. 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 an Investor, Executive Coach, and 16-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.

You can connect with Nico Johnson on Twitter, LinkedIn or email.

If you’ve been second-guessing your work decisions or maybe trying to reconsider how you "fit" in the renewable energy industry -> grab 15 minutes on Nico's calendar and discuss whether having him as Your personal coach might be the right next step.

Episode 719: Training The Clean Energy Workforce w/Brittany Heller of Heatspring

We'd love if you'd leave us a 5 ⭐ rating & review and it's never been easier: www.ratethispodcast.com/suncast

About the Episode:

Perhaps the best way to scale your company is by investing in your people!  

If knowledge is wealth, then upskilling your workers (and indeed yourself) could be the best return on your investment. Brittany Heller, Director of Program Management at HeatSpring, explains how training programs are not just essential for attracting and developing new talent, they’re also how growing companies scale commercially. By offering comprehensive online training, HeatSpring helps professionals learn at their own pace and fit training into their busy schedules, ensuring they are well-prepared for the demands of the industry. 

Here’s what you’ll discover:

  • The role of online education in workforce development

  • The benefits of upskilling and structured training programs

  • How companies are scaling by upskilling their workers

  • How HeatSpring collaborates with industry leaders to create tailored training solutions

  • The importance of fostering a culture of continuous learning within companies

Check out Heatspring and level up your skills (or your team!).

Helpful RESOURCES:

Connect with Brittany Heller:

Check out HeatSpring:

NOTEWORTHY QUOTE:

“We need to attract and bring new people into the industry, help make them feel comfortable that they can grow here, and then give them all the tools, online training, and hands-on training to help them get to where they need to go.”
— Brittany Heller

Thanks again to this week's sponsor, helping keep the podcast FREE to you!

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is Chint Power Systems America!

CPS America is the #1 supplier of 3-phase string inverters for Commercial & Industrial and Utility-Scale projects with more than 8 gigawatts of inverters installed on 20,000+ sites around the nation!

Visit https://www.mysuncast.com/cps

We are grateful for our GOLD sponsor:

Speed up PV installations for lower LCOE with TrinaTracker and improve overall system value with optimized compatibility using Trina Solar’s industry-leading modules and the TrinaPro utility-scale or C&I Solutions. Please visit https://www.mysuncast.com/trina

ABOUT THE HOST OF SUNCAST:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, consistently rated a top solar podcast in the clean energy sector. 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 an Investor, Executive Coach, and 16-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.

You can connect with Nico Johnson on Twitter, LinkedIn or email.

If you’ve been second-guessing your work decisions or maybe trying to reconsider how you "fit" in the renewable energy industry -> grab 20 minutes on Nico's calendar and discuss whether having him as Your personal coach might be the right next step.

Episode 718: FBI Negotiation Tactics To Better Your Business, With Chris Voss

We'd love if you'd leave us a 5 ⭐ rating & review and it's never been easier: www.ratethispodcast.com/suncast

About the Episode:

I’m going to argue that procurement (buyer OR seller) negotiations are just like hostage negotiations. Hear me out.

Effective negotiations are crucial for uncovering hidden opportunities, maintaining control without aggression, and closing better deals. Mastering these skills can significantly impact business outcomes, ensuring more favorable terms and stronger relationships. And in procurement, there is often a lot at stake on both sides - and the hostage? Well, the project itself becomes the hostage.
And, in a world where we are SPRINTING to install as many GW As possible, we need more savvy negotiators who are helping set our projects free!

Chris Voss, a former FBI hostage negotiator and author of "Never Split the Difference," is a veritable expert with over 20 years of high-stakes negotiation experience. Voss now applies his hard-won insights to the business world. 

We’re going back in the vault to the time he agreed to come on and answer all my questions about negotiation.

Get a pen & paper.

Expect to learn:

  • How to leverage FBI negotiation tactics in business

  • The power dynamics of procurement and sales

  • Techniques for effective communication and labeling

  • The importance of slowing down negotiations

Play this valuable snippet from episode 101 and apply practical negotiation skills to your business.

Helpful RESOURCES:

Connect with Chris Voss:

Check out The Black Swan Group:

Resources:

NOTEWORTHY QUOTE:

“What people don’t realize in the business world, which we’ve really discovered since we’ve been out here, is that the procurement negotiator, the contracts negotiator, and the supply chain negotiator have the exact profile of the international kidnapper, I mean, just down to a tee. They react and think the same way. They’re threatening or intimidating. They think they’ve got all the leverage, and you think they do too.”
— Chris Voss

Thanks again to this week's sponsor, helping keep the podcast FREE to you!

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is Chint Power Systems America!

CPS America is the #1 supplier of 3-phase string inverters for Commercial & Industrial and Utility-Scale projects with more than 8 gigawatts of inverters installed on 20,000+ sites around the nation!

Visit https://www.mysuncast.com/cps

We are grateful for our GOLD sponsor:

Speed up PV installations for lower LCOE with TrinaTracker and improve overall system value with optimized compatibility using Trina Solar’s industry-leading modules and the TrinaPro utility-scale or C&I Solutions. Please visit https://www.mysuncast.com/trina

ABOUT THE HOST OF SUNCAST:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, consistently rated a top solar podcast in the clean energy sector. 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 an Investor, Executive Coach, and 16-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.

You can connect with Nico Johnson on Twitter, LinkedIn or email.

If you’ve been second-guessing your work decisions or maybe trying to reconsider how you "fit" in the renewable energy industry -> grab 20 minutes on Nico's calendar and discuss whether having him as Your personal coach might be the right next step.

Episode 717: Is THIS the biggest clean energy opportunity? Panama Bartholomy of Building Decarbonization Coalition thinks so

We'd love if you'd leave us a 5 ⭐ rating & review and it's never been easier: www.ratethispodcast.com/suncast

About the Episode:

Electrify Everything! 

Ok, we’ve heard that “Electrification” is coming, but beyond our Automobiles what else can be electrified? 

Did you know that cleaning up our built environment is one of the biggest clean energy opportunities today? In the U.S., buildings are the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, representing 35% of total energy-related emissions. There are meaningful steps we can take to reduce the overall impact our buildings have on the environment while also improving how we use and enjoy being inside of them. For example, Today’s guest finally convinced me that the replacement of my gas stove with an induction stove not only makes ecological but also economical sense. But I learned so much more than appliance economics.

Our communities need safer, healthier, and more affordable energy. Most listeners of this show agree with that. The Building Decarbonization Coalition (BDC) is harnessing the power of coalition to forge paths for effective upgrades that power homes and buildings with clean electricity.  Panama Bartholomy, the Founder and Executive Director of the Building Decarbonization Coalition, has 25 years of experience in the building sector, and he’s committed to helping pave the way for electrification of buildings.  Bartholomy and his team are working to mainstream electric technology alternatives like heat pumps and induction stoves while also addressing the economic and equity implications of this transition.

Expect to learn:

  • How neighborhood scale actions are the future of building decarbonization

  • Market actors, including manufacturers and installers driving the transition

  • The health and environmental benefits of eliminating gas appliances in homes

  • Managing economic impacts of the gas-to-electric transition

Curious whether the move away from gas infrastructure can really happen?
We can all play a role in creating a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable built environment - Tune-in to learn how.

NOTEWORTHY QUOTE:

“What we wanted to do is create a coalition where all those entities could come together, and work on the solutions that 80% we agree on to be able to build market momentum and faith in each other, so that we can work on the 20% that we still fight about.”
— Panama Bartholomy

Thanks again to this week's sponsor, helping keep the podcast FREE to you!

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is Chint Power Systems America!

CPS America is the #1 supplier of 3-phase string inverters for Commercial & Industrial and Utility-Scale projects with more than 8 gigawatts of inverters installed on 20,000+ sites around the nation!

Visit https://www.mysuncast.com/cps

We are grateful for our GOLD sponsor:

Speed up PV installations for lower LCOE with TrinaTracker and improve overall system value with optimized compatibility using Trina Solar’s industry-leading modules and the TrinaPro utility-scale or C&I Solutions. Please visit https://www.mysuncast.com/trina

ABOUT THE HOST OF SUNCAST:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, consistently rated a top solar podcast in the clean energy sector. 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 an Investor, Executive Coach, and 16-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.

You can connect with Nico Johnson on Twitter, LinkedIn or email.

If you’ve been second-guessing your work decisions or maybe trying to reconsider how you "fit" in the renewable energy industry -> grab 20 minutes on Nico's calendar and discuss whether having him as Your personal coach might be the right next step.

Episode 716: NC's Clean Energy Evangelist (is not a Democrat): John Szoka

We'd love if you'd leave us a 5 ⭐ rating & review and it's never been easier: www.ratethispodcast.com/suncast

About the Episode:

Energy isn't a battle of fossil fuels vs renewables; it's about figuring out the energy transition together.

As a North Carolina State Representative (GOP), John Szoka was once dismissive of renewables, as many might expect.  Yet, after serving five terms in the legislature, Szoka transitioned from a renewable energy skeptic to a champion, thanks in large part to his open-mindedness when presented with data from a lobbyist which conflicted with his own understanding of the value of Renewables. Rep. Szoka carried the Republican torch on clean energy by championing key bills, including House Bill 589: Competitive Energy Solutions for NC and House Bill 951: Energy Solutions for NC, two bipartisan pieces of legislation that each altered the trajectory of energy within the state.  Now, as the CEO of the Conservative Energy Network (CEN), he works to educate and engage conservatives in rural communities about the benefits and opportunities of clean energy. Szoka is a true believer and his work is converting hearts and minds in the heartland of America.

Expect to learn:

  • Why John Szoka shifted his stance on clean energy.

  • The role of CEN in educating rural communities about clean energy benefits.

  • The impact of property rights and energy costs on conservative views.

Listen in to discover how bipartisan cooperation and conservative advocacy can deliver results for the clean energy transition.

Helpful RESOURCES:

Connect with John Szoka:

Check out Conservative Energy Network:

NOTEWORTHY QUOTE:

“We educate legislators on things. We don’t lobby for any bill, but every bill that’s out there has underlying principles that people need to know about.”
— John Szoka

Thanks again to this week's sponsor, helping keep the podcast FREE to you!

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is Chint Power Systems America!

CPS America is the #1 supplier of 3-phase string inverters for Commercial & Industrial and Utility-Scale projects with more than 8 gigawatts of inverters installed on 20,000+ sites around the nation!

Visit https://www.mysuncast.com/cps

We are grateful for our GOLD sponsor:

Speed up PV installations for lower LCOE with TrinaTracker and improve overall system value with optimized compatibility using Trina Solar’s industry-leading modules and the TrinaPro utility-scale or C&I Solutions. Please visit https://www.mysuncast.com/trina

ABOUT THE HOST OF SUNCAST:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, consistently rated a top solar podcast in the clean energy sector. 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 an Investor, Executive Coach, and 16-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.

You can connect with Nico Johnson on Twitter, LinkedIn or email.

If you’ve been second-guessing your work decisions or maybe trying to reconsider how you "fit" in the renewable energy industry -> grab 20 minutes on Nico's calendar and discuss whether having him as Your personal coach might be the right next step.

Episode 715: Why Culture Eats Strategy: A Peak Performance Playbook From An Inc 5000 Solar Company, with Summit Energy's Eric Israelson and Dallin Mall

We'd love if you'd leave us a 5 ⭐ rating & review and it's never been easier: www.ratethispodcast.com/suncast

About the Episode:

Finally, a feel-good story of independence and triumph!  There’s little more patriotic and American than the dream of starting out on your own and building a business that supports your family, serves your neighbors and builds a durable legacy. And we even have a “He left med school for this?” to pull your heart strings too. 

The true-life story of the rise of Summit Energy as one of the Inc 5000 fastest growing companies, now 2 years running, is a heartfelt look at how Culture truly does eat Strategy for lunch. 

In this episode, Summit Energy's co-founders, Eric Israelsen and Dallin Maw, share their journey from door-to-door sales to building a thriving solar business. Armed with a philosophy of continuous improvement and a desire to empower their customers and staff to be community leaders, they’re giving people reasons to trust the solar industry again. Tune-in as Summit’s Chief Empowerment Officer discloses how building their company helped both find fulfillment in work and life. 

Hope you’ll take a break from ice cream and apple pie to feast on this homegrown success story. It’s sure to inspire and guide any would-be solar company leader to reach new heights.

Expect to learn:

  • How Summit Energy empowers their customers and staff 

  • The leadership philosophies that have made Summit Energy a success

  • Dallin's emotional story of what he overcomes every day to be successful as an entrepreneur 

  • How Eric and Dallin foster continuous learning and growth in their business

  • Real-life stories of how Summit Energy's culture has impacted employees and customers

Ready for a solar industry story where the good guys are winning? Hit play!

And, even if you’re listening to this months or years from it’s publishing date, Happy Independence day, #SolarWarrior!

Helpful RESOURCES:

Connect with Eric Israelsen:

Connect with Dallin Maw:

Check out Summit Energy:

Thanks again to this week's sponsor, helping keep the podcast FREE to you!

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is Chint Power Systems America!

CPS America is the #1 supplier of 3-phase string inverters for Commercial & Industrial and Utility-Scale projects with more than 8 gigawatts of inverters installed on 20,000+ sites around the nation!

Visit https://www.mysuncast.com/cps

We are grateful for our GOLD sponsor:

Speed up PV installations for lower LCOE with TrinaTracker and improve overall system value with optimized compatibility using Trina Solar’s industry-leading modules and the TrinaPro utility-scale or C&I Solutions. Please visit https://www.mysuncast.com/trina

ABOUT THE HOST OF SUNCAST:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, consistently rated a top solar podcast in the clean energy sector. 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 an Investor, Executive Coach, and 16-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.

You can connect with Nico Johnson on Twitter, LinkedIn or email.

If you’ve been second-guessing your work decisions or maybe trying to reconsider how you "fit" in the renewable energy industry -> grab 20 minutes on Nico's calendar and discuss whether having him as Your personal coach might be the right next step.