Best Solarenergy Podcasts (2024)

1
714: The Republican Case for Clean Energy: Insights from Georgia Public Service Commissioner, Tim Echols 19:10

2h ago19:10

19:10

Have you ever wondered why clean energy is not only surviving, but thriving in RED states here in the USA? Despite the common perception that Republicans are against clean energy, states like Georgia (and AL, SC, and FL, not to mention TX!) are seeing significant solar growth. Republican Tim Echols, Vice Chairman of the Georgia Public Service Commi…

1
713: Then And Now, How SEIA Helped Transform Solar Energy - 4 SEIA Presidents share the stage 58:57

7h ago58:57

58:57

In 50 short years, solar energy transformed from a niche interest to a key driver of the global energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has been at the forefront of this transformation, advocating for policies, fostering innovation, and driving growth in the industry. Founded in the wa…

1
712: SEIA’s 50-Year Legacy of Advancing Solar Energy with CEO, Abby Hopper 40:34

1d ago40:34

40:34

The United States just surpassed 5 million solar installations, but as excited as Abby Hopper is to shout that from the rooftops, she agrees we’re just getting started. While the last 50 years was about building a solid foundation (fighting for every inch), the next 50 actually has a lot more at stake. The Solar Energy Industries Association celebr…

1
711: How Agrivoltaics is Doubling The Use of Scarce Land with Dan French and Dave Gahl 22:44

3d ago22:44

22:44

How can we meet the growing demands for renewable energy without losing precious agricultural land? Agrivoltaics! It’s one of the most exciting growth sectors in solar energy! This approach leverages solar photovoltaic (PV) systems without losing the property’s agricultural capabilities, thus unlocking fertile and scarce land’s dual-use potential. …

1
How are auctions unlocking Europe’s green hydrogen market? 24:07

3d ago24:07

24:07

A first wave of subsidy auctions for green hydrogen production in Europe has revealed early price signals and could kick-start the market after a long period of policy and investment delays. The recent European Hydrogen Bank auction results were much lower than expected, but will renewable hydrogen be much cheaper than previously thought, or will c…

1
710: The Truth About Solar's Hidden Waste Crisis with Adam Saghei of We Recycle Solar 1:23:38

8d ago1:23:38

1:23:38

I learned a staggering statistic recently: Almost 90% of solar panels are thrown away when they reach the end of their useful life. In 2016, The International Renewable Energy Agency projected that 78 million tons of solar waste would be created by 2050. Within that waste sits a goldmine of opportunity: $15 billion in recyclable materials that most…

1
Unlocking sustainable flight with hydrogen 26:49

10d ago26:49

26:49

Hydrogen fuel is gaining traction as a promising solution for decarbonizing the transport sector, particularly in challenging areas like aviation where electrification is limited. US government subsidies for low-carbon hydrogen production and the establishment of the Department of Energy’s seven hydrogen hubs are expected to drive low-carbon hydrog…

1
709: NABCEP Solar Certification: Expert Insights from the Top Trainer, Sean White 14:08

10d ago14:08

14:08

When it comes to certifications and training in the solar industry, one name (or label) stands out and is recognized as the gold standard: NABCEP. The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners is the certifying body for Solar PV and Battery Installers here in North America, and I’ve been told that the NABCEP certification test is as ha…

1
708: Inside Sunrun’s Customer-Led Revolution with CEO, Mary Powell 32:26

15d ago32:26

32:26

Mary Powell, CEO of Sunrun, has cast the vision of the leading solar brand in North America as a clean energy lifestyle company. She recently shared with Nico how Sunrun is accelerating the transition and nearing its millionth customer despite the typical electric utilities' “no and slow” culture. Under Powell's leadership, Sunrun installed more th…

1
707: US Solar’s AD/CVD, The Latest Round of Investigations Explained with CEA’s Dan Shreve & Christian Roselund 30:47

17d ago30:47

30:47

Anti-dumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD) are nothing new; they have plagued US-based solar developers and decision-makers since 2011. These duties, aimed at preventing unfair trade practices, greatly impact pricing and timelines of solar projects and generally seed uncertainty in the marketplace (at the outset, at least). We now have a new r…

1
706: An Insider's Guide To Better Solar Projects, with industry veteran Keith Cronin 1:27:35

22d ago1:27:35

1:27:35

In the solar industry, we’re often building the plane as we fly it, as it were. This is ever-moreso evident in commercial and industrial (C&I) solar, a relatively untapped market with unique challenges. One of the key areas of failure is a lack of funding. And, often, the culprit that leads to failed projects or lack of funding (ie, un-interested b…

1
705: A Plastic Pollution Solution: How PlantSwitch’s Bioplastics Lead the Way, with CEO Dillon Baxter 14:29

24d ago14:29

14:29

Ever get annoyed when you order takeout and they give you the obligatory plastic wrapped napkin and plastic cutlery? If you’re like me, you politely decline, but most just take them and dispose of them directly in the waste bin. The world is drowning in plastic waste, and current solutions to a useful alternative aren't cutting it. PlantSwitch, a N…

1
704: Better Funding For Climate Entrepreneurs? Dimitry Gershenson explains 1:07:08

29d ago1:07:08

1:07:08

If we’re going to address climate change through capitalism, we’ll need about $10 Trillion. The growing climate crisis demands that we take urgent action, but early-stage climate entrepreneurs still face significant barriers in finding the funding to bring their innovations to market. CEO and co-founder of Enduring Planet, Dimitry Gershenson, offer…

1
703: Unlocking Great Leadership, Imposter Syndrome, and Authenticity | Paula Glover, President of Alliance to Save Energy 27:22

1M ago27:22

27:22

Struggling with imposter syndrome? You're not alone. Returning guest (Ep 333, 687) Paula Glover, President of the Alliance to Save Energy, delves into one of the most common emotional challenges faced by leaders and entrepreneurs. Paula gets real about the self-doubt leaders face and the importance of authenticity in leadership. It’s rare to get th…

1
702: From Rock Star to Serial Entrepreneur: Rue Phillips' Journey 1:16:37

1M ago1:16:37

1:16:37

He came to America with ten thousand dollars and a dream of making it big. A few years later, he was a legitimate rock star, rocking arenas with Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osborne. So why did this British rocker who achieved the height of music stardom give it all up and start an EV charging business? How did that turn into not 1 but 3 successful exits…

1
701: Nextracker and JM Steel Are Reviving American Manufacturing 23:42

1M ago23:42

23:42

US manufacturing is back! We were recently invited to a ceremony to celebrate the expansion of Nextracker’s dedicated steel torque tube manufacturing lines at JM Steel’s Leetsdale facility in Pittsburgh. This historic site, formerly Bethlehem Steel(the company that produced the landing craft for Normandy during World War II) now manufactures low-ca…

1
700! Behind the Success of Strata Clean Energy, Markus Wilhelm 1:12:01

1M ago1:12:01

1:12:01

It only took me 8 years and 699 episodes to finally land today’s guest! But the wait was WELL worth it. You’re in for a treat. And it was recorded in-person at Strata’s HQ, so you might enjoy some of the extra footage included in the YT video version of this episode. Markus Wilhelm founded Strata Clean Energy in 2009, but readily admits that he did…

1
Bonus: A love story, about Solar. w/Tor “Solar Fred” Valenza 21:47

2M ago21:47

21:47

265,000! That’s how many of you/us work in Solar Energy so far (and rapidly growing!) Yet, with 4 million solar installations in the U.S alone, Solar Energy is rarely featured in mainstream media. WHY? Probably True Solar Stories, a podcast created by Tor Valenza, also known as Solar Fred, aims to bridge this content gap with engaging solar-themed …

1
699: Breaking the American Electricity Monopoly | CleanChoice’s Zoe Gamble 1:20:45

2M ago1:20:45

1:20:45

Many of us working in clean energy forget that access to clean power is still a privilege, not a right. Millions of Americans still don’t have the freedom to choose clean energy. People all over the country want to fight climate change by choosing renewable energy sources for their homes and businesses. But, in monopolized electricity markets, cons…

1
Why sulfur markets face an upside risk from the energy transition 17:10

2M ago17:10

17:10

Sulfur is a crucial input for the fertilizer market. But, this byproduct of the oil and gas industry is also increasingly in-demand for processing key metals needed for the energy transition, such as copper and nickel. In this episode of the Platts Future Energy podcast, sulfur and sulfuric acid market reporter Matt Hoisch is joined by sulfur and s…

1
698: Building the Biggest Battery Project in the World — Anthony Carroll, former President of Powin 18:15

2M ago18:15

18:15

Imagine that your phone rings. The person on the other end tells you: “you won the project. Now, we need you to fly to Australia and build the largest battery backup project in the entire world.” Powin, a Portland, Oregon-based battery energy storage developer, was up to the challenge. Nico got a chance to sit down with then-President of Powin, Ant…

1
697: Chris Nelder is Mobilizing an Army for Clean Energy 1:09:14

2M ago1:09:14

1:09:14

Chris Nelder challenges the status quo. And his efforts have, for nearly a decade, centered on mobilizing an army of supporters to help us transition away from fossil fuels. As creator & host of the podcast The Energy Transition Show, Nelder aims to "influence the influencers" through carefully researched interviews with clean energy experts. I kno…

1
696: Manufacturing Ground Mounts In The U.S. For The Same Cost as Abroad? FTC’s Solar’s Eric Frazier 16:30

2M ago16:30

16:30

The IRA gave solar manufacturers a huge incentive to manufacture on U.S. soil. How does the 45x incentive work, and are we actually gonna see anybody other than Nextracker capitalize on it?! Companies like FTC Solar are taking full advantage of this huge manufacturing tax credit. Their Vice President of Sales, Eric Frazier, shares how they’re bring…

1
695: ‘Digital Owner’s Manuals’ for installers with Illu co-founder Sierra Fan 1:23:18

2M ago1:23:18

1:23:18

We’ve heard that we need to focus on workforce development. Yet many times the workforce we’ve developed has to re-invent the wheel for lack of reliable systems to a) know what good looks like, and b) replicate it in the field with minimal oversight. What if any solar installer had reliable, step-by-step installation guidance straight from any manu…

1
694: LG Proves There’s More Than One Home Battery That’s Easy, Effective & Elegant 14:13

2M ago14:13

14:13

What if solar installers could easily integrate energy storage with any inverter on the market? LG Energy Storage Systems (ESS) makes that possible, and in an important and elegant way. At the 2024 NABCEP Conference, Jim Brown, Senior National Sales Manager at LG ESS, highlighted LG's new "Home 8" AC-coupled energy storage system, a game-changing p…

1
693: Off-Grid Solar Products As A Form Of Wealth Delivery And Value Creation, with Amped Innovation’s Andi Kleissner & Kurt Kuhlmann 1:16:50

2M ago1:16:50

1:16:50

We often take access to electricity, refrigeration, and running water for granted. In many parts of the world, these are luxuries. In today’s episode, Andi Kleissner and Kurt Kuhlmann, Co-founders and Co-CEOs of Amped Innovation, discuss how they’re changing lives by installing high-performance off-grid solar systems and appliances across Asia and …

1
Navigating the new and old: what lies ahead on India’s energy transition map? 36:01

2M ago36:01

36:01

India's energy transition strategy encompasses greater adoption of a wide range of renewable fuels to go with baseload coal for decades to come, with new policies on CCUS, carbon markets and power reforms set to play a role in the decarbonization of the third largest greenhouse gas emitter of the world. In this Platts Future Energy podcast, Consult…

1
692: Hydrogen's Role in New York's Green Future with Haiyan Sun of NYSERDA 10:17

2M ago10:17

10:17

New York set an ambitious goal for a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040. What will it take to get there? Turns out, hydrogen may be a key component to New York's climate strategy, especially for difficult-to-electrify sectors. Haiyan Sun is the program manager and team leader for hydrogen and clean fuels at the New York State Energy Research …

1
691: Adding Storage to Solar is Harder Than We Thought! Leigh Zanone managed 8Minute/Avantus’s Portfolio & Shares His Insights 49:22

3M ago49:22

49:22

Is solar plus storage magically going to fix our grid? If you listen to many of the conversations I’ve heard the last 2+ years, you’d easily assume “we got this, just throw some batteries out there and we’re well on our way to 100% RE!” Turns out it’s not that simple. Building hybrid power (solar+storage) projects requires a deep understanding of t…

1
690: Can We Squeeze More Power Through The Existing Wires? AES says Yes; Alexina Jackson, VP of Strategic Development 18:30

3M ago18:30

18:30

How do we solve yesterday’s interconnection problems with today’s technology? Alexina Jackson, Vice President of Strategic Development at The AES Corporation, pulls back the curtain to show us how AES is using cutting-edge technology to integrate MORE renewable energy into the grid. Because we need to add new energy fast and our current grid isn’t …

1
689: O&M: How to Keep Existing Solar Projects Producing for Decades to Come with Renewable Energy Veteran & Founder, Josh Fraughton (FSLR, NOVA, R7/RNWBL) 1:14:37

3M ago1:14:37

1:14:37

As our Secretary of Energy says, deploy deploy deploy! It’s incredible to see how hard we’re pushing to modernize the grid, but, we also must maintain and ensure solar projects are delivering on every kilowatt hour that we promised. Today’s guest has been delivering on those promises for nearly two decades. Josh Fraughton, a renewable energy vetera…

1
688: Debunking Myths About Solar's Resilience in Extreme Weather; Lightsource BP’s Kevin Christy and Dave Martin 57:55

3M ago57:55

57:55

Increasing extreme weather events year over year are forcing all energy assets to reconsider asset protection and resilience. The solar industry has been wrongly accused of grid reliability issues in the face of these extreme events, but what does the data say from operating assets that have “weathered” the storms? Lightsource BP’s Kevin Christy is…

1
687: Are Diversity and Efficiency being downplayed in the Clean Energy Revolution? Paula Glover of The Alliance to Save Energy gives advice from the front lines 1:19:02

3M ago1:19:02

1:19:02

Our guest today points out that energy efficiency is actually employing MILLIONS MORE than Renewable Energy as a sector! Paula Glover, President of the Alliance to Save Energy, is fighting on the front lines to reduce energy waste. She uses her platform to champion energy efficiency as a cost-saving measure and a fundamental principle for achieving…

1
686: Fixing Solar’s Waste Problem | Kelly Weger, Qcells’ Dir. of Sustainability 15:37

3M ago15:37

15:37

By 2050, around 80 million metric tons of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules will reach the end of their life globally (according to NREL). 10 million metric tons will be in the United States. But this is not an issue for a far-off future. As we transition to renewable energy, we create a massive volume of waste just from manufacturing and transportin…

1
685: How this Zillow-like Software Simplifies the Land Permitting Process for Large-Scale Solar; Robin Laine, CEO of Transect 1:11:26

3M ago1:11:26

1:11:26

Permitting. The word is enough to send shivers down the spines of most PV professionals. Obtaining permits for solar projects, no matter the scale, is a major roadblock in the transition to renewable energy, and often causes project delays that last weeks or even months. Robin Laine, CEO & Co-founder of Transect,is working to simplify the land perm…

1
Deconstructing the European carbon market's price slump 24:39

3M ago24:39

24:39

The price of emissions in the world’s largest compliance carbon market –the EU’s Emissions Trading System– has fallen sharply so far in 2024, driven by economic uncertainty, weaker industrial activity and lower gas prices. S&P Global Commodity Insights' experts Eklavya Gupte, Coralie Laurencin, Michael Testa and Scott Chen discuss the reasons behin…

1
684: Why Can't We Immediately Decommission Natural Gas? National Grid’s Caroline Hon explains 18:48

3M ago18:48

18:48

Is switching from natural gas to electricity as straightforward as flipping a switch, or are we overlooking hidden complexities? Many homeowners want to switch from gas to electricity but underestimate the challenges of making the transition. Some stop short when they learn they’ll need to completely retrofit their homes to accommodate new, clean e…

1
683: Will Maryland Fail To Meet Their RPS Targets? What Other States Can Learn, with Stephanie Johnson, President of Maryland Renewable Energy Alliance 45:28

4M ago45:28

45:28

Wondering how your state can set and exceed lofty renewable energy targets? Today’s episode is for you. In 2019, Maryland doubled their renewable energy target: aiming for 50% renewable energy by 2035 and net zero emissions by 2045. So, how are they doing? Stephanie Johnson, President and Founder of the Maryland Renewable Energy Alliance (MD-REA), …

1
{Bonus} How a NABCEP Certification Gives System Designers an Edge: Jada Alcindor (NABCEP) and John Novak (Scanifly) 7:38

4M ago7:38

7:38

What's the value of a NABCEP certification? Since most solar companies don't require one, is it worth the time and money? At RE+ Northeast a few weeks back, Jada Alcindor from NABCEP asked around to answer one of the industry’s key questions: “How much does a NABCEP certification help installers when it comes to designing systems accurately?” When …

1
682: When Will These Domestic Battery Factories Actually Be Online? Joan White of SEIA 18:40

4M ago18:40

18:40

Can we build an 80% clean energy future without reliable, wide-scale energy storage? It's unlikely. So, what needs to happen? Joan White, Director of Storage and Interconnection Policy at the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), has been fighting to answer that question for years. Now that The Inflation Reduction Act has made it cheaper and …

1
681: Nextracker’s secret marketing strategy is hard to copy, Kristan Kirsh 1:14:58

4M ago1:14:58

1:14:58

How did Nextracker become the leading solar tracker manufacturer in the world in 10 years, and what was the secret sauce of one of the most successful IPO’s of 2023? We finally have Nextracker’s Senior Vice President of Marketing, Kristan Kirsh, on the show sharing her journey of helping elevate Nextracker from 400 Megawatts to 90 Gigawatts in ship…

1
680: Best practices for Community engagement from Solstice Co-founder, Sandhya Murali 16:05

4M ago16:05

16:05

Community solar has proven a viable pathway to more affordable and equitable clean energy, but how do developers overcome one of the main hurdles to the project’s success - community engagement? Founded with a commitment to making solar energy accessible to all, Solstice has become a key player in community solar, especially in the US Northeast, em…

1
679: Business Lessons from 23 Years in Solar | Bob & Maria Kingery of Southern Energy Management 1:46:59

4M ago1:46:59

1:46:59

Can a company thrive for over two decades in the clean energy sector by steadfastly adhering to its core values, all while refusing outside investment and navigating the highs and lows of the renewable energy market? Bob and Maria Kingery, co-founders of Southern Energy Management (SEM) in North Carolina, have demonstrated that it's not only possib…

1
678: How We Build A Diverse & Equitable Workforce, with Barry Reaves of NECEC 20:25

4M ago20:25

20:25

Barry Reaves, serving as the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice (DEI/J), and Workforce Development at the North East Clean Energy Council (NECEC), is tackling head-on the clean energy sector's need for a more diverse workforce. This challenge expands beyond ethnic boundaries, touching on gender, sexuality, and income status, h…

1
677: The “Carfax” of Solar, How Software is (finally) Transforming Fieldwork Management, With James Nagel & David Penalva of HelioVolta 1:34:48

4M ago1:34:48

1:34:48

Can the solar industry utilize advanced data analytics and software to address the challenges of integrating renewable energy sources into the grid, maintaining project quality, and ensuring long-term asset value? Where are there still gaps to address? As the industry matures, project developers, asset owners and grid operators are increasingly foc…

1
676: Understanding Energy Demand in the Face of Extreme Weather with Sean Kelly of Amperon 34:35

4M ago34:35

34:35

As more frequent extreme weather events become the new normal, grid operators and project developers alike seek improved data sources and market signals to help balance their daily load forecasts. The surge in electricity demand during such crises not only escalates power costs but also exposes the vulnerabilities of our energy grid, underscoring t…

1
675: Can America Be THE Battery Manufacturing Leader? | John Zahurancik of Fluence Energy 1:09:25

4M ago1:09:25

1:09:25

The United States stands at a pivotal juncture in its clean energy transition, with domestic energy storage manufacturing emerging as the cornerstone of its sustainable future. John Zahurancik, President Americas at Fluence, joins Nico Johnson to discuss the future of domestic battery manufacturing in the United States at Intersolar NA. Also, this …

1
674: Where to get the best electricity grid carbon data in seconds, with Wenbo Shi of Singularity Energy 25:29

5M ago25:29

25:29

Occasionally on the anniversary of an episode that really impacted us, we like to run a vignette of something we learned from such an episode to give new listeners (or those of you who just missed it originally) insight from the excellent content in our back catalog, much of which we believe is worth revisiting. As GHG emissions continue to rise, t…

1
673: The Grid We Need to Decarbonize America: A Playbook by Jesse Jenkins, Princeton University 43:43

5M ago43:43

43:43

Amid America's energy shift, initiatives like the Inflation Reduction Act and bipartisan infrastructure bills are making clean energy more accessible and affordable, driving a 42% investment increase to $225 billion in a year. Yet, to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, an acceleration is essential. Jesse Jenkins of Princeton University, speaking a…

1
672: Giving Old Solar Panels a Second Life with Cesar Barbosa of Nulife Power Services 17:02

5M ago17:02

17:02

What happens to solar panels when they reach the end of their financed life, but not necessarily their useful life? With the solar industry's growth, the issue of decommissioned panels has become a burgeoning service (and business) opportunity. These “old” panels, though no longer new, are often still under warranty, and definitely still retain a s…

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