Best Tor "Solar Fred" Valenza Podcasts (2024)

1
The Naked Solar Lady (Encore) 16:17

17d ago16:17

16:17

On the next encore episode of Probably True Solar Stories, a semi-sweet retired teacher gets inspired by Greta Thunberg to advocate for solar energy. But when her neighbors make excuses for not getting a solar quote, she starts a radical social media campaign that almost gets her arrested by the local Sheriff. True Solar Takeaways This story is fic…

1
A Murder of Solar Crows (Part 2) 19:43

25d ago19:43

19:43

On the next Probably True Solar Stories, we conclude "A Murder of Solar Crows." Four thieves have tried to strip two solar farms of their expensive copper wires, solar panels, and other equipment. But a brown tabby cat and her animal friends keep getting in their way. Will the gang finally beat her on their third and final job? True Solar Takeaways…

1
A Murder of Solar Crows (Part 1) 21:31

1M ago21:31

21:31

Four thieves break into three solar projects during long holiday weekends, trying to steal the solar panels, copper wire, and other equipment. But each time they try, a brown tabby cat stops them with deadly consequences. True Solar Takeaways A line of crows on a tree limb or electrical wire is called "A murder of crows." Kelptovoltaics is the term…

1
Bob, the Dog, and the Solar Vineyard (Encore) 30:00

1M ago30:00

30:00

Bob is a winemaker who is having a mid-life crisis. Trying to pull it together, he converts the oldest part of his vineyard into a solar farm, adopts a lost dog, and tries to make great wine. But nothing goes as planned, so he decides to take a psychedelic trip that takes him on a solar magical mystery tour that sparks joy in everyone—especially th…

1
Rufus the Solar Guard Dog (Encore) 15:32

2M ago15:32

15:32

Rufus, a pet and mascot of a solar installer, is dognapped out of the installer's truck while on the job. A chase ensues, but we learn that the dog, the solar installer, and the dog napper aren't quite what they seem. True Solar Takeaways As of 2020, there are 20,000 military veterans in the solar industry, making up about 9% of the solar workforce…

1
I'm Sorry, Ma'am, But You Can't Go Solar (Encore) 14:13

2M ago14:13

14:13

On the next Probably True Solar Stories, a feisty senior citizen is determined to haggle with a solar salesman to buy the solar system of her dreams. But her haggling plans fall through when an honest salesperson refuses to sell an installation at any price. Can they find the solar win-win? True Solar Takeaways Not every home is a good fit for sola…

1
The Red Knight and the Dawn of the Solar Dragon (Encore) 57:47

2M ago57:47

57:47

Once upon a time, there were honest and friendly dragons who heated the boilers for steam-powered electric turbines. But due to the high cost of dragon energy, the King decided that the dragons needed to be replaced, sparking a bloody dragon war that led to the invention of solar power. True Solar Takeaways Fossil fuel-based generators work by burn…

1
The Solar Way: A Fable (Encore) 17:56

3M ago17:56

17:56

Gather around the fireplace, solar friends. Pull up a seat at the bar. On the next, Probably True Solar Stories, we're going to tell a solar fable. It's a fairytale. A hero's journey sort of thing. With a Texas accent. (Forgive me in advance.) It's about a young, ambitious solar installer who seeks her fortune to be the most successful solar instal…

1
We Have a Pigeon Problem (Encore) 26:19

3M ago26:19

26:19

On the next Probably True Solar Stories, we have a pigeon problem. When a new solar owner sees that a pigeon is unrelentingly shit-bombing her brand-new solar array, she calls in a critter pro to do the dirty work. But then she discovers that her pigeon also has a problem, and the solution becomes complicated... Indeed, it's a probably true solar p…

1
The Caveman, the Devil’s Tools, and the Grid (Encore) 25:18

3M ago25:18

25:18

Two teenagers are having a private moment in the hills above a utility substation when suddenly they happen upon a terrorist intent on bringing down their local grid. Will the teens escape and defeat the terrorist? Yes, but only with the help of modern-day cleantech resources... True Solar Takeaways Terrorists have been attempting to disrupt the gr…

1
Why Solar Man Joined the Ultra League of Super Defenders (Encore) 14:40

3M ago14:40

14:40

There's a new superhero in town. His name is Solar Man, and he's here to help the world, but not in the way you might think. To defeat his arch-nemesis, Solar Man reluctantly decides to join the Ultra League of Super Defenders, a band of superheroes that are beyond the law. But will Solar Man be able to show his Super Solar strengths and pass the a…

1
Murder by Solar Drone (Encore) 27:54

4M ago27:54

27:54

A solar installer thinks he hears a gunshot while performing a drone solar site survey. The shot--if it was a shot--came from the ranch house of his ex-fiancé. Can the solar installer’s drone footage solve the gunshot mystery? And even if it does, will anyone believe him? True Solar Takeaways Drones are an increasingly common tool for inspecting an…

1
Probably True Solar Songs: A Ballad for Greta T (Live-ish) 6:49

4M ago6:49

6:49

On the next Probably True Solar Stories, you’ll hear a new Probably True Solar Song that was inspired by the relentless climate action and advocacy of Greta Thunberg. True Solar Takeaways We loved this song so much that we made a music video version. Check it out at: https://youtu.be/T69fNdXsS9g Listen to the original solar music pioneers and their…

1
Probably True Solar Songs: Bye Bye Utility Bill. Hello, Solar Thrill! (Live!... Kind of) 7:26

4M ago7:26

7:26

On the next Probably True Solar Stories, we return for our second Probably True Solar Song about a woman who decides to break up with her utility and fall in love with solar power. True Solar Takeaways This solar breakup song was inspired by my friend, "Solar Rosana" Francescato's blog post. Solar can and does reduce utility bills, but your payback…

1
Probably True Solar Songs: The Solar Coaster Life (Sort of Live) 7:57

4M ago7:57

7:57

On the next Probably True Solar Stories, we introduce our music division: Probably True Solar Songs. You'll also learn about our new solar-themed dive bar, meet the band, and hear our first future hit solar song, "The Solar Coaster Life." True Solar Takeaways Check out the original solar music pioneers and their real solar music written and sung by…

1
Good Afternoon, Dude. I'm Solar Sam, Your Solar Salesbot (Encore) 22:01

4M ago22:01

22:01

(The following is an encore episode from 2022, but all the info is still "probably true.") On the next Probably True Solar Stories, we imagine how the AI and robots of the future could affect solar sales in the year 2040. On the surface, it seems great, but there's a bit of a twist at the end... NOTE: This Probably True Solar Story does reference w…

1
The Psychic, the Solar Installer, and the CPUC 20:48

4M ago20:48

20:48

On the next Probably True Solar Stories, a psychic predicts a sunny future for a struggling solar installer and the entire California solar industry. But when the installer doesn’t believe her, the psychic makes a bet that could cost him a free solar installation. Can the psychic really change the installer's future or the CPUC? True Solar Takeaway…

1
Our Solar State of the Union: The Energy Deep State 18:31

5M ago18:31

18:31

On the next Probably True Solar Stories., we imagine what a fictional President Biden --a.k.a. "Dark Brandon"-- could have said at his 2024 State of the Union to bring more urgency about our global climate crisis and current solar and clean energy solutions. True Solar Takeaways Climate Crisis and the Urgency to Act The Intergovernmental Panel on C…

1
How Winnie-the-Pooh Went Solar (with Tigger Too!) 19:52

5M ago19:52

19:52

On the next Probably True Solar Stories, we revisit the story of how Winnie-the-Pooh went solar, but this time, with a certain Pooh character who wasn’t part of the public domain… until now. True Solar Takeaways As Christopher Robin mentioned, you should always get at least three solar quotes before selecting a solar installer. The typical solar sy…

1
Let's Get Married at RE+ in Vegas (Live from Las Vegas) 19:20

5M ago19:20

19:20

On the next Probably True Solar Stories, you’ll hear a live storytelling about two solar pros who decide to get married at a solar conference in Las Vegas. But when the wedding gets unexpectedly interrupted, the solar industry comes to the rescue. Watch the live video performance here: https://youtu.be/YyhWQi1d2ZE True Solar Takeaways RE+ is the la…

1
The Solar Heist, or How I Got into the Solar Business, Part 11: Rewind 35:26

5M ago35:26

35:26

On the next Probably True Solar Stories, we conclude our limited series, "The Solar Heist, or How I Got Into the Solar Business." It's about two neighbors who unexpectedly form an odd friendship and work to uncover a solar energy crime syndicate. But arresting the syndicate’s leader turns out to be more complicated than they expected. Previous Sola…

1
The Solar Heist, or How I Got into the Solar Business, Part 10: Timing 35:22

5M ago35:22

35:22

On the next Probably True Solar Stories, we continue with Part 10 of "The Solar Heist" series. Mrs. Prout returns to Mazz and Charlie’s house to give them a warning. But Mazz and Charlie are already in Chico. Despite her efforts, it’s just bad timing for Sylvia, and really, for everyone... If you missed any of the previous Solar Heist episodes: Lis…

1
The Solar Heist, or How I Got into the Solar Business, Part 9: Chico 27:42

6M ago27:42

27:42

On the next Probably True Solar Stories, "The Solar Heist" series continues. Charlie goes to Chico, California to hunt for "CATs," --certain awful things--buried at a landfill that’s about to become a new solar farm. Meanwhile, Mazz tries to calmly educate the solar farm’s opponents without doing ... certain awful things. To catch up with the previ…

1
The Solar Heist, or How I Got into the Solar Business, Part 8: Mrs. Prout 24:22

6M ago24:22

24:22

On the next Probably True Solar Stories, Sylvia Prout, the widow of Richard Prout, visits Mazz and Charlie looking for answers about her husband's apparent murder. After some intense questioning and bourbon Irish coffees, Sylvia asks Mazz and Charlie for a favor that they can't refuse. If you missed the earlier episodes with Richard Prout, listen t…

1
The Solar Heist, or How I Got into the Solar Business, Part 7: Monsters 19:20

6M ago19:20

19:20

On the next episode of Probably True Solar Stories, we continue with Part 7 of The Solar Heist, or How I Got Into the Solar Business. When an intruder breaks in and holds a gun to the head of Mazz's wife, Mazz, Charlie, and Beth come to the rescue. But doing so risks blowing Charlie's cover and the entire DOE intelligence operation. Listen to the p…

1
Season 3 Preview: The Energy Deep State 5:51

6M ago5:51

5:51

Welcome, solar fiction fans to the Season 3 preview of Probably True Solar Stories! Last season's theme was "Solar Noir." For Season 3, it's a presidential election year, so our stories are going to explore politics and the #EnergyDeepState. Listen to this episode to hear about the next ten solar stories. Note: The first five episodes will mark the…

1
The Reason We All Decided to Go Solar after Halloween (Bonus Episode) 13:13

9M ago13:13

13:13

On the next Probably True Solar Stories, twenty homes on the same cul de sac decide to go solar on the day after a Halloween night blackout. It’s a simple story, but when a young reporter looks into it, he gets the Halloween scoop of his short lifetime. True Solar Takeaways Going solar is "contagious." That is, several studies have shown that when …

1
The Solar Heist, or How I Got into the Solar Business, Parts 1-6 1:47:55

10M ago1:47:55

1:47:55

For those solar fiction fans who prefer the longer formats, we've combined all six episodes of "The Solar Heist" into a single two-hour version, including chapter headings. Two neighbors meet unexpectedly at an Oakland, California coffee shop specializing in dark, rich coffee. Mazz owns a trucking business by day and is a thief at night. Charlie is…

1
The Story Behind the Solar Panel: Solar Expectations (Sponsored) 3:15

11M ago3:15

3:15

Today's Probably True Solar Stories mini-story is about one solar installer's expectations. It's also tangentially about a moose... ("The Story Behind the Solar Panel" is a new Prbably True Solar Stories mini-story series that is supported by sponsors. The stories are still fun and original fictional solar stories, but they're shorter and written i…

1
The Story Behind the Solar Panel: The Solar Superhero Story (Sponsored) 3:25

11M ago3:25

3:25

Today's Probably True Solar Stories episode is about a solar superhero that you may already know... ("The Story Behind the Solar Panel" is a new Prbably True Solar Stories mini-story series that is supported by sponsors. The stories are still fun and original fictional solar stories, but they're shorter and written in collaboration with the episode…

1
The Red Knight and the Dawn of the Solar Dragon, Parts 1, 2, & 3 57:55

11M ago57:55

57:55

On the next Probably True Solar Stories, we’re bringing together our previously published solar dragon story, "The Red Knight and the Dawn of the Solar Dragon." It’s the same Season 2 story, but instead of three 20-minute episodes, we’re telling this dragon tale in a single hour-long version for those who prefer a longer audio-novella version. -- O…

1
Part 6, The Solar Heist, or How I Got into the Solar Business: Trust 23:08

12M ago23:08

23:08

On the next Probably True Solar Stories, we end our Solar Noir season where we began. We continue the ongoing story of "The Solar Heist, or How I Got Into the Solar Business." In this next chapter, it’s all about Trust. Charlie finally comes clean about who he is and what his goals are. But will Mazz help? Or will he run? Or worse. There's also ano…

1
The Red Knight and the Dawn of the Solar Dragon, Part 3 20:04

12M ago20:04

20:04

On the next Probably True Solar Stories, we conclude the Red Knight and the Dawn of the Solar Dragon. The evil King Maxwell and his Red Knight, Goran, have started the Second Dragon War, trying to replace the moody, but docile energy dragons with fossil fuels. The dragons fight back with their fire breath. But can they win the war without the help …

1
The Red Knight and the Dawn of the Solar Dragon, Part 2 22:38

12M ago22:38

22:38

On the next Probably True Solar Stories, we continue with part 2 of The Red Knight and the Dawn of the Solar Dragon. Gorin, The Red Knight has invented a technology to replace dragon power with short-sighted fossil fuel power. But can Gorin quietly replace hundreds of fire-breathing dragons without getting burned and starting a Second Dragon War? M…

1
The Red Knight and the Dawn of the Solar Dragon, Part 1 21:51

1y ago21:51

21:51

Once upon a time, there were honest and friendly dragons who heated the boilers for steam-powered electric turbines. The dragons enjoyed the job and were paid good union wages. But due to the high cost of dragon energy, the King decided that the dragons needed to be replaced and sparked a bloody dragon war that led to the invention of solar power..…

1
Rufus the Solar Guard Dog 16:37

1y ago16:37

16:37

Rufus, the pet and mascot of a solar installer, is dognapped out of the installer's truck while on the job. A chase ensues, but we learn that the dog, the solar installer, and the dog napper aren't quite what they seem. True Solar Takeaways As of 2020, there are 20,000 military veterans in the solar industry, making up about 9% of the solar workfor…

1
Murder by Solar Drone 28:08

1y ago28:08

28:08

A solar installer thinks he hears a gunshot while performing a drone solar site survey. The shot--if it was a shot--came from the ranch house of his ex-fiancé. Can the solar installer’s drone footage solve the gunshot mystery? And even if it does, will anyone believe him? True Solar Takeaways Drones are an increasingly common tool for inspecting an…

1
Bob, the Dog, and the Solar Vineyard 30:34

1y ago30:34

30:34

Bob is a winemaker who is having a mid-life crisis. Trying to pull it together, he converts the oldest part of his vineyard into a solar farm, adopts a lost dog, and tries to make great wine. But nothing goes as planned, so he decides to take a psychedelic trip that takes him on a solar magical mystery tour that sparks joy in everyone—especially th…

1
Bonus: A Declaration of Probably True Solar Independence Day 4:39

1y ago4:39

4:39

Happy July 4th. I decided to do a quick, Probably True Solar Story by asking ChatGPT to write a version of the Declaration of Independence for solar power. The result was pretty good, so I wanted to share it. "When in the course of human development, it becomes necessary for individuals and communities to break free from the dependence on unsustain…

1
The Caveman, the Devil’s Tools, and the Grid 26:07

1y ago26:07

26:07

Two teenagers are having a private moment in the hills above a utility substation when suddenly they happen upon a terrorist intent on bringing down their local grid. Will the teens escape and defeat the terrorist? Yes, but only with the help of some very modern and very real solar and smart electric resources. True Solar Takeaways Terrorists have …

1
The Naked Solar Lady 16:17

1y ago16:17

16:17

On the next Probably True Solar Stories, a semi-sweet retired teacher gets inspired by Greta Thunberg to advocate for solar energy. But when her neighbors make excuses for not getting a solar quote, she starts a radical social media campaign that almost gets her arrested by the local sheriff... who happens to be her grandson. True Solar Takeaways T…

1
The Solar Heist, or How I Got into the Solar Business, Part 5: The Escape 20:41

1y ago20:41

20:41

After almost being shot by a crime syndicate enforcer, Charlie and Mazz go to confront Richard Prout about who really owns the utility solar project. But Richard won’t talk. Worse, he attempts a daring escape that frustrates the hell out of Mazz and Charlie and attempts to split them apart. True Solar Takeaways Brownfields and landfills are ideal l…

1
The Solar Heist, or How I Got into the Solar Business, Part 4: The Warning 22:41

1y ago22:41

22:41

Season 2's theme is "Solar Noir," and we start off with a darkly comedic Part 4 of our Solar Heist series. (Catch up to Parts 1-3 here.) In Part 4, Mazz and Charlie are forced by Richard Prout, a crime syndicate boss, to dig up some CATs (Certain Awful Things) under Charlie's solar project, which used to be a landfill. As Charlie and Mazz dig, an u…

1
A Preview of Season 2: Solar Noir 8:49

1y ago8:49

8:49

We're back for Season 2 of Probably True Solar Stories. This season, the theme is "Solar Noir." You know, like film noir, except our twisted thrillers, murder, mysteries, and petty crime stories will all have something to do with solar energy. Why solar noir? Well, when I look at today's hit TV shows and films, many are thrillers and murder mysteri…

1
The Solar Heist, or How I Got into the Solar Business, Parts 1, 2, & 3 53:04

1y ago53:04

53:04

In preparation for launching Season 2 of Probably True Solar Stories, we've combined all three parts of "The Solar Heist, or How I Got Into the Solar Business" into a single 53-minute episode. Two neighbors meet unexpectedly at an Oakland, California coffee shop that specializes in dark, rich coffee. Mazz owns a trucking business by day and is a th…

1
Part 3: The Solar Heist, or How I Got into the Solar Business: The Favor 23:26

1+ y ago23:26

23:26

In the next episode of Probably True Solar Stories, we continue the story of two neighbors who are part of the solar industry. Charlie is a large-scale utility solar developer while Mazz is a medium-scale thief who successfully "liberated" Charlie's solar panel shipment from a U.S. customs warehouse in Part 1 and Part 2. Now, in Part 3, it's a year…

1
The Solar Way -- A Fable About Successfully Riding the Solar Coaster 18:46

1+ y ago18:46

18:46

Gather around the fireplace, solar friends. Pull up a seat at the bar. On the next, Probably True Solar Stories, we're going to tell the first-ever solar fable. It's a fairytale. A hero's journey sort of thing. With a Texas accent. (Forgive me in advance.) This story may be a familiar one to people inside and outside the solar industry. It's about …

1
I'm Sorry, Ma'am, But You Can't Go Solar 14:05

1+ y ago14:05

14:05

In this episode of Probably True Solar Stories, a feisty senior citizen is determined to haggle with a solar salesman to buy the solar system of her dreams. But her haggling plans fall through when an honest salesperson refuses to sell an installation at any price. Can they find the solar win-win? True Solar Takeaways Not every home is a good fit f…

1
Why Solar Man Joined the Ultra League of Super Defenders 14:33

1+ y ago14:33

14:33

There's a new superhero in town. His name is Solar Man, and he's here to help the world, but not in the way you might think. To defeat his arch-nemesis, Solar Man reluctantly decides to join the Ultra League of Super Defenders, a band of superheroes that are beyond the law. But will Solar Man be able to show his Super Solar strengths and pass the a…

1
How Winnie the Pooh Went Solar (And Found More "Hunny") 18:08

1+ y ago18:08

18:08

Note: For this episode, we're temporarily changing the name of Probably True Solar Stories to Probably POOH Solar Stories in honor of our main character, Winnie-the-Pooh. Once upon a time, not long ago, after public domain laws freed Winnie-the-Pooh from A.A. Milne's copyright ... there lived a bear who wanted to go solar but didn't understand the …

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