Best Bess Conversations Podcast Podcasts (2024)

1
732: What’s Really Stalling Solar’s Momentum? Insights from Sunnova’s CEO 31:51

10m ago31:51

31:51

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…

1
731: The BESS Book: A Cell to Grid Guide to Utility-Scale Battery Energy Storage Systems with authors Drew Lebowitz & Swetha Sundaram 1:08:50

8h ago1:08:50

1:08:50

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 utilit…

1
730: How Each Home Will Be Its Own Energy Generation Machine 38:29

5h ago38:29

38:29

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 decentr…

1
729: How to Start a Solar Company that Customers Rave About | Hunter Trenary of Sun Collectors 27:03

1d ago27:03

27:03

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 e…

1
728: The Rocket Scientist Making Rechargeable Lead-Acid Batteries, Michael Burz of Enzinc 35:55

7d ago35:55

35:55

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 commerc…

1
727: A Simple Logistics Improvement Worth Billions To The Solar Industry, Philip Schwarz of PVpallet 1:29:00

8d ago1:29:00

1:29:00

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 - l…

1
726: Community Solar: Renewable Energy At A Discount Everyone Can Afford; Aviv Shalgi of Solar Simplified 26:29

8d ago26:29

26:29

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 aggreg…

1
725: Fewer holes, No Leaks. Solar Racking Reimagined, with Pegasus CEO Kai Stephan 1:04:23

20d ago1:04:23

1:04:23

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 gr…

1
724: Operating Systems for a Drama-Free Workplace | Maria Kingery of Southern Energy Management & 360Impact 44:17

15d ago44:17

44:17

“Unclear expectations are a downpayment for future resentment.” 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…

1
723: From Tetris To Clean Energy: Henk Rogers' Conversion Story 25:11

26d ago25:11

25:11

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 w…

1
722: A 100-Year Vision for a new kind of Energy Company with Cherry Street’s Michael Chanin 1:14:58

24d ago1:14:58

1:14:58

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. Ch…

1
721: Achieving 250x growth, How CPS Americas scaled to >1000 customers & #1 Market Share in under a decade, with Bryan Wagner 49:58

23d ago49:58

49:58

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 to…

1
720: Derek Chase Built A Robotics Company For Better Solar Inspections 1:08:16

1M ago1:08:16

1:08:16

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 On…

1
Bess Conversations Podcast | Episode 129 | I Prayed for this | Special guest DJ Big Los 1:05:00

1M ago1:05:00

1:05:00

What are you most proud of so far this year? Midyear reflectionsQuestion of the WeekIs it disrespectful to take a kids not yours to the barber shop WHAT ARE THE DO AND DONTS OF BEING A STEP ParentWill Bronny prove his haters wrong 😑 NBA free agency Top 5 dis songs of all time Podcast Produce By New Future Flash of TMG STUDIOS…

1
719: Training The Clean Energy Workforce w/Brittany Heller of Heatspring 13:57

1M ago13:57

13:57

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 tale…

1
718: FBI Negotiation Tactics To Better Your Business, With Chris Voss 19:09

1M ago19:09

19:09

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…

1
717: Is THIS the biggest clean energy opportunity? Panama Bartholomy of Building Decarbonization Coalition thinks so 1:12:24

1M ago1:12:24

1:12:24

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-…

1
716: NC's Clean Energy Evangelist (is not a Democrat): John Szoka 18:17

1M ago18:17

18:17

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…

1
715: Why Culture Eats Strategy: A Peak Performance Playbook From An Inc 5000 Solar Company, with Summit Energy's Eric Israelson and Dallin Mall 1:14:15

2M ago1:14:15

1:14:15

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 t…

1
714: The Republican Case for Clean Energy: Insights from Georgia Public Service Commissioner, Tim Echols 18:48

2M ago18:48

18:48

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
Bess Conversations Podcast | Episode 128 | The Pop Out | Special Guest Shawn Finesse 1:05:45

1M ago1:05:45

1:05:45

The summer after you graduated High School what did you do. The do and don’ts Question of the Week How do you get over a X Is Kendrick Lamar the #1 in Rap right nowWould you let your girl take a picture with Chris Brown Top 5 Hip hop producers

1
713: Then And Now, How SEIA Helped Transform Solar Energy - 4 SEIA Presidents share the stage 58:35

2M ago58:35

58:35

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 41:15

2M ago41:15

41:15

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 22:22

2M ago22:22

22:22

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
710: The Truth About Solar's Hidden Waste Crisis with Adam Saghei of We Recycle Solar 1:23:53

2M ago1:23:53

1:23:53

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
709: NABCEP Solar Certification: Expert Insights from the Top Trainer, Sean White 14:22

2M ago14:22

14:22

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…

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1
732: What’s Really Stalling Solar’s Momentum? Insights from Sunnova’s CEO 31:51

1
731: The BESS Book: A Cell to Grid Guide to Utility-Scale Battery Energy Storage Systems with authors Drew Lebowitz & Swetha Sundaram 1:08:50

1
730: How Each Home Will Be Its Own Energy Generation Machine 38:29

1
729: How to Start a Solar Company that Customers Rave About | Hunter Trenary of Sun Collectors 27:03

1
728: The Rocket Scientist Making Rechargeable Lead-Acid Batteries, Michael Burz of Enzinc 35:55

1
727: A Simple Logistics Improvement Worth Billions To The Solar Industry, Philip Schwarz of PVpallet 1:29:00

1
726: Community Solar: Renewable Energy At A Discount Everyone Can Afford; Aviv Shalgi of Solar Simplified 26:29

1
725: Fewer holes, No Leaks. Solar Racking Reimagined, with Pegasus CEO Kai Stephan 1:04:23

1
724: Operating Systems for a Drama-Free Workplace | Maria Kingery of Southern Energy Management & 360Impact 44:17

1
723: From Tetris To Clean Energy: Henk Rogers' Conversion Story 25:11

1
722: A 100-Year Vision for a new kind of Energy Company with Cherry Street’s Michael Chanin 1:14:58

1
721: Achieving 250x growth, How CPS Americas scaled to >1000 customers & #1 Market Share in under a decade, with Bryan Wagner 49:58

1
720: Derek Chase Built A Robotics Company For Better Solar Inspections 1:08:16

1
Bess Conversations Podcast | Episode 129 | I Prayed for this | Special guest DJ Big Los 1:05:00

1
719: Training The Clean Energy Workforce w/Brittany Heller of Heatspring 13:57

1
718: FBI Negotiation Tactics To Better Your Business, With Chris Voss 19:09

1
717: Is THIS the biggest clean energy opportunity? Panama Bartholomy of Building Decarbonization Coalition thinks so 1:12:24

1
716: NC's Clean Energy Evangelist (is not a Democrat): John Szoka 18:17

1
715: Why Culture Eats Strategy: A Peak Performance Playbook From An Inc 5000 Solar Company, with Summit Energy's Eric Israelson and Dallin Mall 1:14:15

1
714: The Republican Case for Clean Energy: Insights from Georgia Public Service Commissioner, Tim Echols 18:48

1
Bess Conversations Podcast | Episode 128 | The Pop Out | Special Guest Shawn Finesse 1:05:45

1
713: Then And Now, How SEIA Helped Transform Solar Energy - 4 SEIA Presidents share the stage 58:35

1
712: SEIA’s 50-Year Legacy of Advancing Solar Energy with CEO, Abby Hopper 41:15

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

1
710: The Truth About Solar's Hidden Waste Crisis with Adam Saghei of We Recycle Solar 1:23:53

1
709: NABCEP Solar Certification: Expert Insights from the Top Trainer, Sean White 14:22

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