Claim OwnershipWhat Solar Installers Need To Know (by Sunvoy)
Subscribed: 0Played: 0
Subscribe
© 2025 Sunvoy, Inc.
Description
What Solar Installers Need To Know is a podcast for solar leaders who are building something big. If you’re a founder, executive, or manager running a $10–$100M solar installation company with a team of 50–250 people, this show is for you.
We dive into the real challenges around project management, marketing, operations, financing, and scaling your business—without the fluff. The higher you climb, the harder it is to find others who really get what you’re going through. That’s why each episode features honest conversations with people who’ve been there—sharing what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what they’re still figuring out.
No hype. Just practical insights for solar pros who want to keep growing.
We dive into the real challenges around project management, marketing, operations, financing, and scaling your business—without the fluff. The higher you climb, the harder it is to find others who really get what you’re going through. That’s why each episode features honest conversations with people who’ve been there—sharing what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what they’re still figuring out.
No hype. Just practical insights for solar pros who want to keep growing.
26 Episodes
Reverse
In this episode, Joe Marhamati sits down with Tim Montague, host of Clean Power Hour, for a wide-ranging conversation on where the solar industry is headed and what installers need to understand to stay ahead. Tim shares his journey into solar and offers a clear-eyed look at today’s market challenges, from margin pressure to shifting customer expectations. Together, they unpack why battery storage is becoming central to solar economics, how rising electricity prices may accelerate adoption, what recent lessons from Texas and Florida reveal about grid resilience and market dynamics, and more.
In this standout episode, Joe Marhamati sits down with Boaz Sofier (one of the real veterans of the solar industry) for a conversation every solar CEO should hear. Boaz walks through his path from the wild Y2K days to running major solar organizations, and why he ultimately shifted his focus to fixing the one thing that makes or breaks an installation company: culture. What follows is part solar origin story, part executive masterclass, and a surprisingly honest look at how leaders, teams, and companies actually grow — and why the hardest work in solar has nothing to do with the hardware.
Neil Mitchell, Managing Director at HSEnergy, jumps on to chat about what it’s really like building a solar company in the UK right now. He talks about why accurate surveys and staying close to your customers make all the difference (and how battery tech is evolving fast). They also get into energy trading, market shifts, and how changing government policies are shaping what’s next for UK solar.
Clinton O’Neill jumps in to unpack what Virtual Power Plants actually are and why they matter. He breaks down how VPPs connect solar, storage, and software to make the grid smarter and more reliable, and why this shift opens big doors for installers. If you’re not already thinking about how to partner with utilities and play in this space, this episode might just change that.
TR Ludwig, CEO of Brooklyn SolarWorks, joins Joe Marhamati to talk about building a solar company that actually sticks to its mission. From navigating NYC’s tricky regs to designing rooftop solutions that turn heads, TR shares what it really takes to lead with purpose. They get into team culture, market trends, and why strong values and the right partnerships are non-negotiable if you’re in this for the long game.
In this episode, Herve Billiet sits down with Jerónimo Lozano, CEO of SolarYou, to dive into the fast-evolving solar market in Spain. Jerónimo shares how SolarYou went from startup to standout, breaking down their pricing strategy, tech stack, and customer-first mindset. If you're curious about scaling in a competitive market, leveling up client experience, or where solar in Spain is headed next—this one’s packed with insight.
Ravi Mikkelsen is back—and this time, he’s unpacking what’s changed (and what hasn’t) in solar since his last visit. From new legislation to next-gen financing models, he dives into how installers can boost efficiency, cut costs, and deliver more value to homeowners. If you're fired up about transparency, collaboration, and fixing the messiness of solar sales and installs—this episode hits home.
Jan Rippingale, CEO of Blu Banyan, dives into what it really takes to run a tight solar operation, from cash flow and culture to adapting when the market throws curveballs. She shares why she built on NetSuite, how to simplify software without sacrificing power, and the signs of a well-run solar company. If you care about leadership, resilience, and building systems that scale, Jen brings the goods in this episode.
Fortunat Mueller, co-founder of Revision Energy, gets into what it really means to build a mission-driven solar company that’s in it for the long haul. He talks employee ownership, growing beyond just solar, and how EVs are becoming a key part of their operations. From lessons learned the hard way to smart acquisitions that actually make sense, Fortunat lays out what it takes to scale with purpose in today’s solar landscape.
Ravi Mikkelsen doesn’t mince words. If you're still treating financing like an afterthought, you're leaving megawatts (and money) on the table. In this episode, he dives into how smarter tools, lower soft costs, and real customer trust can transform solar sales from clunky to scalable. He's also throwing a $2-a-watt taco party to rally installers around doing things better...because fixing solar finance shouldn’t be boring.
Micah, Solar States' Founder, keeps it real in this episode, diving into what’s working and what’s not in the solar world right now. He talks about why a strong management team is non-negotiable, how leasing can hurt (or help) your customer relationships, and where energy management tech is headed. If you're in the trenches of growing a solar company, Micah’s got hard-earned advice on avoiding common pitfalls and protecting your brand reputation every step of the way!
In this episode, Joe Marhamati sits down with Jonathan Proffitt, ABB’s Sales & Development Leader for Residential Energy Management (aka, the electrification whisperer). They get real about what it takes to stay competitive as a solar installer today. From batteries to smart meters, from supplier relationships to utility red tape—John shares how diversifying your offering isn’t optional if you want to scale. They also dive into ABB’s evolving toolkit for installers, what financing solutions are actually working on the ground, and how we finally start tackling soft costs if we’re serious about hitting 100% solar penetration.If you’ve ever wrestled with utility coordination or wondered how to future-proof your business, this one's for you.
Khanti Munro has been in solar long enough to see the tech and the culture change big time. In this episode, he and Joe Marhamati talk through everything from training the next generation to game-changers like meter socket adapters and vehicle-to-grid. At the core of it all? A strong case for keeping the customer front and center while pushing the industry to level up.
Amanda Bybee, CEO of Amicus O&M, is on a mission to bust the myth that solar is “set it and forget it.” In this episode, she dives into why O&M is not just essential for system health—but also a serious revenue opportunity if you treat it right. From technician training to proactive maintenance plans and warranty know-how, Amanda lays out exactly how installers can turn maintenance into a competitive advantage.
Brian Hayden, CEO of HeatSpring, has been in the game long enough to know what works and what doesn’t. In this episode, he shares why training isn’t optional, how to turn customer service into your competitive edge, and why the best solar companies are already thinking 10 years ahead. From virtual reality in the classroom to real trust in the field, Brian paints a picture of where clean energy is headed—and how to keep up.
Brian Villari knows solar insurance inside and out—and in this episode, he breaks down what you actually need to protect your business. From general liability to workers' comp, he unpacks the fine print, clears up claims-made vs. occurrence policies, and makes a solid case for why safety culture matters. If you’re scaling, merging, or just trying to avoid surprise claims, this one’s packed with real talk and cost-saving tips.
Vincent Battaglia, CEO of Renova Energy, drops some serious wisdom in this episode—talking about why long-term customer relationships are the real secret in solar. He dives into how AI and tech can streamline operations, but reminds us it all still comes down to people. If you’re navigating growing pains, chasing innovation, or just want to avoid the mistakes others already made, this episode is for you.
Mo, Good Faith Energy's CEO, doesn’t hold back in this episode—he gets real about what it takes to run a solar company the right way. From ethical sales and rock-solid installs to actually supporting customers after the panels go up, he shares hard-earned lessons on doing things with integrity. If you've ever wrestled with misaligned teams, marketing headaches, or just want a no-BS look at how to grow with heart—this one's for you.
Riley Cate and Eric Haskell ditched their corporate gigs to start SageBrush Energy—and in this episode, they share what it’s really like to build a solar company rooted in trust, community, and quality installs. From navigating policy shifts in Nevada to launching their own financing arm (SageBrush Financial), they break down the real challenges local installers face and why diverse financing is non-negotiable.
Mike Cornell, Chief Instigation Officer at Arch Solar, brings the heat in this episode—talking growth, grit, and how they’re gunning for $100M by 2033. He dives into everything from building a rock-solid ops structure to the real work behind attracting more women into solar, plus a few hard lessons learned along the way. Oh, and if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to meet Elon Musk, run O&M like a pro, or use driver-facing cameras to lower insurance costs—Mike’s got stories for days!
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States