SunCast

Storage Isn’t Backup—It’s InfrastructureWildfires, heat waves, and AI-fueled data centers are pushing our grid to the edge. The question is no longer whether we need storage—it's whether we're going to unlock its full potential.In this live episode from RE+, Nico is joined by two global leaders from Wärtsilä Energy—Tamara de Gruyter, President of Energy Storage, and David Hebert, VP of Global Sales & Strategy. Together, we  unpack the evolution of batteries from “nice toys” to essential grid infrastructure.Tamara brings her international lens to the US market, highlighting both the growing sophistication of customers and the urgent need for flexible, software-driven solutions. Meanwhile, Dave draws on a decade of global storage deployments—from Australia to Saudi Arabia—to explain how the U.S. can broaden focus on revenue models, regulation, and system design.Expect to learn:🔹 Why grid operators now treat batteries like substations🔹 How data centers and AI are changing the storage equation🔹 What “virtual inertia” really means—and why it matters🔹 How US developers can learn from global storage marketsIf you want to understand how batteries are shaping the future of energy reliability, this episode delivers both vision and practical insight.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 850 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Why are millions of apartment rooftops still empty while single-family homes cash in on solar savings?Turns out it’s an accounting problem – a technicality known in industry jargon as the “split-incentive” and it’s keeping renters and property owners sidelined from benefiting from distributed generation on-site.In this episode, we sit down with Dover Janis, co-founder and CEO of Ivy Energy, to explore the split incentive that’s held multifamily solar back for years. Dover and his team are building the software backbone that makes solar pencil for both property owners and renters - and their traction is accelerating.You’ll hear how Dover went from boots-on-roof solar tradesman to leading a team solving one of the most persistent challenges in the clean energy transition. If you’ve ever wondered why multifamily solar adoption has been so sluggish—or how to unlock a massive untapped market—this is your blueprint.🔹 The “last mile” problem stopping solar on apartments🔹 How Ivy’s platform makes energy equity bankable for landlords🔹 The hidden policy battles shaping the multifamily solar market🔹 What it takes to scale hundreds of megawatts with just a few customersExpect bold insights, regulatory war stories, and a rare look at how Ivy Energy could transform real estate owners into a new class of clean energy providers.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 850 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

From firehouses to jails to major manufacturing hubs, Cherry Street Energy is redefining what it means to build a distributed power plant—and they’re just getting started.CEO Michael Chanin returns to SunCast to unpack Cherry Street’s explosive growth across the Southeast, including why customers trust them more than their actual local utilities, how hybrid systems are becoming the norm, and what it takes to build a 100-year business in solar.With deep roots in culture and customer service, Cherry Street is proving that the future of power isn’t just clean—it’s branded, local, and built to last. If you’re wondering what leadership looks like in this phase of the energy transition, you can look no further than Michael and the enduring business he and his team are building.You’ll discover:🔹 The mindset that sets Cherry Street apart from the competition🔹 How they’re expanding from schools to Fortune 500 clients🔹 Why culture is the most important differentiator in business🔹 What it takes to be the trusted power provider—even without solar on-siteYour forever customers are waiting. Build something they can’t ignore.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 850 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Landfill explosions, lithium-ion firestorms, and CIA briefings—today’s guest has seen it all - or so she thought!Kathleen McCaffery’s illustrious firefighting career includes crawling through rubble in Haiti, leading battalions as one of the first female fire chiefs in North America, and even rewriting Tesla’s global fire safety strategy. This episode takes us into uncharted territory as Tesla recruits a retired firefighter to address global concerns over battery [fire] safety.Most solar companies are woefully underprepared to interact with firefighting agencies, and that’s increasingly going to create friction and unnecessary limitations.  Kathleen spent her entire career breaking down barriers (when she wasn’t breaking down doors!) and has even been in the situation room of more than a few CIA operation briefs! To say she is battle-tested is putting it mildly. She answered the call to serve the country (CIA) and those in need (disaster relief), but could not have been prepared for the call she received post-retirement that pulled her back into active duty, this time taking her halfway ‘round the world to help solve battery fires in Australia! This is one of the most fun and wild conversations we’ve published all year.Expect to learn:🔹 The hidden dangers of damaged lithium-ion batteries (and why we don’t just bury them)🔹 Why the age-old truism “big fire, big water” doesn’t work for Batteries🔹 How Tesla created a new role just to fix their fire communication gap🔹 Why every developer needs to build relationships with local fire operators, not just permit officesFrom Pentagon rescue missions on 9/11 to training Tesla teams, Kathleen’s insights are not only fun and eye-opening—they’re critical for every solar professional adding batteries to their portfolio.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 850 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

More batter density = more value, right? Not so fast.In this episode, we challenge the hype around energy storage density—and reveal what really drives value for battery storage assets.At RE+ 2025, Nico Johnson got to connect with two powerhouse product leaders from Wärtsilä Energy Storage: Neha Sinha, Head of Hardware Portfolio, and Ruchira Shah, Lead for Software Product Management. Together, they’re crystal clear about how hardware and software integration impacts performance, revenue, and long-term viability in energy storage projects. And how that translates to strategic value for battery operators.If you think “more megawatt-hours per box” is the endgame, you might be oversizing your system—and leaving cash on the table. Neha and Ruchira explain why “usable energy,” not just nameplate capacity, is the real metric investors should care about. And why that’s not solely defined by  the MWH you can stuff inside a container.Expect to learn:🔹 Why density ≠ value (and when high-density enclosures actually hurt your ROI)🔹 How software helps unlock stranded energy and accurate bidding🔹 The surprising role of chillers in degradation—and how to optimize them🔹 How to navigate site constraints, noise ordinances, and permitting barriersIf you're bidding into markets or scaling storage assets, this episode is your wake-up call: performance, not just packaging, determines profits.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 850 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

1 in 5 solar panels are failing—and it’s not because of hail. A quiet reliability crisis is cracking open across the industry, and it starts with glass.In this eye-opening conversation, Nico Johnson sits down with Tristan Erion-Lorico (Kiwa PVEL) and Dr. Teresa Barnes (NREL) to uncover why glass breakage has become the #1 cause of solar module failure. Backed by PVEL’s latest reliability data, they expose how design shortcuts, material stress, and quality-control lapses are pushing failure rates to an alarming 20%.You’ll learn: 🔹 Why “tempered” glass isn’t always truly tempered 🔹 How glass is allergic to metal, actually 🔹 Why thinner, lighter glass can mean bigger, costlier failures 🔹 What manufacturers, EPCs, and buyers must do now to prevent lossesIf you build, buy, or bank on solar panels, this episode could save your next project from shattering—literally.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 850 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Is the world’s most powerful energy data set hiding in plain sight?Justin Locke, former RMI leader and now Executive Director of Global Energy Monitor, joins Nico to uncover how real data—not just rhetoric—is shaping the future of global energy. If you've ever looked at a chart on coal retirements, gas pipelines, or solar growth, chances are it came from GEM. Or at least, the person who created it was likely using this little-known FREE Open-source data set.In this episode, we go deep into the data warehouse purpose-built to help illuminate what’s really happening behind the curtain of the energy transition.  We also spotlight a massive—but little discussed—spike in U.S. natural gas development. What’s behind it? AI-driven demand from hyperscale data centers. Why is this a warning sign? It’s quietly tipping the energy scales in ways we didn’t predict.You’ll hear why Justin left RMI to lead this critical watchdog organization, how GEM tracks infrastructure across 26 energy sectors, and why Southeast Asia and Africa are at a clean energy crossroads.Expect to Learn:🔹 Why the U.S. is now leading global gas plant development🔹 The off-grid data centers powering AI—and burning more gas🔹 How renewables are still growing fast… even amid fossil resurgence🔹 Why the Global South is the key to solving the climate crisisThe energy transition is messy—but the data doesn’t lie. Find out what’s really going on.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 850 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

The $2/Watt Challenge: Can We Get There?Is $2/watt solar a pipe dream—or a real target we can hit in the next few years?Patrick Crane, Global Head of Growth at OpenSolar (and solar pioneer since Sungevity), says not only is it possible, but we already know how to get there. In this conversation, Patrick breaks down the most bloated parts of the cost stack—from customer acquisition to permitting delays to clunky tech stacks—and lays out a clear path to radically cheaper solar installs.Drawing on two decades in solar and his time as CMO for LinkedIn, Patrick shares how smarter software, better referral systems, and AI-driven tools could change the economics of solar forever. If you’re serious about scaling solar and building a profitable, future-ready business, this one’s required listening.Expect to learn:🔹Why CAC is still solar’s biggest cost lever (and how to fix it)🔹How AI-powered design tools are slashing sales timelines🔹What SolarApp is doing to eliminate permitting bottlenecks🔹Why simplifying your tech stack could unlock 40+ cents/watt in savings🎧 Hit play to hear how Patrick and the OpenSolar team are helping the industry move from “solar sold” to “solar bought.”Not convinced we can get to $2/W for US Resi solar?  Sound off - what are we missing?Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 850 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Why is solar so expensive in the U.S.?Nick Josefowitz has the receipts—and a plan to fix it.In this episode, we dig into one of the largest hidden reasons rooftop solar costs $35,000+ for the average American homeowner (while in Australia it's closer to $6K). Spoiler: It’s not the panels—it’s the paperwork.Nick is the founder of Permit Power, a nonprofit laser-focused on making solar faster, cheaper, and easier to install by tackling the bottlenecks that most people overlook: permitting and interconnection. Drawing from his experience as both a C&I developer and public infrastructure policy leader, Nick shares how America’s red tape turned rooftop solar into a bespoke luxury—and why that’s about to change.If you’ve ever felt frustrated by utility interconnection delays, permit backlogs, or unnecessary installation costs, this is the episode that gives you hope—and tools.🎧 Expect to learn:🔹 Why U.S. rooftop solar is 5x more expensive than in other countries🔹 The hidden costs of permitting delays—and how they drive up CAC🔹 How smart policies in CA, TX & FL are changing the game🔹 Why Nick chose to build a nonprofit to fix a for-profit industry problem📣 Whether you're a solar installer or policy nerd, this one’s for you. Listen in and get inspired to fix solar from the inside out.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 850 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Planning to attend NYC Climate Week?Already there!? When Nico realized he had to make a last-minute trip to NYC this week during climate week, he reached out to two friends who could give him a solid education on what to expect (and where to focus) for this week’s NYC Week. Whether you’re flying in from the West Coast or crossing borough lines, this episode is your essential survival guide to one of the most chaotic, inspiring, and decentralized climate events on the planet.Nico did a live stream last week with Silas Mähner, co-host of the Cleantechies Podcast, and Steven Zhang, the resource genius behind ClimateTechList and Interconnection.FYI. Together, they unpack the who, what, where and of course the WHEN of Climate Week—from invite-only rooftop dinners to jam-packed founder meetups and satellite panels hosted in every corner of Manhattan.Expect to learn:🔹 Why NYC Climate Week is no longer just a “side event” to the UN General Assembly🔹 Where job seekers and climate founders go to actually get hired or funded🔹 The must-know digital tools and maps for navigating events (without losing your mind)🔹 How to prep, pitch, and stand out—even if you don’t have a ticket to anything yetIf you’re attending—or just curious what all the LinkedIn buzz is about—this episode gives you the inside scoop you won’t find on any official agenda.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 850 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Nearly 1 billion people still live without reliable electricity. Nedjip Tozun co-founded d.light to change that—starting with a $10 solar lantern and growing into one of the world’s most influential off-grid solar companies.Today, d.light has already impacted hundreds of millions of lives and aspires to reach 1 billion by 2030, bringing affordable, clean energy to the people and places traditional grids overlook.In this conversation, Nedjip shares the spark that launched d.light, the toughest hurdles they faced, and the financial and leadership innovations that helped them scale globally. A masterclass in entrepreneurship, energy access, and climate impact.Expect to learn:🔹 How toxic kerosen lanterns inspired a decade-long global solar campaign🔹 Why rural trust was harder to build than the product itself🔹 Why early failures were key to building rugged, low-cost solar products🔹 How "Pay-Go" solar financing unlocked ownership and scale in Africa🔹 What it takes to scale across 70+ countries without traditional marketingYou’ll hear how Nedjip moved to China to manage manufacturing himself, and how d.light pioneered a business model that became a blueprint for the solar industry in rural development. If you’ve ever wondered how social impact and innovation collide—this is the episode for you.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 850 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

The Wake-Up Call We Can’t IgnoreClean energy isn’t losing the economics game—it’s losing the political one.Jigar Shah returns to SunCast live at RE+ 2025 with an urgent message: the energy transition will stall unless we, as an industry, stop underestimating the role of political power. The economics are there. The technology is there. What’s missing? Unity, speed, and ground-level influence.This isn’t just another policy chat—Jigar breaks down:🔹How residential solar can reach $2.50/watt (including storage!)🔹Why storage-first thinking is flipping the solar script🔹The staggering $4B political spend from oil & gas—and our paltry $150M🔹How 70,000 boots on the ground could change everythingYou’ll come away from this episode with clarity, conviction, and a checklist for action. “The Oracle” delivers again in a rousing episode live from Las Vegas.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 850 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Straight from Day 3 at RE+ 2025, this replay of the PowerUp Live Morning Show and Daily Round Up wraps up an incredible week of insights from the clean energy leaders driving the industry forward.Nico Johnson, Lisa Ann Pinkerton, and Sylvia Leyva Martinez close out the final day with bold takeaways, surprising perspectives, and a few laughs. From the future of tribal energy to the flow of investment capital and the race to build a domestic supply chain, this finale captures the urgency and optimism powering clean tech.Brendan Bell – Aligned Climate Capital • Why clean tech keeps winning despite policy headwinds • The global lesson: thriving without tax credits • Where investor money is flowing in today’s marketChéri Smith – Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy • Pathways to Trust program • Bringing renewable energy and equity to Native American tribesSeira Kamei – Furukawa Electric Co • Winner of the 2025 Swag ContestDean Solon – Create Energy (formerly Shoals) • Manufacturing inverters in America today • What it will take to complete the domestic supply chainDaily Round Up • Nico Johnson & Sylvia Leyva Martinez highlight the biggest takeaways of the week • Derek Mast (derek the solarboi) recaps the show floor and closes with the final “Would You Rather” quizThank you to everyone who joined us at this years RE+, and thank you to those of you who kept up to date with what was happening at the show through our episodes! See you next year! Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 850 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Straight from Day 2 at RE+ 2025, this replay of the PowerUp Live Morning Show and Daily Round Up continues our mission to bring you insights from the leaders shaping the clean energy transition.Nico Johnson, Lisa Ann Pinkerton, and Sylvia Martinez welcome industry voices who share fresh perspectives on the policies, technologies, and strategies pushing renewable energy forward. From SEIA’s advocacy work to storage breakthroughs and how homes can become part of the grid, this episode captures the fast-moving conversation in Las Vegas.Stephanie Bosh – SEIA • How clean energy leaders can shift the political balance of powerDaniel Dus – Cleantech Industry Resources • Development-as-a-Service for solar + storage • Solar Fight Night — the wildest debate in renewablesMolly Bales – Wood • Long-duration storage’s rise beyond lithium-ion • How Trump-era policies reshaped the supply chainLaura Cornish – Uplight • What it takes to turn every home into a mini power plantMelissa Baldwin – Tigercomm • The mistakes developers can’t afford to keep makingDerek Mast – derek the solarboi • A cheeky quiz on oil, Trump, and the future of energyPier LaFarge – Sparkfund • Why utilities are ditching generation for procurement powerBryan Wagner – CPS America • Why string inverters could outpace central in the U.S. marketThis isn’t just a recap — it’s a front-row seat to the debates and ideas driving clean energy’s next chapter.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 850 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Straight from Day 1 at RE+ 2025, this replay of the PowerUp Live Morning Show and Daily Round Up brings you a fast-moving mix of leaders shaping the clean energy transition—from domestic steel to EVs, hydrogen, DG, big-grid storage, and much more.Nico Johnson, Lisa Ann Pinkerton and Sylvia Martinez welcome leaders, influencers and clean tech podcasters onto the stage. Here is who you can expect to hear from in this episode, straight from Day 1 at RE+ 2025:Jigar Shah - MultiplierEthan Ehlers - NextWave Energy MonitoringChanel Parson - Southern California EdisonGary Kessinger - Attala SteelDaily Round UpBen Kuisle - Burns & McDonnellKevin Lin - TeraHiveDerek Mast - Derek the solarboiNick Sangermano - GP Power PartnersRyan Harty - HondaFor more conversations like this, be sure to come visit us at the PowerUp Live Stage this week at RE+ in Las Vegas!Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 850 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

“Storage Was Never Just an Add-On”What if we’ve been thinking too small about batteries?In this rebroadcast from RE+, Kiran Kumaraswamy, former VP of Growth at Fluence, makes a bold case for reimagining energy storage—not just as a renewable add-on, but as a foundational tool for grid transformation. Kiran breaks down how the energy storage sector evolved from supporting solar to replacing gas peakers, enhancing transmission, and becoming central to resiliency planning.  Long before the IRA supercharged the market, he was urging utilities and regulators to rethink what batteries could do—and now, we’re seeing those ideas implemented at scale.From the Inflation Reduction Act’s massive market tailwinds to the rise of virtual transmission, this conversation is loaded with strategy, foresight, and tactical insight for storage developers, grid planners, and policy leaders alike.Expect to learn:🔹 Why peaker replacement was the battery industry’s first killer app🔹 How Fluence is positioning storage as critical transmission infrastructure🔹 What the IRA’s standalone ITC means for decoupling storage from solar🔹 How domestic manufacturing and supply diversification are shaping the next phase of growthFor more conversations like this, be sure to come visit us at the PowerUp Live Stage next week at RE+ in Las Vegas!Whether you’re deep in the weeds of development or just curious about the future of grid reliability, this is one of those “listen again” episodes.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 850 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Heading to Las Vegas for RE+ 2025? This episode is your ultimate field guide.We’ve got the inside scoop from SunCast host Nico Johnson and some of the industry leaders shaping this year’s event—from Abby Hopper’s optimistic industry outlook to Jigar Shah’s no-nonsense advice for finding your tribe in the midst of uncertainty. You’ll also hear from RE+ content architect Kathy Schott, social media guide Derek Mast, sales pro Ethan Ehlers, and Daily Morning Show co-host Lisa Ann Pinkerton as they break down how to navigate the largest clean energy show in North America.This episode will help you make the most of your time on—and off—the show floor whether a first-time visitor or a returning veteran.Expect to Learn:🔹 The mindset shift leaders like Hopper and Shah want you to embrace post-OB3🔹 What’s included in the Full Conference Pass (spoiler: it’s worth it this year)🔹 The best networking spots and new layout features like the RE+ Bridge🔹 And how the new RE+ app will [almost] literally walk you to your destinationRE+ isn’t just a tradeshow—it’s a moment of reconnection, recalibration, and reinvention. Don’t go in blind. Listen now and show up ready.See you under the bright lights!  And do come see us at the PowerUp Live Stage!Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 850 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

"You're not in the solar industry anymore."That bold declaration from Jigar Shah at RE+ 2023 sparked debate, shifted mindsets—and now, two years later, is being realized.Nico Johnson recently revisited the discussion with Jigar for a current-day check-in before diving into the full, original conversation that started it all. As the then-Director of the DOE Loan Programs Office, Jigar laid out a compelling case: the future for solar installers is not solar at all. It’s storage, VPPs, and full-blown grid integration.If you think you’re just in solar, you’re falling behind. This episode lays out why storage, grid services, and demand response are becoming the real business of clean energy—and what you need to do now to stay relevant. Jigar explains why the business model is evolving faster than most realize—and how those who embrace the shifts afoot stand to win big.Expect to learn:🔹 Why VPPs are the new normal (and why the utilities are finally playing ball)🔹 How entrepreneurs are flipping the solar+storage business model on its head🔹 Why the utilities finally care—and what they need from you🔹 Why installers must pivot from LTV/CAC to circuit-specific problem solvingWhether you're running a solar company or rethinking your clean energy strategy, this episode is a key to unlock the next decade.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 850 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Is the U.S. solar manufacturing boom standing on a hollow foundation?In this live episode from PV ModuleTech USA, Nico sits down with solar industry veteran Arndt E. Lutz, a global exec who’s seen it all—from Germany’s early solar rise to hydrogen innovation and now leading EliTe Solar’s manufacturing efforts.Despite America’s massive build-out of module assembly plants, there's a gaping hole in the supply chain: solar cell manufacturing. Arndt lays out the challenge with clarity—and urgency. It's not just about economics. It’s water, power, permitting, and a chemical process no one’s quite ready for.If we’'re serious about reshoring manufacturing, this is critical path.Expect to learn:🔹 Why 50GW of module assembly in the U.S. means little without more cell fabs🔹 How Germany’s “right to interconnect” flipped the solar game🔹 Why permitting delays are crushing U.S. manufacturing timelines🔹 The surprising reason Texas leads in solar deployment & manufacturingThis is your front-row seat to the real challenges (and solutions) shaping the future of solar in America.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 850 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Heat pumps are the EVs of HVAC—so why aren’t we all using them?Stephen Lake, a highly successful engineer turned climate-tech entrepreneur, is here to explain why heating and cooling is the most overlooked piece of the decarbonization puzzle.After selling his last company to Google, Stephen founded Jetson to tackle one of the biggest—and slowest-moving—sectors of home energy: HVAC. From cold-weather performance to noise, he busts the myths about heat pumps and outlines why they haven’t hit mass adoption in North America.Spoiler: it’s not the tech. It’s everything else—price, friction, contractors, complexity.Expect a crash course in sector disruption, including Jetson’s decision to build everything in-house and cut install costs by half through full-stack operations. If Tesla built HVAC, it’d look like this.🔹 What makes heat pumps 300% efficient (and why it’s not magic)🔹 The hidden friction points that stall heat pump adoption🔹 Why cold-climate performance is no longer a dealbreaker🔹 Lessons from scaling a vertically integrated climate tech startupIf you’ve ever wondered why heat pumps haven’t gone mainstream—or whether it should be part of your electrification journey—this is a conversation you can’t miss.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 850 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus