SunCast

Rebuilding solar manufacturing in the U.S. is not just about capital or policy. It is about making the right bets at the right time. It comes down to timing, experience, and the critical decisions. Alex Zhu has spent nearly two decades inside the global solar manufacturing system—from the early rise of Chinese production to failed U.S. factory attempts, and now to building one of the few solar cell manufacturing facilities in America through ES Foundry. In this conversation, Alex explains why he focused on solar cells instead of modules. Module assembly scaled quickly after the IRA. Cell manufacturing remained limited, even though it sits at the center of the supply chain. But that gap is precisely where Alex recognized his greatest strength. Experience. But the ensuing decisions (bets) he made carry real risk. He is betting that the U.S. cannot sustain a domestic solar industry without cell production. He is also building on proven PERC technology, even as the global market moves toward TOPCon. And he is relying on speed, execution, and hard-won experience to make that strategy work. We also get into how his past shaped these decisions, what has changed since earlier U.S. factory failures, how the IRA shifted the economics, and what it actually takes to build a factory, from permitting and infrastructure to workforce and community impact. Expect to learn: 🔹 Why solar cells—not modules—are the real constraint in U.S. manufacturing 🔹 How Alex’s past factory experience shaped his strategy today 🔹 Why ES Foundry chose PERC, and how he thinks about the shift to TOPCon 🔹 What family office investors understood about this opportunity 🔹 What it really takes to build—and sustain—a solar factory in the U.S. This is a bet on how the industry gets rebuilt. Listen and decide if you agree. Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations. If 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! SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower! 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 875 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/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Are data centers starting to bypass the grid? A growing share of planned projects are pairing with behind-the-meter generation, and the shift has happened quickly. At the same time, there’s still real debate about how much of this will actually materialize. Michael Thomas, founder of Cleanview, tracks what moves through interconnection queues, permitting timelines, and development pipelines. His data highlights how developers are responding to rising demand, tighter timelines, and increasing grid constraints. In this conversation, Michael shares what he’s seeing in the data, where demand is growing fastest, and how different generation strategies are being considered to meet it. If you’re trying to understand how data center growth is shaping project decisions, this episode offers a grounded look at what’s emerging. Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations. If 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! SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower! 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 875 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/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Most people [who have been in the industry awhile] have opinions about SunEdison. This is one of the first times Ahmad Chatila and Jigar Shah have sat down together to compare notes on how it actually played out. Both were inside it. Both made the bets. Both saw things others didn’t. In this conversation, the two leaders who helped build one of solar’s most ambitious companies sit down to examine how it actually worked and why it did not hold. They walk through the operating logic that made SunEdison so competitive. Using semiconductor-style cost modeling to see price declines before the market. Making audacious bets on equipment inputs. Structuring deals that looked aggressive at the time but consistently won. Ahmad explains how lessons from silicon manufacturing shaped that thinking and created a real edge. But they also get clear on what ultimately determined the outcome. The strategy worked. The cost curve was real. The execution was there. What broke was the financial architecture behind it. A capital structure that depended on continuous demand. A global footprint that introduced currency and market friction. And a model that moved faster than investors were willing to follow. In this live conversation, Ahmad Chatila joins Jigar Shah and Nico Johnson for a candid look at the decisions, convictions, and missteps that helped shape one of the most consequential chapters in clean energy history. This is not a sanitized founder story. It is a rare, honest reflection on what worked, what failed, and why the hardest problem in clean energy may still be capital formation, not technology. You will hear how Ahmad anticipated solar cost declines years ahead of the market, why he determined that owning the PPA mattered more than owning construction, and how TerraForm Global became the critical fault line in SunEdison’s collapse. The conversation also reaches far beyond the past, into the future of India, currency risk, and the global financing models that still need to be built if clean energy is going to scale where it is needed most. It’s one of the most fascinating conversations Nico has had the opportunity to co-lead (and eaves-drop on!) Solar may be cheap, but capital still decides what gets built. If you’re trying to scale projects, raise money, or understand where deals actually break, this is worth your time. Press play and decide what you would have done differently. Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations. Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar If 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! SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower! 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 875 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/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Dean Solon has always been a pattern matcher. Across projects, conversations, and time in the field, he’s constantly picking up on what’s changing — where pressure is building, where systems start to strain, and where the next opportunity is taking shape. But seeing the pattern is only half the story. Joseph Fahrney is the one who has to turn those signals into real products, real partnerships, and real projects — while protecting focus and making sure the right ideas actually get built. Live from Intersolar, Dean and Joe join Nico Johnson for a conversation about what they’re both seeing right now — and how they’re acting on it. From integrated system design to plant-wide control, from 10-year warranties to robotics in the field, this is a look at what happens when you trust your read on the market enough to start building ahead of it. Some might call it a crystal ball. The difference is — they’re already building what others are just starting to react to. Expect to learn: 🔹 What patterns are emerging across utility-scale solar projects right now 🔹 How those signals translate into real product and integration decisions 🔹 Why system-level thinking is replacing fragmented design 🔹 What robotics enables when it’s treated as part of the platform 🔹 How durability and execution are shaping buying decisions By the time these trends feel obvious, the advantage will already be taken. Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations. Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar If 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! SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower! 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 875 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/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

You can now plug solar panels into a wall outlet in some states. No permits. No installer or electrician even required? Just… plug it in. So who’s responsible when that system starts sending power back into your home, or the grid? Plug-in solar is moving faster than the standards designed to govern it. And right now, the rules are still being written. In this conversation, Nico Johnson sits down with two experts at the center of the process. One is helping shape the National Electrical Code, the other bringing products to market. Together, we unpack what actually needs to happen for this category to scale safely. This isn’t just a new product [category], it’s a new edge case for the entire ecosystem, one where DIY meets infrastructure, and where the lines between safety, enforcement, and responsibility all begin to blur. Expect to learn: 🔹 Why states are legalizing plug-in solar even before standards are fully defined 🔹 Where the NEC stands on it today, and what’s coming in the next code cycle 🔹 The real risks around circuit overload, ground faults, and backfeeding 🔹 Why utilities might push back 🔹 How much safety can (and should) be built into the product itself (so we can void unnecessary permitting) If this works, millions more people can generate their own power. Press play and help us decide, are we ready for this shift? Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations. Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar If 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! SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower! 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 875 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/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

What does it actually take to earn trust at the highest levels of utility-scale solar? Tyler Nelson has a perspective few in the industry can claim. As founder of Revamp Engineering, his team has been embedded in the design and execution of a massive share of utility-scale solar and storage projects across the U.S. — working alongside the developers and EPCs shaping the grid in real time. But this conversation isn’t about scale for the sake of scale. It’s about how that kind of trust is built. We dig into Tyler’s early career at SunPower and how that experience carried forward into the founding of Revamp. He shares how the company landed its first anchor clients, what actually drives credibility in this industry, and why engineering is often the difference between a project that works on paper and one that works in the field. We also explore a different kind of founder mindset — one that isn’t oriented around an exit. Tyler recently transitioned Revamp into an employee-owned company, reinforcing a long-term vision centered on culture, accountability, and durability. Along the way, Tyler offers a clear-eyed view into how the market is evolving, where complexity is increasing, and what teams consistently underestimate as projects scale. Expect to learn: 🔹 What most people misunderstand about how utility scale projects get built 🔹 Why repeatable design works until complexity hits at scale 🔹 How employee ownership is shaping long term company culture Lean in to learn what separates good from indispensable... Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations. Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar If 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! SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower! 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 875 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/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Most energy professionals believe the data will win. John Szoka did too. After a career in the military and time in the North Carolina legislature, Szoka followed the facts and became a clean energy advocate. But what he learned next is what matters. Data might change your mind. It doesn’t change most people’s. In this special conversation, **Jigar Shah and I co-host a discussion with Szoka on how decisions actually get made in energy—from state legislatures to local communities—and why storytelling, trust, and timing often matter more than the numbers. This is the first episode in a set of conversations we recorded live at the UNC Cleantech Summit. Additional interviews from this series will be released across both SunCast and Jigar’s Energy Empire podcast—including a conversation with Tom Fanning (CEO, Southern Co) also dropping this week. To hear the full set, you’ll want to follow both shows. You can find Energy Empire here: https://www.energyempire.fm/episodes Key takeaways from John: 🔹 The real reason utilities struggle to adapt to new technology 🔹 Why storytelling beats data when it comes to changing minds 🔹 How to combat misinformation in energy at the local level 🔹 How to meet communities where they are and build trust Hit play to understand what it really takes to move energy forward in today’s political and economic climate. Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations. Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar If 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! SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower! 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 875 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/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

If it takes more than one meeting to explain what you do, you have a messaging problem. In this live conversation from Intersolar North America, Nico Johnson sits down with Spenser Meeks of Apex Presentations to unpack why so many clean energy teams struggle to clearly communicate their value—and how that confusion shows up as longer sales cycles, more meetings, and missed opportunities. Spenser, a former engineer turned messaging strategist, breaks down a simple shift: say less, but make it matter. When your message is clear, it becomes easier to connect, qualify, and move deals forward. Expect to learn: 🔹 Why “there’s just too much to say” is hurting your pitch 🔹 How to tailor your own clear, effective introduction 🔹 The two stories every team should be able to tell on demand 🔹 The simple four-part framework for a high-impact elevator pitch If your team is working too hard to explain what you do, this conversation will help you simplify. Hit play and see what changes when your message finally lands. Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations. Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar If 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! SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower! 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 875 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/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Nico had the chance to sit down in person with today’s guest — and as you’d expect, that face-to-face conversation brings a level of depth, candor, and nuance you don’t always get. Emilie Flanagan, Founder and CEO of Carson Power, has built her career across Southeast Asia, Europe, and the U.S. — from advising on energy markets at KPMG to working inside a European family office, and eventually leading more than 200 megawatts of community solar development in New York before launching her own platform. In this conversation, Emilie shares how her approach to development has evolved in real time — including the decision to integrate battery storage early, and what that actually changed in how her team evaluates, structures, and advances projects. We also spend time on the part of development that doesn’t get talked about enough: working with communities — what builds trust, what breaks it, and why more projects stall there than most developers are willing to admit. 🎧 Who This Episode Is For If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear what stood out — or who you think we should feature next. Just reply and let me know. And if you know someone building in this space, share this episode with them. I’m Nico Johnson, and this is SunCast. Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations. Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar If 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! SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower! 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 875 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/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Every year, the industry says the same thing. “C&I solar is about to take off!” And yet, it never quite scales the way we expect. Could this year finally be the year? In this live panel from Intersolar, Nico Johnson sits down with Joe Ross (CPS America), Rob Smith (ABC Supply), Tim Montague (Clean Power Consulting), and Jim Wood (SEG Solar) to unpack what’s really happening in the commercial and industrial market. The opportunity is real—but it’s uneven, complex, and highly dependent on where you operate. Battery storage is starting to shift the conversation. Falling costs, rising electricity prices, and new incentives are making projects pencil in ways they didn’t before. But storage alone isn’t the answer. This discussion explores the full picture—from workforce challenges and customer education to capital competition and regional market dynamics. Expect to learn: 🔹 Why C&I solar is growing, but still not scaling across all markets 🔹 How storage is improving project economics—and where it actually works 🔹 What’s holding projects back, from education gaps to competing capital priorities 🔹 Why transitioning from residential to commercial is harder than it looks The ingredients for growth are finally coming together. The question is whether this is the moment C&I solar truly breaks through. Press play and decide for yourself. Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations. Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar If 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! SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower! 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 875 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/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

What do you do when your entire market disappears? That’s not a thought experiment for Michael Bergey. It’s the story of his career. Long before solar dominated rooftops, distributed wind was solving real problems across rural America — lowering energy costs for customers who didn’t care about climate narratives, only outcomes. Then policy support vanished. Oil prices collapsed. And later, cheap solar took over. Most companies didn’t survive. Bergey Windpower did. In this conversation, Michael walks through what it actually takes to stay in the game when incentives disappear, competitors pivot, and the market moves faster than your business model. But there’s a deeper takeaway here. The customers driving distributed energy today don’t all look the same — and they don’t all think the same either. Wind and solar, once seen as separate paths, are now serving the same need: control, resilience, and economics that work. Expect to learn: ⚡ What really happened to small wind after the 1980s policy collapse ⚡ How solar’s cost curve forced a complete reset of the business ⚡ The engineering decisions that made small wind viable again ⚡ Why farmers — not homeowners — are driving adoption today If you’re building in clean energy right now, this may give you a new perspective on staying power and resilience. 👉 Press play to see what happens when the market turns against you. Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations. Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar If 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! SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower! 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 875 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/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

The residential solar playbook did not just change. It got torn up. If you are still operating like yesterday’s incentives, product assumptions, and sales motions will carry you forward, this episode is a reality Margins aren’t disappearing overnight. They’re leaking — in places most contractors don’t even notice. In this live conversation from IESNA 2026, Nico Johnson sits down with Rob Smith and Eric Cieslak of ABC Supply to break down where solar contractors are quietly losing profit — and where the smartest operators are starting to take it back. From jobsite efficiency and logistics to financing-driven product decisions, this episode connects the dots between day-to-day operations and long-term business survival. ABC Supply brings a unique vantage point, seeing how contractors across the country are adapting — or failing to — as the market shifts. If you’re still running your business the way you did two years ago, this conversation will challenge you to rethink what’s actually driving your margins today. Expect to learn: 🔹 Where contractors are losing margin in time, labor, and logistics 🔹 Why contractors need a new operating playbook in a finance-driven solar market 🔹 Why planning with your distributor can unlock real efficiency gains 🔹 How storage and product selection are impacting ROI 🔹 Why disciplined, regional contractors may have the advantage right now The margin is still there — just not where it used to be. Press play and find out where to look. Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations. Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar If 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! SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower! 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 875 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/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Long duration energy storage has spent years sitting in the “we’ll need it someday” category. Not anymore. As grid strain grows, data center demand surges, and reliability becomes a boardroom issue, long duration storage is starting to move from interesting concept to urgent solution. Recorded live at Intersolar and Energy Storage North America, this panel brings together Anna Siefken of the LDES Council, Aric Saunders of Noon Energy, Tristan Bannon of CellCube, and Andrew Friedenthal of E-Zinc. With Nico Johnson leading the conversation, the group digs into what is changing in the market and why more buyers are finally paying attention to long duration storage. This episode is not just about technology. It is about what happens when the grid needs more than incumbent batteries can supply. The panel explores how vanadium flow, zinc-based systems, and other long duration approaches could support resilience, replace diesel, firm renewables, and help planners think beyond the standard four-hour battery playbook. Expect to learn: 🔹 Why long duration storage is finally gaining real commercial momentum 🔹 How data centers, resilience needs, and grid volatility are accelerating demand 🔹 What makes zinc, vanadium, and other chemistries worth watching 🔹 Why procurement rules should focus on the problem to solve, not the technology to favor If you want a clearer picture of where storage is headed after lithium-ion, this conversation is a strong place to start. It is practical, candid, and full of insight from leaders building the next layer of the grid. Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations. Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar If 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! SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower! 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 875 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/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Most conversations about agrivoltaics stay at the surface. Rebekah Pierce didn’t set out to become a voice for solar. She was trying to solve a much simpler problem: How do you make a small farm financially viable… without giving it up? What followed was a shift — from seeing solar as a “necessary evil” to recognizing it as a tool that might fundamentally reshape how farms survive. In this conversation, we unpack what’s actually happening on the ground: 🔹 What exactly is the business of solar grazing 🔹 Where the economics work — and where they don’t 🔹 Why “prime farmland” is often misunderstood 🔹 The gap between developer intent and rural reality 🔹 What breaks when you try to scale this model This is less about sheep under panels… …and more about what new revenue models might actually keep farms alive. _____________________________________________________ 🎧 Guest: Rebekah Pierce Author of Agri-Energy: Growing Power, Growing Food _____________________________________________________ If you’re curious about agrivoltaics, this is a perspective you don’t usually hear. Hit play to hear why Rebekah Pierce believes agrivoltaics is not a side strategy. It is a glimpse of what farming could become. Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations. Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar If 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! SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower! 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 875 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/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

AI isn’t just increasing demand for electricity - it’s changing how power behaves. In this Tactical Tuesday, Nico Johnson sits down with Jon Parella of Terraflow Energy to break down a problem few people are talking about: modern AI data centers don’t draw power like traditional loads. They ramp rapidly, swing unpredictably, and introduce volatility that existing infrastructure wasn’t designed to handle. That shift is putting real strain on generators, batteries, and the grid itself - accelerating wear, increasing complexity, and creating new risks for developers and investors alike. In this episode, you’ll learn: 🔹 Why AI data centers behave differently from traditional power loads 🔹 How rapid load swings impact generators, lithium-ion batteries, and grid stability 🔹 What “controllable load” means - and why utilities and ISOs are prioritizing it 🔹 Where traditional power system design breaks down under AI-driven demand 🔹 Why being a responsive load could dramatically change interconnection timelines Most importantly, you’ll understand what needs to change to make next-generation data center infrastructure reliable, scalable, and bankable. If you’re developing, financing, or investing in data centers, energy infrastructure, or AI-driven growth, this episode will change how you think about the power system that it requires. Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations. You'll find more resources and learn about SunCast's guest(s), recommendations, book links, and more than 850 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com. You can learn more about partnering with SunCast here: https://mysuncast.com/sponsors You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on: Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus Subscribe to Valence, our weekly Linkedin Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/

Russell Gold has spent years explaining the energy transition from the outside. First as one of The Wall Street Journal’s leading energy reporters, and now from inside one of clean energy’s fastest-growing new entrants, T1 Energy. At The Wall Street Journal, his award-winning work covered the fracking boom, Deepwater Horizon, and the investigation into the Camp Fire in California. He also wrote The Boom and Superpower, digging into the people, decisions, and forces shaping modern energy. Now, he’s on the other side of the table. As EVP of Strategic Communications at T1 Energy, Russell is helping shape how a new U.S. solar manufacturer shows up to the market—and how that story connects to capital. In this conversation, we explore what that shift in perspective reveals. Where the industry is actually making progress. Where the bottlenecks persist. And why clean energy still struggles to tell a clear reliability story, even as deployment continues at record pace. We also dig into something most people underestimate: how much narrative influences where capital flows—and what leaders in this industry should be doing about it. Expect to learn: 🔹 How behind-the-meter deployment is helping bypass transmission delays 🔹 Why the reliability story is still one of clean energy’s biggest messaging gaps 🔹 What it will take for domestic solar manufacturing to compete globally This is a fascinating look at how Gold’s perspective changed once he got a chance to see what’s really happening from inside the clean energy sector, and what we all can learn and apply to our own businesses. Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations. Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar If 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! SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower! 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 875 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/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Most C&I solar projects don’t fall short because of the solar itself. They struggle because deals aren’t structured correctly, markets are misunderstood, or developers take on opportunities that were never a fit to begin with. In this episode of SunCast, Nico Johnson sits down with Aaron Wilson, co-founder and CEO of Solar One, to unpack what actually separates projects that get built and deliver long-term value - from the ones that stall, get delayed, or fail to meet expectations. Aaron didn’t come up through traditional solar channels. He started in commodities - trading steel and silicon across Europe and China - before moving into development and building Solar One into a vertically integrated C&I solar company operating in markets like Long Island and Texas. Along the way, he’s: In this conversation, we explore: 🔹 Why Solar One chose C&I over the residential gold rush 🔹 What business owners actually need from a solar partner in an era of rising electricity costs 🔹 Why great entrepreneurs are driven by purpose, not ruled by fear 🔹 How to evaluate whether a market is actually viable (vs just “hot”) 🎧 Listen now to learn how to build C&I solar projects that actually deliver. Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations. Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar If 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! SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower! 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 875 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/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Clean energy is winning on cost. Solar and storage are cheaper than ever. Deployment is accelerating. The economics are undeniable. So why does it still feel like the industry is losing the broader public narrative? In this live conversation, Nico Johnson sits down with journalist Sammy Roth to explore the gap between technical success and cultural influence. After more than a decade covering energy and climate for the Los Angeles Times, Sammy now writes the independent newsletter Climate-Colored Goggles, where he examines how media, identity, and storytelling shape the energy transition. Sammy argues that the challenge isn’t just policy or technology — it’s narrative. While clean energy has focused on cost curves and deployment, it has often underinvested in the cultural work required to build public trust, identity, and long-term support. This conversation digs into what the industry gets wrong about communication, why reacting to politics is a losing strategy, and what it would actually take to win the long-term cultural battle. And asking a bigger question: what if the clean energy industry is fighting the wrong battle? Expect to learn: 🔹 Why Sammy believes clean energy is losing a cultural battle, not just a political one 🔹 What the industry got wrong in communicating the Inflation Reduction Act 🔹 Why facts, economics, and climate science are not enough to win public support 🔹 How entertainment, sports, media, and advertising shape energy narratives over time This is a conversation about branding, belief, and what it will really take to make clean energy feel as essential and American as the incumbents it is trying to replace. Listen in. Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations. Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar If 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! SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower! 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 875 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/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

If you want to understand where the energy industry is heading, pay attention to the journalists tracking it every day. Thankfully, we get to sit down with three of the most plugged-in reporters covering the energy transition: Sammy Roth of Climate-Colored Goggles (formerly w/ LA Times), Julian Spector of Canary Media, and Darrell Proctor of POWER Magazine. What signals are shaping the market right now — from capital flowing into new energy projects to grid bottlenecks, AI-driven electricity demand, and the evolving narrative around fossil fuels and nuclear? These are the conversations happening inside the clean energy newsroom. Topics covered: 🔹 Why AI and hyperscale data centers are suddenly driving massive clean energy investment 🔹 The surprising rise of domestic solar manufacturing in the United States 🔹 Why grid interconnection queues remain one of the biggest barriers to new projects 🔹 How journalists are thinking about climate targets in a world already at 1.5°C If you’re not already following Darrell Proctor, Julian Spector, and Sammy Roth then you’re missing the conversations and stories shaping the clean energy transition. Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations. Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar If 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! SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower! 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 875 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/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

What does serious capital actually look for in the energy transition? In this episode, Nico sits down with Brendan Bell, Co-Founder of Aligned Climate Capital and a former member of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office, to discuss how experienced investors evaluate energy companies, infrastructure projects, and management teams. Brendan shares a practical look at: • why raising capital has become more selective • the common mistakes founders make when pitching investors • what strong management teams do differently • how infrastructure investors think about risk, scale, and long-term value For founders, developers, and operators building in the energy transition, this conversation offers a clear view into how institutional investors actually make decisions. Before co-founding Align Climate Capital, Brendan helped rebuild the U.S. Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office in the aftermath of the Solyndra collapse. From financing some of the earliest utility scale solar projects to backing companies like Tesla in its early days, he has spent his career sitting at the intersection of policy, infrastructure, and capital. Now at Align, Brendan and his team invest across the clean energy ecosystem. Early stage companies developing new business models. And infrastructure portfolios that own and operate solar and storage assets. If you’re building, financing, or investing in the energy transition, this one is packed with insights. Listen in to understand how capital is shaping the next chapter of the global energy system. Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations. Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar If 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! SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower! 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 875 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/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus