SunCast

In 2008, Fluence installed one of the first lithium-ion battery systems ever connected to the U.S. grid. Back then, the idea of a domestic battery supply chain felt distant—almost theoretical. Today, it’s real. John Zahurancik, now President of Fluence Americas, has spent nearly two decades pushing the storage industry from “interesting pilot projects” to critical grid infrastructure. The last time he was on SunCast, he said domestic content would happen. This year, Fluence started shipping it. In this episode, John breaks down how storage has quietly become the backbone of the power system—independent of renewables—and why the next wave of deployments will be bigger, faster, and more strategically important than anything we’ve seen. We dig into: 🔹 What true U.S.-made battery content means for developers and grid operators 🔹 How AI and hyperscale data centers are reshaping grid architecture 🔹 The fire-safety testing Fluence spearheaded that is now industry standard 🔹 Why batteries are becoming the “shock absorbers” of the modern grid If you care about project execution, energy security, or the future of grid reliability, this conversation is essential. 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! 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 solar projects are still built the hard way—treating structure, electrical, and software as separate scopes that have to be stitched together in the field. But the teams delivering gigawatts today know something different: solar plants work best when they’re designed as systems, not parts. In this Tactical Tuesday, Nico sits down with three of the people shaping that shift inside Nextpower: Jake Morin (Chief Product Officer), Ryan Schofield (VP of Electrical Systems), and Jyoti Jain (Head of Software Product Management). Together, they break down what actually changes when you integrate structure, eBOS, data, and software upstream—and why EPCs, developers, and owners are turning toward system-level thinking to reduce rework, prevent failures, and build faster. Expect practical insights like: 🔹 Why early electrical integration eliminates jumpers and avoids 80% of DC field failures 🔹 How integrated tracker + foundation design removes entire construction steps 🔹 How tools like NX Pulse speed up commissioning by 50% 🔹 How robotics and fleet data are reshaping hardware design 🔹 Why “internalizing complexity” at the OEM level is becoming a competitive advantage for builders If you're trying to build smarter and reduce surprises, this episode gives you the playbook the most experienced teams are using right now. 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! 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/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Batteries aren’t just supporting the grid anymore, they are defending the grid. Chris Finley, CCO of TruGrid, joins Nico on stage at PowerUp Live to explain how battery storage has shifted from a “nice-to-have” to a mission-critical asset class. Whether it’s enabling arbitrage in ERCOT or powering hyperscale data centers, battery systems are now leading the charge, literally. From the complexities of supply chains to the myths about lithium tech, Chris shares a practical, from-the-field perspective on what it takes to deliver large-scale battery projects in today’s challenging market. He also breaks down how policy shifts and interconnection delays are forcing EPCs to rethink how they plan and execute storage projects. Expect to learn: 🔹 What developers get wrong about battery risk profiles 🔹 How TruGrid streamlines integration from EMS to commissioning 🔹 The hidden economics behind data center battery deployment 🔹 Why project standardization remains elusive, and what to do about it Today’s convo is must-listen material if you’re building in the battery sector. 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! 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/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

A Powerwall delivery truck flipped. No fire. No smoke. Seemed safe. They tossed those Powerwalls into a landfill. Four days later—explosion! That incident didn’t just make headlines; it changed Tesla’s fire strategy. In this Tactical Tuesday, retired Battalion Chief Kathleen McCaffery explains how that one mistake led Tesla to create a Global Fire Liaison role—and why every developer, EPC, and AHJ should borrow the playbook. Kathleen walks through the real science of lithium-ion incidents and the simple operational changes that stop projects from turning into disasters. It’s short, practical, and built for people who build. This episode is a rare peek behind the curtain of Tesla Energy’s fire safety strategy—and a must-listen for developers, installers, and fire safety professionals building battery storage projects in 2025 and beyond. You’ll learn: 🔹 Why lithium-ion fires can reignite days later (delayed thermal runaway) 🔹 Why the old rule “big fire, big water” fails—and what to do instead 🔹 How misting/cooling tactics cut water use and cleanup time 🔹 What Tesla got right (and what most companies still get wrong) 🔹 A real-world miss that destroyed a facility—and how to prevent it From Australia’s mega sites to small-town stations, Kathleen’s job was to bridge battery tech and fire ops. Steal the lessons—and save yourself time, money, and a lot of risk. Quick Links / Timestamps (16:00) 00:00 Landfill explosion: what really happened 01:33 Why Tesla built a Global Fire Liaison 04:05 “I thought I’d seen it all”—the hazmat wake-up call 07:37 Global pushback on EVs/BESS & how training changed it 10:16 Fire Triangle: why lithium-ion “creates its own oxygen” 12:55 Misting > Big water (cooling beats smothering) 13:52 Dev mistake that drives Kathleen nuts (and the fix) PSA: If you build solar + storage, share this with your safety lead and your local fire chief. Then listen to the full episode for the deeper playbook. 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! 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 -...

This episode marks ten years of SunCast — and the return of its very first guest. In 2015, a young GTM Research analyst named Adam James joined host Nico Johnson for the debut episode exploring the rise of solar in Latin America. A decade later, Adam is a Partner at Energy Impact Partners and Chair of the Clean Energy Leadership Institute (CELI). Together, he and Nico reflect on how far both they—and the clean energy industry—have come. This isn’t just a reunion; it’s a conversation about how work, leadership, and life evolve over time. Adam shares what he’s learned about managing people, building systems that scale, and staying grounded through seasons of growth and fatherhood. They explore: 🔹 What it takes to build great teams and sustainable systems inside fast-growing organizations 🔹 How to hire for responsibility, not just experience 🔹 The lessons fatherhood teaches about leadership and presence 🔹 Why consistency—and showing up—is the real differentiator in both parenting and management Whether you’ve been listening since that first episode or you’re just discovering SunCast today, this 10-year anniversary conversation captures the heart of what the show has always been about: how we grow—personally, professionally, and collectively—in the work of powering a better future. 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! 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/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

“Is your project really compliant?” That’s the billion-dollar question developers across the U.S. are asking as Foreign Entity of Concern (FEOC) rules tighten their grip on clean energy tax credits. If you are(were) banking on the ITC, PTC, or 45X, you can’t afford to miss this Tactical Tuesday deep-dive. The rules are shifting. Supply chains are murky. And guidance is still evolving. Host Nico Johnson pulls together an expert panel to decode how FEOC is reshaping the way projects are sourced, engineered, financed, and papered across the U.S. solar and storage market. You’ll hear from: Christian Roselund Raj Pawar Aaron Gomolak Mona Dajani Expect to learn: 🔹 Why Treasury’s guidance on "qualified facility" could force developers to rethink procurement 🔹 How to vet supplier self-certifications and avoid “phantom compliance” 🔹 How top counsel advise clients when regulations are still in flux 🔹 The engineering tradeoffs and cost-neutral approaches developers are taking to stay bankable The FEOC clock is ticking — this episode gives you the clarity (and tactics) to stay compliant, on schedule, and in control. 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! 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/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

What happens when a builder and a coder decide to fix solar’s biggest disconnect? In this episode, SunCast host Nico Johnson sits down with Maksim Markevich and Ben Callam, the co-founders of PV Farm—a platform born from frustration with designs that look perfect on screen but fall apart in the field. Maksim, a self-taught engineer from Belarus, learned to code his way out of rebar spreadsheets and into a global following on YouTube. Ben, an architect who traded drawings for job sites across Africa and the Middle East, discovered what buildability really means when you have to fabricate every part yourself. Their paths couldn’t have been more different, yet both led to the same realization: most solar design tools fail the buildability test. PV Farm grew out of that shared conviction—bridging the gap between upstream creativity and downstream execution. You’ll hear: 🔹 Why most solar software misses what EPCs actually need 🔹 How collaboration—not just automation—is key to solar scale 🔹 What “starting downstream” in software really looks like 🔹 The early sparks that shaped PV Farm’s engineering DNA 🔹 Why better feedback loops between civil and electrical teams can change everything A story of code, construction, and the craft of making clean energy truly buildable. 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! 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/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Roofers are entering solar. Solar pros are adding roofing. How are these trades getting the training & resources required to level up and provide the appropriate level of service to homeowners? Is the future of residential solar trades consolidating int a new kind of contractor? In this RE+ 2025 live session, Nico sits down with James Mason, VP of Renewable Energy at ABC Supply, to explore the once-in-a-generation convergence of two massive industries—and why the right strategy (and the right partner) makes all the difference. From short-term wins to 30-year vision, James unpacks the lessons ABC Supply has learned over 40+ years of helping contractors grow and adapt. This conversation is loaded with honest advice, bold warnings, and real success stories from the field. If your business is stuck in survival mode—or if you’re planning your next big move—you’ll want to hear this. Expect to Learn: 🔹 The top blind spots keeping contractors stuck in survival mode 🔹 How to scale roofing + solar without falling into costly traps 🔹 What the best contractors are doing to prepare for future policy shifts 🔹 Why simplicity beats strategy - when done right Hit play to learn how to thrive in a volatile market—and why ABC Supply might be the partner you didn’t know you needed. 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! 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/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Did you know that more than 185,000 solar customers in the US have been abandoned by their installers? How will we take care of these “Orphaned” solar systems? Is this a golden opportunity or fool’s gold? Nick Sherman sees opportunity where most see chaos. As CEO of Energy Aid, he’s building a national brand in solar service—scaling faster than any of his installer-focused peers. While others race for new installs, Nick is scooping up orphaned systems and building trust with a unique(to this industry at least) membership model. He’s betting the future of residential solar is about service, not installs—and it’s working, marvelously. Expect to learn: 🔹 The $9/month model that could change how homeowners buy all-things-electrification 🔹 How Energy Aid scaled by acquiring bankrupt installer customer data 🔹 Why orphaned systems are a hidden goldmine in the solar market 🔹 The HVAC-inspired model Nick is applying to clean energy This is more than a startup story—it’s a blueprint for unlocking overlooked value in clean energy. If you’re trying to stand out in a crowded market or future-proof your solar business, Nick’s strategy will challenge how you think about growth, service, and sustainability. Don’t sleep on this one. 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! 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/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Storage Isn’t Backup—It’s Infrastructure Wildfires, 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 markets If 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/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! 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/nicomeo LinkedIn - 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 customers Expect 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/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! 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/nicomeo LinkedIn - 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-site Your forever customers are waiting. Build something they can’t ignore. 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! 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/nicomeo LinkedIn - 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 offices From 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/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! 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/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar 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 barriers If you're bidding into markets or scaling storage assets, this episode is your wake-up call: performance, not just packaging, determines profits. Get your Solar Fight Night tickets before they're gone: https://tinyurl.com/522wf8v3 Also check out Renewables UnWind Las Vegas: https://tinyurl.com/2ea2c6k3 And don't forget about the pickleball games: https://tinyurl.com/p9h5nv42 If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/. Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America! SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar. You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors. Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com. 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 -...

Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar 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 losses If you build, buy, or bank on solar panels, this episode could save your next project from shattering—literally. Get your Solar Fight Night tickets before they're gone: https://tinyurl.com/522wf8v3 Also check out Renewables UnWind Las Vegas: https://tinyurl.com/2ea2c6k3 And don't forget about the pickleball games: https://tinyurl.com/p9h5nv42 If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/. Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America! SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar. You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors. Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com. 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

Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar 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 crisis The energy transition is messy—but the data doesn’t lie. Find out what’s really going on. Get your Solar Fight Night tickets before they're gone: https://tinyurl.com/522wf8v3 Also check out Renewables UnWind Las Vegas: https://tinyurl.com/2ea2c6k3 And don't forget about the pickleball games: https://tinyurl.com/p9h5nv42 If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/. Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America! SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar. You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors. Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com. 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:

Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar 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? Get your Solar Fight Night tickets before they're gone: https://tinyurl.com/522wf8v3 Also check out Renewables UnWind Las Vegas: https://tinyurl.com/2ea2c6k3 And don't forget about the pickleball games: https://tinyurl.com/p9h5nv42 If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/. Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America! SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar. You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors. Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com. 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 -...

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. Get your Solar Fight Night tickets before they're gone: https://tinyurl.com/522wf8v3 Also check out Renewables UnWind Las Vegas: https://tinyurl.com/2ea2c6k3 And don't forget about the pickleball games: https://tinyurl.com/p9h5nv42 If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/. Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America! SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar. You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors. Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com. 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

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 yet If 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. Get your Solar Fight Night tickets before they're gone: https://tinyurl.com/522wf8v3 Also check out Renewables UnWind Las Vegas: https://tinyurl.com/2ea2c6k3 And don't forget about the pickleball games: https://tinyurl.com/p9h5nv42 If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/. Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America! SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar. You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors. Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com. 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

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 marketing You’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. Get your Solar Fight Night tickets before they're gone: https://tinyurl.com/522wf8v3 Also check out Renewables UnWind Las Vegas: https://tinyurl.com/2ea2c6k3 And don't forget about the pickleball games: https://tinyurl.com/p9h5nv42 If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/. Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America! SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar. You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors. Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com. 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 -...