Avsnitt
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Can one of the world’s biggest tech companies actually go carbon-free, not just today, but retroactively, all the way back to 1975?
In this powerhouse keynote from Intersolar 2025, Hanna Grene, leader of Microsoft’s Global Energy and Resources team, lays out a bold vision for this tech giant’s energy future. She makes one thing clear: Microsoft isn’t here to play catch-up. They’re partnering with the clean energy industry to lead. From ditching diesel in data centers to using AI to optimize dispatch and permitting, Microsoft’s commitments are already reshaping how energy is created, distributed, and consumed.
Whether you’re building the grid or optimizing your solar bids, this episode will show you how this tech stalwart is helping turn clean energy headwinds into tailwinds.
Expect to learn:
🔹 Why Microsoft is one of the largest buyers of carbon-free energy on Earth
🔹 How AI is slashing permitting timelines and supercharging forecasting accuracy
🔹 A mind-blowing story of how 17GW of fossil fuels got cut with just software
🔹 How quantum + AI helped shrink 32 million storage compounds down to 18 viable candidates
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
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What if the biggest threat to your solar business wasn’t competition—but compliance?
Rebekah Hren has spent over 20 years helping the solar industry avoid costly mistakes and dangerous shortcuts - by writing the very codes and standards that govern it. From fieldwork and training at SEI to consulting for AirBnB and now co-founding Solar Tech Collective, Rebekah has seen it all—and helped shape how we do solar safely and at scale.
In this episode, Nico dives deep with Rebekah to uncover the untold story of the National Electrical Code (NEC), the real reason rapid shutdown rules nearly derailed the industry, and how better training - not just better tech - is key to solar's future.
You’ll learn:
🔹 Why UL certifications aren't optional - and what too many installers still get wrong
🔹 The behind-the-scenes battles of Code Making Panel 4 (CMP-4)
🔹 How O&M pros are rewriting the rules of safety and reliability
🔹 Why rapid shutdown rules almost broke the solar industry
This is more than a conversation about compliance - you need this if you want to build a solar business that lasts.
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
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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Inflation, interest rates, tariffs—most markets flinch. But according to Josh Goldberg, commercial solar doesn’t blink. In this Tactical Tuesday, Josh pulls back the curtain on how Sunstone Credit is adapting—and thriving—by making it easier than ever to finance clean energy upgrades for America’s businesses.
You’ll hear why commercial solar might be more resilient than resi, how to decode confusing lease structures, and why every building owner should be thinking like a telecom landlord. Plus: what makes a killer commercial proposal and the surprising financing products Sunstone now offers (hint: they finance roofs!).
Expect to learn:
🔹 How to translate NOI boosts into powerful solar sales
🔹 Why EV chargers and storage make sense in C&I (but also complicate the deal)
🔹 The tools commercial solar desperately needs—but don’t exist yet
🔹 How Josh is making Sunstone the easiest lender in the clean energy game
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“AI is the greatest threat to your business ever.”
That’s how Sheldon Kimber opens this episode—and it only gets bolder from there.
Live from the Kiterocket Lounge during ACP CleanPower 2025, Sheldon returns to SunCast to unpack the real story behind energy-hungry data centers, the rise of hybrid power solutions, and why clean energy is no longer about purity—it’s about pragmatism.
As CEO of Intersect Power, Sheldon’s built one of the most forward-thinking development firms in the sector. He shares how Intersect is co-locating massive renewables with gas, batteries, and even grid backup—forming what might just be the future of baseload power. This is a must-listen for anyone monitoring how clean energy collides with digitalization, electrification, and AI.
Expect to learn:
🔹 Why the U.S. grid is fundamentally broken—and who’s really to blame
🔹 The hybrid power recipe Intersect is using to power Google-scale data centers
🔹 How political oscillation—not gas—is the real threat to climate progress
🔹 Why Intersect is building its own control software instead of relying on VC-backed startups
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
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Forget what you thought you knew about data centers.
Ryan Abbott of Clayco (a major datacenter design/build firm) joins Nico to explain how today’s hyperscale data centers are flipping traditional construction and energy planning on their heads. With AI workloads multiplying and compute demand skyrocketing, the real constraint isn't land—it’s power. And not just any power. Reliable, sustainable, redundant power systems that can handle 24/7 cooling, compute, and connectivity.
In this conversation, you’ll learn how data centers are being redesigned for the AI age—everything from chilled water loops to rooftop geometry to satellite data transmission all have an impact on the efficiency of what could be the most important structures to be built in a generation.
Expect to learn:
🔹 Why data center siting now revolves around power, not land
🔹 What “heat rejection” really means and why roofs matter more than you think
🔹 Why water use and air-cooled chillers are becoming make-or-break issues
🔹 What next-gen data center design teaches us about renewable integration
🔹 The reason Arizona—not Alberta—may be the new hub for AI compute
This one is for the builders, the planners, and the visionaries driving clean energy forward. Listen in and learn why the future of compute is all about collaboration—with the grid.
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
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What makes someone actually care about solar? It’s not the data. It’s the story.
On this special “SundayCast”, Nico sits down with the Reverend himself—Aaron Nichols (okay, not officially a Reverend, but the story behind that title is worth tuning in for). Aaron has made waves as a marketing & advocacy specialist at Exact Solar, helping the company thrive in a time when many others in solar are shrinking. His secret? Telling stories that spark action.
From a school greenhouse in Philly to a donated community solar project, Aaron shares how real narratives—not kilowatt stats—are driving leads, national press, and community engagement. If you’re tired of wonky white papers and want to learn how to make clean energy compelling, what you’ll learn in this episode needs to be part of your playbook.
Expect to learn:
🔹 Why “facts are for the in-group, stories are for the out-group”
🔹 How a single solar story got NPR, local press, and a Congressman’s attention
🔹 The storytelling tactics Aaron uses to turn readers into leads
🔹 How to make your next LinkedIn post actually get seen (and shared)
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
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What if a renewable energy power plant could achieve capacity factors above 70%? Wouldn’t that make it, finally, FIRM baseload power, dispatchable and “reliable” for the grid?
Can ai help? What else is required?
The simple answer is hybridization, but a long-time industry pioneer is here to tell us more.
Martin Hermann has spent the last 2 decades pioneering the future of utility-scale solar. From founding 8minutenergy, one of the first to bring Utility-scale solar parks to the US, to launching BrightNight, focused now on making solar dispatchable, Martin’s mission has stayed consistent: make renewables not just clean—but reliable.
In the latest episode of SunCast, you’ll hear how BrightNight is rethinking the way we build power plants, why Martin deliberately didn’t hire solar industry veterans, and how AI is changing the way utilities plan for grid stability.
This isn’t about adding more megawatts—it’s about turning renewables into baseload power, with capacity factors north of 70%.
Martin shares how he’s using hybridization (wind + solar + batteries + market integration) to unlock grid value, and what it takes to design dispatchable renewables from the ground up.
Expect to learn:
🔹 Why utility-scale solar must escape the “real estate developer” mindset
🔹 How BrightNight’s software optimizes entire systems—not just individual tech stacks
🔹 The future of long-duration storage and why multi-day batteries are on the verge
🔹 Why AI could become the most important tool in designing next-gen power plants
Ready to rethink solar's role in the power stack? Hit play.
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
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“Even the most unsinkable ship can sink.”
That’s Trevor Noah reflecting on the fragility of democracy, and he’s not just here to make you laugh—he’s here to challenge how you think. At CLEANPOWER 2025, Trevor delivers a brilliant, unscripted dialogue with Jason Grumet, the Chief Executive Officer of American Clean Power, unpacking how stories shape our national psyche—and what that means for the clean energy movement.
This episode is full of surprises. From philosophical riffs on the social power of red lights to how a “thank you” at the front door can restore social cohesion, Trevor delivers a masterful discussion on systems thinking, imagination, and empathy.
Most importantly? He lays out a quietly radical idea: stop selling people what you want—sell them what they need.
Clean energy has a messaging problem, and it’s time we stop preaching morals and start aligning incentives.
You won’t hear a more thought-provoking or entertaining take on American politics, trust, and the future of our energy system all year.
(We recorded this Live Keynote with permission at the American Clean Power “CleanPower 2025” conference - it was delivered the very morning of the Houses passing vote on the Big Beautiful Bill)
👉 In this episode:
🔹 The difference between truth, facts, and perception
🔹 Why clean energy needs better storytelling, not better tech
🔹 How conflict (done right) leads to discovery and love
🔹 The power of human connection in a disconnected world
If you're serious about leading the energy transition, start here—with the questions only a comedian dares to ask.
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
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What if the biggest opportunity in solar has been hiding in plain sight?
Josh Goldberg is no stranger to solar. He’s a multi-exit founder who helped shape residential solar finance—and now he’s back to tackle the “messy middle” of commercial solar. After stepping away from the industry, Josh returned with a mission: to unlock the underfinanced, overlooked world of small-to-mid-sized commercial solar.
In this episode, Josh shares how Sunstone Credit is solving a billion-dollar bottleneck—by giving installers and non-rated businesses the financing tools they’ve always needed. He opens up about what’s changed in the market (and what hasn’t), the whiteboard moment that sparked his latest venture, and why the time for this market is finally now.
Expect to learn:
🔹 Why the C&I market still hasn’t scaled like residential or utility
🔹 How Sunstone built bank-grade underwriting for an “unbanked” sector
🔹 The real reason pricing in commercial solar hasn’t improved in 15 years
🔹 What it took to convince banks to bet on a “brand new” asset class
If you’ve been wondering when large-scale commercial rooftops will finally go solar (or why it hasnt happened yet…), this one’s for you.
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
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Winter is coming
If you're a solar or battery developer, especially in utility-scale or C&I, you're likely feeling it already: capital has tightened, exits have dried up, and project timelines are stretching longer than ever. Sound familiar?
Rob Sternthal, co-founder of XIP and a two-decade veteran of clean energy finance, joins Nico to deliver a tactical wake-up call. This isn’t just another “market update”—it’s a field guide for navigating what could be the most turbulent season the industry has faced in most of your careers. Rob breaks down the myths developers are clinging to, the real risks of mid-stage assets, and how to avoid ceding your entire platform to creditors.
You’ll hear why Rob believes the “build and flip” model is on life support, what capital providers are really thinking, and how XIP is helping developers get scrappy, strategic, and solvent in a capital-constrained world.
🧭 Expect to Learn:
🔹 Why the capital markets have gone from firehose to faucet
🔹 The red flags of a distressed developer (and how to know if it’s you)
🔹 Strategies to stay liquid and avoid a fire sale
🔹 What kind of investors to seek (and which ones to run from)
If you’re feeling the pressure to sell early, raise expensive credit, or just keep your team afloat, this episode could be a lifeline.
And if you’re looking for the Linkedin Article that prompted this episode, it’s here: https://bit.ly/RobSternthal-LI-Post
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
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What if your rooftop solar could do more than just power your fridge?
Karl Andersen believes it can—and should—power the future of AI.
Karl unpacks the grid’s biggest vulnerabilities, why data centers lack critical power infrastructure, and how we can turn solar-powered homes into the building blocks of a decentralized compute network. Lektra’s tech fuses distributed energy with cloud computing—think “Raspberry Pi meets Tesla Powerwall meets AI.” The result? A game-changing business model where solar homeowners become micro data centers—and start earning like one.
From national security concerns to GPU monetization, Karl walks us through why our energy and data systems are broken—and how his patented solution bridges both.
Expect to learn:
🔹 How Lektra turns excess solar energy into compute power
🔹 Why grid fragility is now a national security issue
🔹 What it takes to patent an entirely new category of energy-tech
🔹 How homeowners could earn 1000x more than selling to the grid
This isn’t really even about solar. It’s about rethinking energy, ownership, and what the next version of the internet could look like.
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
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If you think batteries are just for backup, think again. The post-NEM 3.0 world has flipped residential solar economics—and companies like TeraHive are leading a storage revolution that’s all about ROI, not just resilience.
Ram Bhat, Head of Product at TeraHive, explores how software-first thinking and DC-coupled architecture are transforming what’s possible in home energy systems. Ram brings deep expertise from Enphase, fuel cells, and flywheels into a conversation that’s equal parts technical and strategic.
You’ll hear why the next big winners in storage will nail low cost, modularity, and software intelligence—and how software approaches to battery management could be the key to unlocking this much-needed grid-edge solution.
Expect to learn:
🔹 How NEM 3.0 is reshaping battery attachment economics
🔹 Why autonomous, AI-driven systems are critical to homeowner adoption
🔹 The power of DC-coupled architecture for cost and efficiency
🔹 What it takes to serve the “middle-income” solar-plus-storage market
If you're trying to future-proof your product offerings—or your business model—you’ll want to hear this.
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
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What if your truck could power your house—and save you hundreds a month on electricity?
Could your EV be a secret energy arbitrage opportunity?
Barry Cinnamon, a true solar pioneer, shows that it’s possible right now with Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) systems. Listen in as Barry breaks down why V2H is finally ready for prime time—and why the utility-centric V2X model is failing to deliver real value for homeowners.
Barry's message is clear: customers want control, not complexity. And with a 240V inverter in your EV (at least, in his Ford Lightning) plus the right home inverter/battery setup (ht to FranklinWH here), you can skip the expensive hardware and take back some control of your utility costs!
This isn’t just a backup power story. It’s about a seismic shift toward energy independence.
Expect to learn:
🔹 How Barry hacked his Ford F-150 Lightning to power his home
🔹 Why utilities are resisting customer-centric energy models
🔹 The real cost difference between home solar + EV vs. staying on the grid
🔹 What grid defection looks like—and why it’s accelerating in California
Whether you're an installer, a homeowner, or just EV-curious, this is your primer on the future of decentralized energy. It’s practical, passionate, and packed with real-world insight.
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
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Why haven’t more homeowners installed batteries—despite growing outages and rising rates? I tend to agree with Vinnie Campo, co-founder and CEO of Haven Energy, who believes the answer lies in who owns the asset.
But beyond who owns the asset (and assuming, then, that it should not be the homeowner?), is there a way to deliver a truly zero-cost, fully managed battery system that benefits both homeowners and the grid?
In this episode, Vinnie shares how Haven is flipping the script on residential energy storage. Backed by strategic investors (and co-founded by former Casper Mattress execs), Haven is creating a seamless path for utilities and CCAs to deploy batteries at scale—without burdening customers with financing complexity or upfront costs.
We explore Haven’s creative partnership with one of those CCAs, Clean Power Alliance, helping deliver batteries to their base of 3 Million homeowners. We also learn just how they make it possible to deploy “zero cost” batteries, and why Vinnie’s background in energy trading helped bring this vision to reality.
👉 This isn’t just about batteries. It’s about solving the grid's most urgent problems—and unlocking energy resilience for everyone.
Expect to learn:
🔹 How Haven offers batteries at no cost ever to income-qualified homeowners
🔹 Why utilities and homeowners value batteries for very different reasons
🔹 The secret to aligning grid capacity with backup power needs
🔹 What makes VPP deployment finally scalable and financeable
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
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The biggest threat to scaling community solar isn’t cost. It’s interconnection.
Live from the PowerUp Stage at RE+ Northeast, Samantha Weaver of the Coalition for Community Solar Access dives into why so many promising clean energy projects never make it past the planning phase. Spoiler: it’s not because the technology isn’t ready—it’s because the system isn’t.
With jaw-dropping examples (a 100-project backlog that would take 50 years to process?!), Samantha breaks down how sluggish utility review processes, outdated cost models, and data black holes are bringing progress to a crawl.
This is an eye-opening conversation that shows how the right policies—and partnerships—can turn gridlock into greenlight.
Expect to learn:
🔹 The policy loopholes causing multi-million-dollar grid upgrade surprises
🔹 What “zombie projects” are and why they’re choking the interconnection pipeline
🔹 The one map every solar developer needs before applying
🔹 Why community solar is essential for the 70% of Americans who can’t go solar on-site
Don’t miss this behind-the-scenes look at the roadblocks to energy equity—and what it’ll take to clear the way.
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
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You can buy solar panels in many places around the world for around 10 cents-a-watt— so why are Americans still paying an average of about $3.70 for every watt installed?
In this candid and fiery live episode, Nico Johnson sits down with long-time clean energy champions Andrew Birch and Kerim Baran to unpack what’s really slowing down solar deployment in the U.S. The verdict? Bureaucracy, bad trade policy, and a lack of open-market access are dragging us down.
From SolarApp to tariffs to balcony solar, this conversation delivers a clear-eyed exploration of clean energy economics and the tension between innovation and regulation. Birchy argues for smarter global trade to lower prices and create more jobs—not fewer. And Kerim asks the tough questions about sovereignty, security, and system-wide inefficiencies. We’ve got further reading down in the resources section, but first you’ll want to tune into this discussion to learn:
🔹 How smarter permitting could unlock a solar job boom in the U.S.
🔹 Why Australia achieves $1/Watt installs—and what’s holding the U.S. back
🔹 Why tariffs don’t protect jobs—they stall innovation
🔹 What Elon Musk could do to fix residential solar (no, seriously)
This is the solar debate we should be having. Buckle up, SolarWarriors, we’re in for yet another stomach-churning ride on the solarcoaster.
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
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What if the utility bill you barely understand holds the key to stabilizing the grid, accelerating electrification, and saving you money?
Rachel Bryant has spent nearly 20 years navigating the complex world of energy regulation—as both an engineer and a lawyer. Now at GridX, she’s helping utilities across the country translate convoluted tariff structures into clear, actionable decisions for customers. The result? Better engagement, smarter energy use, and a grid that can flex with our electrifying future.
Recorded live at RE+ Northeast, this conversation unpacks why traditional cost-of-service rate structures are crumbling under the pressure of EVs, solar, and home electrification—and how time-variable pricing might just be the answer. From peak load reduction to EV charging patterns, Rachel breaks down how data, software, and savvy communication can bring utilities and customers into alignment.
Expect to learn:
🔹 Why most people still don’t know they can choose their electricity rate
🔹 How GridX lets customers simulate bill impacts down to the penny
🔹 Why EVs are the gateway drug to grid participation
🔹 What’s holding some utilities back from embracing time-of-use pricing
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
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Texas: where oil and gas once reigned supreme—and now, renewables are rewriting the rules.
In this special live episode recorded at Intersolar & Energy Storage North America 2025, Doug Lewin and Nico Johnson flip the script. Doug takes the mic to interview Nico about his biggest takeaways from the show, and the two dive deep into what’s fueling Texas' meteoric rise in solar, storage, and energy expansion.
Expect a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about why Texas has become the unexpected juggernaut of clean energy—and what risks could upend that growth if policymakers aren't careful.
Expect to learn:
🔹 How Texas' merchant energy market supercharged solar and storage
🔹 Why oil and gas giants are quietly backing clean energy
🔹 The looming policy threats that could slow Texas’ renewable momentum
🔹 How massive new data center loads are reshaping ERCOT
Get ready for bold insights, insider perspectives, and a fresh view of how Texas is setting the pace for America's energy future.
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
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“Don’t pitch slap me.”
That’s the line Spenser Meeks uses to describe the all-too-common trap most any professional falls into when presenting information (Usually via presentation decks) — jumping straight into specs and data before earning your audience’s attention. In a lively convo, Spenser and Nico break down why 60% of all conference speaking sessions (yes, your conference panels) are rated “meh”… and how better storytelling could fix that.
If you’re tired of your message falling flat or sales calls that go nowhere, learn to help people care before they calculate. Spenser, who’s trained the moderators and presenters for RE+ and other top trade shows, shares the emotional and psychological blueprint that can transform technical pitches into conversations that land.
🎭 Why storytelling creates instant emotional engagement
🧠 How to structure sales conversations for maximum buy-in
💬 The “one-liner” framework that makes your value unforgettable
🎨 How to ditch boring slides and make your presentations pop
Whether you’re prepping for your next pitch or just want your message to stick, this episode will help you stand out—without shouting specs.
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
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The FinTech Reboot Solar Has Been Waiting For
What happens when local banks finally start playing ball in solar lending? Ravi Mikkelsen is here to tell us.
In this “Where Are They Now” episode, we reconnect with Ravi Mikkelsen, the co-founder and CEO of Atmos Financial, who first joined SunCast in 2021. Since then, the solar financing world has been flipped on its head—rising interest rates, shifting policies, and a return to leases have left installers and homeowners alike with questions and headaches. Ravi has been quietly building an answer in the form of a fintech platform that bridges the gap between traditional banking and solar projects.
If you’ve ever wondered why solar loans still feel so complicated—or what it would take to truly democratize clean energy finance—this is your episode.
🔹 Why solar loans are getting more expensive—even as hardware costs fall
🔹 How dealer fees can wipe out the homeowner’s tax credit benefit
🔹 The return of leases—and what that says about market conditions
🔹 Why Atmos is moving out of deposits and doubling down on lending
Tune in to hear how Atmos is powering the next wave of solar finance by making it easier, cheaper, and more transparent—for everyone involved.
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
- Visa fler
