Today on the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague sits down with Eric Goodwin, Vice President of Business Development at OMCO Solar, to explore the evolution and future of solar manufacturing in the United States. From its roots as a truck bumper manufacturer in 1955 to becoming America's largest custom roll former with 13GW of annual solar racking capacity, OMCO's story exemplifies the transformation of US manufacturing in the renewable energy era. Eric shares invaluable insights into OMCO's journey ...
Jan 21, 2025•40 min
Today on the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague explores an innovative approach to geothermal energy with Johanna Ostrom. Johanna is the COO of Gradient Geothermal, where she leads efforts to transform the energy sector by harnessing geothermal resources to reduce emissions from oil and gas wells. With a strong background in engineering and a proven track record in the oil and gas sector, Johanna and the team at Gradient Geothermal is pioneering innovative approaches to energy co-production and oilf...
Jan 14, 2025•31 min
Check out CPS Product Innovation Day 2025: https://loom.ly/Ll19EVk Today on the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague sits down with Bryan Wagner, President and GM of CPS America, the number one string inverter manufacturer in the US solar market. We discuss the company's upcoming Product Innovation Day event (April 2, 2025, in Dallas TX) and their unique approach to business in the solar industry. Wagner shares how CPS America has grown from a distributed generation (DG Solar) focus to becoming a majo...
Jan 07, 2025•38 min
We wrap up 2024 with a rather unique agrivoltaics episode. Today on the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague sits down with Nick de Vries, Chief Technology Officer of Silicon Ranch, to explore the groundbreaking concept of regenerative energy. This innovative approach goes beyond traditional solar energy production by integrating sustainable agricultural practices that enhance soil health and promote biodiversity. Nick shares his journey with Silicon Ranch and discusses the company's commitment to own...
Dec 31, 2024•42 min
Today on the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague brings you Rick Wrenn, author of "A Pragmatist's Guide to Energizing the U.S.A.", to explore the economic forces driving America's energy transition. Rick, who has a specialty compounds and operations management background, brings a fresh perspective to the energy conversation by focusing on the numbers rather than political rhetoric. The discussion delves deep into why wind, solar, and battery storage are increasingly winning on pure economics ag...
Dec 24, 2024•43 min
Today on the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague brings you John Witchel, CEO and founder of King Energy, a company dedicated to solving the multi-tenant solar project problem for 3rd party owned real estate. The discussion centers around the concept of the split incentive problem, which has historically hindered solar installations on buildings where tenants do not own the roof. Witchel explains how this issue arises when landlords lack motivation to invest in solar systems, as they do not dire...
Dec 17, 2024•39 min
In this episode of The Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague welcomes Derek, known as Derek the Solarboi, a seasoned solar professional and content creator. The discussion begins with Derek sharing his journey into the solar industry, highlighting his transition from general electrical work to becoming an expert in operations and maintenance (O&M). With over a decade of experience, he provides valuable insights into the common challenges faced by solar installations today. Derek delves into th...
Dec 12, 2024•44 min
Today on the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague is joined by Sean White, a renowned NABCEP-certified trainer, solar educator, and author. Sean is a global leader in the solar energy industry, known for his engaging training sessions and dedication to advancing the field. The discussion begins with a reference to their recent experiences at the Oregon Solar Conference, where they participated in unique activities like goat yoga, blending humor with insights about the event's focus on dedicated solar ...
Dec 10, 2024•46 min
When weather gets gnarly, the solar panels can fly, the racking can be destroyed, and the powerplant might actually die. But never fear, Azimuth Advisory Services is here to help prevent climate chaos from getting the best of your solar and storage projects. In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, we take a deep dive with two expert advisors, Frank Oudheusden and Chris Needham, principals at Azimuth Advisory Services. They bring decades of expertise in solar racking to the discussion. Listen, a...
Dec 05, 2024•40 min
Putting solar canopies on row homes and high-rise buildings in NYC! Today on the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague sits down with T.R. Ludwig, the founder of Brooklyn Solar Works and Brooklyn Solar Canopy Company. The episode explores the unique challenges and innovative solutions associated with installing solar in the urban core of New York City. T.R. shares his insights on how he and his team overcame the challenges of high-rise buildings, such as limited roof space and stringent fire codes...
Dec 03, 2024•37 min
Batteries are the new black for solar (solar is already black so maybe batteries are the double black?). If you’re a solar contractor you MUST go long into battery storage. As the value of net metering goes away (NEM 3.0 beware), the importance of BESS goes up. In California, ESS attachment rates have gone above 80 percent. In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague sits down with Vince Ambrose, the Chief Commercial Officer of Franklin Whole Home (WH), one of the hottest battery ...
Nov 28, 2024•43 min
In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague sits down with Faviola Angulo, a performance improvement engineer at CPS America, to explore the intricate world of solar inverter technology and performance monitoring. Faviola shares her journey into the solar industry, highlighting her transition from oil and gas to renewable energy, driven by a desire to contribute positively to the planet. Having joined CPS America six years ago after completing her master's in electrical systems, s...
Nov 26, 2024•34 min
In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague engages with industry leaders Dr. Zhehan Yi and Ryan Mayfield to discuss the critical topic of safety in grid-scale battery systems. As the demand for renewable energy surges, understanding the safety protocols and standards surrounding battery storage has never been more essential. The conversation delves into the rapid growth of battery installations across the United States, which have skyrocketed from approximately one gigawatt to nearly ...
Nov 21, 2024•53 min
In this episode of Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague interviews Drew Bond, CEO and co-founder of Powerfield Energy, about their innovative solar racking system. The company's flagship product, the PowerRack, represents a significant departure from traditional solar mounting solutions. At its core, it's a highly engineered HDPE plastic tub that holds solar panels at a 25-degree angle, requiring no tools or ground penetration for installation - installers simply fill the tubs with local material...
Nov 19, 2024•34 min
In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague welcomes Evan Upshur, a senior account representative at Chint Power Systems, to discuss the transformative role of inverters in the solar industry. The conversation delves into the recent introduction of single-phase inverters by Chint, a company renowned for its leadership in three-phase string inverter manufacturing. Listeners will gain insights into how these innovations are reshaping commercial solar projects, particularly in terms ...
Nov 12, 2024•29 min
In this episode of Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague sits down with Gary Skulnik, founder of Neighborhood Sun, to explore the transformative world of community solar. From his early days creating a solar science fair project in 1979 to founding a revolutionary community solar platform, Skulnik shares insights into making clean energy accessible to everyone, regardless of their housing situation or income level. The conversation delves into the evolution of community solar markets across different s...
Nov 05, 2024•41 min
In today’s episode of the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague sits down with Dr. Zhehan Yi (aka, Dr. Z), Director of Utility and Battery Energy Storage Products at CPS America, to explore their groundbreaking 5 MWh battery solution. As data centers expand at break-neck speed, driven by AI and cryptocurrency demands, the need for reliable, scalable energy storage solutions has never been greater. Dr. Z delves into CPS America's innovative Power Block system, which combines a 5 MWh battery container wi...
Oct 29, 2024•32 min
In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague sits down with Jon Previtali, Senior Principal Engineer at VDE Americas, to discuss the growing challenge of hail damage in large-scale solar projects. As hail-related insurance claims skyrocket and premiums increase, the solar industry is searching for innovative solutions to protect their investments. Jon shares his extensive experience in the solar industry and explains how VDE Americas is developing new testing methods to assess modu...
Oct 22, 2024•39 min
In today’s episode of the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague sits down with Dr. Barry Davis, a veteran college baseball coach and leadership consultant. With 35 years of coaching experience, Dr. Davis shares valuable lessons on leadership, team building, and creating a culture of excellence that applies both on the field and in business. Dr. Davis discusses the importance of passion, communication, and setting clear expectations in leadership roles. We explore strategies for developing individual pe...
Oct 15, 2024•40 min
In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague sits down with Albert Bielinko, General Partner at Titanium Ventures, to explore the fascinating intersection of venture capital and clean technology. With over $1 billion invested across 100 technology companies, Titanium Ventures has become a key player in funding the energy transition. This discussion reveals how smart capital is driving innovation in climate solutions and why certain technologies are attracting significant investment...
Oct 08, 2024•47 min
In today’s episode of the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague sits down with Bryan Wagner, President and General Manager, and Anton Patton, Vice President of Product Management at CPS America. They dive deep into the company's groundbreaking 250kW 600V string inverter, a product poised to revolutionize the solar industry. The discussion covers the evolution of string inverter technology, the shift from central to string inverters in utility-scale projects, and how CPS America's new product addresses ...
Oct 01, 2024•58 min
In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague interviews Gil Hough, Executive Director of the Tennessee Solar Energy Industries Association (TenneSEIA). The discussion offers a comprehensive look at the unique energy landscape within the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) region, which spans Tennessee and parts of six other states. Key points: TVA Background: Created as part of the New Deal, TVA initially focused on flood management, electrification, and economic development. Its ener...
Sep 24, 2024•39 min
Today on the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague sits down with Brendan Miller, Deputy Director of the Land and Liberty Coalition, to discuss building support for renewable energy projects in rural communities across America. Brendan shares his unique journey from farmer and local school board member to renewable energy advocate, offering valuable insights into the complex dynamics of rural politics and property rights. Learn about the innovative approaches the Land and Liberty Coalition uses to comb...
Sep 17, 2024•40 min
Today on the Clean Power Hour we explore the world of data-driven strategies for supercharging solar O&M (operations and maintenance) with expert guests Alex Nussey, CEO of Wattch and Trish Graf, VP of Sales at Omnidian. The conversation kicks off by exploring the current state of monitoring and analytics in distributed generation (DG) solar, with a focus on commercial, industrial, and small utility-scale projects. Alex and Trish shed light on the challenges faced by the rapidly growing sola...
Sep 10, 2024•1 hr 3 min
In this fascinating episode of the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague sits down with Chuck Schwartz, head of business development at Sun'Agri, to explore the cutting-edge world of agrivoltaics. Chuck shares his journey from engineering to entrepreneurship, ultimately leading him to the forefront of solar technology in agriculture. The conversation delves into Sun'Agri's innovative software platform, which intelligently steers solar panels to optimize both crop growth and energy production. Chuc...
Sep 03, 2024•28 min
In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague sits down with Jordan Macknick, a senior researcher at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), to explore the fascinating world of agrivoltaics. With over a decade of experience in the field, Macknick offers a comprehensive look at the intersection of solar energy and agriculture, shedding light on the current state and future potential of this innovative approach to land use. The conversation begins with Macknick's journey into agri...
Aug 27, 2024•29 min
In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague sits down with Tim Lichti, founder and CEO of Swap Robotics, to discuss innovative solar farm vegetation management solutions. Lichti shares insights into how his company is tackling one of the most significant ongoing expenses in solar farm operations - vegetation control. Swap Robotics has developed a fleet of custom-built, all-electric robots designed to maintain large-scale solar installations. These machines feature unique capabilities s...
Aug 20, 2024•19 min
In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague sits down with John Carson, managing partner at Armagh Capital, to explore the world of tax credit finance for distributed generation solar projects. John shares his expertise on how companies can monetize solar tax credits, particularly focusing on projects ranging from 0.5 to 40 megawatts. He explains the process of transferring tax credits, the benefits for both buyers and sellers, and how this financial strategy is making previously ...
Aug 15, 2024•29 min
In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague sits down with Greg Barron-Gafford, a professor at the University of Arizona and a pioneer in the field of agrivoltaics. Recorded at the Solar Farm Summit, this conversation dives deep into the exciting world of dual-use solar, where crops and solar panels coexist in mutually beneficial arrangements. Barron-Gafford shares his journey into agrivoltaics, which began with studying the potential heat island effect of solar farms. His research led...
Aug 13, 2024•31 min
In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague sits down with Iain Ward, founder of Solar Agricultural Services (SolAg), to explore the exciting world of agrivoltaics - the practice of combining solar energy production with agriculture. Ward, with his background in conservation planning and environmental science, shares insights on how the solar industry and farming communities can create win-win scenarios through innovative dual-use projects. The conversation delves into the current stat...
Aug 08, 2024•40 min
