The U.S. solar industry is closely familiar with addressing market uncertainties. Recent proposed updates to federal solar incentives have sent certain segments of the market into a spiral, while some state policymakers have approved legislation supporting PV growth within their states. Despite these political headwinds, the incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act have helped establish a stronger domestic supply chain since its enactment. James Mason, VP of renewable energy for ABC Supply, a n...
Jul 02, 2025•28 min
On this episode of Solar Spotlight, Benjamin Heitmann, marketing manager, and Madeline Acri, applications engineer with Sungrow North America discuss the company’s history of manufacturing solar inverter technologies and dive into some of the specific features of string inverters.
Feb 27, 2025•17 min
While there is greater oversight for installing solar projects on school grounds, M Bar C Construction has found success in this segment of the market and has done so through building solar carports. Bobby Bonfanti, eastern division manager, and Erik Krivokopich, VP of business development at M Bar C, are on this episode of Solar Spotlight to shed some light on why carports are the ideal solar solution for schools.
Feb 11, 2025•13 min
The value of energy resiliency is increasing in the face of stronger weather events and natural disasters, and the electrical grid isn’t always prepared to withstand these adverse environmental pressures. Rex Liu, VP of product management, clean energy, at Generac, is on this episode of Solar Spotlight to share how residential solar customers can keep ample backup energy to power everything necessary during a grid outage.
Nov 11, 2024•15 min
The American power grid is electrifying through renewable energy proliferation, and homeowners are following suit by replacing gas powered vehicles and appliances with electric-powered options. However, certain homes are encountering the conundrum of having too high of an electrical load and not enough electrical service to back it. Savant is a recognized leader in both smart home and smart power solutions, developing solutions for balancing electrical loads in the age of in-home solar and stora...
Aug 20, 2024•11 min
Trina Solar US, the domestic arm of the global PV module manufacturer, is ramping up production in the United States. On this episode of Solar Spotlight, Adam Macaluso, national accounts manager for US channel business at Trina Solar, shares an update on Trina’s U.S. manufacturing footprint, as well as the company’s near future plans.
Aug 13, 2024•8 min
ABC Supply is a prolific distributor in the North American roofing market and has expanded into solar component distribution as well. James Mason, VP of renewable energy at ABC Supply, is on this episode of Solar Spotlight to discuss the company’s history, motivations for entering the PV market and its ambition to reshape how solar contractors are supplied with solar hardware.
Aug 06, 2024•10 min
In our last episode of the Contractor's Corner podcast, we're announcing this year's Top Solar Contractors List. Thank you to Scanifly for sponsoring this podcast and the 2024 Top Solar Contractors List. View the full list at solarpowerworldonline.com.
Jul 23, 2024•4 min
Utility-scale solar projects are consistently breaking capacity records annually, both in individual project size and overall countrywide output. The sheer scale of these acres and sometimes miles long arrays require an unprecedented amount of worktime to construct, and even before a pile is driven into the dirt, project engineers must spend time designing these systems. PVcase, a software as a service company founded by solar engineers, has for the last decade provided design services for utili...
Mar 28, 2024•9 min
In this episode, the utility-scale EPC talks about the importance of relationships with manufacturers and hands-on training time for install crews. Sponsored by Scanifly.
Dec 18, 2023•20 min
Over the last several years, the shape and size of mounts used in residential solar projects have changed to a lower profile attachment that can be installed over the shingle instead of slid underneath like metal flashing sheets. The next obstacle in residential solar design was expanding these top-mounted attachments that could primarily be installed on rafters onto the decking surface of the roof. Ryan Estrada, technical program outreach manager, and Nico Martinez, senior product manager at Un...
Dec 07, 2023•17 min
As the effects of a changing climate increase in both frequency and severity, the need for technologies that can decarbonize and support electrical infrastructure is paramount. In this episode of Solar Spotlight, Zolaikha Strong, senior director of policy and regulatory affairs at Generac Power Systems, discusses the significance of energy storage in the contexts of grid stability, individual energy resilience and the greater mission of combatting climate change.
Nov 29, 2023•10 min
In this episode, Alternative Energy Southeast talks about securing R&D credits for trying new solar tech and the keys to regional solar success. Sponsored by Scanifly and Intersolar North America.
Nov 27, 2023•23 min
Solar racking manufacturer SunModo will soon debut its latest pitched rooftop mount, NanoRack, to the residential market. On this episode of Solar Spotlight, CEO Steve Mumma discusses the system features and installation considerations built into NanoRack.
Nov 08, 2023•15 min
The shape of solar mounts is changing, and so too are how they’re attached to rooftops. K2 Systems, a solar racking manufacturer, has integrated a butyl sealant onto a new line of roof mounts. On this episode of Solar Spotlight, Brett Nielsen, VP of products and services at K2, is here to share the rationale behind adopting this sticky new flashing for mounting purposes.
Nov 01, 2023•19 min
Domestic solar is consistently breaking installation records year over year and is slated to keep that pace. Yet, manufacturers and suppliers are still feeling the effects of pandemic supply chain delays. In this episode of Solar Spotlight, Unirac’s new VP of operations and supply chain, Lee Ingram, and former guest and VP of Unirac’s commercial division, Brandon Carrasco, are here to discuss how the manufacturer is keeping a steady supply of racking for its clientele.
Oct 24, 2023•16 min
In this episode, Vibe Solar talks about pivoting the residential business to adapt to California's new NEM 3.0 rate structure. Sponsored by Scanifly.
Oct 23, 2023•29 min
In this episode, Renewable IPP talks about the workforce challenges as the first utility-scale EPC in Alaska and O&M considerations for these far northwestern arrays. Sponsored by Scanifly.
Sep 25, 2023•29 min
Energy storage is becoming a more common feature on residential solar installations so homeowners can tap into the power they’ve generated when they need it — not just when the sun is up. Rex Liu, VP of product management at Generac, a manufacturer of batteries for renewable energy applications, is here to share how solar installers can approach pitching and sizing storage for residential PV projects.
Sep 15, 2023•10 min
With the enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act and its new offerings in tax incentives for solar projects, contractor collaboration and value engineering have become critical components for creating or selling viable solar projects. M Bar C Construction specializes in solar carport installation across a range of applications and building types. Today, we’re joined by M Bar C’s VP of business development, Erik Krivokopich [Krih-vo-cah-pitch], and eastern division manager, Bobby Bonfanti, to di...
Sep 13, 2023•16 min
The administration at Emory University, a private school of higher education from Georgia, set sustainability goals for the university, with plans to eliminate carbon emissions production by 2050. Emory has already installed solar arrays across many buildings on its main campus and is nearing completion of a solar canopy PV project at its Musculoskeletal Institute off-campus. Ben Damiani, chief technology officer at Cherry Street Energy, is here to share some details on the development and techn...
Sep 02, 2023•12 min
The inverter is a crucial component on a solar project because it converts the power generated by PV modules into usable electricity. Daniel Friberg, director of product and engineering at inverter manufacturer Sungrow, shares some details on the operations, hardware compatibility and environmental readiness of Sungrow’s SG350 line of string inverters.
Aug 30, 2023•10 min
In this episode, Solar Power of Oklahoma talks about the hurdles of selling solar in an oil & gas state, and the progress the company has made in the past seven years. Sponsored by Scanifly and RE+.
Aug 28, 2023•25 min
Photovoltaic solar modules continue to grow in wattage, and that often means increasing their size, too, but that doesn’t always have to be the case. In this episode of Solar Spotlight, Lucas Moura, product marketing manager for international module manufacturer Trina Solar, discusses the significance of the compact yet electrically potent N-type TopCon solar module.
Aug 22, 2023•8 min
SnapNrack, a solar mounting and racking manufacturer, is reconsidering the steps to securing solar modules to residential rooftops. Earlier this year, SnapNrack debuted its TopSpeed solar rooftop mounting system, a solution that attaches to solar modules before they reach the roof. Here to discuss the system’s features is Andrew Wickham, Director of Products and Engineering at SnapNrack. This podcast is sponsored by SnapNrack
Jul 31, 2023•13 min
In this episode, BQ Energy talks about how brownfield solar installations have changed over the past decade. Sponsored by Scanifly, Aurora Solar and RE+.
Jul 24, 2023•27 min
Solar racking manufacturer Unirac launched its Master Installer Program in 2020 to offer its customers hands-on training with solar racking installation, design and system optimization and troubleshooting. In this episode, we’re joined by Braden Laumbach, program coordinator, and Zak Kushner, installer sales specialist manager, with Unirac, to explore what the company’s customer initiatives like the Master Installer Program have to offer for the solar industry.
Jun 27, 2023•9 min
In this episode, Sundance Power Systems talks about getting started in 1995 and how the company has forged an unlikely collaboration with North Carolina's biggest investor-owned utility. Sponsored by Scanifly and WAGO.
Jun 26, 2023•37 min
In this episode, Summit Ridge Energy talks about its partnerships to accelerate solar manufacturing and job growth. Sponsored by Scanifly.
May 22, 2023•25 min
K2 Systems is a racking company that manufactures installation-friendly solar mounting systems tailored to the needs of customers. Andy Neshat, CEO of K2 Systems US & MX, joins Solar Power World in this podcast to talk about the new K2 Quote solution and the company’s plans to further cut soft costs. Sponsored by K2.
May 15, 2023•8 min
