Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar! In this week's podcast, we discuss the recent shutdown by PG&E, the implications, and strategies for our clients with future shutdowns. Over 900,000 PG&E customers lost power for more than 5 days, and we discuss the role solar power can have to mitigate future outages. News on this topic: PG&E executive admits errors in power outages as utility struggles to restore electricity P...
Oct 14, 2019•21 min
Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar! In this week's podcast, we discuss the new disclosure requirement for solar projects . Customers must sign off they have reviewed the solar disclosures regarding PACE, HERO, leases, and unlicensed contractors . Solid solar companies are annoyed at the new disclosures as they are unnecessary, but shaky solar companies should be nervous... About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to yo...
Sep 26, 2019•21 min
Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar! In this week's podcast, we discuss a recent trip to Maui and how much the state of Hawaii has embraced solar power. It is very common to not only see residential solar (thanks to Hawaiian Electric ), but easily the most commercial solar panel installations are located in Hawaii. And we give a short update on the Bitcoin Mining using solar power as well. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmoni...
Sep 19, 2019•15 min
Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar! In today's podcast, we discuss the affects of solar leasing on today's real estate deals. We talk about PACE & HERO loans, and how they affect a real estate sale or loan refinance, and much more. Educating the real estate professionals about solar financing is a big hurdle for the solar industry and its future growth. Know anyone in the real estate industry? This would be a great podcas...
Sep 05, 2019•18 min
Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar! In this week's podcast, we discuss not only the upcoming federal solar tax credit decreasing to 26 % on January 1st, but we also discuss how reliable online reviews, review services, and solar panel reviews are, and what to look for to avoid bias in the reviews. Here's a quick list of Solar Harmonics' online reviews: Diamond Certified: https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/solar-harmonics...
Sep 02, 2019•21 min
Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar! The 30% Federal Tax Credit is declining to 26% percent on January 1st, 2020. In this week's podcast, we discuss how that change is affecting today's solar customer, what to expect, and the overall impact the tax credit has on solar decisions. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by...
Aug 22, 2019•14 min
Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar! After a recent road trip, we discuss the figurative explosion in solar deployments all up and down California and the reasons why homes, businesses, farms and government buildings all seem to be going solar, despite the mounting obstacles. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by pu...
Aug 15, 2019•18 min
Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar! In this week's podcast, we discuss how excess solar energy can be used to 'mine' for BitCoin and other cryptocurrencies. There is some time and investment required, but the opportunity is still there, and solar power makes this process even more profitable. Check it out and let us know your feedback! About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern Calif...
Aug 10, 2019•15 min
Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar! This week we are back with another STSC podcast after a brief 3 week break. In this week's podcast we discuss client ghosting , and how to be a great solar client. And how this all ties into be a better individual so we can all get along better in our society together. Check it out and let us know your feedback! About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in No...
Aug 02, 2019•21 min
Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar! With everything in life seeming to get more expensive, going solar gives you a sense of independence from not only the electric company, but when solar is combined with an electric car, you also get independence from the gas/oil industries too. Add in the tax benefits and more people will join us and ask, "Why didn't I do this sooner?" Check it out and let us know your feedback! About Jamie...
Jul 09, 2019•13 min
Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar! In this week's podcast, we discuss the pros and cons of backup generators vs battery backup systems. PG&E is sending out a ton of notices to their customers letting them know of planned outages, and most solar clients are considering a battery backup to cover for the outages. In this week's podcast, we discuss how a backup generator is a better solution than a battery system for backup ...
Jun 27, 2019•14 min
Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar! In this week's podcast, we discuss one of the untapped markets in the world of solar power - Home Owner's Associations. These groups are challenging and rewarding to work with, and we discuss the best practices so both sides come out with a win/win at the end of the project. Check it out and let us know your feedback! About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics...
Jun 22, 2019•25 min
Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar! In this week's episode we discuss recent solar news. This Week in Solar Power - we cover lots of exciting topics from Solar Tariffs, PG&E approval times, and solar farms. Action packed solar podcast! Stories mentioned in this week's podcast: Solar Has New Way to Duck Trump's Tariffs: Two-Sided Panels PG&E’s Bankruptcy Judge Leaves Door Open to Shedding Renewables Contracts Check it ...
Jun 13, 2019•20 min
Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar! In this week's episode we discuss recent solar news. Did you know that PG&E is planning rolling blackouts for the summer ? This is generating a lot of interest in solar power + battery systems. We discuss the substance vs. the fluff. And a few more happenings this week in solar industry news. Here's a recent quote from NPR: "This year, for the first time, the company may shut down the g...
Jun 07, 2019•18 min
Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar! In this week's episode we explore how the solar industry continues to shoot itself in the foot with high pressure sales, poor communication and unrealistic expectations. Check it out and let us know your feedback! About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar panel sys...
May 31, 2019•17 min
Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar! In this week's episode, Solar Expert Jamie Duran describes how to make your solar experience a nice, friendly, transaction that will exceed your expectations. Check it out and let us know your feedback! About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar panel system or thei...
May 25, 2019•20 min
Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar! In this episode, Solar Harmonics President, Jamie Duran talks about commuting! Not exactly in the realm of solar energy, but how we commute each day affects how we live each day. In today's podcast we discuss how electric vehicles are becoming much common and how solar energy can become the fuel of the future. Check it out and let us know your feedback. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmoni...
May 16, 2019•10 min
Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar! In this episode, Solar Harmonics President, Jamie Duran talks about a new nightmare for solar leasing customers, and this one is on a big scale.! Check it out and let us know your feedback. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar panel system or their home, busin...
May 09, 2019•9 min
Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar! In this week's podcast, Jamie Duran answers questions from the Self Generation Incentive Program regarding battery storage questions. Like always, the answer are straight forward and explain why battery storage in PG & E territory do not make much if any financial sense. We go in depth on these reasons, and hopefully in another upcoming podcast, we can hear the responses from the SGIP p...
May 03, 2019•31 min
Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar! In this week's podcast, we answer the question "Why is it necessary to use a licensed contractor for your solar project? About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar panel system or their home, business, or farm. You can check out the website for the best solar energy...
Apr 27, 2019•11 min
Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar! In this week's podcast, we focus on the "I Got a Better Deal" situation that is all too common in the solar industry. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar panel system or their home, business, or farm. You can check out the website for the best solar energy eq...
Apr 19, 2019•10 min
Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar! In this episode we discuss the topic "How to Prepare for Going Solar" Want to make your solar installation go as smooth as possible? Check out this podcast as solar Expert Jamie Duran details the exact steps you need to take care of so you can get ahead of the solar installation process. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who i...
Apr 11, 2019•15 min
Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar! In this episode we discuss the topic "Solar Financing." The adage "too good to be true" is alive and well in the solar industry, especially when it comes to financing your solar panel system. In this podcast Jamie breaks down the dangers of unrealistic interest rates on unsecured loans for solar. Many financing companies advertise unbelievable interest rates for loans - but those loans come...
Apr 04, 2019•11 min
Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar! In this episode we discuss the topic "Whole House Fans & Solar." Have a two story house that just can't seem to stay cool without blasting your AC? Solar Expert Jamie Duran weighs in on why you need to consider a whole house fan to reduce energy usage and then go solar to eliminate your energy bill entirely. Jamie's recommendation? The Stealth Pro Fan from Quiet Cool . Learn why in this...
Mar 29, 2019•13 min
Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar! In this episode we discuss the topic "Swimming Pools & Solar." Know someone with a swimming pool suffering with high utility costs every summer? Share with them this episode and they will love you for at least the next 20 years! In this episode we explore the three options available to heating your pool: • natural gas, • thermal panels and • an electric heat pump powered by a solar pane...
Mar 21, 2019•13 min
Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar! In this episode we discuss the topic "Solar Monitoring - Why You'd Be Crazy NOT to Have It." Solar monitoring is a system which allows homeowners to keep track of the production of their solar panel system. Jamie delves into why this a necessity for anyone considering solar for their home, farm or commercial project. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics ...
Mar 15, 2019•13 min
Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar! In this episode we discuss the topic "Paralysis Through Analysis - Choosing the Right Solar Bid for Your Home." Conventional wisdom says that when considering solar for your home you should get a variety of bids and choose the one that's best for you. Well, if you've ever done that, the solar industry makes that very difficult. Each solar company has their different way of building their sy...
Mar 08, 2019•17 min
Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar! In this episode we discuss the topic "Solar & Newly Built Homes." Did you know that all new homes built in California from 2020 will be required to have solar? Yep, that's right. Spearheaded by outgoing State Senator Kevin de León in SB 100 , all newly constructed homes under three stories will be required by the state’s Green Building Standards Code to go solar. Sounds great, right? So...
Mar 01, 2019•14 min
Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar! In this episode we discuss the topic "Diamond Certified & Checking Your Solar Output." Congratulations to Solar Harmonics for becoming Diamond Certified! What's Diamond Certified? Here's a short intro: "Only local companies independently rated Highest in Quality and Helpful Expertise® earn Diamond Certified. Our rigorous rating and certification process starts with the in-depth pass/fai...
Feb 26, 2019•10 min
Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk SolarCast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar! In this episode we discuss the topic " Solar Lease = The Albatross on the Roof. " Are you thinking about going solar with a solar lease? Don't do it! Did you know that 3 out of every 4 solar panel systems are sold with a lease? This is terrible, terrible news! In this podcast Jamie breaks down why leasing a solar panel system is always a bad idea, the real reason why PACE/HERO loans are also...
Feb 08, 2019•16 min
