Straight-Talk Solar Cast - podcast cover

Straight-Talk Solar Cast

Solar Harmonicswww.facebook.com
Welcome to the world's first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar. Each episode we discuss questions facing people making the decision to go solar. The solutions to your questions are given to you - straight - by one of the leading experts in the solar industry, Jamie Duran, president of Solar Harmonics. Feel free to search our library for answers to questions that you're facing when considering solar.
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Solar + AirBnB

In this week's podcast, we discuss how solar with AirBnB owners is another massive no-brainer. Tenants can sometimes not be too concerned about electricity usage and AirBnB owners can be hit with large electricity bills that eat into the profits of the AirBnB. Solar is the long-term solution for these clients to make the short-term rentals more attractive. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to “Own Their E...

Aug 05, 202114 min

The Customer is Always Right

In this week's podcast we discuss how some customers decide not to listen to our solar recommendations but want the solar the way they want it. We are happy to do the installation the way the client wants, but there is always a tradeoff. Our solar clients who follow our recommendations generally end the installation with "I wish we would have done this sooner." About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to “Own Th...

Jul 29, 202114 min

Solar + Whole Home Electric

In this week's episode we discuss the new trend of some homeowners who are replacing their natural gas appliances with fully electric appliances. Electric vehicles, ovens, dryers, and heat pump water heaters, air conditioning, and heating are all great moves to fully electrify the home. The next challenge is finding enough room for all of the necessary solar panels... About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to ...

Jul 23, 202114 min

More Fun With HOA's

In this week's podcast we discuss how more homeowners associations are looking at going solar to offset their common area electricity costs. Some HOA's are turning to construction consultants to help navigate the solar process and help find the best solution for the HOA. 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 for their home, business, or farm. You can ch...

Jul 16, 202115 min

Bought a House with a Solar Lease

In this week's episode we discuss a recent case of a solar client who bought a house with an existing solar lease and how to move forward with the solar lease and what to expect with the lease, maintenance, payments, and buyouts. Leasing can be a painful process so in today's real estate frenzy it's important to know about the solar lease details before buying the new home. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their custome...

Jul 08, 202115 min

Solar + Ford 150 Lightning

In this week's podcast we discuss the new Ford 150 Electric Truck 'Lightning' . The new Ford electric truck has a backup battery that can be used by a home during a power outage. We discuss this massive change in EV technology and how home storage batteries can now eliminate the need for a separate home storage battery. 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 sy...

Jul 02, 202113 min

Solar + John Oliver

In this week's podcast we discuss the latest episode of Last Week Tonight where John talks in great detail about the PACE financing program for home improvements. We share a lot of the same opinions on PACE but John leaves out some of the most egregious aspects of the PACE program. 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 for their home, business, or farm....

Jun 24, 202116 min

Solar + Heat Pump Water Heaters

In this week's podcast we get to talk to Joe Wacunas from the Electrify Now & CleanTechnica about his experience with hot water heat pumps. Joe installed an HWHP in his home and shares his experience, pros and cons of the HWHP and solar power. 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 for their home, business, or farm. You can check out the website for ...

Jun 17, 202114 min

Solar + Seniors

In this week's podcast we discuss how solar panel systems make so much sense for senior citizens, retirees, and people about to retire. Owned Solar is one of the only hedges against inflation, increases the value of the home, and has numerous environmental advantages. We also discuss how some seniors object to going solar because they don't know how much longer they will be around...we argue there is no safer investment than solar power as long as the sun rises. About Jamie Duran & Solar Har...

Jun 11, 202114 min

Solar + Graduation

In this week's podcast we discuss this year's high school & college graduates, the opportunities they will face and how many of the jobs/businesses available in 5 years have not been invented yet...solar power and other opportunities in renewable energy are only growing because all of these exciting technologies run on electricity. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing ...

Jun 04, 202114 min

Solar + Swinerton Renewable Energy

In this week's podcast we are happy to welcome George Hershman from Swinerton Renewable Energy . We learn about SRE's origin story, growth in the utility-scale solar market and how SRE is helping utility companies all over the country to generate electricity from solar power. 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 for their home, business, or farm. You c...

May 27, 202114 min

Solar + Site Inspections

Solar + Site Inspections - In this week's podcast we discuss what happens after you select the solar company's proposal and before you sign the contract. We go into probably too much detail of everything that is checked in the site inspection, issues that come up and what our plan is to resolve these issues to help our clients go solar. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing...

May 21, 202121 min

Solar + Main Service Panel

In this week's podcast we discuss our new searchable podcast episode format. We then get into a discussion about the role the main electric service panel has in the solar panel system. There are new Solar Ready Main Electric Service panels that have reduced the service panel upgrade prices by 90%. 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 for their home, bu...

May 14, 202114 min

Solar + Solarever USA

In this week's podcast we meet with Carlos Gutierrez, the Manufacturing Director for Solarever USA. Solarever is the largest solar panel manufacturer in Mexico, and they now have availability in the US as well. We discuss the origins of Solarever, the advantages their solar panels have, and their plans to expand into the US market. https://solareverusa.com/ About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to “Own Their ...

May 06, 202112 min

Solar + Evolution

In this week's podcast we discuss the life cycle of a solar customer, and the vast amount of 'electrification' that is happening with #EV's #HeatPumps #NewBaby and tons more. Most solar clients add more solar capacity, and it's just a question of when and where the panels can be placed. 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 for their home, business, or ...

Apr 30, 202113 min

Solar + Pool Heating

In this week's podcast we discuss the various ways homeowners use to heat their pools. We focus on the thermal pool panels and why we do not recommend them. We then discuss electric pool heaters and the benefits of heating the swimming pool with a #NetZero solution. Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California, who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar panel system for their home, business, or farm. In each episode we discuss questions facing people makin...

Apr 22, 202113 min

Solar + Pain

In this week's podcast, we discuss the motivation of pain and how it factors into going solar. We discuss how governments can influence or discourage solar adoption. In California, there are plenty of pain points that solar relieves, and we discuss how other parts of the country can use solar power to solve their pain points. Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California, who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar panel system for their home, business, or f...

Apr 16, 202114 min

Solar + True Up

In this week's episode we revisit a recurring topic - annual true-up bills. When someone goes solar, they need to keep an eye on their annual electricity bill because electricity usage has been increasing every year. We discuss how to monitor the true-up on the PGE.com site using our video here: https://youtu.be/Cq4DtzvERVE and we discuss when it makes sense to add more solar to an existing system. Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California, who invite their customers to “Own Their...

Apr 09, 202115 min

Solar + American Jobs Plan

In this week's episode we discuss the latest update with Bill Maher's solar project, and we discuss in detail the new American Jobs Plan - $2 Trillion - and the impact on solar power for the next decade at least. Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California, who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar panel system for their home, business, or farm. In each episode we discuss questions facing people making the decision to go solar. The solutions to your ques...

Apr 01, 202114 min

Solar + Net Energy Metering

In this week's podcast we discuss the proposed changes to the current Net Energy Metering (NEM) program. Great changes for PG & E and bad changes for people who have not gone solar and even existing solar customers. Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California, who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar panel system for their home, business, or farm. In each episode we discuss questions facing people making the decision to go solar. The solutions to yo...

Mar 19, 202115 min

Solar + Panel End of Life

In this week's podcast, we discuss how California changes the classification for solar panel waste as universal waste instead of hazardous waste. This is very important as nearly 100% of the materials in solar panels are recyclable and reusable. The heavy metals in solar panels are not easy to extract so a better solution still needs to be improved. Solar panel recycling will be a growing part of the industry and one of the most necessary. Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California...

Mar 12, 202115 min

Solar + Drones

In this week's podcast we discuss a quick update on the solar project for Bill Maher and on another topic, how drones are starting to gain more acceptance in both the solar site inspections and after solar project documentation and photos. The solar industry's use of drones is gaining more acceptance and within the next 5 years will change and improve the safety for solar installers and homeowners. Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California, who invite their customers to “Own Their...

Mar 05, 202116 min

Solar in Texas

In this week's episode we discuss the massive power outage in Texas and its causes. We also discuss the role of solar power in Texas and how solar power can get greater acceptance in Texas and the rest of the country that will rely on fossil fuels for electricity. Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California, who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar panel system for their home, business, or farm. In each episode we discuss questions facing people making ...

Feb 26, 202113 min

Solar + Bill Maher

In this week's podcast we examine Bill Maher's ongoing rant about his solar project over the last 3 years. Bill complains that he wanted to go solar 3 years ago, and his system still has not been approved. We discuss the limitations of ongoing solar and what is the role of the solar installer vs. the local governments, and how both could have avoided this situation. Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California, who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar pa...

Feb 19, 202115 min

Solar + Demand IQ

In this week's podcast we meet Austin Rosenbaum from Demand IQ . Demand IQ unites Project Sunroof with solar installer's websites to help customers answer the question "How much does it cost to go solar?" Demand IQ walks the client through some initial questions to assemble a quick estimate of not only the cost of going solar but how much the savings will be as well. Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California, who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar p...

Feb 12, 202114 min

Solar + Community Choice

In this week's episode we discuss how the impact of community choice solar for apartment buildings, HOA's, triple net buildings and even farms can benefit from large solar arrays that distribute the solar benefits to all of the stakeholders. Moving these benefits away from the electricity companies can save money, increase solar deployment and reduce costs. Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California, who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar panel syste...

Feb 05, 202114 min

Solar + HOAs

In this week's podcast we discuss how the need for solar in Home Owner's Associations is massive. For most HOAs electricity expense for pools, lighting, fountains, etc. are ongoing expenses that never go away or get cheaper. Unfortunately, the political side of HOAs can drastically increase the time it takes to go solar. In this podcast we discuss what it takes for an HOA to go solar and how to best prepare the owners on the benefits of solar power. Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern ...

Jan 29, 202118 min

Solar + Commercial Roofs

In this week's podcast we discuss how building portfolio owners (people who own a lot of property) are starting to realize they can turn their roofs into major revenue centers with solar and without the management of billing tenants. Solar on the roof or on a carport is a no-brainer for property owners and now there's even less headache than ever. Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California, who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar panel system for thei...

Jan 22, 202114 min

Solar + Heat Pumps

In this week's episode we review the pro's and con's of electric heat pumps. Specifically we discuss the electric heat pump by https://www.facebook.com/MRCOOLcomfort and how they tested their universal heat pump in -24 degree weather in South Dakota. Inside, with the heat pump, the house was 70 degrees. Plus, since heat pumps use electricity solar + heat pumps are a no brainer. Here is a link to the Mr. Cool Heat Pump Test - https://youtu.be/_v8vizQXwss Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in North...

Jan 15, 202113 min

Solar + Bitcoin

In this week's podcast we discuss the recent historic events, including the pricing of @Bitcoin topping $40,000 per coin. We discuss how to get paid in Bitcoin mining, how solar plays a role in Bitcoin and mining, and the long term reasons to buy, hold and mine Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California, who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar panel system for their home, business, or farm. Each episode we discuss q...

Jan 08, 202114 min
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android