Welcome to Episode 36 of SunCast. Today we will be spending time with Edgar Arvizu, VP of Development at major global IPP, Sonnedix. Edgar was one of my original guests back in Episode 4 of the SunCast launch! Stoked to have him back for round 2. Edgar is one of the top solar development leaders in the world today. I had fun asking him some probing questions, specifically about who, what when and where to build development teams, skills and strategy. Stick around if you're interested in hearing:...
Jun 23, 2017•36 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Welcome to another minisode here on SunCast. If you're new here, I'm your host, Nico Johnson, and we're here to help you unlock your potential as a leader in the solar industry. The show is usually long-form narrative, so these minisodes are brief 20 min or so morsels of sunlight to get you through the workweek. I'd like to wish a belated happy birthday to today's guest, Santiago Barcon, who I had the distinct pleasure of spending time with on a recent trip down to Mexico. The recording was done...
Jun 02, 2017•24 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Welcome to Episode 33 of SunCast Today you'll meet my friend, Sarah Chapman, Co-Founder & CEO of Faro Energy. I Some Takeaways from today's episode: Looking at the C&I solar market in Latin America from a developer perspective How to partner with financing sources who are targeting this market The transition from boutique social impact investment to mainstream investor interest in Latam The importance of diversification and paying attention to energy market dynamics, in particular how th...
May 27, 2017•55 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Welcome to Episode 32 of SunCast Today we spend time with Andy Bindea of Sigora International, a company revolutionizing energy access in Haiti and beyond. Listen in if you're interested in hearing: How Andy thinks about scaling electrification to serve the 1.3B people in the world without energy What it means to be the first Micro-utility with a concession to bring electricity to an entire region of Haiti, the largest market in Latin America for electrification and energy access The reason he b...
May 20, 2017•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Welcome to Episode 31 of SunCast Today we will be spending time with Juan Fermin Rodriguez of Kingo Energy. Stick around if you're interested in hearing: The strategy behind starting an off-grid solar company focused on Latam instead of Africa and Asia The size of the Latam offgrid market The difference in technology's role in Latam versus other markets How Kingo has become one of the best-capitalized solar startups in Latin America And a detailed discussion of both their fundraising and go-to-m...
May 12, 2017•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Welcome to Episode 30 of SunCast (woohoo, Thirty!). Today, we will be spending time with Patrick Doyle of MGM Innova Capital. You should have a listen if you're interested in: Structured finance for the DG Solar market in Latin America Lessons learned financing private sector deals at the IDB And how to compete as a developer for the limited capital available to the DG market Patrick knows what he's talking about when it comes to financing private sector renewables, having been among the first t...
May 05, 2017•50 min•Season 1Ep. 30
Welcome to Episode 29 of SunCast. Today we will be spending time with Latin America solar veteran, Alejo Lopez of Nextracker. You should keep listening if you're interested in What's happening in the Mexico market Where else in Latin America Alejo believes hot, or not What it's like to convert from the Dark Side of Oil & Gas to the Renewables industry Key lessons and takeaways from one of the regions veteran developers And some fantastic book recommendations! Alejo has been a leader in the M...
Apr 28, 2017•52 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Welcome to Episode 28 of SunCast. Today's episode in many ways has been 18 months in the making. I met today's guest way back when I was just recording the first episodes of SunCast, and have looked to him as a mentor and spiritual podcast guide longer still. Today on SunCast, you'll meet Stephen Lacey. Stephen is the Editor-in-Chief of Greentech Media and host of the extremely popular GTM podcasts The Energy Gang and The Interchange . Like many of you, GTM is one of my go-to-resources for up-to...
Apr 20, 2017•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 28
Today’s episode, back by popular request - is in English. ;-) This is Episode 27 of SunCast, and Episode 7 in the Latam Founders Series. It’s the final installment of this series, brought to you in collaboration with Enphase Energy. I’ve really enjoyed this series, as it's given us a real chance to dig deep into some of the up-and-coming solar companies in the Latin America region. If you've enjoyed this series-style focus, would you shoot me a message? What else should we do a series on? You ca...
Apr 14, 2017•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 27
This is Episode 26 of SunCast, and Episode 6 in the Latam Founders Series, which is being brought to you through a collaboration with Enphase Energy. This is our final episode in Spanish, but do check out the intro if you would like access to a head-to-head inverter and MLPE document the Ecopartners guys have provided. Well Today on SunCast, you'll meet Hector Pomales and Gabriel Perez, founders of a leading Caribbean solar development firm, Ecopartners, based out of the Isla del Encanto, Puerto...
Apr 08, 2017•46 min•Season 1Ep. 26
This is Episode 25 of SunCast. And, today you get to meet one of the guys who’s most influenced my life in the last 5 years. He’s not in the solar industry. He’s not even in the Energy industry. But he could teach a lot of us in the solar industry about two things that matter most when going from Idea to Income - creativity and hustle. Today on SunCast, you'll meet my friend and mentor, Jason Zook. Jason might be the best marketer, heck, best sales guy I’ve ever met. He made over $1Million weari...
Apr 02, 2017•56 min•Season 1Ep. 25
This is Episode 24 of SunCast, and Episode 5 in the Latam Founders Series, which is being brought to you through a special collaboration with Enphase Energy. This episode is entirely in Spanish (well, except for the introduction). Today on SunCast, you'll meet Arturo Duhart, founder of one of Mexico’s largest solar companies, and possibly the largest solar distributor - Exel Solar. Today's episode was recorded live in Las Vegas back in September during the annual Solar Power Int'l conference. Ar...
Mar 26, 2017•24 min•Season 1Ep. 24
This is Episode 23 of SunCast. Today we take a break from the Latam Founders Series, but not from meeting yet another solid founder in the solar industry. Today on SunCast, you'll meet Jon Bonanno, CCO of Empower Micro Systems. Jon is a friend and mentor, and knows a Ton about technology, launching and growing new companies, and is well-versed in the challenges of the Solar Industry. In the next 30 minutes, we discuss: Jon's penchant for Making up new words Why he believes Module level power ele...
Mar 10, 2017•31 min•Season 1Ep. 23
This is Episode 22 of SunCast, and Episode 4 in the Latam Founders Series, which is being brought to you through a special collaboration with Enphase Energy. Today on SunCast, you'll meet Maximo Torres, founder of Maximo Solar in Puerto Rico, along with his GM, Jonattan Martir. Today's episode was actually recorded live in Las Vegas during the annual Solar Power Int'l conference. I call Maximo the Solar philosopher, and it's true. He has an infectious passion for solar, and it's no surprise that...
Mar 04, 2017•57 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Bienvenidos and Welcome to Episode 21 of SunCast, and Episode 3 in the Latam Founders Series, which is being brought to you through a special collaboration with Enphase Energy. Today we have a slight departure from the usual format. No, it's not in Spanish like last week's episode, but it also doesn't follow the typical question flow I've used in the first 20 episodes. In prep for the interviews in this series, I asked my friend Luis over at Enphase if there was anyone on his team who was able t...
Feb 25, 2017•36 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Bienvenidos and Welcome to Episode 20 of SunCast, and Episode 2 in the Latam Founders Series, which is being brought to you through a special collaboration with Enphase Energy. If you didn’t have a chance to hear the setup episode last week, go back and check out Episode 16 , as I speak with Luis Morales at Enphase about why we wanted to collaborate on this specific series of conversations. As you may have noticed in the show title - today’s episode, and several others in the series, is complete...
Feb 18, 2017•51 min•Season 1Ep. 20
A few weeks ago we published Episode 15 with my friend Rodrigo Barfield of Long Light Energy. Last year in 2016, he had moved back to Brazil to run his new company, and we discussed his thoughts on the market. As with many startups, things don’t always go as planned, and I hinted at the end of the show that Rod had an update pending. In this episode of SunCast , we have a follow-up call with Rodrigo. While he is still actively developing business in Brazil, he has made the decision to return to ...
Feb 15, 2017•17 min•Season 1Ep. 19
In this episode of SunCast , you'll meet Manan Parikh of GTM Research. Many of you already know who Manan is, but, for the uninitiated, Manan is the analyst at GTM who authors their quarterly Latam PV Playbook - basically the bible on all-things-solar for latin america from market size and potential, to who, specifically, is doing what in each region. I love catching up with Manan, as he always has his finger on the pulse of what's hot in the region. And this week he's fresh off publishing the l...
Feb 11, 2017•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 18
In this episode of SunCast , I'd like to introduce you to my friend, Jose Zambrano, Founder & CEO of Galt Energy, one of Mexico’s fastest growing residential and commercial solar installers. This is the inaugural episode of the "Latam Founders Series", and I really think it’s a great example of the kinds of entrepreneurs we’re seeing arise in the solar industry throughout Latam. Galt and Jose are emblematic of solid fundamentals, great leadership, and being out ahead of what we believe will ...
Feb 04, 2017•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 17
In this episode of SunCast , I'd like to introduce you to my friend, Luis Morales, Head of Latin America for Enphase Energy. For the last year, Luis and I have been in discussions about an idea that is now bearing fruit in the form of this special Series of interviews we're calling the "Latam Founders Series". I have spent the last 6 months meeting with or interviewing some of the Enphase customers who are growing the fastest not only in their own countries but in the Latam Region and have taken...
Feb 02, 2017•11 min•Season 1Ep. 16
A 2015 Financial Times article says, “Brazil is mired in its worst recession since the 1930’s, but entrepreneurs know how to find opportunities.” That sentiment is pervasive in the booming Brazilian solar market; despite economic turmoil, sky-high interest rates and fluctuating exchange rates, the Brazilian solar market grew to more than 72MW of interconnected DG systems! Last year, I sat down with my friend Rodrigo because I was really interested in better understanding the Brazil market. He ha...
Jan 28, 2017•56 min•Season 1Ep. 15
This episode of SunCast features a discussion with Matthew Harris of Solar Energy International (SEI) . Matthew is the Program Manager for SEI’s Spanish-language solar training program, and he’s has been with SEI for over ten years (!), involved in many aspects of their mission of providing industry-leading technical training and expertise in renewable energy to empower people, communities, and businesses worldwide. Matthew has led the development of the Spanish training program for the last 4 y...
Jan 21, 2017•55 min•Season 1Ep. 14
This episode of SunCast continues our discussion with Alvaro Garcia of X-Elio, a Gestamp subsidiary. Alvaro has built one of the most significant solar projects to-date in Mexico, the 40MW Aura Solar project, and he’s got 3 years of experience there as an expat building 2 different companies. We dig into stories from Aura, getting buy-in from regulators, the future of C&I as well as resi in Mexico, and finally how Alvaro starts each day on the right foot. Alvaro is a wellspring of info, and ...
Aug 30, 2016•17 min•Season 1Ep. 13
This episode of SunCast features Alvaro Garcia of X-Elio, a Gestamp subsidiary. Alvaro has the distinction of being chosen, during his Martifer Solar days, as the EPC for the first Utility-scale project ever financed and built in Mexico - the Aura Solar project in Baja California. And as an ex-pat living in Mexico for more than 5 yrs now, he has some interesting insights into doing business within the confines of the Mexican “economy”. You’ll be surprised to hear what he says about corruption. W...
Aug 27, 2016•32 min•Season 1Ep. 12
This episode of SunCast continues our discussion with Karin Berardo of M+W Group. Karin has been a pioneer in solar through her involvement with MuniMae’s MMA Renewables, Cleanpath, and now M+W Group’s global expansion. In this Episode, we dive into the dynamics of working for a 100 yr old company in a low-margin game, keeping your mind fresh and informed, and how to prioritize and do the right things as a company and individual for maximum impact. We chat about EPC differentiation, organizing y...
Jun 21, 2016•38 min•Season 1Ep. 11
This episode of SunCast features Karin Berardo of M+W Group. Karin has been a pioneer in a number of ways in the solar industry, being involved in what was one of the first companies in the US to finance large-scale solar using a Power Purchase Agreement. She's now heading up international expansion for M+W and we cover her broad-ranging experience from Brazil to Mexico as well as what it takes to finance a solar project today. Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the...
Jun 13, 2016•40 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Host Nico Johnson and ABB Global Manager of Microgrids, Pablo Astorga. Join in as Nico and Pablo discuss the global microgrid market. We talk about definition of microgrid, where microgrids are growing, projections for the global microgrid markets and more. Pablo has had a nearly decade-long career at ABB, and is leading the effort at ABB to address what could soon be a fast-growing market which is often at the bleeding edge of power delivery and technology development. We really hope you get ma...
Feb 11, 2016•58 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Host Nico Johnson and Foley & Lardner Partner, Jeff Atkin. Join in as Nico and Jeff discuss how their mutual time serving in volunteerism in Latin America (in particular, Guatemala) has informed their professional decisions. We talk about the Horus solar project in Guatemala, one which Jeff’s team at Foley was responsible for structuring; if you’re unfamiliar with this project, it was the first major tender-awarded and utility-scale project in Central America, and it’s one of the largest in ...
Jan 13, 2016•54 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Host Nico Johnson does a solo round this week providing a recap of the past few weeks episodes that constitutes the SunCast launch. We take a look at 4 tips for positioning yourself as (or finding) a good local partner in Latin America. And Nico discusses some of the ways he looks at planning for the new year as well as the main tool he uses to keep it all straight - meditation! We believe today’s episode is value-packed, and trust you will too. Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the...
Dec 03, 2015•29 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Host Nico Johnson and SolaireDirect Managing Director for Mexico & Central America, Lamberto Camacho. Join in as Nico and Lamberto discuss the similarities of International development between Africa and Latin America, and go deep on how Lamberto positioned SolaireDirect to win the Panama Solar PV Tender last year. Lamberto has been involved in solar development for a decade, and has personally developed >200MW of projects on 3 continents. Nico pulls a lot of tips and insights out of Lamb...
Nov 25, 2015•56 min•Season 1Ep. 6
