The next best thing to being at RE+ Vegas, is catching the PowerUp Live Show. Get the lowdown from Nico and Lisa Ann Pinkerton for the PowerUp Morning Show, LIVE with Nico Johnson & Lisa Ann, presented by Meyer Burger, and RE+ Daily Round Up with Nico Johnson & Josh Porter, presented by Modern Energy to share their experiences of Day 2 at RE+ Vegas. If you want to catch the whole PowerUp Live show, make sure to visit suncast.live to hear from some of the top voices speaking on the state ...
Sep 14, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Season 12Ep. 631
The next best thing to being at RE+ Vegas, is catching the PowerUp Live Show. Get the lowdown from Nico and Lisa Ann Pinkerton for the PowerUp Morning Show, LIVE with Nico Johnson & Lisa Ann, presented by Meyer Burger, and RE+ Daily Round Up with Nico Johnson & Josh Porter, presented by Modern Energy to share their experiences of Day 1 at RE+ Vegas. If you want to catch the whole PowerUp Live show, make sure to visit suncast.live to hear from some of the top voices speaking on the state ...
Sep 13, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 12Ep. 630
Let’s be honest, the rapidly accelerating demand for clean, renewable energy has outpaced the development and implementation processes in the solar sector. As the queue for interconnection lengthens and the need for efficiency grows, utility-scale solar developers face mounting challenges. From the scarcity of skilled engineers and designers to bottlenecks in site selection and grid optimization, the sector has long been in need of innovation to streamline these complex processes and reduce huma...
Sep 07, 2023•1 hr 17 min•Season 12Ep. 629
In this special episode recorded from the tradeshow floor at RE+ Mid Atlantic, we explore a pressing question: Is there a workforce issue in the solar industry? Will it work itself out in the medium term? We've assembled a group of industry experts to share how their companies (and clients) are navigating the workforce challenges facing the renewable energy sector as we scale up. Catherine McLean of Dylan Green discusses the evolving work arrangements—hybrid, remote, or in-office—and their impac...
Sep 05, 2023•25 min•Season 12Ep. 628
What can the solar industry learn from the efficiency and scalability that have characterized the oil and gas industries for the last hundred years? As the world grapples with the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels, solar power has emerged as a crucial player in this global shift. This change is not without its challenges, however, such as the need for significant capital investment, the intricacies of supply chain logistics, and the mounting pressure of market competition. These i...
Aug 31, 2023•1 hr 44 min•Season 12Ep. 627
It’s that wonderful time of the year folks! With just two weeks left before the monumental annual pilgrimage to the RE+ Trade Show (this year in Las Vegas!), we’ve once-again curated a special "Know Before You Go" episode bringing in tips from industry leaders to help you prepare and make the most of this event while not being overwhelmed by what’s sure to be the biggest show yet with over 45,000 attendees! This essential listen features six industry experts who share their top tips for making t...
Aug 29, 2023•1 hr 34 min•Season 12Ep. 626
You’d be hard-pressed to find someone in the solar industry who hasn’t heard of, worked for, competed against, or just stood in awe at the company today’s guest built w/his brother. Borrego Solar is an institution in the solar industry here in the USA alongside such names as REC Solar, SunPower, and SolarCity. The Hall brothers and their 3rd co-founder have unlocked something special that has created one of the most enduring (and prolific) solar companies of our time. And I finally got the oppor...
Aug 24, 2023•1 hr 37 min•Season 12Ep. 625
With many sectors of the global economy experiencing contraction through the last year-plus-long economic downturn, the Energy sector, and in particular, renewable energy, stands out as a beacon of possibility. So, you might be asking yourself, “How can I switch my career toward a more legacy-building and growth-oriented industry like Energy?” Stay-tuned bc today’s episode will help you answer some of those burning questions! The energy industry is standing at a crucial crossroads, faced with a ...
Aug 22, 2023•14 min•Season 12Ep. 624
The solar energy industry is facing an increasingly pressing challenge: the scarcity of usable flat land. As the demand for solar energy grows, suitable areas for traditional solar trackers and arrays are becoming limited. The situation is complicated by the costs and environmental impact of grading land to create flat surfaces for installation. This process, often referred to as solar's "dirty little secret," is not only expensive but also poses significant environmental and post-construction i...
Aug 17, 2023•1 hr 29 min•Season 12Ep. 623
The renewable energy sector is facing a series of intricate challenges as it endeavors to scale up, enter new markets, foster inclusivity, and secure a domestic supply chain. The urgency to transition from traditional energy sources to renewable alternatives is palpable, yet achieving this shift requires a careful balance of technological innovation, strategic leadership, policy alignment, and an understanding of the global market dynamics. The complexity of these issues demands strong leadershi...
Aug 15, 2023•22 min•Season 12Ep. 622
Cynthia Adams, the dynamic Co-founder of Pearl Certification, embarked on a journey from her early days in green building to pioneering a transformative platform in the residential cleantech sector. Her endeavors have consistently centered on enhancing the visibility and value of sustainable home features, reflecting a deep commitment to both environmental stewardship and innovative market solutions. For those familiar with the commercial building world's LEED certification, Pearl offers a paral...
Aug 10, 2023•1 hr 31 min•Season 12Ep. 621
Mohammed Abdalla, the dynamic founder and CEO of Good Faith Energy, navigated a life marked by early adversity. Losing his father at a young age, he cultivated resilience and determination. His journey from a short-lived career in the fossil fuel sector to traveling the world with only two backpacks brought him to an epiphany in Germany — the vast potential of solar energy. In this Tactical Tuesday, we highlight Mohammed’s distinctive business strategies, the challenges of scaling, and the power...
Aug 08, 2023•37 min•Season 12Ep. 620
Welcome Earthlings to Season 3! In this special episode, creator and host Lisa Ann Pinkerton previews what’s new on the podcast, how it’s elevated to Earthlings 2.0, and highlights some of the captivating you’ll hear in the first few episodes. Join us as we speak to entrepreneurs, researchers, scientists, and policy advocates to explore a wide range of topics, including innovative climate solutions, groundbreaking emerging technologies, and intriguing glimpses into the future. Whether you're pas...
Aug 04, 2023•6 min
This is a special 2-part episode with a close friend & advisor to Nico and the SunCast Media team. Kerim Baran is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and strategist who has dedicated his career to fostering positive societal change. He was as co-founder of Civic Solar, one of the early pioneers in providing end-to-end solar installer procurement support via online distribution services (which was subsequently acquired in 2019 by CED Greentech, now Greentech Renewables). Kerim was also founder o...
Aug 03, 2023•1 hr 24 min•Season 12Ep. 618
This is Part 2 with Kerim Baran, the founder of SolarAcademy.com. If you missed Episode 618, Part 1 of this discussion, we strongly suggest you queue that one up first! Over the last 2 decades, Kerim has become a prominent figure in the solar and tech industries. With an extensive background as a serial entrepreneur, angel investor, coach, and mentor, his journey is marked by observation and innovation, and he’s tucked 2 successful exits under his belt! During his time with Civic Solar, he noted...
Aug 03, 2023•1 hr 20 min•Season 12Ep. 619
Welcome to a special edition of Tactical Tuesday, featuring practical insights to propel your company and your career. This episode comes straight from our live stage at RE+ in 2022 and we’ve weaved together a rich collection of strategies for audience growth, brand building, and engaging your audience effectively in the dynamic landscape of new media. The first segment delves into the role of platforms such as LinkedIn and TikTok, emphasizing their potential to bolster brand visibility and enga...
Aug 02, 2023•26 min•Season 12Ep. 617
How would you define Agrivoltaics? Generally, the practice of combining agriculture and photovoltaics has been gaining momentum, and holds significant potential for multiple benefits that are critical for both the environment and society. In a recent interview, Dan French, the Executive Producer of the Solar Farm Summit, discussed his work in agrivoltaics, a practice that merges solar energy production with agricultural activities on the same land. French, known for transforming brownfields into...
Jul 27, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Season 12Ep. 616
Meghan Gainer, VP of Marketing at DSD Renewables, delves into the multifaceted role of marketing, highlighting its dual function to cater to both the sales team and external customers, and shares her strategy for balancing these obligations. Gainer emphasizes the importance of a customer-first approach and building a brand from the ground up. She also shares her experience with renowned corporations like Comcast, SunEdison, and Tesla, providing listeners with a roadmap on how curiosity and embra...
Jul 25, 2023•27 min•Season 12Ep. 615
The built environment accounts for 40% of global emissions.. Decarbonizing this significant contributor to greenhouse gasses entails a strategic blend of clean energy adoption, electrifying heating and cooling systems, and enhancing buildings' grid interactivity. It is within this complex, but critical, challenge that McGee Young, founder of WattCarbon, has found his mission. Harnessing his vast entrepreneurial experience from his time with startups MeterHero and H2OScore, and as a former CTO at...
Jul 20, 2023•1 hr 36 min•Season 12Ep. 614
In this Tactical Tuesday episode, we delve into the mindset of entrepreneur and solar project developer, Nobel Chang of Palladium Energy. Chang shares insights from his accomplished solar journey stretching all the way to Mexico and beyond. Having transitioned from real estate to renewables, Chang imparts wisdom on when to halt a failing project, and how to secure team buy-in. Explore the concept of "failing forward" as a tool to learn from mistakes, and grasp the nuances of flexibility, not onl...
Jul 18, 2023•22 min•Season 12Ep. 613
Dan Leary is one of the OG’s of the solar industry, and is the founder of multiple successful companies that you’ve probably heard of if you’re in the industry, including Nexamp, PanelClaw, and now Denowatts. Denowatts aims to revolutionize solar performance management, an area that has seen little innovation in the past decade. Using advanced benchmarking technology, Digital Twin processing, AI, and IoT interoperability, the company delivers predictive data for the solar industry through their ...
Jul 13, 2023•1 hr 32 min•Season 12Ep. 612
With a track record of over 20 years in real estate, Jerry Coleman utilized his knack for growing companies at a national scale to transition into the solar industry. Elevation Solar stands as a testament to his ability, solving a key environmental and consumer issue by providing innovative energy solutions that also enhance property values. In today’s conversation, you will benefit from Jerry's vast wealth of knowledge, offering valuable lessons for founders, CEOs, and managers aspiring to repl...
Jul 11, 2023•27 min•Season 12Ep. 611
UtilityAPI is transforming the energy industry by making utility customer bill and interval data accessible & useful. In today’s conversation, Devin explains the complexities of developing a platform that ensures safe and secure data sharing among various energy stakeholders, as well as what it was like becoming the CEO of a revenue-positive climate tech startup and taking it through its next round of funding. This episode was first aired on our climate tech investment podcast, Climate Aveng...
Jul 06, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Season 12Ep. 610
This is our highly anticipated quarterly podcasters' roundtable, where the cleantech sector's top podcasters converge to share their expertise and unravel the complexities of the clean energy landscape. Listen as they opine on the view from their respective podcast booths on what’s happening in Cleantech & Clean Energy in 2023! We’re joined this round by David Roberts of "Volts," Dana Perkins of "Bloomberg Switched ON," Amy Simpkins of "Power Flow," Bill Nussey of "Freeing Energy," Josh Port...
Jul 04, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Season 12Ep. 609
Utility regulators quietly drive the clean energy revolution — yet many energy industry participants know little about them. SunCast Host Nico Johnson pulls back the curtain today in an engaging conversation with Carrie Zalewski, former chair of the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Carrie leverages her experience as a regulator and energy attorney, plus her background in engineering, to bring a unique perspective to a discussion on the complex world of energy regulation. From influencing how ...
Jun 29, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Season 12Ep. 608
It’s easy to leave the job of module quality, reliability and even bankability up to “the big companies” or the distribution partners, or Bloomberg or a myriad of other players in the industry whose job it is to help parse what suppliers get blessed with acceptance to Approved Vendor Lists. But what if you really did want to know which solar module suppliers can actually back up their bankability report with true field-tested reliability data? It’s not something that is a luxury for just the Uti...
Jun 27, 2023•52 min•Season 12Ep. 607
Jordan Frugé, president of Fastrac Energy Services, challenges the common misconception that solar installations are "a bunch of people running around on rooftops." He dives into the solar industry's intricate details and behind-the-scenes operations, emphasizing the significance of meticulous planning, efficient execution, and customer-centric growth while predicting the market's future. Jordan founded Fastrac, a Gulf Coast Regional solar sales, project management, and installation company, in ...
Jun 22, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Season 12Ep. 606
Are N-Type residential solar modules on your radar yet? Paul Heidesch, Director of Sales and head of distribution for Trina Solar in North America, unravels key trends and technologies that are currently shaping the residential solar sector. We delve into the rise of smaller, lighter, yet high-output modules, the increasing focus on value-added benefits over mere hardware, and how understanding these trends will be vital in a growingly competitive market. The conversation offers valuable insight...
Jun 20, 2023•35 min•Season 12Ep. 605
Join host Nico Johnson on the SunCast podcast as guest Andy McCarthy shares an incredible story of determination and resilience that led to the creation of one of Australia's largest solar companies. Andy relied on his ADHD-driven ability to hyperfocus and his natural curiosity to navigate the renewable energy industry. He founded Gippsland Solar in 2010, which was acquired by RACV Solar in 2019. Despite his lack of knowledge about solar technology, he humbly sought guidance from experts, learni...
Jun 15, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Season 12Ep. 604
With over 35 years of experience in high tech, manufacturing, and power electronics, Darryl Parker, the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Clean Energy Associates (CEA), is a seasoned professional in the clean energy industry. Based in San Francisco, CA, he leads the sales and marketing efforts at CEA, where his team helps clients navigate challenging supply and quality-assurance engagements in solar and energy storage. During the episode, Darryl discusses his vast expertise, starting from...
Jun 13, 2023•11 min•Season 12Ep. 603
