The Energy Show

Surviving the 2026 Solar Storm, with Nico Johnson

Warning: The clean energy forecast for 2026 looks stormy—are you ready to weather it? In part two of our conversation with SunCast host Nico Johnson, we go deep into the chaotic, fast-changing landscape that solar companies are bracing for. You’ve probably heard the rumors: tax credits vanishing, new tariffs incoming, battery costs skyrocketing, and a federal crackdown via FEOC regulations. But this isn’t just talk—it’s the start of a true solar shakeup. We break down what’s coming and how smart...

The SunCast Story, with Nico Johnson

What do the Peace Corps, Trina Solar, and 800+ podcasts have in common? One man: Nico Johnson. This week on The Energy Show, we're bringing you a rare behind-the-scenes conversation with the voice of the solar industry—Nico Johnson, founder of SunCast. If you’ve ever listened to a solar podcast or worked in clean energy, you’ve felt his impact. From climbing rooftops in the early days of residential installs to building one of the most influential media platforms in clean energy, Nico shares how...

Nick Chaset with Octopus Energy

Octopus Energy is shaking up the utility industry—one smart tentacle at a time. Nick Chaset, CEO of Octopus Energy U.S., joins us on this week’s Energy Show episode. Octopus Energy is redefining how customers interact with electricity. From solar and batteries to smart controls and EV chargers, Octopus isn’t just selling power—it’s empowering people to take control of it. Think of them as the energy disruptor with eight arms in all the right places. While investor-owned utilities like PG&E r...

Musk and Cinnamon Agree: Don’t Kill the Solar Tax Credits

Do you want to pay 30% more for your solar and battery system next year? Since the 30% tax credit is likely to end on 12/31/25, that’s exactly what’s going to happen. On this week's Energy Show we dive into the clean energy details in the proposed Big Beautiful Bill (BBB) that is currently being negotiated in Congress. For a change, Elon Musk and I are on the same page: killing the solar and battery tax credits would be a disaster for your energy bill, not to mention America’s prospects for ener...

Save the 30% Solar Tax Credit - Special Guest: Anya Schoolman

The biggest home solar tax credit is about to be axed by Congress. If you are thinking about solar, or just want to expand your system or even add a battery — this 30% tax credit will save you a lot of money. You will lose out on a tax credit savings of $9,000 on a typical $30k solar system. That’s a lot of dough! Under the current reconciliation bill proposed by Congress, the 30% residential solar and battery tax credit will end on 12/31/25. If your solar or battery is not fully installed by th...

Electrified Homes Are Simply Better Homes - Special Guest: Jeff Aalfs

Ever wonder how you're supposed to navigate electrified homes, green building, sustainability, and energy efficiency when even the words "climate change" feel like a political landmine? Yeah, same here. Turns out, even poor Kermit the Frog isn't safe anymore. On this week’s Energy Show we’re diving headfirst into the complicated world of green buildings. The rules from Title 24 and building codes are still in play... but they're harder than ever to follow in today's upside-down political climate...

Save Your Photons and Clean Your Solar Panels

Are dirty solar panels secretly robbing you blind? If you’ve ever looked up at your rooftop solar panels and wondered, “Do I really need to clean those?” — this episode is your wake-up call. Whether your system is a year old or just a few months in, there’s a high chance those precious photons aren’t making it through the grime. And yes, that dirt is costing you money. We’re diving headfirst into one of the most overlooked ways to boost your solar performance: cleaning your panels the right way ...

EVs Can Power Homes — So Why Won’t Utilities Let You?

Why is Solar Still So Expensive in the U.S.?

You’d think it’s the cost of panels and batteries—but that’s only half the story. The other half? A tangled web of permits, inspections, engineering headaches, insurance, and paperwork that’s bleeding solar companies dry and keeping prices sky high. We’re joined by the man who’s on a mission to change that: Andrew “Birchy” Birch. You’ll hear why U.S. solar costs are double those in Germany and Australia, why nearly every big-name solar installer has gone out of business, and how a one-page invoi...

Get Your Heat Pump, Solar and Battery Tax Credits While They Last

Thinking about going solar, upgrading to a heat pump, or adding a home battery system? You could be leaving thousands of dollars on the table if you don’t take advantage of the latest tax credits! We’re breaking down everything you need to know to maximize your tax credits for 2024 – and even 2025! Despite all the chaos in DC, these electrification incentives are still alive and well. But the clock is ticking. Learn how to get: 30% tax credit on solar electric and water heating systems 30% tax c...

Who Knows Better – AI or Your Heat Pump Salesperson?

AI is getting smarter—answering complex questions in seconds, from heat pump efficiency to system sizing. But can it really outthink a seasoned HVAC expert? We put AI head-to-head with heat pump design consultant Daniel Reres to find out who gives the best advice when replacing an old gas furnace and air conditioner with a state-of-the-art heat pump. Does AI have a clue about your heating load? Does Mr. AI know if a hybrid system (AKA natural gas) is worth it in California? Can Ms. AI inform you...

Things You Won’t Hear From Solar Sales People

How can you tell when a "solar bro" salesman is lying? When his lips are moving. It may come as a surprise, but I’m sorry to report that not all solar sales people are honest. On this week’s Energy Show we’ll dive into the shadowy side of solar sales that often gets swept under the rug. Inspired by a provocative Wired article: “The Spectacular Burnout of a Solar Panel Salesman,” we explore the highs, lows, and questionable sales practices that sometimes occur in the solar industry. Instead of th...

How Would You Like Your Pizza Delivered: Pipes, Wires, Underground, or From The Sky?

Imagine this: Domino’s delivers your pepperoni pizza from the sky via drone, skipping traffic and landing it piping hot on your doorstep. Wouldn’t you want your energy delivered just as efficiently? Today’s energy delivered to our buildings takes a circuitous route - from pipes, wires or underground. But energy delivery directly from the sky is not only feasible, but surprisingly inexpensive. That’s because in today’s energy world, it costs far more to deliver energy than to generate it. This we...

It’s Valentine’s Day And PG&E Loves You

Patti Poppe, PG&E’s CEO, sent a literal love letter to all of her California customers. You can read it here, but allow me to summarize: Dear PG&E Customers: If you conserve electricity we will raise your rates. If you use more electricity your bills will go up. Either way we make more money. And it’s not our fault. With love, Patti I couldn’t make this $#!T up if I tried! California’s energy infrastructure is at a breaking point. Utilities are spending billions on bloated grid upgrades ...

Tips For The Best Home Backup System with Greg Smith - Part 2

Part 2 of our podcast with Greg Smith, author of The Battery Powered Home, goes into the intricate details of designing and installing the ideal home battery system. Some of the questions that Greg answers are: * What are the top mistakes homeowners and contractors make? * How can you ensure your system meets building code restrictions? * How can automatic load shedding and generator input capabilities improve the backup performance of your system? One of the most interesting features to me is t...

Tips For The Best Home Backup System with Greg Smith Part 1

Almost every solar system installed in California and Hawaii includes batteries. And for good reason. Daytime electric rates are low, evening rates are extremely high, blackouts are common, and utilities pay almost nothing for excess power you send back to the grid. But it’s not easy to design a battery system that takes into account homeowner power needs throughout the day, specific home wiring requirements, and building code restrictions on battery locations. Ironically, one of the biggest cha...

Electricity Shortages are Utility-Created BS

I have no doubt that we will need more electricity for EVs, building electrification and AI. But across the country — and particularly in California — electricity shortages are being artificially created by utilities as they actively stop competitive sources of power, such as rooftop solar and storage. At the rate our electricity demands are growing we need as much power as we can get from rooftop solar and batteries -- as well as remote utility power plants. However, due to political contributi...

2025 Solar, Storage and Electrification Predictions

Demand for solar, storage and electrification is at an all-time high in the U.S. But economic and political uncertainties have clouded up my 2025 crystal ball. Nevertheless, here is what I see going into 2025. 1) No one knows what will happen with IRA tax credits and rebates 2) TPO system demand will increase if residential IRA incentives are reduced. 3) Utilities throughout the U.S. will increasingly exercise their monopoly power to suppress or outright prohibit customer-sited solar and battery...

Solar Tax Credits: Turbocharged or Trumped?

Did you know the 30% solar tax credit that fueled the industry’s explosive growth was partly funded by a sneaky deal allowing fossil fuel exports—raising gas prices in the process? Or that the long-term stability of these credits helped solar leasing and PPAs thrive? But there’s a storm brewing. With a potential Trump administration set to revisit the 2017 tax cuts, IRA incentives might be the first casualties. Imagine an immediate 30% hike in solar costs or the loss of your $8,000 heat pump reb...

Will Cheap Solar and Batteries Change Clean Tech Investing?

Solar panel costs have declined from $5/watt to $0.25/watt over the last 25 years. Due to the scale and risks involved in solar panel manufacturing, “…making solar panels is a horrible business,” according to Jenny Chase with Bloomberg NEF. And the same result is likely to happen with manufacturing the other key new energy technology: batteries. What’s bad news for solar and battery manufacturers is great news for energy-hungry customers. The core component of a power plant -- regardless of size...

Declare Your Energy Independence from Sky High Electric Bills

Utilities are in business to make money. So it’s no surprise that your electric bills will keep going up. You may not know it, but since 2022 the United States has been energy independent. As a country, we produce more energy (mostly fossil fuels) than we consume. Unfortunately, the benefits of energy independence do not trickle down to homeowners. Fossil fuel companies and utilities keep those profits while consumers keep paying more and more for energy. Unless your name is Jed Clampett, it is ...

Businesses Need Batteries Too, But (almost) No One Sells Them

Net metering is history (for now) in California and Hawaii. So almost every homeowner needs batteries with their solar system. But businesses need solar too, and therefore batteries. In fact, because of demand charges on most commercial electric bills, businesses benefit from batteries even more than homes. But there are almost no reliable, standardized, ready-for-prime-time commercial battery systems that provide the trifecta of energy savings, backup power and demand charge reduction. There is...

Icicles in Your Shower? Beware!

Think it can’t happen to you? Imagine icicles forming in the shower or condensate water seeping through your ceiling—all thanks to an HVAC system that’s begging for attention. This week, the “House Whisperer” Nate Adams joins us to expose the hidden perils of skipping HVAC maintenance and how a few proactive tweaks can prevent a winter nightmare (and save your bank account from disaster). • Your Furnace: A Ticking Time Bomb? Why ignoring maintenance is like setting yourself up for a frigid break...

The Energy Show 11-20-24

The first challenge with a home electrification project is determining the actual costs, savings and incentives for each step in the project. Once that’s done, the second challenge is navigating the maze of different electrification contractors (solar, batteries, EV chargers, HVAC, HPWH, insulation, etc.) Due to the magnitude of potential energy savings, solar and battery contractors are often the first in the door when homeowners consider an electrification project. Balto Energy is delivering a...

Inside Secrets from a Pioneering Solar Financier

Ever wonder how early investors turned a hippy solar energy industry into a $100+ billion worldwide industry? On this week's episode we sit down with Gerard Reid, co-founder of Alexa Capital. Way back in 2005 he was researching PV technologies in Berlin - that’s when he realized that combining the right financing with rapid cost reductions in the solar industry could be the foundation for some terrific investments. And he was right. Fast forward to 2024 and we are seeing even greater worldwide p...

Can Utilities Stop Grid Defection When Local Solar is the Low Cost Leader?

Will the future of energy be driven by massive utility solar farms or millions of local rooftop systems? John Farrell from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance shares his insights on how utility monopolies are strangling local solar efforts -- especially in California -- where monopoly utilities are locking customers into sky-high rates. The conversation delves into the growing trend of “grid defection” as consumers use their own solar and battery systems to reduce their dependence on utility p...

Coming Soon To A Roof Near You: Electricity Too Cheap To Meter

Nuclear power will make electricity too cheap to meter,” a prediction made in a 1954 statement from the head of the Atomic Energy Commission. 70 years later I’m predicting that electricity will be almost free, but powered from that fusion generator 93 million miles away. Sounds crazy, but rooftop solar is already generating power for $0.06/kwh — compared to our average rates here in California of $0.45/kwh. As rooftop solar costs continue to decline and grid electricity costs continue to increas...

How Leading Installer Renova Recovered From Sunpower’s Bankruptcy - Part 2

In the second part of this week’s episode, we dive deeper with Vince Battaglia, CEO of Renova Energy, as he unpacks the aftermath of SunPower’s shocking collapse. First, a quick recap of Part 1: Vince shared the inspiring 18-year evolution of Renova Energy. From thriving in the heat of Coachella Valley to expanding into Arizona, he explained Renova’s smart choices in solar and battery tech and their consistent maintenance approach. Most notably, Renova’s steady, conservative business practices h...

The Revolution in Home Battery and Solar Electronics - Enphase Interview Part 2

This podcast episode, Segment 2 of our Enphase interview, delves into Module Level Power Electronics (MLPE) and the rise of advanced battery technology, with Enphase at the forefront since 2008. Segment 1, released a few weeks ago, is a good listen — especially for homeowners. Raghu Belur, co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Enphase, shares insider details on their success, market position, and IRA incentives. We'll also debate open vs. closed home energy ecosystems and discuss how rapid adv...

The Revolution in Home Battery and Solar Electronics. An Interview with SolarEdge - Part 2

This podcast episode, Segment 2 of our SolarEdge interview, is for my fellow solar installers who crave the inside scoop on industry TLAs such as IRA, VPP, V2G, PCS and NBT. This is the geeky deeper dive on the latest technologies and policy perspectives from SolarEdge. Segment 1, released a few weeks ago, is a great listen for more of a customer perspective. Today’s podcast, the second SolarEdge segment, is focused on interests and needs for contractors -- both residential and commercial. Issue...