In this episode, Joe Marhamati sits down with Jonathan Proffitt, ABB’s Sales & Development Leader for Residential Energy Management (aka, the electrification whisperer). They get real about what it takes to stay competitive as a solar installer today. From batteries to smart meters, from supplier relationships to utility red tape—John shares how diversifying your offering isn’t optional if you want to scale. They also dive into ABB’s evolving toolkit for installers, what financing solutions ...
Jul 09, 2025•37 min•Ep. 13
Khanti Munro has been in solar long enough to see the tech and the culture change big time. In this episode, he and Joe Marhamati talk through everything from training the next generation to game-changers like meter socket adapters and vehicle-to-grid. At the core of it all? A strong case for keeping the customer front and center while pushing the industry to level up.
Jul 01, 2025•42 min•Ep. 12
Amanda Bybee, CEO of Amicus O&M, is on a mission to bust the myth that solar is “set it and forget it.” In this episode, she dives into why O&M is not just essential for system health—but also a serious revenue opportunity if you treat it right. From technician training to proactive maintenance plans and warranty know-how, Amanda lays out exactly how installers can turn maintenance into a competitive advantage.
Jun 24, 2025•36 min•Ep. 11
Brian Hayden, CEO of HeatSpring, has been in the game long enough to know what works and what doesn’t. In this episode, he shares why training isn’t optional, how to turn customer service into your competitive edge, and why the best solar companies are already thinking 10 years ahead. From virtual reality in the classroom to real trust in the field, Brian paints a picture of where clean energy is headed—and how to keep up.
Jun 17, 2025•31 min•Ep. 10
Brian Villari knows solar insurance inside and out—and in this episode, he breaks down what you actually need to protect your business. From general liability to workers' comp, he unpacks the fine print, clears up claims-made vs. occurrence policies, and makes a solid case for why safety culture matters. If you’re scaling, merging, or just trying to avoid surprise claims, this one’s packed with real talk and cost-saving tips.
Jun 12, 2025•28 min•Ep. 9
Vincent Battaglia, CEO of Renova Energy, drops some serious wisdom in this episode—talking about why long-term customer relationships are the real secret in solar. He dives into how AI and tech can streamline operations, but reminds us it all still comes down to people. If you’re navigating growing pains, chasing innovation, or just want to avoid the mistakes others already made, this episode is for you.
Jun 02, 2025•33 min•Ep. 8
Mo, Good Faith Energy's CEO, doesn’t hold back in this episode—he gets real about what it takes to run a solar company the right way. From ethical sales and rock-solid installs to actually supporting customers after the panels go up, he shares hard-earned lessons on doing things with integrity. If you've ever wrestled with misaligned teams, marketing headaches, or just want a no-BS look at how to grow with heart—this one's for you.
May 27, 2025•32 min•Ep. 7
Riley Cate and Eric Haskell ditched their corporate gigs to start SageBrush Energy—and in this episode, they share what it’s really like to build a solar company rooted in trust, community, and quality installs. From navigating policy shifts in Nevada to launching their own financing arm (SageBrush Financial), they break down the real challenges local installers face and why diverse financing is non-negotiable.
May 18, 2025•50 min•Ep. 6
Mike Cornell, Chief Instigation Officer at Arch Solar, brings the heat in this episode—talking growth, grit, and how they’re gunning for $100M by 2033. He dives into everything from building a rock-solid ops structure to the real work behind attracting more women into solar, plus a few hard lessons learned along the way. Oh, and if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to meet Elon Musk, run O&M like a pro, or use driver-facing cameras to lower insurance costs—Mike’s got stories for days!...
May 11, 2025•32 min•Ep. 5
Aaron Nichols didn’t take the usual path into solar—unless running into circus performers in Ecuador is more common than we think. In this episode, he breaks down why good marketing isn’t about quick wins, but about storytelling, community, and staying human. If you're still treating LinkedIn like a digital resume, Aaron's take might just change how you show up.
May 07, 2025•24 min•Ep. 4
Heather Albarano has spent years in solar HR, and she’s got the stories (and scars) to prove it. In this episode, she gets real about hiring mistakes, messy handbooks, and why effective meetings are underrated. If you think HR is just paperwork and policies, this episode might change your mind.
Apr 29, 2025•24 min•Ep. 3
Chris Koczaja from Lightwave Solar has seen it all—and in this episode, he breaks down what’s changing in solar and how smart companies are staying ahead. From moving into commercial work to taking O&M seriously, he makes a strong case for diversifying your model and keeping your team sharp by managing time better. Oh, and if you're not thinking about storage yet? You will be after this.
Apr 21, 2025•27 min•Ep. 2
Benoy Thanjan has been in solar for 20+ years, and in this episode, he sits down with Joe Marhamati to talk about everything from community solar to why interconnection is still such a pain. They dig into how project financing has changed, the underrated power of renewable energy credits, and what tariffs are doing to the industry. If you're into energy independence, battery tech, or how blockchain and vehicle-to-grid might change the game—this one's got it all.
Apr 15, 2025•51 min•Ep. 1
Scaling a solar company is hard. We get it, so we made a podcast. Real conversations about real problems— from people in the field. 🎙️ What Solar Installers Need To Know Launching April 15 @ 5AM EST.
Apr 11, 2025•30 sec•Ep. 1
