Sean White‘s Solar and Energy Storage Podcast

Rob Lamendola, Technical Business Manager at SMA, presents the Sunny Boy Smart Energy inverter and Backup Select system at a solar training center. The discussion covers SMA's 25-year history in the solar industry, string inverter technology, backup power solutions without batteries, grid-tied residential systems, equipment unboxing, installer training practices, and the rapid growth of solar energy adoption worldwide. Topics Covered SMA = Solar Inverter Manufacturer https://www.sma.de/ Solar Industry Growth String Inverters Backup Power Energy Storage Installer Training Net Metering Grid Reliability Sunny Boy Inverter Reliability Renewable Energy History Residential Solar Systems Equipment Unboxing Pumped Hydro Storage Reach out to Rob Lamendola here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertlamendola/ Website: https://www.sma.de/ Email: rob.lamen@gmail.com Podcast with

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Learn more at https://www.solarsean.com/ and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at http://www.heatspring.com/sean solarsean.com/intro • http://solarsean.com/pvip • http://solarsean.com/pva • http://solarsean.com/pvds • http://solarsean.com/esip • solarsean.com/omat • https://solarsean.com/center • http://solarsean.com/sfev • http://solarsean.com/40hrpv • http://solarsean.com/pv2020nec • http://solarsean.com/18hrpv • http://solarsean.com/30hrpv • http://solarsean.com/ess • http://solarsean.com/10hress • solarsean.com/pvsiprep • http://solarsean.com/2hrbfc

This podcast featured Daniel Freiberg, Director of Product Engineering at SunGrow, discussing the company's large-scale PV inverters, particularly the SG4400UD-MV-US model. Daniel explained the inverter's modular design, which allows for partial operation and easier maintenance, and described its function of converting DC power from solar arrays into AC power for the grid. He detailed the inverter's specifications, including its 4.4 megawatt capacity and containerized format for easy shipping and installation. The conversation also covered SunGrow's broad product range, from small to utility-scale inverters, and the company's significant global market presence. Sean and Daniel discussed the rapid growth of the solar industry and its evolution over the decades. At the end, Sean expressed interest in acquiring a large inverter for his solar training center, and Daniel mentioned SunGrow's own training facility in Houston. Topics Covered Sungrow www.sungrowpower.com 4.4 Megawatts Inverters 36-kilowatt Inverter AC = Alternating Current DC = Direct Current SG4400UD-MV-US SG = Photovoltaic Inverter UD = Universally DC Coupled MV = Medium Voltage IGBTs = Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors MPPT = Maximum Power Point Tracking 1,500 Volts DC Systems 645 Volt AC Output Shipping Container–Sized Solar Industry Growth Data Center Renewable Energy NREL = National Renewable Energy Laboratory TÜV Rheinland = Technical Inspection Association (German: Technischer Überwachungsverein) Podcast with Madeline Acri

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Reach out to Daniel Friberg here: LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/daniel-friberg-0b66a313 Website: https://www.sungrowpower.com Email: daniel.friberg@sungrow-na.com Learn more at https://www.solarsean.com/ and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at http://www.heatspring.com/sean solarsean.com/intro • http://solarsean.com/pvip • http://solarsean.com/pva • http://solarsean.com/pvds • http://solarsean.com/esip • solarsean.com/omat • https://solarsean.com/center • http://solarsean.com/sfev • http://solarsean.com/40hrpv • http://solarsean.com/pv2020nec • http://solarsean.com/18hrpv • http://solarsean.com/30hrpv • http://solarsean.com/ess • http://solarsean.com/10hress • solarsean.com/pvsiprep • http://solarsean.com/2hrbfc

In this episode, Michael Roche discusses the intersection of financial technology, AI, and the solar industry. Roche shared his background in fintech, particularly in stopping credit card fraud and the evolution of big data and machine learning into Al, including large language models like ChatGPT. They discussed the pervasiveness of Al, data privacy concerns, and the potential for Al to surpass human intelligence. The main topic was Roche's theory of the "energy ledger," a standardized financial record for a home's energy system, akin to a credit score, which he believes is crucial for banks to finance residential solar installations. Roche argued that the solar industry needs to cooperate and standardize, similar to how the financial industry did with credit cards, to enable widespread bank financing of solar systems. They proposed using the podcast as a platform to openly discuss and develop this concept, potentially involving banks, utilities, and inverter manufacturers.

Topics Covered
Fintechnology Group https://www.fintechnologygroup.com/
Paypal Mafia
AI = Artificial Inteligence
LLM = Large Language Model
Fraud Screening and Authentication
Visa and Mastercard
Bank
AI Plagiarize Books
AI Spy
Quantum Computing
Data Center
HeatSpring
Credit Score
Tax Credit
PPA = Power Purchase Agreement
FICO Score
BIPV = Building Integrated Photovoltaic
AVM = Automated Valuation Model
DMZ = Demilitarized Zone
Everything can be Converted to Energy
Energy Consumption of Banks

Reach out to Michael Roche here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-f-roche-b5999a238/
Website: https://www.fintechnologygroup.com/
Email: michael.f@fintechnologygroup.com

Learn more at https://www.solarsean.com/ and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at http://www.heatspring.com/sean

solarsean.com/intro • http://solarsean.com/pvip • http://solarsean.com/pva • http://solarsean.com/pvds • http://solarsean.com/esip • solarsean.com/omat • https://solarsean.com/center • http://solarsean.com/sfev • http://solarsean.com/40hrpv • http://solarsean.com/pv2020nec • http://solarsean.com/18hrpv • http://solarsean.com/30hrpv • http://solarsean.com/ess • http://solarsean.com/10hress • solarsean.com/pvsiprep • http://solarsean.com/2hrbfc

This podcast interview featured Sean hosting Tony Alley, an inventor who developed a residential thermal energy storage system using ice. Tony explained that his technology addresses the need for cost-effective energy storage behind the meter, particularly for California residents, by using water as the storage medium instead of expensive battery systems. He described how his design can store enough cooling for an average house for 10 hours using a relatively small 3x3x3 foot block of ice, compared to the much larger tanks required for chilled water storage. Tony emphasized that thermal energy storage has been around for over 100 years in industrial applications but hasn't been successfully adapted for residential use due to challenges in getting both cold in and out of the system economically. He noted that his design is reversible for both heating and cooling, uses tap water as the storage medium, and can be installed as a box-like unit on the side of a house. Tony is currently seeking funding through the National Science Foundation to develop prototypes and bring the technology to market within a few years. Topics Covered Ice Power Energy https://icepowerenergy.com/ Thermal energy storage Residential ice storage Patent process & inventor challenges Patent trolls Solar energy storage Grid infrastructure BTU = British Thermal Unit NSF = National Science Foundation Chilled water grids Radiant ceiling cooling Battery cost comparison Wright brothers’ story Solar industry growth Reach out to Tony Alley here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tony-alley Website: https://icepowerenergy.com/ Email: icepowerenergy@gmail.com Podcast with Jack West Inventor

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Learn more at https://www.solarsean.com/ and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at http://www.heatspring.com/sean solarsean.com/intro • http://solarsean.com/pvip • http://solarsean.com/pva • http://solarsean.com/pvds • http://solarsean.com/esip • solarsean.com/omat • https://solarsean.com/center • http://solarsean.com/sfev • http://solarsean.com/40hrpv • http://solarsean.com/pv2020nec • http://solarsean.com/18hrpv • http://solarsean.com/30hrpv • http://solarsean.com/ess • http://solarsean.com/10hress • solarsean.com/pvsiprep • http://solarsean.com/2hrbfc

In this podcast, Eli Paster, CEO of Polyjoule, discussed polymer-based battery technology and how it differs from conventional metal-based batteries. Eli explained that Polyjoule uses conductive polymers instead of lithium, nickel, cobalt, lead, or sodium, synthesizing its own conductive polymers from abundant hydrocarbon feedstocks. Eli detailed the safety advantages of polymer-based batteries, including the inability to enter thermal runaway, and demonstrated this by cutting open a cell and applying a blowtorch for five minutes with no fire. Sean and Eli explored potential applications in residential energy storage, building codes, and the possibility of Polyjoule batteries being rated as firewalls.

Topics Covered:
Polymer-Based Battery
Conductive Polymers
Hydrocarbon Feedstock
Monomers and Polymers
Polyacetylene
PVC = Polyvinyl Chloride
Lithium-Ion Battery
LFP = Lithium Iron Phosphate
NMC = Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide
NCA = Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide
Sodium-Ion Battery
Solid-State Battery
Lead Acid Battery
Thermal Runaway
Short Circuit
Arc Flash
Battery Separator
Electrochemistry
Anode and Cathode
Electrolyte
Prismatic Cells
Depth of Discharge
Nominal Voltage
Energy Density
Round Trip Efficiency
Schneider Electric
UPS = Uninterruptible Power Supply
UL 1973
UL 9540A
IRC = International Residential Code
NEC = National Electrical Code
EV Auxiliary Battery
Hybrid Battery Systems
Hydrogen
Fuel Cells

Reach out to Eli Paster here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elipaster/
Website: https://www.polyjoule.com/
Email: eli.paster@polyjoule.com

Learn more at https://www.solarsean.com/ and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at http://www.heatspring.com/sean

solarsean.com/intro • http://solarsean.com/pvip • http://solarsean.com/pva • http://solarsean.com/pvds • http://solarsean.com/esip • solarsean.com/omat • https://solarsean.com/center • http://solarsean.com/sfev • http://solarsean.com/40hrpv • http://solarsean.com/pv2020nec • http://solarsean.com/18hrpv • http://solarsean.com/30hrpv • http://solarsean.com/ess • http://solarsean.com/10hress • solarsean.com/pvsiprep • http://solarsean.com/2hrbfc

In this podcast, Jeff Spies shares the story behind "Solar Roots: The Pioneers of PV" and its upcoming release party. Jeff explained how the 11-year project began as a reunion party that evolved into capturing the stories of early solar industry pioneers, with interviews conducted over 2 years of filming. The documentary explores how the solar photovoltaic industry started with hippies in the 1970s and 1980s, focusing on both the technology's development and its adoption by off-grid communities, particularly those involved in marijuana cultivation. The release party will take place October 30-November 1 in Grass Valley, California at the Nevada County Fairgrounds, featuring screenings at the Del Oro Theater, musical performances by TJ Kanjizewski, and opportunities to meet many of the historical figures featured in the film, including David Katz, John Schaefer, and Charlie Gay. The event is open to the public with accommodations available for camping or nearby lodging, and the documentary will be released for free on Vimeo and YouTube following the party. Topics Covered Solar Roots: The Pioneers of PV Solar Roots Party (October 31st – November 1st, 2026) www.solar-roots.com AEE Solar = Alternative Energy Engineering Solar Marijuana Hippy Sustainability Grateful Dead Solar History Home Power Market Grass Valley Canyon California Podcast with Mark Mrohs

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Podcast with Johnny Weiss

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Reach out to Jeff Spies & Jason Vetterli here: Jeff Spies LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-spies Website: https://www.planetplansets.com/ Email: jeff.spies@planetplansets.com Jason Vetterli LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jvetterli/ Website: https://enstall.com/ Learn more at https://www.solarsean.com/ and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at http://www.heatspring.com/sean solarsean.com/intro • http://solarsean.com/pvip • http://solarsean.com/pva • http://solarsean.com/pvds • http://solarsean.com/esip • solarsean.com/omat • https://solarsean.com/center • http://solarsean.com/sfev • http://solarsean.com/40hrpv • http://solarsean.com/pv2020nec • http://solarsean.com/18hrpv • http://solarsean.com/30hrpv • http://solarsean.com/ess • http://solarsean.com/10hress • solarsean.com/pvsiprep • http://solarsean.com/2hrbfc

In this podcast, Michelle Moore, CEO of Groundswell and author of "Rural Renaissance," discussed community power building, energy efficiency projects, and clean energy initiatives in rural areas. Michelle shared examples of their work including projects in West Memphis with Google and their upcoming Rural Renaissance Roadshow conference in November in Decatur, Alabama. The interview also covered job opportunities in the renewable energy sector and the growing importance of local clean energy solutions. Topics Covered Groundswell https://groundswell.org/ Rural Renaissance Book CCA = Community Choice Aggregation Solar on White House Sungevity Community Solar “Join or Die” Data Center Groundswell Projects Green Jobs Google IRA = Inflation Reduction Act Rural Renaissance Roadshow https://ruralrenaissance.com/ NABCEP Conference Alabama Job Opportunities Podcast with Paul Fenn | Part 1

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Podcast with Paul Fenn | Part 2

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Reach out to Michelle Moore here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmichellemoore/ Website: https://groundswell.org/ Email: michelle.moore@groundswell.org Learn more at https://www.solarsean.com/ and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at http://www.heatspring.com/sean solarsean.com/intro • http://solarsean.com/pvip • http://solarsean.com/pva • http://solarsean.com/pvds • http://solarsean.com/esip • solarsean.com/omat • https://solarsean.com/center • http://solarsean.com/sfev • http://solarsean.com/40hrpv • http://solarsean.com/pv2020nec • http://solarsean.com/18hrpv • http://solarsean.com/30hrpv • http://solarsean.com/ess • http://solarsean.com/10hress • solarsean.com/pvsiprep • http://solarsean.com/2hrbfc

Vincent Ambrose, Chief Commercial Officer of Franklin Whole Home, discusses the intersection of AI and energy storage, including how data centers are becoming major customers for residential energy storage systems and how Franklin is developing AI tools for installer training and system optimization.

The conversation explores Franklin's product offerings, including AC-coupled and DC-coupled solutions, the A-gate microgrid interconnect device, and the company's focus on home energy security through solar plus storage systems.

Topics Covered
Franklin Whole Home www.franklinwh.com
AI = Artificial Intelligence
AI and Energy Demand
Data Center
ESS
Residential Energy Storage
VPP = Virtual Power Plants
Hyperscalers
DERs = Distributed Energy Resources
Inverter
AC & DC = Alternating Current & Direct Current
AC-Coupled Storage
DC-Coupled Storage
Microgrid
Generator
Net-Metering
Distributed Compute
Bit-coin Miner
NVIDIA
SETI = Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
Battery
EV = Electric Vehicle
A-Gate
MID = Microgrid Interconnect Device
V2L = Vehicle to Load
Generator
Franklin Whole Home Energy Storage System
AHJ = Authority Having Jurisdiction

Reach out to Vincent Ambrose here:
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/vincent-ambrose-622887b
Website: www.franklinwh.com
Email: vincent.ambrose@franklinwh.com

Learn more at https://www.solarsean.com/ and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at
solarsean.com/intro • http://solarsean.com/pvip • http://solarsean.com/pva • http://solarsean.com/pvds • http://solarsean.com/esip • solarsean.com/omat • https://solarsean.com/center • http://solarsean.com/sfev • http://solarsean.com/40hrpv • http://solarsean.com/pv2020nec • http://solarsean.com/18hrpv • http://solarsean.com/30hrpv • http://solarsean.com/ess • http://solarsean.com/10hress • solarsean.com/pvsiprep • http://solarsean.com/2hrbfc

In this podcast, Michael Roche, founder of Fin Technology Group, discussed the evolution of financial technology and its connection to the energy sector. Michael discussed the history of fintech, the rise of big data and AI, and the energy consumption of data centers. The conversation shifted to the role of banks in financing solar energy, with Michael questioning why banks aren't more actively supporting residential solar installations and suggesting the need for standardized data formats to facilitate bank valuations of solar-equipped homes.

Topics Covered
Fintechnology Group https://www.fintechnologygroup.com/
Fintech Industry
Financial Technology
eBay
Banks
PayPal Mafia
E-Commerce
Transactional Data
Fraud Screening and Authentication
Data Center
Data Footprint
Liquid Cooling
AI = Artificial Intelligence
LLM = Large Language Model
Machine Learning
VPN = Virtual Private Network
Server Stacks & Server Cage
Energy Consumption
Stock Market
Bitcoin
Cryptocurrency
Solar Renewable Energy
IRA = Inflation Reduction Act
Tax Credit
PPA = Power Purchase Agreement
Solar Coaster
Tariff

Reach out to Michael Roche here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-f-roche-b5999a238/
Website: https://www.fintechnologygroup.com/
Email: michael.f@fintechnologygroup.com

Learn more at https://www.solarsean.com/ and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at
http://www.heatspring.com/sean
solarsean.com/intro
http://solarsean.com/pvip
http://solarsean.com/pva
http://solarsean.com/pvds
http://solarsean.com/esip
solarsean.com/omat
https://solarsean.com/center

In this podcast, Tiffany Menhorn, Vice President of North American Utilities at Prisma Photonics, discusses grid congestion and the role of grid enhancing technologies like dynamic line ratings in integrating more renewable energy, particularly solar. Tiffany explained how Prisma Photonics uses existing fiber networks for real-time monitoring and analytics to increase grid capacity and reduce curtailment. The conversation also touched on security, forecasting, and the potential for these technologies to prevent grid-related issues.

Topics Covered
Prisma Photonics
Utility
Grid
Wind
Fiber Optics & Dark Fiber
Distributed Acoustic Sensing
Distributed Temperature Sensing
Renewable Energy
FERC Order 881 = Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Dynamic Line Rating
Pacific Gas and Electric
Great River Energy
NYPA = New York Power Authority
Southern Company
Renewable Energy Curtailment
Renewables on the Grid
IEEE = Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Reach out to Tiffany Menhorn here:
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/tiffany-menhorn-82451249
Website: https://www.prismaphotonics.com/
Email: tiffany@prismaphotonics.com

Learn more at https://www.solarsean.com/ and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at
http://www.heatspring.com/sean
solarsean.com/intro
http://solarsean.com/pvip
http://solarsean.com/pva
http://solarsean.com/pvds
http://solarsean.com/esip
solarsean.com/omat
https://solarsean.com/center

Adewale Ogunbadejo, Vice President of Workforce Development at Grid Alternatives. They discussed Grid Alternatives' evolution from a volunteer- based solar installation organization founded in 2004 to a professional workforce development program serving 500-700 job trainees annually across multiple regions including California, Colorado, DC, and tribal communities throughout North America. Adewale explained how the organization transitioned from heavy volunteer involvement to focused technical training programs, including partnerships with Goodwill's Clean Tech Academy and various local organizations in markets like Houston, Albuquerque, Columbus, and Chicago. They covered Grid Alternatives' various service areas including residential installations, affordable housing projects, community solar, and international work primarily in Mexico and Puerto Rico, while also discussing the organization's relationship with AmeriCorps and the SolarCorps fellowship program. The touched on industry challenges including predatory contractors, the growth of solar and storage for data centers, and Grid Alternatives' current project scope ranging from residential to 5- megawatt community solar installations

Topics Covered GRID Alternatives History Workforce Development Solar Installations SASH Program Solar Corps Fellowship Goodwill Partnership International Programs Tribal Communities Contractor Network Clean Energy Transition Data Centers EVSE = Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Energy Storage Solar Industry Growth Solar Education Reach out to Adewale Ogunbadejo here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/adewale-ogunbadejo
Website: https://gridalternatives.org/ Email: aogunbadejo@gridalternatives.org

Podcast with Gil Hough

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Learn more at https://www.solarsean.com/ and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at http://www.heatspring.com/sean solarsean.com/intro http://solarsean.com/pvip http://solarsean.com/pva http://solarsean.com/pvds http://solarsean.com/esip solarsean.com/omat https://solarsean.com/center

Rob Schwarzinger, CEO of SIG Energy North America, and Rich Reynoso, Director of Service, about vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology and Signergy's bi-directional EV charging solutions. The discussion covered how SIG Energy's system scan charge electric vehicles using solar and grid power, and also discharge vehicle batteries to power homes during power outages or to provide grid services. Rob explained that while the hardware and software are ready for V2G functionality, they are currently limited to discharging approximately 75-80% of EVs due to manufacturer compliance with industry standards, with Quebec being the only region where they have received official utility approval for grid injection. The conversation also covered SIG Energy's modular battery systems ranging from 6kWh to 54kWh, their VPP (Virtual Power Plant) capabilities, and their development of self-developed meter collar technology for microgrid interconnect devices. Topics Covered Bidirectional DC charging Modular battery systems Solar energy storage EV warranty concerns OEM software blocking Home energy management Grid backup power Quebec V2G approval EV battery longevity ISO 15118-20 standard Meter collar switch V2X = Vehicle to Everything EV = Electric Vehicle discharging V2H = Vehicle to Home V2G = Vehicle to Grid VPP = Virtual Power Plant Reach out to Rob Schwarzinger and Rich Reynoso here: Rob’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/robert-schwarzinger Rich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-reynoso-iii/
Website: https://www.sigenergy.com/us/ Rich’s Email: rich.reynoso@sigenergy.com Learn more at http://www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at http://www.heatspring.com/sean solarsean.com/intro http://solarsean.com/pvip http://solarsean.com/pva http://solarsean.com/pvds http://solarsean.com/esip solarsean.com/omat https://solarsean.com/center

Ryan Warrick, National Sales Manager for Outback Power, where they discussed Outback's history, products, and status. Ryan explained that Outback Power was founded in 2001 and recently acquired by Energy Access Innovations (EAI) in 2024, moving headquarters from Washington to Commerce, Texas. They covered Outback's two main inverter platforms - the FX series (up to 3.6 kilowatts) and Radian/GS series (8 kilowatts), both designed for modular stacking and field service ability. Ryan discussed the Energy Cell 5 lithium battery system, which can be stacked from 15.3 to 122 kilowatt hours, and explained how Outback continues to support legacy equipment with technical support for board replacements. The conversation also touched on the company's history with EnerSys and EG4 partnerships, the transition from lead-acid to lithium-ion batteries, and various specialized applications including marine and European voltage inverters. Topics Covered Company History Fx Inverters Inverter Platforms Field Serviceability Lithium Batteries Lead-Acid Transition AC/DC Coupling System Stacking Antarctica Applications European Voltage Three-Phase Power EAI = Energy Access Innovations EAI Acquisition EG4 Partnership Space-Based Solar Data Centers Solar Training Reach out to Ryan Warrick here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-warrick Website: https://outbackpower.com/ Email: kat.stovall@outbackpower.com

Podcast with James Showalter

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Podcast with Dylan Rup

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Learn more at http://www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at http://www.heatspring.com/sean solarsean.com/intro http://solarsean.com/pvip http://solarsean.com/pva http://solarsean.com/pvds http://solarsean.com/esip solarsean.com/omat https://solarsean.com/center

Grid Rails founder and CEO Michael Grasso explains how real-time settlement and device-level orchestration can unlock the untapped capacity of distributed energy resources including electric vehicles, home batteries, and solar systems. The discussion covers virtual power plants, the duck curve, bidirectional charging, FERC 2222 requirements, and the financial incentives needed to engage consumers as active grid participants. Topics Covered Real-Time Settlement Grid Orchestration Duck Curve Bidirectional Charging FERC 2222 Requirements Consumer Grid Participation Grid Capacity Utilization Data Center Demand Battery Lifecycle Performance Consumer Privacy Protection DERs = Distributed Energy Resources VPP = Virtual Power Plant Reach out to Michael Grasso here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpgrasso/
Website: https://gridrails.ai/ Email: michael@gridrails.ai
Podcast with John Berger

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Learn more at https://www.solarsean.com/ and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at http://www.heatspring.com/sean www.solarsean.com/esip

Max Rünzel, CEO and co-founder of HiveTracks, discussing the integration of bees and beekeeping practices in solar farm operations. Max explained how HiveTracks uses beehives as monitoring tools to assess pollinator health and ecosystem resilience on solar farms, with hives capable of foraging up to 10,000 acres and traveling 2-4 miles from their location. The company places two hives as a starting point and collects data through regular visits, pollen analysis, and IoT devices to determine foraging patterns, habitat quality, and potential ecotoxicology issues from PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances), microplastics, and pesticides. Max described how they work with local experienced beekeepers rather than providing bees directly, and how they use bee intelligence to identify dearth periods and recommend specific plantings to create year-round foraging resources. The discussion covered practical aspects including hive placement considerations, safety protocols, and the potential for solar-powered monitoring equipment, with Max noting they currently have 12 solar sites and are beginning to produce honey for sale.

Topics Covered
Hive Mind Concept (Star Trek reference)
Solar Farm Beehives
Agrivoltaics Ecosystem Health
Hive Health Monitoring
Pollinator Habitat Design
Pollen Foraging Analysis
Bee Foraging Range
Manuka Honey
Beehive Placement Strategy
Queen Bees (Sean is a big Freddie Mercury fan)
Bee Breeding & Docility
Beekeeper Training
Waggle Dance Communication
Ecotoxicology Testing
Microplastics Contamination
Solar Honey Harvest
IoT Hive Sensors
PV = Photovoltaic
PFAS = Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
NABCEP = North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners

Reach out to Max Rünzel here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxrunzel/
Website: https://www.hivetracks.com/
Email: max@hivetracks.com

Learn more at https://www.solarsean.com/ and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at
http://www.heatspring.com/sean
http://solarsean.com/esip

Ravi Mikkelsen of Atmos Financial examines why cash and loan purchases remain vital in residential solar despite the expired tax credit. The discussion covers FEOC equipment pricing gaps, predatory lease buyout structures, dealer fee commissions, and door-to-door sales practices that inflate costs. Mikkelsen advocates for tax credit elimination, pricing transparency, and reaching a $2 per watt national benchmark for residential installations.

Topics Covered
Cash vs Financing
Solar Tax Credits
Lease Buyout Traps
Dealer Fee Commissions
Door-to-Door Sales
Pricing Transparency
Atmos Financial
$2/Watt Benchmark
Tariffs and Equipment Costs
International Solar Pricing
FEOC = Foreign Entity of Concern
NEM = Net Energy Metering
VPP = Virtual Power Plant
TPO = Third-Party Ownership

Reach out to Ravi Mikkelsen here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravimikkelsen/
Website: https://www.joinatmos.com/
Email: ravi@joinatmos.com

Previous podcast with Ravi Mikkelsen

• Apple Podcast
• YouTube
• Spotify
• Pandora
• Podbean

Learn more at https://www.solarsean.com/ and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at
http://www.heatspring.com/sean
www.solarsean.com/pvts

Frederick Brooks, founder of Pacific Panel Cleaners in Hawaii, discusses solar photovoltaic operations and maintenance, covering proper panel cleaning methods, deionized cleaning solutions, and common installation errors. He explains his certifications in energy management and auditing, then details how thermal imaging and drone technology identify failed diodes, malfunctioning microinverters, and soiling patterns across solar arrays, improving maintenance efficiency and warranty claims.

Topics Covered
Pacific Panel Cleaners
Solar Panel Cleaning
Deionized Cleaning Solutions
O&M Contracts
PPA Responsibilities
CEM Certification
CEA Certification
Thermal Imaging
Drone Inspections
Diode Failure Detection
Hawaii Solar Boom
Installation Quality Issues
Employee Training
O&M = Operations and Maintenance
PPA = Power Purchase Agreement
CEM = Certified Energy Manager
CEA = Certified Energy Auditor

Reach out to Frederick Brooks here:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/fred-brooks
Website: https://pacificpanelcleaners.com/
Email: fred@pacificpanelcleaners.com

Podcast with Eric Woodruff CEM

• Apple Podcast

Learn more at https://www.solarsean.com/ and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at
http://www.heatspring.com/sean
http://solarsean.com/esip

Gil Hough, Executive Director of TenneSEIA, discussing the upcoming TenneSEIA Valley Solar Plus Storage Conference scheduled for September 2nd and 3rd in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Gil explained that the conference has been moved earlier in the year and will feature Sean as the featured trainer for a full-day training session on Thursday. They discussed the significant growth in solar and energy storage projects in the Tennessee Valley region, including utility-scale projects, local power company initiatives, and residential installations. Gil highlighted the new TVA Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) that will be approved in August and its potential impact on the market, as well as the booming energy storage market, particularly with local power companies implementing substation-level storage projects. The conversation covered various industry topics including manufacturing growth in the region, data center development, and quantum technology applications, with a special panel planned on quantum technology and its connection to solar and storage.

Topics Covered
TenneSEIA Conference
Energy Storage Growth
Residential Solar Market
TVA Federal Structure
Rare Earth Materials
Conference Registration
Training Track
Solar Manufacturing
Data Centers
Quantum Computing
US Competitiveness
TVA = Tennessee Valley Authority
EPB = Electric Power Board
Manufacturing Tours
IRP = Integrated Resource Plan
Local Power Companies
RFP = Request for Proposals

Reach out to Gil Hough here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilhough/
Website: https://tenneseiasolar.com/
Email: execdirector@tenneseiasolar.com

Learn more at https://www.solarsean.com/ and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at
http://www.heatspring.com/sean
http://solarsean.com/esipexam

Scott Wharton, CEO of Tandem PV, discusses his company's tandem perovskite silicon solar panel technology, which recently achieved a record 30.4 percent efficiency. He explains how a thin perovskite layer boosts power output, lowers manufacturing costs, and supports domestic production. The conversation also covers utility scale deployment, rising demand from data centers, manufacturing tax credits, and the future of solar energy in the United States.

Topics Covered
Tandem PV Origin
Perovskite Technology
Solar Panel Efficiency
Silicon Cell Integration
Company Board Members
Panel Degradation Testing
Solar Manufacturing Timeline
Utility-Scale Solar
Silicon Valley Talent
US Manufacturing Tax Credits
Data Center Demand
Solar Cost Reduction
Bifacial Solar Panels
Automated Factory Production
Future Efficiency Roadmap
PV = Photovoltaic
IPP = Independent Power Producer
SEIA = Solar Energy Industries Association
IRA = Inflation Reduction Act

Podcast with Dick Swanson

• Apple Podcast
• YouTube
• Spotify
• Pandora
• Podbean

Reach out to Scott Wharton here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottwharton/
Website: https://www.tandempv.com/
Email: scott@tandempv.com

Learn more at https://www.solarsean.com/ and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at
http://www.heatspring.com/sean
http://solarsean.com/esip

Thomas Stubblefield, a NABCEP-certified solar installer who travels across multiple states (Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Illinois) to rescue and repair failing solar systems. Thomas explained that he has handled over 300 service calls in the past year, with 100% resolution rate, helping homeowners whose systems were installed by now-bankrupt companies like Power Home Solar and Pink Energy. He described finding numerous installation issues including improper wiring, squirrel damage covered with electrical tape, and dangerous electrical conditions, with some systems sitting incomplete for up to five years. Thomas emphasized that homeowners should never sign job completion forms until systems are fully operational and producing power, and recommended checking NABCEP certification and local contractor licensing boards when selecting solar installers.

Topics Covered
Orphan solar systems
Company bankruptcies
Job completion form scam
Dangerous wiring hazards
Homeowner financial ruin
Contractor license verification
Solar system rescues
Yelp review trust
Third-party ownership (TPO)
Multi-state service coverage
Roof damage issues
Stolen SolarEdge home runs
Unlicensed electrician errors
Solar panel shading
Design tools (Aurora/PVWatts)
Koala Solar Pros branding

Reach out to Thomas Stubblefield here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/koalallc/
Website: https://koalasolarpros.com/
Email: support@koalasolarpros.com

Learn more at https://www.solarsean.com/ and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at
http://www.heatspring.com/sean
http://solarsean.com/pva