Suncast

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 of an intentional mindset. From bootstrapping his way from selling Nest thermostats to pioneering installations of the Tesla Solar Roof, he underlines the importance of staying ahead of the technology curve. I’ve been impressed with his company, Good Faith Energy, and their effective marketing tactics, including the utility of podcasts, Google ads, and YouTube. The emphasis on transparent communication, understanding customer needs, and the pivotal role of leadership during growth phases are highlighte

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 passionate about sustainable living, fascinated by cutting-edge advancements, or curious about the world we'll inhabit in the coming years, The Earthlings 2.0 Podcast has something for everyone. Prepare for insightful discussions and thought-provoking conversations that will inspire you to take action and make a positive impact on our planet.

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 of Yonja, one of Europe's first social networks and his first entrepreneurial exit. Kerim now spends his time investing in early-stage companies and founders in various sectors, including energy, education and healthcare, and has recently unveiled his next venture - Solar Academy (which we discuss at length in Part Two of this interview).Baran's business accomplishments are marked by innovation and adaptability. He grew Yonja to over a billion page views and 7 million users before selling it in 2007. He

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 the paradox of falling solar costs while residential solar remained costly and inefficient. His vision of "god parity," where locally produced and consumed solar electricity becomes significantly cheaper, signals a groundbreaking shift in energy paradigms. And his initiative with platforms like Enki Solar and Solar Academy showcases his commitment to addressing inequities in capital and education.Kerim's insights extend beyond the technical aspects of the solar industry. He delves into the import

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 engagement, particularly in B2B markets. Our speakers caution against diving into trending platforms without strategic forethought, illuminating the unique opportunities and challenges each platform presents. The segment drives home the importance of understanding the customer journey and aligning social media strategies with the company's brand pillars as we spoke with top execs from Nextracker, Shoals, Sungrow, and EDPR.In the second segment, the dialogue turns to the strategic value and potential pitfalls of p

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 'bright fields' and for spearheading the agricultural tax movement, outlined the benefits of agrivoltaics. These include increased crop yields, improved soil health, and providing a habitat for pollinators.He pointed to several obstacles that impede wider adoption of agrivoltaics, such as high initial costs, lack of knowledge, and policy challenges. French underscored the importance of community engagement in gaining approval for solar projects and averred that agrivoltaics could help to address local conce

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 embracing challenges can bolster personal and professional growth.Listeners will gain insight into Gainer's hiring considerations, learning that she highly values quick adaptability and the ability to articulate one's career trajectory. Moreover, Gainer discloses her effective strategy for managing brand perceptions both within and outside DSD Renewables. Her unique approach to managing marketing agencies as integrated parts of her team, rather than as separate entities, also provides valuable lessons for budding

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 Recurve, Young has developed WattCarbon. This “Demand-driven Decarbonization Platform” empowers organizations with net-zero commitments to more efficiently access 24/7 carbon-free energy and procure substantial carbon offsets.WattCarbon serves as a marketplace for suppliers delivering carbon-free energy, thereby stimulating the implementation of clean energy resources. Young's belief in open source principles is woven into the platform's technology, fostering problem-solving, innovation, and transparency - a

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 only for individual growth but also for leading a team through strategic shifts. Listen to Chang's perspective on viewing projects as a people business, and his tips on forging the right connections in global markets like Mexico, Chile, Argentina, and Japan.Chang takes us through the three pillars of solar development, an integral part of his business model. Furthermore, he shares the spark that propelled him to start his entrepreneurial journey in the clean energy sector. Listen to his riveting account of how h

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 IoT product, the Deno sensor. By providing solutions that capture irradiance and measure sunlight, Denowatts supports solar asset managers with valuable business intelligence.In the interview, Dan shares invaluable insights into harnessing each team member's unique superpower, the necessity of shared values in successful teams, and the power of predictive foresight in entrepreneurial leadership. Themes of service, sustainability, and the importance of data in decision-making punctuate the conversation. This

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 replicate his serial success. Key themes include the delicate art of building robust teams for various stages of company growth, harnessing the power of data and automation to scale ventures, and strategically preparing for the inevitable challenges which arise in entrepreneurship. Additionally, Jerry offers his unique perspective on the future of the solar industry, highlighting the need for continuous adaptation in a fast-evolving field. Amidst these insightful business lessons, Jerry acknowledges the importanc

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 Avengers, and Nico considered it so good that he is foregoing doing a typical “SunCast-style” interview with Devin and instead just cross-sharing the episode here (so, in fairness, if you’re a Climate Avengers subscriber, you may have already heard this one). Devin and Nico discuss many elements of his coming of age as a climate tech executive, not the least of which is the experience of leading a funding round, particularly as a person of color, during this recent economic downturn.  His perspectives a

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 Porter of "Solar Coaster”, and our regular hosts, Nico Johnson of “SunCast” and Mike Casey of “Scaling Clean”. The panel addresses the significant trends observed through our collective podcasting endeavors, with keen observations on the barriers hindering the clean energy transition and diving into the industry's most challenging moments. How do these industry insiders rate the performance of the private sector in deploying sustainable solutions within the framework of the IRA? What has been learned

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 public utilities spend money, to supporting clean energy initiatives and designing beneficial electrification plans that address storage and transmission, Public Utility Commissions (PUCs) tackle a wide range of critical issues affecting your every day life.Four years ago, Carrie joined the ICC from the Illinois Pollution Control Board, where she adjudicated complex environmental cases under the Illinois Environmental Protection Act, shaped critical rulemaking and worked to properly balance the interests of I

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 Utility-scale developers & EPCs any longer.  As we cross the chasm to the early majority, we increasingly need to ensure that the product being sold to homeowners and business owners alike is going to actually perform as the spec sheet suggests it will.  Enter PVEL and their nearly decade-long study of PV Module industry reliability.PVEL is a pioneer in the solar industry, helping buyers, investors, research institutions, and manufacturers to not only select the best photovoltaic (PV) products but

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 2019. With a wealth of experience in the residential solar market and a deep-rooted understanding of the industry's value chain, he has spearheaded Fastrac's emphasis on execution and fulfillment. Before Fastrac, he was CMO and co-founder of Sunnova Energy along with 2 other pioneering solar industry businesses that he and John Berger founded. So, why did he leave the pinnacle of solar success to get down in the dirt again building a fourth startup? In today's podcast, SunCast Host Nico Johnson leads Jor

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 insights into how N-Type TopCon technology and total solutions will become significant drivers in the sector.We’ll dive into:Exploring how N-type TopCon technology is revolutionizing residential solar by optimizing weight, size, and power output.Understanding the benefits of 210mm N-type TopCon modules, with a focus on safety requirements and the potential for business and homeowner savings.Learning from Paul's expert advice on how installers can transition to N-type modules, decipher facts from fiction, and e

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, learning and growing every step of the way. In this episode, Andy shares his entrepreneurial journey with Nico, recounting the challenges and triumphs he experienced while building Gippsland with his wife, Kelly.Beyond business success, Gippsland Solar has earned the acceptance and support of the community despite its location in Australia's coal country. Collaborating with government entities and local councils, Andy and his team showcased renewable energy as a path forward, emphasizing ecological stewardship and d

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 his early days at Sun Microsystems and his involvement with Satcon powers, which experienced rapid expansion. He has played a crucial role in helping numerous hardware startup companies surpass the milestone of $100 million in revenue. The conversation delves into Darryl's perspective on the evolving clean energy economy and how cultivating deep customer relationships is the key to an enduring enterprise.Darryl Parker emphasizes a customer-centered approach to sales and marketing that is honed from many year

Is it possible to keep an electricity grid fueled by renewable energy stable every minute of every day, given the variability of wind and sunlight? Eric Williams, a clean energy advocate and board member of one of the nation's largest publicly owned electric utilities, thinks it is.In a conversation with Nico Johnson, Eric explains his role as one of eight elected directors overseeing the Omaha Public Power District (OPPD), which serves 855,000 people in Omaha and 13 surrounding counties in southeast Nebraska. He clarifies how and why public power benefits the energy transition and shares what we can learn from the nation's only 100% public power state. Noting that "intermittent does not mean unreliable," he explains the importance of electing clean energy allies to the governing boards that create the electricity grids of today and tomorrow. Eric has worked to advance clean energy since 2009 as a community organizer, coordinator for a city-operated project and founder of a biofuels coope