Suncast

Welcome to Episode 85 of Suncast!Did you check out last weeks episode with Jason Zook? If not, Listen to it here! Today on SunCast, I had a chance to catch up with one of my oldest friends and colleagues in the industry. If you're unfamiliar with his name, or the company he started and recently sold for well into the 8+ figures range, then you should at least be curious to learn how he took his FIRST company to a nearly half-billion-dollar valuation and exit, and in-so-doing achieved the status of "No. 1 ranking US Solar Company in the US" by SolarPowerWorld in 2016.   Stick around as we dig into a variety of topics, including: What contributed to becoming the largest C&I solar company in the US How his young, inexperienced team pulled together some of the biggest deals in our industry at the time The old-school tactics he employed that led to a very successful business and exit And more lessons and takeaways than I can capture here in bullet po

Welcome to Episode 84 of Suncast!Did you check out last weeks episode with yours truly, me? If not, Listen to it here! I drill down on the ways that you have been losing in your negotiations, in business and life, and the subtle ways you can fix it, and stop missing out on the spoils of your labor. Today's episode is with my first 3-time returning guest, Jason Zook, a mentor and friend who I've learned from a ton over the last 3 years. He was most recently in Episode 79 talking about his entrepreneurial journey and creating profitable products that solve real-world problems. But I wanted to have him back one more time to discuss the remarkable ways he and his wife Caroline are very intentional in their philosophy of the notion of work-life balance, or as Jason calls it, Working to Live.   Stay tuned to learn:Jason's approach to work-life and framework for achieving balance  What they do every Monday and Friday to lock in the rewards  Jason's strategy for

Welcome to Episode 83 of Suncast!Did you check out last weeks episode with Ed Feo? If not, Listen to it here!Today we're going to drill down on the ways that you have been losing in your negotiations, in business and life, and the subtle ways you can fix it, and stop missing out on the spoils of your labor.There's no formal guest today, but instead we get a virtual guest by the name of Chris Voss, author of Never Split the Difference – possibly one of the best books I've read in a decade. I've personally used the tools I've learned from it to negotiate a 150% fee increase in a contract negotiation, more than once.It's the single most recommended book, by me, to all my business colleagues as well as family & friends, and for good reason. It's changed how I do business and has materially changed my life, and I've been waiting for a good time to share it with you because YOU deserve to have this information in your hands!  After we've studied this material together, you'll know:The

Welcome to Episode 82 of Suncast!Did you check out this week's Tactical Tuesday, another great one on Energy Storage with SepiSolar CEO, Josh Weiner! Listen to it here!Today on SunCast, are returning to the Solar Pioneers Series with one of the large-scale solar project development greats, Ed Feo of Coronal Energy.As you'll hear, Ed has a fabled history in the renewables industry. Accolades like "Attorney of the Decade" or "One of the 5 most influential people in Renewable Energy" are earned in the trenches, and Ed's been in the deal room more than just about anyone – having worked on hundreds of deals and over $35B in transactions during his 23 yr tenure leading the Project Finance practice at law firm Millbank.Tune-in as we discuss these topics: How Ed's favorite past time has greatly influenced his leadership style What it means to develop "plate discipline" even as a home-run hitter Details of Coronal's industry-first "solar put" contract with kWh AnalyticsThe 3 things it ta

Welcome to Episode 81 of Suncast!Did you check out the last Suncast episode? It's with James Ellsmoor who was on Forbes 30 Under 30 for Energy! Listen to it here!On this Tactical Tuesday, I speak with Josh Weiner of SepiSolar.Josh Weiner is the CEO/Founder of SepiSolar, a SF Bay Area engineering services company that has taken a long view on the integration of storage with solar. He was notably one of the co-founders of another well-known storage company, Green Charge Networks.Josh has gone on to develop grid-connected energy storage and micro-grid projects with NRG’s Station A team and NEXTracker’s integrated energy storage program, where Josh has played many roles in the development of energy storage products and services, including business, finance, policy, project, product, hardware, and software development.  Tune-in as we discuss these topics: 4 Questions Engineers should ask when evaluating energy storage $/kwhDepth of discharge and efficiency factorsMaintenance and

Welcome to Episode 80 of Suncast!Did you check out the last Suncast episode? It's with my friend and mentor, Jason Zook! Listen to it here!Today on Suncast, you'll meet James Ellsmoor. James is a social entrepreneur with expertise in sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship in rural, remote and island regions. He's on the 2017 Forbes 30 under 30 list for Energy and has been leading the efforts of the non-profit Solar Head of State for the last 5 yrs.Tune-in as we discuss these topics: How James got on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.The projects of Solar Head of StateHow the Carribean is striving to lead the way in Solar. If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsor

Welcome to Episode 79 of Suncast!Did you check out the last Suncast episode? It's Part 2 of my conversation with Paul Grana! Listen to it here!Today on SunCast, you'll meet my friend and mentor, Jason Zook. Jason might be the best marketer, heck, best sales guy I’ve ever met. He made over $1Million doing something you and I do every day – putting on a t-shirt. He sold his last name...3 times! He even got his first book sponsored by more than a dozen companies before he ever wrote the first word...or even knew what the book would be about.   Well, Jason and his super-creative wife Caroline are at it again, only this time they've teamed up to create something together aimed at helping the budding entrepreneur navigate the wandering path toward success. Tune-in as we discuss these topics: Some of Jason's early struggles as an entrepreneur who looked like he had it all figured out.Jason’s advice for someone starting out on their entrepreneurial journey.Creating products th

Welcome to Episode 78 of Suncast!Did you check out the last Suncast episode? It's Part 1 of this conversation with Paul Grana! Listen to it here!This week we are rounding out our discussion with Paul Grana, co-founder of the much-loved solar design software, Helioscope.  If you missed last week's episode, then you might consider going back to catch it next, as we go over a lot of the foundations and early pivots in Pauls career that led to founding Folsom Labs with his partner Paul Gibbs. Known as "The Pauls", they have created one of the most successful SAAS companies in the solar industry, and I asked Paul Grana how on earth they manage to grow to >3000 users with ZERO formal salespeople.Tune-in as we discuss these topics: 2 key inflection points along their growth path Building a product so easy a 10 yr old can use it How they attracted and activated early adopters Startup advice for both employees and founders For resources from today's episode, head o

Welcome to Episode 77 of Suncast!Did you check out the last Suncast episode? It's a Tactical Tuesday with Scott Sullivan! Listen to it here!In this episode I had the honor to sit down with one of my good friends in the solar biz who, along with his partner, has built arguably the most recognizeable software in the solar industry, especially if you've been doing commercial solar for any period of time. After all they have over 3000 users.So whether you are or aren't one of the 3000 who already sing the praises of Helioscope from the rooftops, you'll want to hang around for today's episode with Paul Grana.Tune-in as we discuss these topics:The failures and left turns that led to Helioscope's startThe value of experience and networking in making career moves The core philosophy underlying the Helioscope product and how that has led to rapid adoptionHow Helioscope have dominated with no outside sales teamFor resources from today's episode, head over to www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes&

Welcome to Episode 76 of Suncast!Did you check out my full interview with Scott Sullivan? Listen to it here! As I mentioned in that episode, Scott is a pro who truly understands that your network is your net worth. He has a reach of over 60K in his LinkedIn network alone. As promised I got Scott to do a deep-dive with me on this networking, career and even brand-building tool. Tune-in as we discuss these topics:How to Fully Complete your LinkedIn ProfileHow to Build Your Network and Career using LinkedInThe Immense Power of LinkedIn PremiumFor resources from today's episode, head over to www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes to today's and every other show's blog posts. (the direct URL is ...episodes/076)Thanks again for setting aside THIS time in your day. Enjoy this episode of SunCast.If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Spons

Welcome to Episode 75 of Suncast!Did you check out the last Suncast episode? It's with Scott Sullivan! Listen to it here!While networking is a natural part of the career advancement process, there is another key element that is often overlooked - recruitment. Today, we're going to have a closer look at the process of building your ideal team or career with the help of one of the best recruiters I know in the solar industry, Chris Turzo.Tune-in as we discuss these topics:The steps to consider both on the hiring and candidate side of the equation.How to find the right recruiter.The 3 fundamentals of a successful venture.Chris's developmental approach to recruiting. The personality assessments Chris recommends for companies and candidates to find the right fit.For resources from today's episode, head over to www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes to today's and every other show's blog posts. (the direct URL is ...episodes/075)Thanks again for setting aside THIS time in your d

Welcome to Episode 74 of Suncast!Did you check out the last Suncast episode? It's with Adam Gerza of Energy Toolbase. Listen to it here!Today on SunCast, I'm taking a deep dive into the power of your network with one of the most connected people in the solar business,  Scott Sullivan has built a career on leveraging the value of his connections and honing the skills of sales and relationship building. Tune-in as we discuss these topics:Tactics for setting up your own LinkedIn allstar profile.Memory tricks for networking and life.Scott's advice on building sales rapport.For resources from today's episode, head over to www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes to today's and every other show's blog posts. (the direct URL is ...episodes/074)Thanks again for setting aside THIS time in your day. Enjoy this episode of SunCast.If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/

Welcome to Episode 73 of Suncast!Did you check out the last Suncast episode? It's all about Blockchain, Electrification of the Vehicle Industry, Distributed Storage & A Nationwide Carbon Tax. Listen to it here!Today's guest, Adam Gerza, is the COO of the fast-growing SAAS company, Energy Toolbase, which I know many of my listeners use. Today I get the chance to look under the hood and hear why over 1500 solar companies trust the most critical piece of their sales process to this barely 3 yr old company.Tune-in as we discuss these topics:What Adam learned from his days as an Energy Trader.The Elevator Pitch for Energy Toolbase.How Energy Toolbase gained their first customers.Adam's predictions for Blockchain.For resources from today's episode, head over to www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes to today's and every other show's blog posts. (the direct URL is ...episodes/073)Thanks again for setting aside THIS time in your day. Enjoy this episode of SunCast.If you w

  Welcome to Episode 72 of Suncast!Did you check out Tuesday's episode yet with Mike Grunow of Vizn Energy? Listen to it here!You have told me over & over again that you love the Hot or Hype segment of the show, so we took some time to compile some of the more interesting answers to what I consider some of the more interesting questions.Today, I decided to focus on just 4 questions - it was actually harder than it might appear - what became apparent is that I actually DON't ask the same questions to every guest! These topics did come up several times, so today we'll hear snippets from Travis Simpkins(Ep 056), Stephen Lacey(Ep 028), Suvi Sharma(Ep 063) and Jing Tian(Ep 041) with their thoughts on BlockchainThe Electrification of the Automobile IndustryDistributed Storage &A Nationwide Carbon TaxFor resources from today's episode, head over to www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes to today's and every other show's blog posts. (the direct URL is .

Welcome to Episode 71 of SunCast! I hope you enjoyed the last episode with Brian Patterson of Emerge Alliance.In Episode 59, Mike Grunow and I discussed an awful lot of excellent topics around the ins and outs of developing and even selling energy storage products. But it was his answer to one question in particular that set the stage for this Tactical Tuesday. Mike is the VP of Marketing for Vizn Energy, a Flow Battery manufacturer.  Tune in Today as we Discuss Topics Such As:   Why is Lithium Ion the dominant technology, and will that continue?  What is a flow battery, and how are these two different/similar?  The 3 critical things to understand about batteries: Duty Cycle, Cooling Cycle, and Electrodegredation  The difference between Power & Energy  How batteries can actually help a customer take advantage of these so-called ancillary services For resources from today's episode, head over to www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes to t

  Welcome to Episode 70 of SunCast! I hope you enjoyed the last episode with James Pagonis, the Head of Product at PowerHub.I met Brian at SPI 2017 last year after asking around a bit about the microgrid they had built to power an entire section of this enormous tradeshow.  Brian gave me a clinic on the history of microgrids, and if you're at all interested in the evolution and indeed renaissance of DC-powered systems, stick around for today's discussion.  Tune in Today as we Discuss Topics Such As: Why Charles Kettering is actually the father of microgrids Early microgrids in rural America are a template for the modern era Emerge Alliance addressing energy access globally Creating the "Enernet" - aggregating personal and enterprise level power networks until we have a "world network" The DC microgrid Emerge created to power an entire area of SPI 2017  For resources from today's episode, head over to www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes to

Welcome to Episode 69 of SunCast! I hope you enjoyed the last episode with Farid Dibachi, the Cofounder & CEO of JLM Energy.On today's episode, I sit down with James Pagonis, the Head of Product at PowerHub.James is one of the early drivers behind the development and launch of PowerHub: a simple, cloud-based Asset Management solution designed to help renewable energy asset owners manage their projects.When I met James last Fall on travel to Chile together, it became clear to me that he is a consummate biz dev professional, and a really insightful, thoughtful and conscious questioner who seems always focused on better understanding the needs of the other person in the conversation. This is a sign of a great salesman as well as a leader, so I asked James if we could do an interview about his thoughts on customer development. Tune in Today as we Discuss Topics Such As: How to hear through the customer's ask to discern the real need.The very simple question that has helped propel Po

Welcome to Episode 68 of SunCast! I hope you enjoyed my last episode with Chris Thompson, the Principal at Ipsum Power on the key differences between the solar and storage markets.Today is another Tactical Tuesday episode! This week we have Farid Dibachi, the Cofounder & CEO of JLM Energy.I became aware of JLM at last year's SPI where I was on a mission to better understand the innovation coming to market for C&I storage applications. When I heard what JLM is doing, I knew I'd have to go by and see it for myself. So I reached out and set up a meeting w/Farid at the show, and what you'll hear on this episode is that brief but very informative interview. Tune in Today as we Discuss Topics Such As:Disrupting the Solar + Storage Form Factor How JLM's software helps the construction tradesman install a complex product, simplyHow the Phazr product is the first solar panel-level energy storage device at scaleFor resources from today's episode, head over

Welcome to Episode 67 of SunCast! I hope you enjoyed my last episode with Mark McLanahan where we discussed Asset Management + O&M.Today on SunCast, we continue our Solar + Storage series with an industry executive, Chris Thompson, who's spent quite a bit of time running power conditioning companies - names you've heard of like Xantrex, AE, First Solar and Eaton.Tune in Today as we Discuss Topics Such As:How Xantrex pivoted their power business post-Enron.Key Differences between the solar and storage markets.How companies can achieve what Chris has coined "Free Charging" with storage.How solar will benefit from the electrification of the automobile industry.For resources from today's episode, head over to www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes to today's and every other show's blog posts. (the direct URL is ...episodes/066)Thanks again for setting aside THIS time in your day. Enjoy this week’s episode of SunCast, with Chris Thompson.If you want to connect wit

Welcome to Episode 66 of SunCast! I hope you enjoyed my last episode with Etienne Lecompte where we discussed the use of software to maximize solar assets.Thanks for joining me today for a new Suncast Soundbyte a drop of sunlight to get you through the workweek.On today's episode of SunCast, we're going to continue the theme of Asset Management + O&M by hopping into my time machine and teleporting back to SPI 2017 again. I had the chance there to sit down with my friend Mark McLanahan, CEO of MaxGen Energy Services.Tune in Today as we Discuss Topics Such As:How Mark combined his personal passion with his work ethic & skills to help kick off the modern era of large-scale solar development.How Mark turned around the Global Services team at SunEdison.The evolution of MaxGen Energy Services to become the number 1 independent O&M service provider in N. America.How AI and Machine Learning are being integrated into O&MFor resources from today's episode, head over to www