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Clean Power Hour

The Clean Power Hour podcast is speeding the clean energy transition. Tim Montague and John Weaver highlight clean energy innovations shaping the next generation of renewable energy sources. We discuss the latest solar PV, battery storage, wind, water, wave, and other low-carbon technologies. We answer the question: How can we decarbonize the economy? We promote the economic opportunity of electrifying everything – transportation, energy, industry, and the built environment. Let’s speed up the clean energy transition together. Join the movement – www.CleanPowerHour.com

Latest Episodes:

The Future of Community Solar: Expanding Models, Markets and Scale with Nate Owen of Ampion | EP206 Apr 30, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague talks with Nate Owen, founder and CEO of Ampion, about the evolution and future of community solar. Key topics and takeaways include:

- How community solar is moving beyond its roots in state-specific programs to more flexible models that can scale rapidly. Nate discusses "Community Solar 2.0" - applying the shared solar concept to larger projects over 5 MW with diverse corporate and institutional offtakers.
- The huge pent-up demand from companies, municipalities, hospitals, and others to subscribe to community solar farms. Nate says the appetite is "insatiable" and likens it to "selling a slice of bread when they want 10 bakeries."
- How marrying batteries with community solar creates valuable dispatchable assets. Adding storage allows solar farms to provide grid services and generate significant revenue, especially during peak summer hours.
- The critical role of initiatives like the Inflation Reduction Act in improving community solar economics through incentives and the ability to monetize environmental attributes.
- Emerging state markets that excite Nate, like New York, Massachusetts, Maine, Illinois, Minnesota, and Colorado. At the same time, he expresses bafflement at California's recent decision that could hinder community solar growth there.
- The nitty-gritty complexities involved in making community solar work, from standardizing contracts and processes to evolving utility billing systems to working with regulators on interconnection policies and consumer protections.
Though challenges remain, Nate is extremely bullish on community solar's future. He envisions an absolutely massive effort to build solar farms everywhere, seeing community-scale projects with multiple offtakers as the predominant model going forward.
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Nate Owen
Ampion

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The Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: CleanPowerHour@gmail.com

Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/
The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

Nevados, the Solar Tracker That Adapts to Any Terrain with Yezin Taha | EP205 Apr 23, 2024

Show notes

Solar trackers have swept the utility-scale solar industry in recent years, with single-axis trackers now deployed on a staggering 94% of large-scale projects. While a few big names dominate the tracker market, one company - Nevados Solar - has carved out a distinct niche with its unique all-terrain tracking technology. In this episode, host Tim Montague chats with Nevados founder and CEO Yezin Taha about how their innovative segmented torque tube design is helping developers tackle more challenging project sites while driving down the levelized cost of energy.
Yezin shares the intriguing story of how a serious skiing accident and shattered leg put him on the path to starting Nevados after years working at large engineering firms. He explains how breaking the torque tube into linked segments allows Nevados' trackers to follow the natural contours of the land, greatly reducing the need for expensive and environmentally damaging grading. This terrain-following capability helps developers navigate permitting obstacles, shrink construction costs and timelines, and open up project opportunities on sites that would be infeasible with conventional trackers.
As Yezin details, Nevados pairs its segmented hardware with smart software to optimize energy yields on the undulating ground - no easy feat. He dives into the sophisticated modeling tools the company has developed to accurately predict production and determine optimal module tilt angles on variable terrain slopes before construction.

Key Takeaways

Nevados has developed a novel single-axis tracker design using linked torque tube segments that can conform to sloped terrain with minimal grading or site disturbance.
Their terrain-following trackers help developers avoid steep costs and permitting hurdles tied to major grading while enabling project construction on sites that would be unworkable for conventional trackers.
Nevados' plug-and-play tracker installs 25% faster than standard trackers thanks to its straightforward design and self-aligning module attachments.

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Yezin Taha
Nevados

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The Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: CleanPowerHour@gmail.com

Advancements in String Inverter Technology with John Drummond, CPS America | EP204 Apr 16, 2024

Show notes

The solar industry has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade, with string inverters playing a pivotal role in this evolution. In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague sits down with John Drummond, the Senior Applications Engineer at CPS America, to explore the advancements in string inverter technology and how they are shaping the future of the solar industry.

Drummond shares his extensive experience, tracing his career journey from the early days of renewable energy to his current role at CPS America. He delves into the critical changes that have enabled the rise of string inverters, such as the shift to ungrounded (transformerless) inverters and advancements in IGBT module technology that allow for faster more efficient switching.
The discussion explores how string inverters have evolved to become sophisticated "computers" that can dynamically inject reactive power, maintain voltage and frequency stability, and even ride through grid disturbances – features that are now required by national standards.
Furthermore, Drummond provides insights into the growing importance of utility-scale string inverter solutions, such as CPS America's flagship 275 kW inverter and their innovative 800V Breaker Box.
This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in the transformative journey of solar inverter technology and the pivotal role it plays in the energy transition.
Key Takeaways

Evolution of String Inverters: The episode highlights the significant advancements in string inverter technology.
Grid Services and Smart Inverter Functions: String inverters have evolved to become sophisticated "computers" that can provide vital grid services.
Flexible and Scalable Solutions: CPS America has designed its string inverter products to be highly flexible, allowing for both distributed and centralized architectures to cater to diverse applications.
Utility-Scale Innovations: The discussion covers CPS America's development of high-power, high-voltage string inverter solutions, such as the 275 kW inverter and the 800V breaker box.

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John Drummond
CPS America

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The Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: CleanPowerHour@gmail.com

How Community Solar is Spreading Across the US with Aviv Shalgi, Solar Simplified | EP203 Apr 09, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague sits down with Aviv Shalgi, CEO and co-founder of Solar Simplified, to discuss the growing and important niche of community solar. Aviv shares his journey into entrepreneurship, starting in the advertising industry before finding his passion in the energy transition. He explains how Solar Simplified was founded in 2020 with the goal of helping people save money during the COVID-19 lockdowns, and how the team identified community solar as an opportunity to do that while also accelerating the clean energy transition.

Aviv discusses the challenges that developers and asset owners face in the community solar industry, particularly around customer acquisition costs and misaligned incentives with third-party subscriber management companies. He describes how Solar Simplified has sought to address these issues by taking on more risk and responsibility themselves, shielding their partners from mistakes and losses. The conversation also covers the consumer experience, with Aviv highlighting Solar Simplified's focus on building trust and simplifying the signup and onboarding process.

A key part of the discussion centers around the critical role of utilities in the community solar ecosystem. Aviv shares insights on the wide variance in utility performance, from those that make the process seamless for customers to ones that create significant challenges with late or missing bill credits.

Overall, this episode provides a comprehensive look at the community solar landscape, the opportunities and challenges, and how innovative companies like Solar Simplified are working to drive the industry forward and accelerate the clean energy transition.

Key Takeaways

The growing trend towards carve-outs and mandates for low-to-moderate income participation in community solar programs.
The value of data analytics and machine learning in optimizing customer acquisition, retention, and operational efficiency in the community solar space.
The significant variance in utility performance when it comes to community solar bill credits and payments.

Social Media Handles
Aviv Shalgi
Solar Simplified

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The Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: CleanPowerHour@gmail.com

Ruggedized Portable Battery Power for Construction with Francois Byrne, Hybrid Power Solutions | EP202 Apr 02, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Tim Montague sits down with Francois Byrne, CEO of Hybrid Power Solutions, to discuss the company's innovative approach to decarbonizing mobile power and construction. Francois shares his journey from working on hybrid race cars to developing cutting-edge battery and solar hybrid systems that eliminate the need for diesel generators.
Hybrid Power Solutions offers a range of rugged, plug-and-play products that combine batteries, solar panels, and (optionally) diesel generators to provide cleaner, reliable power for construction sites, mining operations, and other off-grid applications. Francois delves into the challenges of transitioning clients from traditional diesel generators to hybrid systems, emphasizing the cost savings and improved working conditions these solutions offer.
The discussion covers the latest developments in battery technology, including lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and the pursuit of safer, fire-resistant alternatives. Francois also explores the potential of hydrogen fuel cells and other clean power generation methods to further decarbonize mobile power solutions.
Francois shares insights from years of experience in designing products that can withstand the toughest job site conditions. Whether you're a solar installer, developer, or energy professional, this episode offers a fascinating look at the future of mobile power and the energy transition.

Key Takeaways

Mobile battery and solar hybrid power systems can significantly reduce fuel costs, emissions, and noise pollution compared to traditional diesel generators on construction sites and other off-grid applications.
Combining batteries with appropriately sized diesel generators and solar can create highly efficient hybrid systems that minimize fuel consumption and maximize battery usage.
Overprovisioning Inefficiencies: Traditional diesel generators are often significantly oversized for actual power loads. Integrated monitoring in hybrid systems allows right-sizing capacity.
Cost Savings and Improved Working Conditions: Beyond environmental benefits, hybrid mobile power solutions can deliver 75-95% fuel cost savings compared to diesel generators.

Social Media Handles
Francois Byrne
Hybrid Power Solutions

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The Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: CleanPowerHour@gmail.com

Wattch: Revolutionizing Solar Monitoring and Asset Management | EP201 Mar 26, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of The Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague interviews Alex Nussey, co-founder and CEO of Wattch, a cutting-edge solar monitoring and asset management platform trusted by top installers, developers, and utilities. Nussey shares the origin story of Wattch, which began as a college project building IV curve testers for a solar car racing team.

Nussey explains how Wattch differentiates itself as a data-first company by creating precise digital twins of solar assets to model their expected performance. By comparing real-time data against these digital models, Wattch can identify underperformance issues with an impressive 1.5% accuracy, resulting in customers experiencing an average 8% performance improvement within the first three months of using the platform.

The discussion delves into Wattch's comprehensive suite of services, which includes:

1. Monitoring: Enabling remote localization, diagnosis, and resolution of performance issues across a fleet in seconds with device-level insights.

2. Operations & Maintenance: Minimizing truck rolls and guesswork while improving baseline performance by up to 21%.

3. Asset Management: Tracking, optimizing, and reporting on portfolios quickly and easily with embedded financial metrics.

4. Customer Engagement: Expanding customer portfolios, engaging new prospects, and elevating brand using performance data.

Nussey also highlights Wattch's Energy IoT solutions for real-time, bi-directional, secure connections to every energy asset and their turnkey DAS/SCADA Edge Solutions for quick project configuration and commissioning.

Nussey emphasizes the critical importance of cybersecurity for distributed energy resources and provides insights into Wattch's impressive growth, having expanded to over 1,000 sites across 22 U.S. states in just four years since its founding.

Key Takeaways:

1. Wattch's comprehensive suite of services, including monitoring, O&M, asset management, and customer engagement, leverage its innovative "digital twin" approach to solar monitoring.

2. Insights into the complexities of monitoring diverse equipment across solar, energy storage, EV charging, and other distributed energy assets, and Wattch's Energy IoT and Edge Solutions for addressing these challenges.

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The Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: CleanPowerHour@gmail.com

Innovating Solar and Storage: CPS America's Brian Baxter on the Rise of String Inverters | EP200 Mar 19, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague is joined by Brian Baxter, Director of Sales East at CPS America, to discuss the rapid evolution of the solar and storage industry. As string inverter technologies gain traction in the utility-scale segment, CPS America is at the forefront of this trend with their innovative three-phase string inverters and battery storage products.

Brian shares his unique background, transitioning from engineering roles at GE to sales leadership at CPS America, providing valuable insights into the industry's technological upheavals and the customer-centric approaches driving the adoption of cutting-edge solutions. He highlights CPS's groundbreaking turnkey PCS Skid for utility energy storage systems, which comes in two standardized configurations: 2MW and 2.4MW.
The skid incorporates 10 and 12 units of CPS's 200kW string PCS inverters (CPS ECB200KTL/US-800), respectively, and is compatible with CPS's new 5 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (CPS ES-5016KWH-US). This containerized battery solution integrates 12 racks of LFP batteries, offering high energy density for utility applications. It features an advanced liquid cooling system for effective and efficient pack-level thermal management and is packaged into a 20ft container for easy transportation, installation, and O&M.
Throughout the conversation, Brian emphasizes CPS America's strong focus on customer service, transparent problem-solving, and equipping their team with in-depth technical expertise to better serve their clients.

Key topics covered in this episode include:

The increasing viability and advantages of string inverter architectures for large utility-scale solar and storage projects.
CPS America's innovative turnkey PCS Skid for utility energy storage systems.
The company's commitment to customer service, technical training, and collaborative problem-solving.
Strategies for successfully transitioning from technical roles to customer-facing sales positions.
The value of transparency and providing in-depth expertise when working through challenges with customers.

Social Media Handles
Brian Baxter
CPS America

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The Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: CleanPowerHour@gmail.com

Brownfields to Brightfields - Turning Landfills into Clean Energy Assets with Annika Colston | EP199 Mar 12, 2024

Show notes

America's thousands of closed landfills represent a massive untapped opportunity to generate clean solar power. These unused brownfield sites, which are often seen as burdens on their local communities, have the potential to be transformed into renewable energy assets that provide a range of benefits. In this episode, Tim Montague explores the possibilities and challenges of developing solar farms on retired landfills with guest Annika Colston, founder and president of AC Power.
Annika explains that there are over 10,000 closed landfills in the US that could generate up to an estimated 63 GW of solar power if converted to solar farms. However, building solar on landfills involves additional costs and complexities compared to traditional ground-mounted or rooftop installations.
Despite the obstacles, a growing number of states like New York, New Jersey, and Illinois have recognized the opportunity and enacted policies and incentives to spur solar development in landfills. These programs help offset the extra costs associated with landfill solar projects.
When executed successfully, landfill solar can yield a range of win-wins. The projects generate clean renewable energy, provide a new revenue stream for the landfill owner, reduce ongoing vegetation management costs, and improve underutilized sites that may have been seen as community eyesores.
The episode concludes with a call to action for local leaders and community members to identify and advocate for solar development on idle landfill sites in their own backyards. As Annika puts it: "We should be telling our communities to go out there and develop them."

Key Points:

There are over 10,000 closed US landfills that could be converted to generate 63 GW of solar
Landfill solar involves extra costs and complexity but also major opportunities
Some states have policies/incentives to spur landfill solar development (NY, NJ, IL, PA, VA)
Benefits include clean energy, revenues, lower maintenance costs, and community improvements
Local leaders are urged to pursue solar development on their communities' landfills

Social Media Handles
Annika Colston
AC Power

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The Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: CleanPowerHour@gmail.com

Accelerating Solar Project Development by Streamlining Land Title Processes | EP198 Mar 08, 2024

Show notes

In this expert panel webinar, Tim Montague hosts Monroe Jett, CEO and founder of Title Leader, and Mike Koehler, Director of Solar Development at Azimuth Renewables, to discuss how solar developers can accelerate project timelines and boost ROI by modernizing the often overlooked bottleneck of land title search and management.

Key discussion points include:

- How siloed, decentralized title workflows cost developers time and money at critical project junctures

- The risks of relying on manual title tracking, which leads to errors and duplicated efforts

- How Title Leader's software platform automates title ordering, prevents duplicate searches, and provides a centralized database

- Real-world examples from Azimuth Renewables on the benefits of transitioning to Title Leader from traditional fragmented title processes

- The complexities of title search across different counties and states, and how Title Leader partners with national vendors to standardize the process

- Why title insurance underwriters are eager to work with Title Leader to offload the burdens of title search fulfillment

The webinar makes a compelling case for solar developers of all sizes to streamline and automate title management via platforms like Title Leader as an essential step to accelerate project development and reduce soft costs in an increasingly competitive industry. With over 2,000 GW of solar projects in U.S. interconnection queues, finding efficiencies is imperative.

Monroe Jett
Title Leader
Mike Koehler
Azimuth Renewables

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The Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: CleanPowerHour@gmail.com

Unlocking the Potential of Solar + Storage with Industry Veteran, Ryan Mayfield | EP197 Mar 05, 2024

Show notes

The solar industry has come a long way since its early days of small off-grid systems. With utility-scale solar farms now measured in the 100s of megawatts, grid penetration rising fast, and batteries no longer a novelty but a necessity, there's a world of knowledge required to be successful in solar + BESS.

To help make sense of the current solar and storage landscape, we're joined today on the Clean Power Hour by expert Ryan Mayfield, CEO of Mayfield Renewables. With over 20 years of experience spanning solar's evolution from niche to mainstream, Ryan offers invaluable insights on everything from modeling tools to regional trends.
Ryan has a storied career starting as a solar installer in the late 1990s. He progressed to engineering, training, and now leads Mayfield Renewables providing feasibility studies, design services, and education around complex solar plus storage projects.
Ryan explains key considerations for behind-the-meter commercial solar plus storage projects aimed at resiliency. This includes understanding budget limitations, identifying critical loads, and the importance of detailed feasibility studies and monitoring.
When it comes to choosing compatible components, Ryan notes there are still a limited number of manufacturers with proven commercial-scale solutions. He emphasizes the ongoing need for education and training to support the continued growth of solar plus storage.
The conversation also covers trends in different U.S. states, utility involvement, grid services, EVs as potential distributed storage, and more. Ryan stresses that storage expertise is now mandatory for solar professionals.
Key Takeaways

Load monitoring and detailed technical/financial modeling helps optimize system design.
The Midwest, Texas and Southwest are growth markets to watch for near-term solar + storage project development and innovation.
Regional incentives and utility involvement are driving storage adoption in states like California, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont and Illinois.
Understanding the client's goals and critical loads is crucial when designing behind-the-meter solar + storage systems aimed at resiliency.

Social Media Handles
Ryan Mayfield
Mayfield Renewables

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The Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: CleanPowerHour@gmail.com

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