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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:

C&I SOLAR PPAs Best Practices & Success Stories Webinar w Nick Perugini and Marc Palmer Feb 28, 2024

Show notes

Solar PPAs are a popular way to finance commercial solar projects, but the process remains nebulous to many installers and developers. In this illuminating webinar, host Tim Montague gets candid insights from two solar financing experts - Marc Palmer of Conductor Solar and Nick Perugini of Solaris Energy. With decades of combined experience structuring, financing, and closing commercial solar PPAs between investors, developers, and host customers, they shed light on real-world best practices.
The discussion covers critical considerations at each stage of the PPA process.

Finding and aligning with the right customer: What makes a customer a good fit for solar PPAs? How to position the value proposition.
Project size considerations: Minimum thresholds for economic viability. How different financiers have preferences on project size.
Finding the right financing partner: Factors like geography, customer type, experience level that determine fit. Due diligence to ensure partner can execute.
Closing the deal: LOIs, timing, agreement on roles and responsibilities.
Incorporating battery storage: Emerging best practices on solar + storage PPAs.

Whether you're new to C&I PPAs or have battle scars from past deals gone awry, this webinar will equip you with actionable insights to improve your next C&I solar project. You'll leave ready to replicate the success of leading C&I solar developers and make your next PPA not just workable, but profitable.
Social Media Handles
Marc Palmer
Conductor Solar
Nick Perugini
Solaris Energy

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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

Heatspring: Online Learning for Solar and Sustainability with Brian Hayden | EP196 Feb 27, 2024

Show notes

Imagine a world where anyone, from a 10-year-old child to a seasoned professional, can access top-notch training in clean energy technologies like solar, batteries, and energy efficiency – all from the comfort of their living room. That's the vision behind Heatspring, an online learning platform co-founded by Brian Hayden back in 2007. In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague interviews Brian Hayden, the co-founder and Managing Partner of Heatspring, an online learning platform for sustainability and the built environment.
Heatspring has become an invaluable resource for clean energy professionals, companies, and the general public interested in learning about solar, batteries, energy efficiency, and related fields. The platform offers over 260 courses, with two-thirds available for free, covering a wide range of topics taught by industry experts.
In the episode, Brian discusses the importance of partnerships and collaborations, like their recent initiative with Revision Energy to open-source apprenticeship program content. He also emphasizes the role of certifications and credentials in the industry's growth and Heatspring's focus on facilitating team-based learning for companies.
Heatspring aims to break down barriers and provide better access to the best information and training, enabling more people to join and succeed in the clean energy workforce, which is crucial for accelerating the energy transition.

Key Takeaways

Companies can set up free team accounts and assign courses to employees for onboarding and ongoing training.
Managers can track employee progress, provide accountability, and curate relevant course paths.
Heatspring emphasizes the importance of certifications/credentials like NABCEP for career growth.
Partnerships with companies like Revision Energy to open-source apprenticeship program content.
Approachable platform from a small company aiming to make training more sustainable and accessible.
Opportunity for clean energy professionals to become instructors and share knowledge.
Vital for upskilling workforce to meet the projected need for 1 million new electricians for the energy transition.

Social Media Handles
Brian Hayden
Heatspring

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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

Clean Power Hour LIVE Feb 23, 2024 w/ John Weaver & Tim Montague Feb 23, 2024

Show notes

Stay up to date with the latest solar, wind, and energy storage news and analysis. Join co-hosts Tim Montague, solar & storage expert, and John Weaver, PV Magazine journalist, as they reflect on the latest tools, technologies, and trends driving the energy transition forward. With a strong commitment to decarbonizing the economy and building a safer, healthier future for humanity, this show is a must-watch for any energy professional looking to stay ahead of the game. Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel, rate and review us on Apple or Spotify, and join us live every Thursday at 12 noon EST / 9 AM Pacific
This week John Weaver and I were joined by Sean White and we discussed,
1. Solar energy, permitting process, and sales strategies.
2. Solar panel installation technology and industry trends.
3. Renewable energy sources and their potential to power the grid.
4. Energy transition, solar projections, and carbon removal strategies.
5. Solar roofing technology and racking systems.
6. Solar energy industry trends and events.

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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 Value Stack of Solar + Storage in PJM with David Braun | EP195 Feb 20, 2024

Show notes

Earn, save, protect - energy storage is revolutionizing the way we think about and utilize electricity. Batteries are no longer just backup power sources - they have become assets capable of providing a multitude of services to the grid and customers. Earn - you can turn a battery into a cash machine by providing ‘ancillary services’ to the grid operator with your battery. Save - you can reduce demand and capacity charges by using the battery to discharge during peak load hours/days. Protect - you can use a battery as a source of backup power during grid outages. Together, this ‘value stack’ is the enchilada that customers are feasting on in many markets across the US and around the world.
In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague interviews David Braun, VP of Sales and Marketing at Intelligent Generation, about how adding battery storage can unlock additional value and revenue streams for behind-the-meter solar projects in PJM territory through this "value stack."
They discuss concepts like energy arbitrage, capacity charge reduction, ancillary services, and resilience. The value of each depends on local energy market rules and tariffs. David explains how Intelligent Generation's software platform optimizes battery dispatch to maximize savings and earnings. This can improve solar project economics by 6-12 months (In Tim’s experience this is a very conservative assessment - you can often 3x the value of a project by adding BESS).
Key Takeaways

Understanding the "value-stack" of energy storage includes energy arbitrage, reducing capacity/transmission charges, providing ancillary grid services, and enhancing resilience.
Importance of partnering with companies like Intelligent Generation early in project development to properly size and model the financial benefits of adding energy storage to solar projects.
Recognizing the unique value propositions and revenue opportunities that energy storage can unlock in different energy markets (e.g., PJM, MISO).
Staying informed about rapidly evolving battery incentives, tariff structures, and regulatory landscapes across different regions.

David Braun
Intelligent Generation

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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

Electrifying Everything with Solar and Energy Efficiency with Austin Carr, Greenlink Energy Solutions | EP194 Feb 15, 2024

Show notes

Austin Carr, founder of Greenlink Energy Solutions, joins us to discuss his journey from military service to clean energy entrepreneur. We cover electrifying homes and buildings in a 360-degree approach - improving energy efficiency, upgrading mechanical systems, and adding solar and storage. Solar installers take note - this is the future of the solar company, a 360-degree approach to making the built environment more efficient and low carbon.

Key Takeaways

Austin's early exposure to solar technology in the military sparked his interest in green energy and starting his own business.
Weatherization and building envelope improvements like insulation and air sealing maximize the value of solar installations.
Adding battery storage increases the benefits and value of solar through demand charge reduction, backup power, and more.
Quality installations, equipment, and workmanship ensure successful solar projects that meet expectations.
A 360-degree approach to clean energy provides comprehensive services - efficiency, electrification, and renewable energy.
Navigating evolving markets, technologies and incentives is key for solar contractors to thrive long-term.
Expanding into larger commercial, industrial, and community solar opens new growth opportunities.

The episode covers ComEd's electrification pilot program, the Illinois solar market's growth and incentives, tips for residential and commercial customers, Greenlink's expansion into larger solar projects, and their comprehensive in-house capabilities.

Social Media Handles
Austin Carr
Greenlink Energy 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

Creating a Customer-Centric Organization in Technology Sales | Kelly Shamblen, CPS | EP193 Feb 13, 2024

Show notes

The solar industry is rapidly evolving, with new technologies and mounting competition forcing companies to adapt or be left behind. On this week's Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague sits down with Kelly Shamblen, Regional Sales Manager West for Chint Power Systems (CPS America), the leading three-phase string inverter manufacturer in North America.
Kelly has been with CPS for six years which is a testament to the company’s ability to recruit and retain top talent. She has a somewhat unconventional background in the solar industry but Kelly has made an indelible mark on CPS during her tenure. Though she didn't have a technical background, Kelly was drawn to CPS's customer-centric culture and tight-knit feel as a smaller organization at the time she joined. She started in operations, getting exposure to finance, logistics, and order processing. This diverse experience gave her a perfect foundation to transition into her current sales leadership position.
Today we explore how inverter manufacturer CPS America creates a customer-centric culture. Guest Kelly Shamblen shares her passion for partnering deeply with customers and problem-solving their toughest needs. With over 90% customer retention, CPS focuses on service and responsiveness when issues arise. Kelly discusses the company's tight-knit, solutions-oriented approach, embracing difficult situations as learning opportunities.
Tim and Kelly also discuss how CPS has built a customer-centric organization in the competitive technology sales industry. Kelly talks about how CPS focuses on treating customers as long-term partners rather than one-off transactions, taking the time to understand their unique needs and challenges.
They also highlight CPS's commitment to responsive customer service. If there are ever any issues with CPS inverters, the team works diligently to diagnose problems and get systems back up and running as quickly as possible.

Key Takeaways

What makes CPS stand out?
How does CPS handle product issues or rollouts that don't go smoothly?
What is CPS's approach to difficult customers or complaints?
What opportunities and challenges does CPS's growth present?
What is CPS's expected growth?

Kelly Shamblen
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

Streamlining Title Workflows for Clean Energy Projects with Monroe Jett | EP192 Feb 08, 2024

Show notes

Solar developers know that securing site control is mission-critical. But painstaking manual title search processes bog down developers every day, wasting valuable time across dozens of projects. What if you could centralize and streamline title management, gain visibility into individual workloads, and never miss a beat when team members are out? That’s exactly what Monroe Jett envisioned when he launched Title Leader.
After 35 years in banking and title services, Monroe saw firsthand the need to modernize industry practices. Now his SaaS platform is revolutionizing title automation and winning over major renewable energy developers. In this episode, Monroe explains the title search process, the advantages of automation, and how Title Leader is accelerating the energy transition.
NOTE that there is a Clean Power Hour LIVE event featuring Monroe Jett and Mike Koehler on Feb 27, 2024: Accelerate Solar Project Development by Streamlining the Solar Title Process | Register Here
In our discussion, Monroe highlights the key pain points developers face today trying to track searches across multiple projects and employees. Title Leader eliminates these through shared access and visibility into individual workflows. It standardizes naming conventions, stores all documents and communications securely in the cloud and enables continuity when team members are out.
If you're ready to accelerate your title workflow, reduce friction, gain insights, and boost productivity, don't miss this interview.

Key Takeaways

What are the current manual title search workflows' main pain points and inefficiencies?
How specifically does Title Leader's platform streamline and automate the title search process?
What key advantages does Title Leader offer over spreadsheets and other ad-hoc tracking methods?
What new search options and product features have Title Leader added to better serve solar developers?
How is Title Leader integrating with other platforms to streamline back-office functions?

Social Media Handles
Monroe Jett
Title Leader
Webinar

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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

Solar Finance for C&I and Community Solar with Marc Palmer, Conductor Solar | EP191 Feb 06, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Tim Montague interviews Marc Palmer, CEO and Co-Founder of Conductor Solar, a platform that aims to accelerate commercial and community solar deals by connecting solar developers and investors to streamline project financing. Marc is a repeat guest on the show and one of the nicest people in solar. He cut his teeth on the solar industry working for Invenergy in Chicago - one of the US's largest wind and solar developers.
NOTE that there is a Clean Power Hour LIVE event featuring Marc Palmer and Nick Perugini on Feb 21, 2024: C&I Solar PPAs - Best Practices and Success Stories | Register Here
As co-founder and CEO of Conductor Solar, Marc Palmer brings extensive experience in renewable energy project finance and development to the company. With over $1.5 billion raised for clean energy projects, Marc recognized the major roadblocks to funding and building commercial and community solar projects. He founded Conductor to develop software solutions to streamline solar financing and reduce soft costs, enabling more solar projects to move forward. Marc's background in structuring and executing complex energy deals gives him valuable insight into the solar industry's needs. As CEO, he sets the strategy and vision for Conductor Solar to make commercial and community solar more accessible and affordable.
Conductor Solar is a platform to accelerate your commercial and community solar deals:
- Dozens of professional investors with gigawatts of project experience and billions of dollars deployed
- Multiple financing options for every deal
- One source for streamlined project financing
- Tools for analysis and deal acceleration
- Software-enabled efficiency and consistency across project types

Key topics covered in this episode:

- The challenges developers face in financing commercial and community solar projects, including finding the right financing products and trusted partners.
- Using Conductor's platform to get estimated PPA rates to aid initial customer conversations and filter potential deals.
- Key considerations for investors in evaluating project attractiveness.

Social Media Handles
Marc Palmer
Conductor Solar

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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

Growing the Illinois Solar Market with Michelle Knox, WindSolarUSA | EP190 Feb 01, 2024

Show notes

The solar industry in Illinois has come a long way over the past decade, but its continued growth relies on overcoming legislative and regulatory challenges. In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague talks with Michelle Knox, owner of Wind Solar USA and former Illinois Solar Energy Association (ISEA) board member, about the organization's crucial role in protecting and advancing rooftop solar across the state.
Michelle has been in the solar industry since 2008, starting her company to provide sustainability and energy self-sufficiency to homeowners, businesses, and farms. She shares her perspective on how the Illinois solar market has grown and matured over the past decade thanks to legislation like FEJA and CEJA.
Michelle discusses her experience serving on the board of ISEA and the importance of the organization in advancing rooftop solar through policy and advocacy work. She talks about ISEA's role in protecting net metering when policies have been threatened by utilities hitting net metering caps prematurely. Michelle also touches on the value of ISEA for solar businesses and customers, from educational resources to having a voice in key legislation and rules that shape the state's solar industry.
Michelle reflects on the economic impact of the industry's growth, going from a one-woman company to now employing multiple teams across central and southern Illinois. The conversation explores the opportunities and challenges still facing the solar market in Illinois as the state works towards its renewable energy goals.

The key to achieving Illinois' 100% renewable energy goal is ensuring the policy landscape continues to evolve through the collective voice and expertise of groups like ISEA.

Key Takeaways

What role has the Illinois Solar Energy Association (ISEA) played in advancing solar policy in the state?
How does ISEA help protect net metering policies from utility efforts to undermine rooftop solar?
What educational resources and advocacy does ISEA provide to solar companies and customers in Illinois?
How can Illinois meet its renewable energy goals?

Social Media Handles
Wind Solar USA
Michelle Knox
ISEA

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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

ITC Tax Credit Marketplace with Erik Underwood and Derek Silverman of Basis Climate | EP189 Jan 30, 2024

Show notes

The Inflation Reduction Act has supercharged clean energy investment in the US through generous tax credits for renewable energy projects. But monetizing those credits can be cumbersome, especially for smaller project developers. My guests today are working to change that.
In this episode of The Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague speaks with Erik Underwood and Derek Silverman, co-founders of Basis Climate, about their new platform designed to help streamline and democratize tax credit transfers for clean energy projects.
Erik Underwood has spent his career developing, investing in, and operating sustainable infrastructure projects across the world for developers and private equity investors alike. Erik formerly worked at Aela Energia, Marathon Capital, and Mainstream Renewable Power.
Derek Silverman is a software engineer turned product manager, Derek was on the founding team at CrowdTangle, a social media analytics tool acquired by Facebook in 2016. Before forming Basis, he was leading product at Rewiring America.
Together they saw an opportunity to leverage technology to make tax credit transactions more efficient, enabling faster deployment of clean energy capital. They discuss how tax credit transfers work.
Erik and Derek explain how their platform brings buyers and sellers together to facilitate these transactions, reducing friction through standardized diligence checklists, documentation, and processes. They highlight how Basis Climate is focused on democratizing access to tax equity, allowing smaller project developers to tap this market rather than having to sell projects to larger players.
Erik and Derek touch on how they are expanding beyond solar, wind, and storage to support other IRA clean energy tax credits.
Key Takeaways

How exactly do tax credit transfers work for clean energy projects?
What are the key steps in the tax credit transfer process?
How can tax credit transfers allow smaller developers to tap tax equity?
What other clean energy tax credits will Basis Climate support besides solar, wind, and storage?

Social Media Handles
Basis Climate LinkedIn
Basis Climate
Basis Climate X

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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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