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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:

LG Home Battery System Features & Benefits with Jim Brown, LG ESS | EP170 Oct 24, 2023

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LG Electronics has re-entered the renewable energy space with a new residential battery storage system called LG Home ESS. Today on the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague is joined by Jim Brown, Senior Account Manager at LG Electronics, to discuss LG's journey into clean energy and the details around their new LG Home battery system.

Jim has been in the solar industry for 14 years, starting in solar manufacturing automation with Swiss company Komax Solar where he worked on machinery to interconnect solar cells. He later joined SunPower for 4.5 years in commercial and residential sales before moving to LG Solar during their solar module days. When LG exited the solar module business, Jim moved to their new energy storage division to help launch their Home ESS product in the US market last year.

The LG Home ESS is an AC-coupled lithium-ion battery system with 7.5kW continuous output, 14.4kWh capacity, and unique self-care features for installers and homeowners. This system includes the Home Battery itself, an inverter, a Smart Energy gateway box, and an automatic transfer switch.

Jim explains how Home ESS fits into LG's home appliances and electronics portfolio, their go-to-market strategy through certified installers, and their LG Pro program for exclusive marketing support. He emphasizes the importance of LG's long history and warranty commitment in giving homeowners confidence.

Tune in to hear more about the LG Home Battery system and LG's journey into clean energy.

If you're an installer interested in learning more about bringing LG battery storage to your customers, visit their website at lg.com/us or contact Jim directly at jim.brown@lge.com.

Key Takeaways

How does LG provide sales/technical support to installers offering the Home Battery system?
What types of integrated automation can LG provide for homes beyond just solar + storage?
Does the LG Home Battery system allow for time-of-use optimization to reduce electricity costs?
What connectivity protocols and remote monitoring does LG offer for installers to manage the Home Battery?

LG
Jim Brown

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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

How SolarEdge is Pushing the Envelope in Solar Optimization with Chris Thompson | EP169 Oct 19, 2023

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Today on the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague sits down with Chris Thompson, VP of Product at SolarEdge to discuss SolarEdge's innovative approach to solar optimization, Chris' fascinating career journey in clean energy, and how he eventually landed at SolarEdge.

Chris Thompson has had a lifelong fascination with electrical power systems. He started his career in the 1990s working on uninterruptible power supplies and data center power systems. In the early 2000s, Chris joined a venture capital firm that invested in some of the first solar startups and innovative battery companies like A123.
Chris later joined solar inverter companies like Xantrex and helped push the industry toward module-level electronics and power optimization. After learning the hard lessons of solar evolution, Chris brought his expertise to SolarEdge over 3 years ago. He has helped the company expand its optimized inverter systems to new power classes for residential, commercial, and utility-scale projects.
Chris explains how SolarEdge's module-level power electronics regulate voltage and provide valuable module-level data. He also discusses how their highly efficient inverters and optimizers are designed to withstand extreme rooftop temperatures.
We also discuss trends like electric vehicle charging integration and software platforms that connect solar, storage, and building controls.
If you want to understand SolarEdge's unique approach to solar and hear from one of the industry's veterans, don't miss this great episode!

Key Takeaways

What is the origin story behind SolarEdge's DC-optimized inverter architecture?
How does SolarEdge's system maximize energy harvest and reliability compared to microinverters?
How is SolarEdge using module-level data across residential, commercial, and utility solar?
How is SolarEdge innovating on safety, such as with connector temperature monitoring?
What is SolarEdge's vision for integrated platforms across solar, storage, EVs, and building controls?
How does Chris view the evolution of the solar industry over his long career?

Chris Thompson
SolarEdge
SolarEdge LinkedIn

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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 Goldi Solar Brings Manufacturing Excellence to the US Solar Market with Bharat Bhut, Founder of Goldi Solar | EP168 Oct 17, 2023

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Today on the Clean Power Hour, Bharat Bhut, founder and director of Indian solar panel manufacturer Goldi Solar, joins Tim Montague to discuss the growth of solar manufacturing in India, their expansion in the US, and what the future holds for Goldi Solar.
Bharat grew up in a small village with a family background in agriculture and manufacturing. After getting his MBA in London, Bharat returned to India to start an innovative business rather than join the family diamond business. In 2010, he saw the huge potential in solar and wanted to create a sustainable, long-term enterprise.
Goldi Solar started manufacturing solar panels in India in 2011 and has grown to be one of the leading producers with 4GW capacity. The company makes solar panels for utility, commercial/industrial, agricultural, and residential customers and has been exporting to Europe, Africa, and the US since 2013. Bharat outlines Goldi Solar's ambitions to continue growing, integrating vertically, and expanding into green hydrogen production.
Bharat explains how Goldi Solar focuses on quality at every step - procuring the best materials, controlling the production process, and deploying the latest technologies. This manufacturing excellence differentiates Goldi as it enters the competitive US solar market.
Bharat shares his plans to expand Goldi into a fully vertically integrated clean energy company, from solar panels to cells, wafers, polysilicon, and even green hydrogen production.
We discuss the solar market in India, including government targets of 500GW of renewable energy by 2030 and complete decarbonization by 2070.

Key Takeaways

What is the current state of the solar market and industry in India?
What solar products does Goldi Solar manufacture and what technologies do they use?
How does Goldi Solar differentiate itself and its products in the competitive solar manufacturing industry?
What certifications and testing has Goldi Solar gone through to enter the US solar market?
How does Goldi Solar control quality in its manufacturing process?

Bharat Bhut
Goldi Solar
Goldi Solar LinkedIn

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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

Paul Grana, Founder of Helioscope, Sales & Design Software for Commercial Solar | EP167 Oct 11, 2023

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There are a few tools in the solar installer’s tool belt that are truly indispensable. Helioscope is one of those tools that are game changing especially for commercial solar installers and developers. Today on the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague is joined by Paul Grana, co-founder and GM of Helioscope, to tell the story of Helioscope from inception to acquisition in 2019 by Aurora Solar.
Grana started his clean energy journey in hardware, working for startups like Tigo (see EP120 for more about Tigo). Seeing inefficiencies in solar design workflows inspired him to build Helioscope in 2015.
Helioscope provides solar installers an intuitive cloud-based design platform that reduces design costs by 90%. By streamlining solar design and sales, Helioscope cuts soft costs and accelerates project development. Grana explains how Helioscope optimizes the entire customer journey from proposal to permitting.
In 2019, Helioscope was acquired by Aurora Solar. This happened because Helioscope was being courted by another suitor and Grana noticed that Aurora did a big capital raise which inspired him to reach out and see if they could do a deal which then happened in a matter of weeks.
Now under Aurora, Helioscope continues innovating solar design through merged capabilities. Grana discusses the future integration of the platforms, while maintaining differences where needed. He emphasizes their focus on user needs to determine shared logins, billing and more.
Grana sees huge potential to further reduce costs through software innovation as solar scales exponentially. By making solar design accessible, collaborative and fast, Helioscope aims to deliver solar energy at the terawatt scale.

Key Takeaways

How did Paul Grana transition from solar hardware to realizing major software inefficiencies?
Why was Helioscope founded and how does it streamline solar design?
What are the unique benefits of Helioscope for commercial and residential solar?
How did Helioscope come to be acquired by Aurora Solar?
What is the future outlook for integration between Helioscope and Aurora while still meeting user needs?

Paul Grana
Helioscope
Helioscope on LinkedIn

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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

Celebrating 20 Years of Clean Economy Communications with Tigercomm | EP166 Oct 10, 2023

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Today on the Clean Power Hour, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Tigercomm, a leading clean economy communications firm. Tim Montague is joined by Tigercomm founder Mike Casey, Senior Vice President, Melissa Baldwin, and Former Vice President, Mark Sokolove (now with Qcells North America) to reflect on the past two decades disrupting polluting industries and accelerating the clean economy.
In this episode, we learn how Mike started Tigercomm to fill gaps he saw while working in the environmental community: the need to advocate for sustainable solutions, deliver effective narratives, and apply professional communications best practices. The name Tigercomm captures their agile, urgent approach needed to drive change.
Melissa and Mark share how they were drawn to this mission-driven work early in their careers. We hear how Tigercomm became a true extension of clients’ teams, gathering insights across many accounts to develop strategic expertise. Highlights include an event with Governor Schwarzenegger and milestones advancing solar, storage, and manufacturing.
After 20 years, Tigercomm continues empowering talented, passionate teams to put polluters out of business. They strive to make clean economy jobs the best, where people can grow and work well for clients advancing solutions. Congratulations to Mike, Melissa, Mark, and the entire Tigercomm team on this impressive journey so far!

Key Takeaways

How did Tigercomm get started and why was it named that?
Why do cleantech companies need PR and marketing partners?
What were some career highlights for Mike, Melissa, and Mark?
How has clean tech and clean economy communications evolved over 20 years?

Mike Casey
Melissa Baldwin
Mark Sokolove
Tigercomm
Tigercomm LinkedIn

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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 Construction Automation with Matt Campbell, Terabase Energy | EP 165 Oct 04, 2023

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Terabase Energy is revolutionizing large-scale solar construction with a combination of digital platforms and robotics to reduce costs and accelerate deployment. Today on the Clean Power Hour, Terabase Energy CEO Matt Campbell joins Tim Montague to discuss their groundbreaking construction automation system, featuring a unique blend of physical robots and digital technology.

Discover how Terabase's "pop-up factory" is transforming solar construction by eliminating heavy lifting and reducing worker injuries. Robots take charge of unloading and moving panels, while skilled workers focus on finer assembly tasks. The result? A remarkable 25-50% boost in productivity, with a recent pilot installing a staggering 1300 panels in just one day, all thanks to the power of automation.
But that's not all – Terabase's digital platform takes construction management to the next level. It tracks material flow, optimizes construction sequencing, and provides real-time progress updates, bringing unprecedented visibility to construction sites.
Join us as we explore how Terabase Energy is piloting and refining this cutting-edge system in collaboration with industry giants like First Solar. Their plan for large-scale deployment in 2023 promises not only quality and reliability but also a solution to address labor shortages and reduce costs.
In an era where sustainability is paramount, Terabase Energy's innovative construction automation system could be the game-changer the solar industry needs. Don't miss out on the future of solar construction – watch now! 🌞🤖
Key Takeaways

What is Terabase Energy's innovative construction automation system?
How does Terabase Energy's "pop-up factory" reduce worker injuries?
What benefits does the automation provide?
What does the digital tracking platform offer for construction management?
What are Terabase Energy's plans for the future, and how does their innovation impact the solar industry?

Terabase Energy
Matt Campbell
Terabase Energy LinkedIn

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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

Empowering a Greener Tomorrow: Inside CPS America's Success |EP 164 Oct 03, 2023

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Today on the Clean Power Hour, inside CPS America's plans to lead the solar industry. The leadership of CPS America, President and GM Bryan Wagner, VP of Products Anton Patton, and Head of Energy Storage Zhehan Yi join Tim Montague to discuss how CPS America is disrupting the solar industry.

CPS provides string inverters, energy storage systems, and a balance of system components for commercial, industrial, and utility-scale solar projects. Their products enable faster project deployment, higher system performance, and increased reliability compared to central inverter solutions.
In this episode, we explore CPS America's latest achievements, a powerful 275kW inverter, a game-changing 350kW inverter, a 5 MWh battery container, and an 800V AC breaker box. Learn how these innovations are revolutionizing project timelines, reducing delivery times, and driving the adoption of utility-scale solar.
CPS' target audience is engineering, procurement, and construction firms (EPCs) as well as project developers and asset owners in the commercial, industrial, and utility solar markets.
One of CPS America's remarkable strengths is customer retention, boasting an impressive 95% repeat customer rate. Explore how their exceptional service team handles field issues with finesse, ensuring customers always have the support they need.
But that's not all! Stay tuned as we uncover CPS America's bold plans for the future, including a disruptive "whale" of a product aimed at displacing central inverters and their crucial role in the energy storage revolution.

Key Takeaways

How has CPS America maintained its position as the #1 market share leader in 3-phase string inverters in North America?
What new products has CPS America recently launched, and how are they impacting clean energy projects?
What is the potential for utility-scale solar, and how is CPS America positioned to address this opportunity?
What are CPS America's strengths in customer support?

CPS America
Bryan Wagner
Anton Patton
Zhehan Yi

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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 | Sept 28, 2023 | Speeding the Energy Transition with Sean White Sep 29, 2023

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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. Contact us at tim@cleanpowerhour.com or visit www.CleanPowerHour.com to learn more.
This week John Weaver and I were joined by Sean White and we discussed,
1. The events at the just concluded 2023 RE+ Convection
2. White House launches clean energy youth workforce program amid labor shortage concerns
3. We talk about the Erthos technology and what it means to the clean energy revolution
4. Companies that were present at the RE+ and the new upcoming technology

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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 + Batteries as a Service with Amy Heart of Sunrun | EP163 Sep 28, 2023

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Sunrun is the largest residential solar company in the US and they pioneered ‘solar as a service.’ They are on pace to install 800 MW of solar in 2023. That’s an astounding 10 percent of the US residential solar market.
Today on the Clean Power Hour, solar policy, batteries, and grid flexibility with Amy Heart, Vice President of Policy at Sunrun. Amy Heart has been a pioneer in renewable energy for over 20 years. She got her start volunteering with the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) in the late 1990s, helping build the solar industry in the Midwest. After working with MREA and the City of Milwaukee on solar programs, Amy went to law school and 8 years ago joined Sunrun, the nation's largest residential solar and storage provider.

In this episode, Amy discusses Sunrun's mission to make solar energy accessible through financing options like leasing and loans. This allows more homeowners to go solar with little to no upfront costs. With over 800,000 customers (yes, 800,000), Sunrun has deployed a significant amount of the nation's residential solar. Now with the growth of energy storage, Sunrun is rapidly expanding into solar + storage installations.
Amy shares insights into emerging state solar markets like Illinois, Texas, and Florida. She discusses the importance of foundational policies like net metering to provide market stability. Amy also talks about the shift from net metering to the value of solar tariffs and how that impacts the value proposition of storage.
If you are interested in virtual power plants, residential solar, energy storage, or renewable energy policy, be sure to listen to this episode with Sunrun's Amy Heart!
Key Takeaways

What impact are changes to net metering policies having on the solar + storage market?
Which states are emerging as hot new solar markets and why?
How can virtual power plants leverage distributed solar + storage to benefit the grid?
How did Sunrun become the leader in residential solar and what is their business model?

Sunrun
Amy Heart
Follow Sunrun

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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

Kayla Ventura, Conservative Energy Network - Communicating the Clean Energy Transition | EP162 Sep 26, 2023

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How can we build bridges of understanding to bring more people into the clean energy future? Today on the Clean Power Hour, communicating clean energy solutions through a conservative lens with Kayla Ventura, digital communications manager at the Conservative Energy Network.

Kayla Ventura has dedicated her career to clean energy communications. After working in political campaigns, she found her passion in advocating for the conservative approach to renewable energy. As Digital Communications Manager at the Conservative Energy Network, Kayla helps communicate the benefits of clean energy technologies through a conservative lens.
In this episode, Kayla shares insights from her background in speech training and communications. She discusses tailoring messages to different audiences, from energy professionals to local community members. Kayla stresses the importance of slowing down, minimizing filler words, making eye contact, and finding strength in pauses when speaking.
Kayla also provides an inside look into the Conservative Energy Network's mission and her role leading their podcast. The Conservative Energy Podcast tells stories of their state teams advancing renewable energy projects across America. Kayla spotlights leaders like Ed Rivet, a self-proclaimed "energy geek" passionate about Michigan's clean energy transition.
This conversation highlights practical tips to improve our communication and education around renewable energy.

Key Takeaways

How can clean energy advocates better tailor their messaging to connect with diverse audiences?
What communication tips help eliminate filler words and improve public speaking skills?
How is the Conservative Energy Network bringing conservative perspectives to the renewable energy transition?
Why is it so important to urgently deploy renewable energy and storage technologies now?

Kayla Ventura
Conservative Energy Network
Follow the Conservative Energy Network

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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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