SunCast

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549: These Smart Companies Think Smart Homes Are Going Mainstream (Google, Sunrun & SPAN) Dec 09, 2022

Show notes

Homeowners are on a remarkable journey toward more convenient living through connected technology. Adopting things like smart thermostats, lighting, network cameras, door locks, and garage door openers is moving from an early market dominated by innovators and early adopters to the Early Majority — or mainstream — market.

We're finally Crossing the Chasm, and today's guests have some relevant insights to share about the future of smart home technology. Our conversation includes industry experts Hannah Bascom, Ryan Harris, and Chris Rauscher. It was part of the RE+ PowerUp Media Zone, a live production of SunCast Media.

Hannah was head of Energy Partnerships at Google, leading the team developing industry and ecosystem partnerships for Nest Renew and other energy-related products and services at the time we recorded the show in September.

She's since joined Ryan at SPAN — creator of the SPAN smart electrical panel and SPAN Drive smart EV charger. Ryan is the company's Chief Revenue Officer, and Hannah is now its vice president of Regulated Business. (I had No idea of this forthcoming change at the time! haha)

And returning guest, Chris Rauscher, is the senior director of Market Development and Policy at Sunrun, which provides photovoltaic (PV) systems and battery energy storage products primarily for residential customers.

Join us to learn more about the evolving customer journey and how companies make it easier for homeowners to electrify and decarbonize their homes with beautiful products.

And you can watch ALL the live broadcast segments from the RE+ PowerUp Media Zone at www.suncast.live if you missed them!

Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast?

Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations.

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 950 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.

We'd love if you'd leave us a 5 ⭐ rating & review and it's never been easier: https://www.ratethispodcast.com/suncast

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548: Success Secrets: Real Estate, Money And Taming The Solar Coaster Dec 08, 2022

Show notes

Jerry Coleman is a serial entrepreneur with a passion (and quite a track record) for developing and growing companies on a national scale.

Over the past 20 years, Jerry has co-founded and cultivated multiple real estate-related ventures throughout the US, including Invitation Homes, the $10Billion real estate juggernaut in partnership with Blackstone. So it was no surprise when he turned his attention to solar in 2014, nor that the resulting enterprise has become a successful & respected national player in the residential solar market.

Along with his longtime business partner, Jerry co-founded Elevation Solar, in his home state of Arizona, to package their real estate and finance acumen and deliver homeowners innovative energy solutions while increasing real estate values.

Jerry’s law degree and undergraduate in accounting form the connective tissue that has helped him tie real estate and finance together — so he quickly recognized them as keys to scaling a business in the solar industry. We unpack many gems of business advice with this seasoned serial entrepreneur. It’s a rare glimpse into the mindset of someone who’s scaled multiple businesses and understands the secrets to success.

I hope you join us today to hear more about this entrepreneur's intriguing ideas, ventures, and background.

Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast?

Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations.

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 950 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.

We'd love if you'd leave us a 5 ⭐ rating & review and it's never been easier: https://www.ratethispodcast.com/suncast

Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/

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547: How To Master The Solar Coaster: Utility-scale Insights From 2 Expert Analysts, Special guests from Wood Mackenzie & SEIA Dec 06, 2022

Show notes

Sylvia Leyva Martinez, a senior analyst in Wood Mackenzie's Power and Renewables team, and Shawn Rumery, senior research Director at the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), discuss significant trends in the U.S. solar market in this timely Tactical Tuesday.

The quarterly SEIA/Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables U.S. Solar Market Insight is the longest-running solar industry trends report. It has been tracking deployments across all four market segments — residential, commercial, utility-scale, and community solar — since 2010.

The U.S. Solar Market Insight Q3 2022, released in September, provides an early look at how the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will transform America's energy economy. Forecasts suggest the IRA will help the U.S. solar market grow 40% over baseline projections through 2027, equal to 62 gigawatts (GW) of additional solar capacity.

Wood Mackenzie predicts the utility-scale sector will lead the solar industry's growth during the next five years with 162 GW of new capacity. Cumulative solar installations across all market segments will nearly triple, growing from 129 GW today to 336 GW by 2027.

Today's episode is a rebroadcast from the RE+ PowerUp Media Zone, a live production of SunCast Media.

And you can watch ALL the live broadcasts from the Media Zone at www.suncast.live!

Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast?

Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations.

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 950 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.

We'd love if you'd leave us a 5 ⭐ rating & review and it's never been easier: https://www.ratethispodcast.com/suncast

Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/

You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:

Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

546: Can THIS Put More Money In Solar Developers' Pockets? Jim Spano|Sol-REIT, and guest host, Tim Montague! Dec 02, 2022

Show notes

Solar industry leader and returning guest, Jim Spano, helped develop the solar market in the mid-Atlantic region — and now he's bringing a new innovative product to market. New York City-based Sol-REIT is a unique solar financing platform that aims to give developers a new option and keep more of the project for themselves while also providing much-needed scaleable financing to the middle market.

It's the first investment product to bring the novel model of real estate investment trusts (REITs) to the solar energy market. By financing solar in the same way as real estate, Sol-REIT can offer long-term, fixed-rate, lower-cost debt that matches the operational life of assets.

Jim, the co-founder and head of originations at Sol-REIT, wants to "break the solar industry free of the binds of niche financing."

On today's podcast, Tim Montague, fellow podcaster and also a developer himself, joins the show as a stand-in host and chat w/Jim about his latest venture.

The conversation was part of the RE+ PowerUp Media Zone, a live production of SunCast Media.

Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast?

Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations.

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 950 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.

We'd love if you'd leave us a 5 ⭐ rating & review and it's never been easier: https://www.ratethispodcast.com/suncast

Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/

You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:

Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

545: Shipping Is Dirty And Antiquated: This Guy Has A Solution. Matt Heider, CEO Nautilus Labs Dec 01, 2022

Show notes

Matt Heider is CEO of Nautilus Labs, which is using artificial intelligence (AI) to create more efficient ocean commerce. While shipping is an adjacent category to our usual renewable focused podcasts, Matt has earned a spot. Before Nautilus, he built sales and account management systems at software startups that have grown to unicorns and worked for IBM on its famous Watson team. Now, he’s trained his attention to advancing the efficiency of ocean commerce (ie, cleaning up the wasteful shipping industry we all rely on!)

Forbes recently named him to its Next 1000, a list of ambitious and inspiring leaders redefining what it means to run a business today and create meaningful change.

Matt has an inspiring story about the woefully antiquated global shipping industry that he believes can use AI for a more sustainable tomorrow.

Shipping is responsible for 3% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and will grow significantly by 2050 if left unchecked. Matt and his team envision delivering a clear alternative to the shipping companies that currently emit hundreds of tons of pollution daily.

We discuss how his software can maximize the profit of every voyage and the yield on every vessel, all the while pulling this antiquated industry out of actual paper tracking and into the 21st century!

Stick around. You'll want to listen to the rest of this conversation.

Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast?

Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations.

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 950 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.

We'd love if you'd leave us a 5 ⭐ rating & review and it's never been easier: https://www.ratethispodcast.com/suncast

Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/

You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:

Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

544: What Every Community Solar Developer Needs to Know About the IRA, Presented by Perch Energy Nov 29, 2022

Show notes

Welcome to another Tactical Tuesday on SunCast, where we bring you subject-matter expertise, deep insights, and content from our many live broadcasts and trainings. Today's episode is rebroadcast from the RE+ PowerUp Media Zone, a live production of SunCast Media.

The Media Zone featured interviews with industry thought leaders, executives and founders to glean their insights about trends and forecasts. Bruce Stewart, president and CEO of Perch Energy, a clean energy tech services platform and provider of community solar services, leads this discussion on what every community solar developer needs to know about the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022. He speaks with three solar notables to gain their insights from accounting, banking and legal perspectives:

Tony Grappone is a partner in the Andover, Massachusetts, office of Novogradac. He provides accounting, tax and consulting services to developers, syndicators and investors of developments that qualify for federal and state tax incentives.
Adam Altenhofen is a senior vice president of U.S. Bank's Environmental Finance Group, where he leads the development of new products, structures, and services.
Bryan Didier is a partner at Leverage Law Group in Leawood, Kansas, where his specialties include Renewable Energy Tax Credits.

If you want to connect with us and find more ways to grow your business, your career, or your influence, you should check out our amazing Discord community!

Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast?

Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations.

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 950 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.

We'd love if you'd leave us a 5 ⭐ rating & review and it's never been easier: https://www.ratethispodcast.com/suncast

Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/

You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:

Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

543: Sunnova CEO John Berger, On Enron, Innovation And The Future Of Solar Nov 23, 2022

Show notes

John Berger is a renewable energy veteran deep in the heart of “Energy” country, as we discussed back in Episode 465. And he’s built more than one successful renewable energy company, but most of you will recognize him as the CEO of Sunnova Energy, the publicly traded solar giant that has helped usher in the modern residential solar revolution.

He founded Sunnova in 2012 and has served since as CEO, president and board chair. An energy entrepreneur with more than two decades of industry experience, he supports free market competition, consumer choice and the advancement of technology to power energy independence.

Houston-based Sunnova is an Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) provider that wants to make clean, renewable energy more accessible, reliable, and affordable by providing "better energy service at a better price."

Today's podcast focuses on the perspective of one of the most influential solar services companies in the United States and arguably the world. We'll explore his thoughts on energy transformation, what it means for consumer choice, and how his experience informs his vision for a renewable energy future.

If you're a regular listener, you may recall John's insights from Episodes 113 & 465. It's always interesting to hear from John because he's a clean-energy prophet in the heart of the United States' oil and gas country.

Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast?

Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations.

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 950 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.

We'd love if you'd leave us a 5 ⭐ rating & review and it's never been easier: https://www.ratethispodcast.com/suncast

Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/

You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:

Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

542: How to double solar customer value through follow-on sales, an all-star panel shares their secrets! Nov 21, 2022

Show notes

Today's special edition podcast offers practical, tactical advice on getting the most from your customer relationships. Through an all-star panel discussion led by Bodhi CEO Scott Nguyen, you'll learn how to double the value of your solar customers through follow-on sales.

Join us for insights from Ryan Barnett, market development officer at Palmetto; Preston Booker, head of strategic accounts at BayWa r.e. Solar Systems; Adam Hinckley, vice president, Corporate Development at Enphase Energy; and Mark Liffmann, co-founder and CEO of Omnidian.

You'll hear excellent perspectives on follow-up sales for solar companies and discover how solar installers can help cultivate more sales through thoughtful customer relations.

This Bodhi Media Zone Takeover was part of the RE+ PowerUp Media Zone, a live production of SunCast Media.

Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast?

Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations.

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 950 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.

We'd love if you'd leave us a 5 ⭐ rating & review and it's never been easier: https://www.ratethispodcast.com/suncast

Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/

You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:

Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

541: Why Falling in Love With Failure Matters So Much, with Piper Wilder, 60Hertz Energy Nov 17, 2022

Show notes

Piper Foster Wilder is the co-founder and CEO of 60Hertz Energy, the first maintenance software purpose-built for distributed energy resources (DER). DERs are physical and virtual assets deployed across the distribution grid, typically close to load and usually behind the meter, and used individually or in aggregate to provide value to the grid, individual customers, or both.

Anchorage, Alaska-based 60Hertz's remote management platform enables maintenance personnel to optimize the potential of solar, wind, battery energy storage systems (BESS), microgrids and backup diesel assets.

In today's podcast, Piper and I explore the growth of 60Hertz and her commitment to creating meaningful work. Her company supports the energy transition while making the best of existing diesel-fueled microgrids.

Regular listeners may recall her appearance on Episode 457 when she advised how to work with electric cooperatives.

Piper is a thoughtful entrepreneur. She has an interesting role as a non-technical founder of a company that enables microgrids and their managers to use their assets more effectively and efficiently. You'll enjoy the conversation as we unpack how Piper successfully created this entrepreneurial venture.

Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast?

Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations.

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 950 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.

We'd love if you'd leave us a 5 ⭐ rating & review and it's never been easier: https://www.ratethispodcast.com/suncast

Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/

You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:

Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

540: The IRA Solves One Problem, But Creates Another, with Andy Redinger of KeyBanc Capital Markets Nov 15, 2022

Show notes

In today's Tactical Tuesday, we talk with Andy Redinger, head of the Utilities, Power & Renewable Energy Group at KeyBanc Capital Markets (KBCM).

KBCM is Cleveland-based KeyCorp's corporate and investment banking arm. It's North America's leading renewables project finance lender and provides services to clean technology firms in the power generation, smart grid, energy management, and pollution control sectors.

Andy discusses KeyBank's response to a spate of fast followers in the renewable energy lending space, examines the role of construction and term debt and equity, and looks at lessons learned from the unfortunate demise of yieldcos. (Yieldcos are tools for financing clean energy projects with cheap stock market capital from a diverse pool of dividend-focused investors, and it was once a very popular option for wind and solar development platforms.)

Andy gives his perspective on the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which includes extensions and enhancements to existing tax credits to spur the development of renewable energy projects. "It was like throwing gasoline on a roaring bonfire," Andy said.

Why does he think that? Tune in to find out that and more about financing renewable energy projects.

The conversation was part of the RE+ PowerUp Media Zone, a live production of SunCast Media.

Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast?

Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations.

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 950 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.

We'd love if you'd leave us a 5 ⭐ rating & review and it's never been easier: https://www.ratethispodcast.com/suncast

Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/

You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:

Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

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