Kathie Zipp

Solar Power World podcasts

Solar Power World Editors interview the industry's hottest newsmakers and allow them to tell their stories — in their own words. Listen every week for the latest edition of Solar Speaks. Solar Power World magazine covers the width and breath of the solar industry — from technology, development and installation.

Author

Kathie Zipp

Category

Technology

Latest episode

Jul 8, 2026

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Episodes

Solar Spotlight: The AI-powered future of solar field operations 08.07.2026

Kamal Shah has seen residential and commercial construction industries shift from analog procedures to more advanced, software-driven practices to improve job site operations. He's also played an integral role in introducing these new efficiencies to the solar industry through his company SiteCapture. The software platform, available to the residential and commercial solar markets, helps manage da...

Solar Spotlight: Safe, smooth and secure energy storage 02.12.2025

The U.S. solar industry is constantly remaking itself to adapt to market demands, and so too are the manufacturers producing these renewable technologies. Following that notion, Jinko, a prominent PV module company, recently expanded its manufacturing operations to include battery energy storage systems. With the two complementary technologies under one umbrella, Jinko is supplying the utility and...

Solar Spotlight: Building a domestic content strategy 14.10.2025

The Trump Administration has reversed Inflation Reduction Act tax incentives that have bolstered solar’s domestic manufacturing and installation footprints. While they technically are still active, these credits are operating with a shorter runway. On this episode of Solar Spotlight, Liz Reicherts, global head of government affairs, and Kleber Facchini, Director of CC&I Products & Applications at...

Solar Spotlight: Covering PV electronics from substation to accessories 19.08.2025

Josh Dorfman, president of American Wire Group, is on this episode of Solar Spotlight to discuss the ins and outs of operating a national supplier of cable and electronic components for the renewable energy market in 2025. 

Solar Spotlight: Navigating supply chain bottlenecks in the commercial PV market 02.07.2025

James Mason, VP of renewable energy for ABC Supply, a national roofing and solar product supplier, talks global and domestic factors impacting solar industry’s growth, insights on federal and state incentives, unique challenges in commercial and industrial solar installations and more.

Solar Spotlight: An introduction to string sizing optimization with Sungrow 27.02.2025

On this episode of Solar Spotlight, Benjamin Heitmann, marketing manager, and Madeline Acri, applications engineer with Sungrow North America discuss the company’s history of manufacturing solar inverter technologies and dive into some of the specific features of string inverters.

Solar Spotlight: Why solar carports make sense for schools 11.02.2025

While there is greater oversight for installing solar projects on school grounds, M Bar C Construction has found success in this segment of the market and has done so through building solar carports. Bobby Bonfanti, eastern division manager, and Erik Krivokopich, VP of business development at M Bar C, are on this episode of Solar Spotlight to shed some light on why carports are the ideal solar sol...

Solar Spotlight: Enough backup energy to power any load in the home 11.11.2024

The value of energy resiliency is increasing in the face of stronger weather events and natural disasters, and the electrical grid isn’t always prepared to withstand these adverse environmental pressures. Rex Liu, VP of product management, clean energy, at Generac, is on this episode of Solar Spotlight to share how residential solar customers can keep ample backup energy to power everything necess...

Solar Spotlight: Using energy load management to avoid service upgrades 20.08.2024

The American power grid is electrifying through renewable energy proliferation, and homeowners are following suit by replacing gas powered vehicles and appliances with electric-powered options. However, certain homes are encountering the conundrum of having too high of an electrical load and not enough electrical service to back it. Savant is a recognized leader in both smart home and smart power...

Solar Spotlight: Playing the long game in domestic solar panel manufacturing 13.08.2024

Trina Solar US, the domestic arm of the global PV module manufacturer, is ramping up production in the United States. On this episode of Solar Spotlight, Adam Macaluso, national accounts manager for US channel business at Trina Solar, shares an update on Trina’s U.S. manufacturing footprint, as well as the company’s near future plans.

Solar Spotlight: Supplying everything above the roof line — including PV 06.08.2024

ABC Supply is a prolific distributor in the North American roofing market and has expanded into solar component distribution as well. James Mason, VP of renewable energy at ABC Supply, is on this episode of Solar Spotlight to discuss the company’s history, motivations for entering the PV market and its ambition to reshape how solar contractors are supplied with solar hardware.

Contractor's Corner: Announcing the 2024 Top Solar Contractors List 23.07.2024

In our last episode of the Contractor's Corner podcast, we're announcing this year's Top Solar Contractors List. Thank you to Scanifly for sponsoring this podcast and the 2024 Top Solar Contractors List. View the full list at solarpowerworldonline.com.

Solar Spotlight: Simplifying and automating large-scale solar design 28.03.2024

Utility-scale solar projects are consistently breaking capacity records annually, both in individual project size and overall countrywide output. The sheer scale of these acres and sometimes miles long arrays require an unprecedented amount of worktime to construct, and even before a pile is driven into the dirt, project engineers must spend time designing these systems. PVcase, a software as a se...

Contractor's Corner: Burns & McDonnell 18.12.2023

In this episode, the utility-scale EPC talks about the importance of relationships with manufacturers and hands-on training time for install crews. Sponsored by Scanifly.

Solar Spotlight: Solar mounting hits the deck 07.12.2023

Over the last several years, the shape and size of mounts used in residential solar projects have changed to a lower profile attachment that can be installed over the shingle instead of slid underneath like metal flashing sheets. The next obstacle in residential solar design was expanding these top-mounted attachments that could primarily be installed on rafters onto the decking surface of the roo...

Solar Spotlight: Scaling energy storage while facing a climate crisis 29.11.2023

As the effects of a changing climate increase in both frequency and severity, the need for technologies that can decarbonize and support electrical infrastructure is paramount. In this episode of Solar Spotlight, Zolaikha Strong, senior director of policy and regulatory affairs at Generac Power Systems, discusses the significance of energy storage in the contexts of grid stability, individual ener...

Contractor’s Corner: Alternative Energy Southeast (AES) 27.11.2023

In this episode, Alternative Energy Southeast talks about securing R&D credits for trying new solar tech and the keys to regional solar success. Sponsored by Scanifly and Intersolar North America.

Solar Spotlight: Integrating the benefits of rail into a rail-less solar mount 08.11.2023

Solar racking manufacturer SunModo will soon debut its latest pitched rooftop mount, NanoRack, to the residential market. On this episode of Solar Spotlight, CEO Steve Mumma discusses the system features and installation considerations built into NanoRack.

Solar Spotlight: Butyl mounts rooftop solar projects in a flash 01.11.2023

The shape of solar mounts is changing, and so too are how they’re attached to rooftops. K2 Systems, a solar racking manufacturer, has integrated a butyl sealant onto a new line of roof mounts. On this episode of Solar Spotlight, Brett Nielsen, VP of products and services at K2, is here to share the rationale behind adopting this sticky new flashing for mounting purposes.

Solar Spotlight: Meeting the growing demand for solar racking 24.10.2023

Domestic solar is consistently breaking installation records year over year and is slated to keep that pace. Yet, manufacturers and suppliers are still feeling the effects of pandemic supply chain delays. In this episode of Solar Spotlight, Unirac’s new VP of operations and supply chain, Lee Ingram, and former guest and VP of Unirac’s commercial division, Brandon Carrasco, are here to discuss how...

Contractor's Corner: Vibe Solar 23.10.2023

In this episode, Vibe Solar talks about pivoting the residential business to adapt to California's new NEM 3.0 rate structure. Sponsored by Scanifly.

Contractor's Corner: Renewable IPP 25.09.2023

In this episode, Renewable IPP talks about the workforce challenges as the first utility-scale EPC in Alaska and O&M considerations for these far northwestern arrays. Sponsored by Scanifly.

Solar Spotlight: Choosing the right battery storage for homeowners going solar 15.09.2023

Energy storage is becoming a more common feature on residential solar installations so homeowners can tap into the power they’ve generated when they need it — not just when the sun is up. Rex Liu, VP of product management at Generac, a manufacturer of batteries for renewable energy applications, is here to share how solar installers can approach pitching and sizing storage for residential PV proje...

Solar Spotlight: Solar canopy project collaboration with a focus on value engineering 13.09.2023

With the enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act and its new offerings in tax incentives for solar projects, contractor collaboration and value engineering have become critical components for creating or selling viable solar projects. M Bar C Construction specializes in solar carport installation across a range of applications and building types. Today, we’re joined by M Bar C’s VP of business de...

Solar Spotlight: Anatomy of a high-profile solar project 02.09.2023

The administration at Emory University, a private school of higher education from Georgia, set sustainability goals for the university, with plans to eliminate carbon emissions production by 2050. Emory has already installed solar arrays across many buildings on its main campus and is nearing completion of a solar canopy PV project at its Musculoskeletal Institute off-campus. Ben Damiani, chief te...

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