Solar Power World podcasts

We recently talked with Hannah Solar, a mid-sized EPC in the Southeast, about how the company is adjusting to the new 30% solar tariffs (Spoiler alert: not sweating them). We also talk logistics on how to get materials to far away islands in the Pacific. Read our story here: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2018/02/contractors-corner-hannah-solar/

Paula Mints is the founder of global market research firm SPV Market Research. Learn what it takes to be a solar market researcher, her views of the market and how she is looking to help struggling women find a new life in solar in this latest edition. Read more at https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2018/02/ask-a-solar-vet-solars-star-researcher-paula-mints/.

Aurora Solar has been researching what makes solar sales proposals successful. The company interviewed homeowners at different stages of the buying process and talked with solar sales professionals to gain insights into the solar sales process. In this Solar Speaks podcast, we talk with Rahul Nihalani, head of growth at Aurora Solar, about what the company learned from this research and how you ca...

Having trained more than 12,000 installers and inspectors in his 25+ years in solar, Bill Brooks can be called the godfather of solar engineering. However, he chooses to call himself an ambassador for solar technology. Listen to learn more about Bill's journey from the early days of solar in the 70s, to his work with the codes and standards that continue to drive the industry today.

We had a great time talking with Sheryl Lane this month from Earth Electric in San Jose, California. The residential solar installer is about to enter its 10th year--a major milestone for the solar industry! We talk about installing solar in Silicon Valley and why honesty is so important. Read our full story: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2018/01/contractors-corner-earth-electric/

By now most solar contractors are aware of how interconnection requirements like Rule 21 in California are changing to allow inverters to play an active role in stabilizing the grid. While this can be a positive move to allow more renewable energy capacity on the grid, aspects like security and safety must also be considered. This is where UL comes in. We spoke to Bruce Bailey, VP of renewable ene...

Solar Power World editors complete their first residential solar installation in Kensington, California. Podcast sponsored by EcoFasten Solar.

We chat with Ohio's GEM Energy on its 10-year history of building solar projects in the tough Midwest market. Repeat customers make up a big chunk of GEM's project pipeline. Read the full story: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2017/12/contractors-corner-gem-energy/

Kristen Graf spent the last eight years leading Women of Wind Energy (WOWE), and now serves as executive director of the group under a new name: Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE). She talks about why the group transitioned, what drives her to passion for renewables and empowering women, and shares her thoughts on the industry now and in the future. Read more here: https:...

This month's guest is Adaptive Solar, a Houston-based solar installer. Founder Richard Sherwood talks about the tough solar market in the middle of oil country and how Hurricane Harvey affected solar and battery sales. Read our full write-up: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2017/11/contractors-corner-adaptive-solar/

With the section 201 trade case, it’s very timely to be speaking to a U.S. panel manufacturer. After 14 years at Solaria president and CEO Suvi Sharma has some interesting things to say. At Solaria Suvi was a co-founder of NEXTracker and also founded a CRM provider and a volunteer organization. Listen for more. Read more here: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2017/11/ask-a-solar-vet-…rias-suv...

This month, we get to know Kingspan Energy and its Irish roots. The company entered the U.S. solar market in 2014 and has found success in the Northeast market. Read more: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2017/10/contractors-corner-kingspan-energy/

This month’s vet, Scott Sullivan, is one of the most well-connected, experienced marketing professionals in solar. He's currently director of inverter sales and marketing for Growatt, but has worked in energy for more more than 20 years. He's also one of the most personable people you'll meet.  In this podcast, he shares what he's learned about sales and solar marketing from being employed in many...

We talk Midwest solar with Cromwell Solar of Lawrence, Kansas, this month. The company has a lot of fans on Facebook; who knew folks in the middle of the country are so supportive of solar? Read more: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2017/09/contractors-corner-cromwell-solar-champion-solar-midwest/

This month’s veteran is Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of SEIA. As you probably know, Abby came on board in her new position at the beginning of this year. But you may not know that her background in energy goes back much further. Read more: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2017/09/ask-vet-pursuing-passions-seias-abigail-ross-hopper/

A new set of interconnection requirements are effect in California as of September 9, 2017. Known as Rule 21, the set of requirements will allow inverters to provide additional functions to help support the grid. Casey Miller, VP of Business Development at CPS America, explained how it works and why you should pay attention even if you're not installing in California.

In this Solar Power World podcast, Kelsey goes to Nashville to watch the solar eclipse at a viewing party sponsored by LightWave Solar. To view the story online: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2017/08/podcast-nashville-eclipse/

This month we talk to Arizona's SunRenu Solar and learn about the commercial solar market in the Southwest. Read our full story: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2017/08/contractors-corner-sunrenu-solar-tackles-arizona-commercial-solar-market-smile/

As we enter a smart-home future one company is looking to streamline the deployment of residential solar and energy storage systems without compromising performance or cost. Jon Bonanno, chief commercial officer of Empower Micro Systems discusses some of his company’s innovative technology in this area.

This month we talk to Paul Risberg, president of Altenergy. The high-end residential and small-scale commercial solar installer enjoys working on complicated projects in Virginia, Maryland, Idaho and Washington, D.C. Read the full story at: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2017/07/contractors-corner-altenergy/

This month's solar veteran is James Marlow, president and co-founder of Radiance Solar, a commercial, institutional and utility solar EPC based out of Atlanta, Georgia. Radiance Solar has made our Top Solar Contractors list every year we’ve been doing it.  Marlow had a busy year back in 2007, in which he left his job at Yahoo, ran for congress and started a new career in solar. In our latest Ask a...

We talk with Kenny Habul, CEO and president of U.S. solar developer SunEnergy1, about the company's large-scale projects and involvement with auto racing sponsorships. SunEnergy1 sponsors the No. 24 car in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driven by Chase Elliott as well as the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT3 in IMSA. SunEnergy1 is bringing more awareness to solar in the racing community. Read more: http...

You can’t build a solar project if you don’t have the components you need. We talked to Gail Hibbert and Janelle Oltman of Chint Power Systems Americas' customer operations for some tips for choosing a good supplier and successfully ordering solar components.

We were very excited to hear about SunWork's nonprofit solar model this month. The company uses volunteers to install solar on California homes, saving labor costs and building a sense of community in the process. Just like Habitat for Humanity, but for solar! Read our story: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2017/05/contractors-corner-sunwork/

This edition's veteran has a longer solar legacy than anyone we’ve interviewed so far. Jane Weissman recently retired from her position as President and CEO of IREC, starting her days at 5 a.m. for more than 20 years. But her experience in solar is even more diverse, including working in PV in the late 80s, and her involvement with NABCEP in the 2000s. Jane has been recognized with awards for her...