Sounds of Solar Podcast

In this episode of Sounds of Solar, host Christoph Bruhn and co-hosts Russell Hamilton and Prahlad Shivshankar sit down with Michael Carlson, EVS' Director of Power Studies, to explore the evolving world of renewable energy. Michael shares insights from his extensive experience in wind, solar, and battery energy storage systems (BESS), discussing the grid's shift from centralized to distributed ge...

Dive into the growth of solar engineering teams in this latest episode of Sounds of Solar!   Hosts Christoph Bruhn and Prahalad Shivshankaran sit down with Raj Pawar, Director of Solar PV and Battery Storage at EVS , to explore how the company grew its solar department from 12 to 36 team members while maintaining top-tier quality and fostering a strong company culture.  Raj shares his leadership s...

Dive into the nitty-gritty of substations with Colin Paarmann, EVS Inc.'s substation manager, as we explore how civil and electrical engineering collide to power renewable energy projects across the nation. From collector substations to the art of stepping up voltage, this discussion blends high-level technical insight with a dash of humor.

In this episode of the  Sounds of Solar , the boys explore what sustainable living could look like if money weren't an obstacle. From community solar options to the latest in EV technology, they discuss the complexities of making greener choices and how policy, technology, and personal finances shape the way we approach sustainability.  Must hear moments include how cost barriers impact our choice...

Could Minnesota be the unexpected leader propelling the next wave of renewable energy and tech innovation? Join hosts Chris, Russell, and Prahalad, live from MnSEIA's Gateway to Solar Conference, as they sit down with Minnesota Representative Patty Acomb to explore how groundbreaking policies are transforming Minnesota into a renewable energy powerhouse and attracting major tech companies. Discove...

Recording LIVE from the expo floor of MnSEIA's Gateway to Solar conference, the Sounds of Solar podcast hosts speak with MnSEIA Executive Director Logan O'Grady and Bernadette Del Chairo from California Solar & Storage Assoc. (CALSSA) as they 'pull back the curtain' around distributed solar energy, net metering, and the work and lessons learned between California and Minnesota agencies.

Structural engineering and solar energy - an unlikely pairing? Not for Structural Engineering Manager Abby Reetz. In this episode, we uncover the hidden world of structural engineering in utility-scale solar projects.  Abby shares her unexpected transition from traditional building design to the solar industry, offering a unique perspective on t he engineering marvels behind massive solar farms, h...

The boys are back to kick off Season 4! Join Chris, Russell, and Prahalad as they settle into the new studio and share their summer adventures and industry insights. This premiere episode takes you from Russell's Greek excursion and first piloting experience to Chris and Prahalad's Pacific Northwest explorations. Special guest Abby Reetz joins the conversation, offering a comprehensive overview of...

In this must-listen season finale, the Sounds of Solar team tackles the industry's most pressing issue: tariffs on solar modules and batteries. We share worst-case scenarios and real-world examples of how these tariffs are driving up costs and delaying projects. Join us as we explore: How tariffs strain budgets and push back timelines The engineering challenges of module changes and redesigns The...

Navigating the complexities of green hydrogen and power-to-X technology is crucial for driving progress in the renewable energy sector. In this episode, Michael Klein, Head of Project Development at EE North America, shares his expertise on the regulatory framework, cost-effectiveness, and safety aspects of hydrogen projects. Solar engineers and decision-makers cannot miss this insightful conversa...

The Sounds of Solar podcast is live from the floor brining you the highlights of CleanPower 2024, a major renewable energy conference in Minneapolis.  Hosts Chris, Russell, and Prahalad interview top industry professionals, including Adam Pratt from McCarthy Building Companies, Michael Klein and Alex Ng from EE North America, Sohan Das from EVS, and Michael Benitez from Moss and Associates. Gain i...

In this episode we highlight an extraordinary achievement in the renewable energy sector, showcasing EVS, Inc.'s pivotal contribution to powering the Super Bowl entirely with renewable energy for the first time. Focus is placed on the innovative solar energy projects, particularly the Arrow Canyon project, which played a crucial role in this landmark achievement. 3 Must-Hear Moments: The Engineeri...

This week we sit down with Eliza Wilson, a seasoned civil project manager at EVS, to explore the pivotal role civil engineering plays in the success of utility-scale solar projects.    Eliza dives deep into the delicate balance of site grading, stormwater management, and regulatory compliance that civil engineers must strike to create a solid foundation for solar projects.    She emphasizes the im...

In this episode of Sounds of Solar, we welcome Logan O'Grady, the Executive Director of the Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association (MnSEIA). Logan brings his extensive knowledge and experience to discuss the current state of the solar industry in Minnesota, the challenges and opportunities ahead, and the importance of diverse clean energy solutions to meet the state's ambitious 2040 carbon-...

Today, Chairman of the Board Dennis Kim shares his "why" -- his passionate drive to forge a sustainable world for future generations. Facing the daunting challenge of climate change, Dennis refuses to let today's children down. He's leading the charge at EVS to implement green energy solutions, ensuring that our legacy is one of hope, not regret. This episode is a rallying cry for all who believe...

Today we're exploring the intricate dance between water and solar power. EVS's Hydrology expert, Byron Hinchey takes a deep dive into hydrology and shares expert insights that will change the way you think about renewable energy. Must-Hear Moments: Byron Hinchey's breakdown of hydrology's crucial role in setting design constraints and determining project costs. The surprising revelation that hydro...

Are you ready to explore the cutting edge of solar energy solutions? This week, Chris Bruhn, Russell Hamilton, and Prahalad Shivshankaran put battery expert Michael McKinney in the hot seat to dive deep into the evolving world of battery storage, addressing the challenges and opportunities that come with integrating these technologies into our solar future.  Must-hear moments include: 1. Expert br...

Have you ever wondered how solar panels perform on cloudy days or what happens to solar energy in the winter? We tackle these questions head-on and set the record straight. This episode is a journey through the most common myths and misconceptions about solar energy, providing clarity and truth in an industry often shrouded in mystery. Thank you for pointing that out. Here's the revised list of mu...

This week we dive into the rapidly evolving world of solar energy. Hosts Prahalad Shivshankaran, Russell Hamilton, and Chris Bruhn bring their expertise to the table, discussing Florida's surprising solar project deployments, the astonishing speed of solar construction, and the increasing role of battery energy storage systems.  It's an episode packed with intriguing discussions and industry insig...

Join Chris Bruhn, Prahalad Shivshankaran, and Russell Hamilton as they dive into EVS's role as a comprehensive solution for solar project development. They discuss the integration of multiple engineering disciplines and the impact on efficiency and coordination for utility-scale and distributed generation solar projects. You'll learn: The synergy of different teams at EVS and its impact on streaml...

Welcome to the third season of the 'Sounds of Solar' podcast! In this season opener, we're diving into the dynamic and rapidly evolving world of solar energy and renewable resources. Recorded at the headquarters of EVS, Inc. in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, this episode features our new hosts, Christoph Bruhn, Prahalad Shivshankaran, and Russell Hamilton. They bring fresh perspectives and deep insights...

Rao Konidena of Rakon Energy LLC is an independent consultant focused on providing policy and testimony support, business development, and training in wholesale energy markets.   If you are heavily involved in developing, building, and owning renewable energy assets, especially for solar and battery storage, then you will get a lot out of this episode.   Let's dive in!   Reach out and learn more a...

On today's episode, we have two guests from our engineering firm EVS, Michael Carlson, our Director of Power Studies and Substation, along with Sayem Ali, our Lead substation engineer. We will dive into substation engineering power system studies and why we have started a substation design group. If you're interested in substations, reactive power and beer (you'll hear what I mean), this is the pe...

Today we welcome Noah Waterhouse. Noah is the Director of Civil Engineering at EVS. We'll cover why civil engineering is important to solar and battery storage projects, how much civil engineering for solar projects has changed in the last few years, and the importance of doing tracker grading and hydrology. Reach out to Noah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noah-waterhouse-9b65b512/ Learn more about...

Global Senior Manager, Electric Vehicles for the World Resources Institute. For two decades, Erika Myers has worked on clean energy efforts in government, along with for-profit and non-profit roles. Today we'll talk about the exciting future of consumer, commercial, and public EV's, and how public utilities are preparing the supply chain.  Learn more and contact Erika here:  https://www.wri.org/pr...