Straight-Talk Solar Cast

Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar! In this week's podcast, we discuss when it makes sense to look at expanding on the current solar panel system.  We also discuss how we are on our second round of solar when our clients move to a new home. Trump administration says it will approve largest solar farm in US About Jamie Dura...

Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar! In this week's podcast we discuss the approval of the largest solar farm in US history by the Trump Administration, and there are more solar farms to come.  The intersection of financial goals and environmental goals is the common ground for everyone!   Trump administration says it...

Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar!  In most podcasts we discuss the demand side of the solar industry.  In today's podcast, we discuss the supply side, the challenges in labor that we face in the construction business, and our strategies to plan for future labor supply. CalJobs link mentioned on today's podcast. Abou...

Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar!  In this week's podcast, we discuss how some Californian's are starting to grow their own cannabis, and are finding it to be a very electricity heavy venture.  We discuss how solar power is a solution to help foster California's next largest cash crop. About Jamie Duran & Solar...

Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar!  In this week's podcast we discuss the new 1099 vs. W2 employee rules and how they will affect businesses in California.  Many businesses are struggling to figure out how they can proceed, but considering solar is a good hedge against rising costs! California Assembly Bill 5 (AB5) A...

Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar!  In this week's podcast we discuss thankfulness.  We are thankful for all our clients, future clients, partners, suppliers and this podcast where we get to discuss the latest and greatest in the world of solar power.  And we are very thankful for our best frenemy, PG&E! Why...

Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar!  In this week's podcast,  we discuss another shutdown horror story, how the solar industry is preparing for more shutdowns, and working together with our clients to help us all deal with the new normal. Blame PG&E for California's continued power outages PG&E power outages:...

Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar!  In this week's podcast we discuss the new rules going into effect in 2020, and how they will affect the solar industry.  Specifically, we discuss the reduction of the solar tax credit from 30% to 26%, and how solar is now mandatory on new homes. Sunset the solar tax credit Homeowner interest...

Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar!  In this week's podcast,  we talk about all of the recent action going on in the world of solar power, and a quick update on a client who did have a backup battery installed before the PG&E shutdown, and her experience relying on backup power from her battery. Berkeley residents...

Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar!  In this week's podcast, we discuss the good news in solar power among all of the PG & E power shut down craziness.  Many people are feeling the pain of the shutdowns and are now motivated to go solar and add battery backup to their homes and businesses. Public Safety Power Shut...

Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar!  In this week's podcast, we continue to discuss the implications of the intentional power shutdown by PG&E, who the shutdown affects, and why the shutdown is not a temporary isolated event.  This may be the new normal... For California, massive power blackouts could become a way...

Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar!  In this week's podcast, we discuss the 2019 Planned Power Outage by PG&E, and the implications the outage has on the solar industry, along with how the outage impacted over 900,000 people in PG&E territory at the same time! Massive Power Outages May Leave 800,000 Californians in...

Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar!  In this week's podcast, we discuss the recent shutdown by PG&E, the implications, and strategies for our clients with future shutdowns.  Over 900,000 PG&E customers lost power for more than 5 days, and we discuss the role solar power can have to mitigate future outages. New...

Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar!  In this week's podcast, we discuss the new disclosure requirement for solar projects .  Customers must sign off they have reviewed the solar disclosures regarding PACE, HERO, leases, and unlicensed contractors .  Solid solar companies are annoyed at the new disclosures as they...

Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar!  In this week's podcast, we discuss a recent trip to Maui and how much the state of Hawaii has embraced solar power.  It is very common to not only see residential solar (thanks to Hawaiian Electric ), but easily the most commercial solar panel installations are located in Hawaii. &...

Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar!  In today's podcast, we discuss the affects of solar leasing on today's real estate deals.  We talk about PACE & HERO loans, and how they affect a real estate sale or loan refinance, and much more. Educating the real estate professionals about solar financing is a big hurdle for...

Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar!  In this week's podcast, we discuss not only the upcoming federal solar tax credit decreasing to 26 % on January 1st, but we also discuss how reliable online reviews, review services, and solar panel reviews are, and what to look for to avoid bias in the reviews. Here's a quick list of S...

Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar!  The 30% Federal Tax Credit is declining to 26% percent on January 1st, 2020.  In this week's podcast, we discuss how that change is affecting today's solar customer, what to expect, and the overall impact the tax credit has on solar decisions. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonic...

Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar!  After a recent road trip, we discuss the figurative explosion in solar deployments all up and down California and the reasons why homes, businesses, farms and government buildings all seem to be going solar, despite the mounting obstacles.       About Jamie Duran & So...

Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar!  In this week's podcast, we discuss how excess solar energy can be used to 'mine' for BitCoin and other cryptocurrencies.  There is some time and investment required, but the opportunity is still there, and solar power makes this process even more profitable. Check it out and let us...

Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar!  This week we are back with another STSC podcast after a brief 3 week break. In this week's podcast we discuss client ghosting , and how to be a great solar client.  And how this all ties into be a better individual so we can all get along better in our society together. Check it ou...

Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar!  With everything in life seeming to get more expensive, going solar gives you a sense of independence from not only the electric company, but when solar is combined with an electric car, you also get independence from the gas/oil industries too.  Add in the tax benefits and more peo...

Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar!  In this week's podcast, we discuss the pros and cons of backup generators vs battery backup systems.  PG&E is sending out a ton of notices to their customers letting them know of planned outages, and most solar clients are considering a battery backup to cover for the outages....

Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar!  In this week's podcast, we discuss one of the untapped markets in the world of solar power - Home Owner's Associations.  These groups are challenging and rewarding to work with, and we discuss the best practices so both sides come out with a win/win at the end of the project. Check...

Welcome to the world’s first Straight-Talk Solar Cast! This is your go-to podcast for answers about solar!  In this week's episode we discuss recent solar news.  This Week in Solar Power - we cover lots of exciting topics from Solar Tariffs, PG&E approval times, and solar farms.  Action packed solar podcast! Stories mentioned in this week's podcast: Solar Has New Way to Duck Tru...