Straight-Talk Solar Cast

In this week's podcast we discuss California's initiatives to encourage solar power by increasing electricity pricing, increasing gasoline prices and natural gas skyrocketing costs all pushing residents to all-electric power, and therefore solar power. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy”...

In this week's podcast we discuss in detail how the phase out of the 3G cellular network is affecting the solar industry and what clients can do to continue to monitor their systems even after the 3G cell monitors become extinct. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar...

In this week's podcast we discuss the role of door knocker solicitors in the solar industry. We discuss specific examples of the door-to-door solicitation process and how this process affects the solar industry. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar panel system for t...

In this week's podcast we review a few new Net Energy Metering updates and the next steps in the process, and what life in solar will look like if the NEM changes are approved by the #PUC.  We also quickly review a financing FAQ in between the dogs barking at random times! 🐶 About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their cu...

In this week's podcast, we give a quick update on the current Net Energy Metering updates, and then we cover a few solar frequently asked questions that are always great to revisit. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar panel system for their home, business, or farm....

In this week's podcast, we discuss today's rally in San Francisco to help  "Save Solar". The rally seemed to focus on saving jobs in the solar industry when the previous messaging was geared towards fighting NEM  #NetEnergyMetering 3.0 and high access fees. Solar jobs are critical,  but we can do better as an industry to help keep our solar clients satisfied for years to come. About...

In this week's podcast we discuss the solar rally that is being held in LA & SF to help convince the legislature and CPUC from approving the new Net Energy Metering 3.0 program.  The CA solar industry is urging every resident to help encourage the CPUC to vote pro-solar and against the utilities. https://calssa.org/calendar/2022/1/13/save-our-solar-jobs-rally About Jamie Duran & Solar...

In this week's podcast we discuss the approved NEM changes and the changes still to be approved by the #CPUC (California Public Utilities Commission). Follow #CALSSA (California Solar & Storage Association) for more updates and plans of action to protect the solar industry. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their custo...

In this week's podcast we review 4 different proposals for a client in Oregon. The proposals all have strengths and weaknesses that we review, discuss and evaluate. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar panel system for their home, business, or farm.  You can che...

In this week's podcast we discuss how we are starting to evaluate solar proposals for customers who are not in our service area. We are testing out this service now and seeing if it sticks. We check for equipment,  warranties, and financing options. So far we have helped a lot of clients help select the solar company that makes the most sense for their own situation. About Jamie Duran & S...

In this week's podcast we discuss the future of bitcoin mining and how ViableMining.com will help make cryptocurrency mining sustainable in the present and the future. We also discuss what the heck bitcoin mining is, why it is necessary and how Viable Mining fixes a lot of the issues with mining for Bitcoin. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern Cali...

In this week's podcast we discuss the sentencing of the former CEO of DC Solar, who got sentenced to 30 years in prison for fraud and money laundering. The idea from DC Solar was to create mobile solar power stations that actually worked pretty well. But the founder raised a ton of money and spent that money on just about everything other than the mobile solar stations. About Jamie Duran & Sol...

In this week's podcast, we discuss the new federal budget issues related to solar power.  Surprisingly, all of the proposed changes are very beneficial for new and existing solar customers. We discuss the pros, cons, benefits and long-term effects of these changes. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to...

In this week's podcast, we discuss two real-life solar horror stories that are tales of caution for everyone else. The first is a solar lease + new roof + solar broker story, and the second is a broken solar panel system with an out-of-area installer with poor reviews. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to “...

In this week's podcast we discuss the recent updates with the solar installer license, Net Energy Metering changes and solar in Mexico. Great to be back! About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar panel system for their home, business, or farm.  You can check out the...

In this week's podcast we discuss the newest Net Energy Metering proposal by the California utilities and the effects on both the commercial and residential solar markets. Please also subscribe to The California Solar & Storage Association ( CALSSA ) for more updates and support. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their...

In this week's podcast we discuss a couple of updates that are having big effects on the solar business - raw materials and the California Solar and Storage Association's lawsuit against the California Contractors State License Board. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a s...

In this week's podcast we discuss the labor shortage in California, and how it is affecting the solar industry. We discuss potential solutions and how long the shortage should last. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar panel system for their home, business, or farm....

In this week's podcast we discuss how we evaluate a client's electricity bill to build a solar proposal. Kilowatt hours are the base unit for solar power and we get into the calculation of solar panel production. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar panel system for...

In this week's podcast we discuss the new CSLB requirement to essentially invalidate the C-46 solar installer license. Now the CSLB is requiring an electrical C-10 license to install solar. It is unclear why the CSLB  has moved away from its own solar installer designation, so we will see the impact of this decision very soon. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Ha...

In this week's podcast we discuss the new California Energy Commission's rule about adding solar & storage to all new buildings. This is a  massive new requirement that will impact the commercial construction business from now on. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasin...

In this week's podcast we discuss the UN's newest climate change report.  We discuss what impact an individual can have on climate change, &  how small changes can have a big impact. We then discuss the  'incentives' we are seeing in California and elsewhere. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California , who invite their custo...

In this week's podcast, we discuss how solar with AirBnB owners is another massive no-brainer. Tenants can sometimes not be too concerned about electricity usage and AirBnB owners can be hit with large electricity bills that eat into the profits of the AirBnB. Solar is the long-term solution for these clients to make the short-term rentals more attractive. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics B...

In this week's podcast we discuss how some customers decide not to listen to our solar recommendations but want the solar the way they want it. We are happy to do the installation the way the client wants, but there is always a tradeoff. Our solar clients who follow our recommendations generally end the installation with "I wish we would have done this sooner." About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmon...

In this week's episode we discuss the new trend of some homeowners who are replacing their natural gas appliances with fully electric appliances. Electric vehicles, ovens, dryers, and heat pump water heaters, air conditioning, and heating are all great moves to fully electrify the home.  The next challenge is finding enough room for all of the necessary solar panels... About Jamie Duran &...