Shows / SunCast
SunCast
Nico Johnson takes you into conversations with those at the forefront of Renewable Energy. SunCast gives an inside look into what is happening in renewable energy. From conversations with the biggest Solar Panel manufacturers in the world to the small startups creating the future of renewable energy, such as carbon capture and battery technology breakthroughs. SunCast is dedicated to providing the knowledge, research, tools and expert guidance you need to understand, grow and be ahead of the…
Episodes
- SunCast
682: When Will These Domestic Battery Factories Actually Be Online? Joan White of SEIA
Can we build an 80% clean energy future without reliable, wide-scale energy storage? It's unlikely. So, what needs to happen? Joan White, Director of Storage…
- SunCast
681: Nextracker’s secret marketing strategy is hard to copy, Kristan Kirsh
How did Nextracker become the leading solar tracker manufacturer in the world in 10 years, and what was the secret sauce of one of the most successful IPO’s of…
- SunCast
680: Best practices for Community engagement from Solstice Co-founder, Sandhya Murali
Community solar has proven a viable pathway to more affordable and equitable clean energy, but how do developers overcome one of the main hurdles to the…
- SunCast
679: Business Lessons from 23 Years in Solar | Bob & Maria Kingery of Southern Energy Management
Can a company thrive for over two decades in the clean energy sector by steadfastly adhering to its core values, all while refusing outside investment and…
- SunCast
678: How We Build A Diverse & Equitable Workforce, with Barry Reaves of NECEC
Barry Reaves, serving as the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice (DEI/J), and Workforce Development at the North East Clean Energy Council…
- SunCast
677: The “Carfax” of Solar, How Software is (finally) Transforming Fieldwork Management, With James Nagel & David Penalva of HelioVolta
Can the solar industry utilize advanced data analytics and software to address the challenges of integrating renewable energy sources into the grid…
- SunCast
676: Understanding Energy Demand in the Face of Extreme Weather with Sean Kelly of Amperon
As more frequent extreme weather events become the new normal, grid operators and project developers alike seek improved data sources and market signals to…
- SunCast
675: Can America Be THE Battery Manufacturing Leader? | John Zahurancik of Fluence Energy
The United States stands at a pivotal juncture in its clean energy transition, with domestic energy storage manufacturing emerging as the cornerstone of its…
- SunCast
674: Where to get the best electricity grid carbon data in seconds, with Wenbo Shi of Singularity Energy
Occasionally on the anniversary of an episode that really impacted us, we like to run a vignette of something we learned from such an episode to give new…
- SunCast
673: The Grid We Need to Decarbonize America: A Playbook by Jesse Jenkins, Princeton University
Amid America's energy shift, initiatives like the Inflation Reduction Act and bipartisan infrastructure bills are making clean energy more accessible and…
- SunCast
672: Giving Old Solar Panels a Second Life with Cesar Barbosa of Nulife Power Services
What happens to solar panels when they reach the end of their financed life, but not necessarily their useful life? With the solar industry's growth, the issue…
- SunCast
671: We Can Secure Drinking Water From The Air! Renewable Energy Pioneer Takes on Renewable Water, with Alex von Welczeck of SkyH2O
We often talk here about renewable energy. But how often have you thought about renewable water? Is it even a thing? And, what if we could manufacture clean…
- SunCast
670: From Gigawatts to Terawatts: The Technologies & Software Driving Unprecedented Scale in Solar with Matt Campbell CEO of Terabase
With the need to increase solar deployment and prepare for the terawatt era, Terabase Energy Inc. has positioned itself as a leader in transforming…
- SunCast
669: Navigating the New Normal in Renewable Finance: How Changes in Equity Markets Are Impacting Project Development with Robert Sternthal
How has the IRA affected financing renewables, in particular solar projects? Renewable energy projects are contending with the harsh realities of rising…
- SunCast
668: How to leverage Storytelling as a business driver, with Andrew Reagan of Clean Energy for America
Storytelling is not just entertainment. It's a fundamental part of being human. A story’s most important function is to remind us we are not alone in the…
- SunCast
667: The Intrapreneur journey and engineering a company pivot, with Sohan Das of EVS Inc.
The demand for skilled engineering labor in renewables is skyrocketing. As the world's energy grids transition towards terawatts of renewable energy, there is…
- SunCast
666: Bold Predictions, a Best-of 2023 recap
Today’s episode features bold predictions from a compilation of 2023’s best episodes. I asked leaders from diverse fields within the renewable energy sector to…
- SunCast
665: Intersolar N. America ‘24 - Know Before You Go
It’s that time of year again - everybody’s favorite warm-winter-weather solar tradeshow - Intersolar North America and Energy Storage North America - is just a…
- SunCast
664: Inside Trina Solar's Strategy for Global Expansion, with President Steven Zhu
In 2003 the cost of solar panels was a staggering $10 per watt, one of the largest impediments to widespread adoption. However, today Photovoltaic (PV) modules…
- SunCast
663: Launch of Valence & the Influencer List
Happy New Year!!! If you’ve been following along on Linkedin, then you’re now doubt aware that last week I launched “Valence” - a LinkedIn newsletter…
- SunCast
662: Turning Communities Into Renewable Properties, with Aaron Halimi
Community solar democratizes access to clean energy for those unable to install rooftop solar. National Renewable Energy Laboratory analysis shows nearly 50%…
- SunCast
661: What is Boxing Day? Plus 12 Days of Christmas 2024 Edition
I hope you've all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas and holiday season. As we welcome December 26, we find ourselves in the middle of “Boxing Day” — a tradition…
- SunCast
Bonus: Invitation - Join me in Hawaii?! (Mastermind)
Imagine starting your new year in the tropical paradise of Honolulu, Hawaii. Not just for a vacation, but to join industry leaders Nico Johnson and Joshua…
- SunCast
660: Why care about COP28? A Recap with Nathan Jovanelly, Brad Stutzman, Elizabeth Andrews, Tito Jankowski, Steve Anglin
The recent wrap-up of COP28 in Dubai has catalyzed a renewed sense of urgency and reflection on the global efforts to address climate change. A key takeaway…
- SunCast
659: The question is not WHO is Meyer Burger, but WHY have you not heard of them, yet?! With Ardes Johnson, President of Meyer Burger Americas
There’s a name in Solar that everybody who’s ever been involved in module manufacturing surely knows, but many, many of you who have only interacted on the…
- SunCast
658: Top Trends cleantech podcasters predict for 2024? End of Year Cleantech Podcasters Roundtable with David Roberts, Dana Perkins, Bill Nussey, Marie Burgquist, & Chris Caldwell, hosted by Nico Johnson and Mike Casey
As we close out another transformative year for cleantech, it seems the pace of the energy transition still falls short of what will be needed to meet our…
- SunCast
657: Financing Flexibility: Innovative Capital for Solar Developers with Laura Pagliarulo of SolaREIT
How can solar developers and landowners at the community solar level free up capital, lower lease costs and improve the overall economics of these longterm…
- SunCast
656: Mythbusting solar panel procurement, & Why India is on the rise, with Justin Redd of Emmvee
Have YOU had trouble procuring modules lately? I know I’ve heard from dozens of folks that they are hurting in this specific area. If that’s you, I want to…
- SunCast
655: How do you Finance Solar Project Development? Insight from Encore Renewable Energy’s Blake Sturcke
How do you fund a solar project? What about the business operations costs necessary to get the project going to begin with? What structures can you consider…
- SunCast
654: Why did Trina Solar wait SO Long to Manufacture in the US? Exclusive interview with Steven Zhu, Trina’s US President
Domestic manufacturing is vital in helping to mitigate supply chain risks that arise from tariffs or other supply chain disruptions. Trina Solar, one of the…
- SunCast
653: COP28, A Primer: Global Progress Checkpoint for the Paris Agreement with Julia Pyper, Myles Fish, and James Ellsmoor
COP28 is the 28th annual Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention (UNFCC) on Climate Change which will be held in Dubai (UAE) and…
- SunCast
652: How to improve the lives of 2 Billion people, Green Empowerment with Andrea Johnson (Giving Tuesday)
Each year we highlight one non-profit making a big impact in the world, and we ask you to join us in supporting their mission on Giving Tuesday. Nonprofits…
- SunCast
651: Giving Thanks and the secret key to success: Gratitude
Hey there, SunCast listeners! As those of us here in the United States of America gather around the table on this Thanksgiving Day, I wanted to take a moment…
- SunCast
Bonus: Feed Drop: Earthlings 2.0 Featuring Lisa Ann Pinkerton with Virginia Klausmeier, on Future Proofing the EV Battery
In this bonus episode, we’ll introduce you to the Earthlings 2.0 podcast with Lisa Ann Pinkerton, which is now a part of REsource Labs, our Creator Network! In…
- SunCast
650: How do Transferable Tax Credits Work? Billy Lee of Reunion Infrastructure
Tax equity has long presented barriers for distributed energy projects to access financing. However, a new provision in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) now…
- SunCast
649: What is a Gravity Battery? Energy Vault’s CEO, Robert Piconi, explains
Did you know that more than 90% of today’s energy storage technology is based on a 140+ year-old concept? Care to guess what that is? Hint - has to do with…
- SunCast
648: Scaling Carbon Capture, Innovation & Entrepreneurial spirit, with Damian Beauchamp of 8 Rivers
With carbon emissions from heavy industry and power generation at record highs, reducing industrial emissions on a large scale is imperative. Pioneering this…
- SunCast
647: Solar CAN track with Mother Nature’s curves! Nevados CEO, Yezin Taha & RenewComm’s Peter Kelley
Utility-Scale solar has predominantly been developed on flat terrain due in part because conventional solar trackers are not well-suited for undulating…
- SunCast
646: Build Vs Buy, Why DNV acquired this weather-tech startup, and what it means for Solar
Timing is everything along with finding a gap in the market! Before 2016 not much work was going into real-time tracking and forecasting of clouds using…
SunCast645: How To Survive The Residential Solar Crash, expert opinion from REC & EnergySage
High interest rates and inflation have had a major impact on market potential for residential solar customers this year. Unfortunately, Homeowners generally…
- SunCast
644: Concentrating Solar Isn’t Dead, Heliogen proves it! Christie Obiaya, CEO
Over a decade ago, the majority of the large scale solar projects announced, in the queue across the US and backed by major PE firms were not the flat panel PV…
- SunCast
643: Understanding the Residential Solar Sales Downturn in 2023 with Scott Nguyen, Stan Pipkin, and Rachel Finn
As interest rates rose, residential solar companies’ sales have declined, with figures down by 5-10% compared to previous years. For many, it’s possibly the…
- SunCast
642: Gravity Batteries: The Future of Energy Storage? with Energy Vault CEO, Robert Piconi
It’s a foregone conclusion at this point that to reach the necessary level of renewable energy penetration on the grid that will meaningfully address climate…
- SunCast
641: Introducing American-Made Solar Prize Winners Round 6!
Innovative technologies are key to driving the clean energy transition. Prizes like the American-Made Solar Prize offered through the Dept. of Energy’s Solar…
- SunCast
640: Why Fluence Continues to Outperform the Market, with President of Americas - John Zahurancik
Few companies have contributed to the progress being made toward more scalable battery storage solutions than Fluence Energy (FLNC). With a deep heritage in…
- SunCast
639: Expert Panel Decodes the Complexities of Solar Project Development
Solar developers often find themselves encountering complex project challenges, including varying regulations across jurisdictions, obtaining community…
- SunCast
638: Breaking the “glass ceiling”: More Women in Clean Energy Leadership!
In today's fast-evolving, tech-driven world, there is a need for diverse perspectives more than ever before. While the renewable energy sector advances at a…
- SunCast
637: Expert Panel: The critical role of Storytelling in YOUR company (you can’t have marketing without it!)
In a world dominated by technology and data, we often lose sight that people are at the heart of the matter. Building connections & partnerships in communities…
- SunCast
636: Insider's Guide to Renewables M&A and the Storage Markets: KeyBanc Capital Markets Directors Weigh In
As clean energy continues to dominate global conversations, understanding the intricacies of this high-growth sector are more critical than ever. Supply chain…
- SunCast
635: RE+’23 Recap: Industry Pulse with Nate Jovanelly
I finally got around to a complete recap and takeaways from this year’s RE+ main event, a milestone in the clean energy industry that saw an astounding…
- SunCast
634: Simplifying On-Site Energy for Businesses; VECKTA may be the first ‘platform’ to do it!
While businesses grapple with skyrocketing energy costs, increasingly frequent power outages, and mounting pressure to reduce carbon emissions, clean energy &…
- SunCast
633: You NO LONGER Work in the Solar Industry, here’s why, with Jigar Shah of the DOE (RE+ Rewind)
The solar energy sector is witnessing momentous identify shifts. I’d call it an identity crisis, but we’re not that far yet. Jigar Shah, however, might be so…
- SunCast
632: RE+ Daily Morning & Roundup Shows - Day 3
The next best thing to being at RE+ Vegas, is catching the PowerUp Live Show. Get the lowdown from Nico for the PowerUp Morning Show, LIVE with Nico Johnson &…
- SunCast
631: RE+ Daily Morning & Roundup Shows - Day 2
The next best thing to being at RE+ Vegas, is catching the PowerUp Live Show. Get the lowdown from Nico and Lisa Ann Pinkerton for the PowerUp Morning Show…
- SunCast
630: RE+ Daily Morning & Roundup Shows - Day 1
The next best thing to being at RE+ Vegas, is catching the PowerUp Live Show. Get the lowdown from Nico and Lisa Ann Pinkerton for the PowerUp Morning Show…
- SunCast
629: Optimize & Automate Solar Development with PVcase, the next Solar SaaS Unicorn
Let’s be honest, the rapidly accelerating demand for clean, renewable energy has outpaced the development and implementation processes in the solar sector. As…
- SunCast
628: Is the Workforce Dilemma OVERHYPED? Industry Experts Weigh In at RE+ Mid Atlantic
In this special episode recorded from the tradeshow floor at RE+ Mid Atlantic, we explore a pressing question: Is there a workforce issue in the solar…
- SunCast
627: “Tikkun Olam” How Martin Pochtaruk is ‘repairing the world’ through Heliene, one solar panel at a time
What can the solar industry learn from the efficiency and scalability that have characterized the oil and gas industries for the last hundred years? As the…
- SunCast
626: RE+ 2023 VEGAS! Know Before You Go: Your Guide for the Biggest Show Yet
It’s that wonderful time of the year folks! With just two weeks left before the monumental annual pilgrimage to the RE+ Trade Show (this year in Las Vegas!)…
- SunCast
625: Mike Hall on Borrego Solar’s “People before Strategy” Corporate Culture, and His Leadership Playbook for 2 Decades of Dominance
You’d be hard-pressed to find someone in the solar industry who hasn’t heard of, worked for, competed against, or just stood in awe at the company today’s…