Sean White‘s Solar and Energy Storage Podcast

The residential solar tax credit (25D) is gone, but commercial solar tax credits are still alive! In this podcast, we break down the critical deadlines and requirements for the 30% Investment Tax Credit (ITC) under the modified Inflation Reduction Act.   Topics Covered IRA = Inflation Reduction Act ITC = Investment Tax Credit Commercial Tax Credit Residential Tax Credit Section 48E TPO = Third Party Ownership TPO = Thermoplastic Polyolefin The 5% Rule Bonus adders Standalone Storage Tax Credit Prevailing Wage & Apprenticeships Physical Work Test FEOC = Foreign Entity of Concern OBBB = One Big Beautiful Act   Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean www.solarsean.com/30hr2023nec www.solarsean.com/esip

Titan Containers has developed the Arctic Store Horizon, a solar-powered refrigerated container that reduces energy consumption by over 50% through integrated photovoltaic panels, vacuum insulation, and environmentally friendly refrigerant technology. This episode explores the engineering innovations behind sustainable cold storage, including applications in food preservation, pharmaceutical storage, and potential solutions for crop loss in developing regions. The discussion covers technical aspects of solar integration, mobile battery storage concepts, and the business case for reducing both operational costs and environmental impact in temperature-controlled logistics. Learn how container technology is evolving to address global sustainability challenges.   Topics Covered Titan Containers www.titancontainers.com Containers ESS = Energy Storage System Arctic Store Horizon Refrigeration Cold Storage and Hot Storage Battery Portable Energy Solar on Container Grid   Reach out to Søren Mogensen here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/s%C3%B8ren-skov-mogensen Website: www.titancontainers.com   Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean solarsean.com/sfev

Inspired by the Colbert Report, where Stephen pretends to be a right wing show host, in this podcast, Sean pretends to be an oil-loving, dinosaur-loving, coal-rolling podcaster and delivers some really stupidly funny and immature podcasting. He makes fun of people that might be even dumber than himself.   Topics Covered Fossil Fuel Dinosaurs Oil Global Cooling Sea Level Rising EV = Electric Vehicle Privatizing Sunshine   Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean www.solarsean.com/pvip www.solarsean.com/esip

Interconnection regulations are quietly blocking solar projects across America. Vaughan Woodruff, distributed energy resources consultant and former VP of Regulatory Reform at IREC, reveals why outdated utility rules are stalling clean energy adoption. Discover how Maine became #2 nationally for solar capacity per capita, why Delaware's community solar program failed spectacularly, and which technical solutions could unlock grid capacity without expensive upgrades. This conversation explores the regulatory maze where only 37 states have formal interconnection standards, each different, many decades old. Learn why smart policy matters as much as smart inverters for achieving our renewable energy future.   Topics Covered DER = Distributed Energy Resources Interconnection ESS = Energy Storage System EV = Electric Vehicle Diablo Canyon Inverter Heatspring Utility Grid ISO = Independent System Operator SREC = Solar Renewable Energy Certificate Renewable Energy Certificates Market EquinoxDG www.linkedin.com/company/equinoxdg IREC = Interstate Renewable Energy Council CCA = Community Choice Aggregiation Paul Finn Balcony Solar Interconnection Agreement Guerilla Solar Home Power Magazine Podcast with Alfred Ignacio (AI) Apple Podcast YouTube Spotify Pandora Podbean   Podcast with Khanti Munro Apple Podcast YouTube Spotify Pandora Podbean  Podcast with Paul Fenn Part 1 YouTube Podbean  Podcast with Paul Fenn Part 2 YouTube Podbean   Reach out to Vaughan Woodruff here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vaughan-woodruff-9a7a0821/  EquinoxDG: www.linkedin.com/company/equinoxdg   Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean www.solarsean.com/pvip www.solarsean.com/esip

Phil Horwitch of AMH Holdings discusses utility-scale solar engineering, covering their work on 1 gigawatt of projects in 2025. Topics include the dramatic shift toward standalone battery storage, the engineering trade-offs of large-format modules (up to 700 watts), tracker systems with bifacial panels, and grading challenges. Phil explains how bigger modules reduce earthwork costs, shares insights on hail protection strategies, and reflects on the solar industry's newfound resilience and maturity in the face of political and market pressures.   Topics Covered AMH Holdings Utility Scale Projects Market ESS = Energy Storage System Tracker Photovoltaic Module Size Hailstorm UL Testing Golf Ball String Inverters vs Central Inverters   Reach out to Phil Horwitch here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/phil-horwitch   Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean www.solarsean.com/pvip www.solarsean.com/esip

In this episode, Dr. Laura A. Ward, Ph.D. in electrical engineering, and Sean White explore the practical realities of grid-forming inverters and their role in modernizing power grids. Drawing from her experience in Puerto Rico during Hurricane Maria and her work as a Ph.D. intern on the analysis and modeling team for the PR100 project, Dr. Ward discusses the technical and policy challenges of adopting IEEE 1547-2018 and integrating renewable energy at scale. The conversation covers grid resilience, the importance of updated standards, and the future of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs). Listeners will gain insight into how the next-generation of power electronics technologies are being designed and implemented to create more reliable, sustainable, and resilient energy systems.   Topics Covered - Grid-Forming Inverter Technology for enabling more integration of renewables - Dr. Ward’s career and her Ph.D. in electrical engineering under the supervision of Dr. Stephen Bayne at Texas Tech University in Lubbock - Experience as a Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) intern - Impact of Hurricane Maria - Former University of Puerto Rico Teaching Assistant in Mayaguez Campus - Former Arizona State University (ASU) Research Assistant in Tempe - Resilience hubs, reliability, and stability studies - EIF Fellow at DOEE adopting and implementing the IEEE Standard 1547-2018 for DC grid modernization   Dr. Ward is an evangelist, technology innovator, and application engineer. Regarding the adoption of standards, she notes that Washington, D.C. has one of the most complex secondary network grids in the country, making the implementation of IEEE 1547-2018 significantly harder than in a suburban radial grid. Dr. Ward provided the technical leadership and engineering solutions to adopt IEEE 1547-2018 in the District of Columbia, specifically overcoming the technical barriers of high-density secondary networks to enable 100% decarbonization goals by 2032 and 15% solar generation by 2041.   Technical Contribution Citation: "For leadership in supporting the adoption and applying IEEE 1547-2018 to complex urban secondary networks, enabling the transition to high-penetration renewable energy systems." — Dr. Laura A. Ward   Reach out to Dr. Ward here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/drlaura-ward ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4550-1581 Instagram: stem.laurandre   Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean www.solarsean.com/pvip www.solarsean.com/esip

Join Clean Counts’ leadership as they discuss the real-world impact of renewable energy certificates (RECs) on today’s energy markets. This episode explores how robust verification, evolving market demands, and new attributes like pollinator-friendly certifications are shaping the sector. The conversation details how Clean Counts’ systems operate, the economic and policy context, and the practical implications for renewable energy producers and buyers nationwide.   Topics Covered Clean Counts www.cleancounts.org REC = Renewable Energy Certificate SREC = Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (Solar Energy Certificates Market) Clean Energy Verification Utility Pollinator Friendly SREC Agrivoltaic IPA = Illinois Power Authority Illinois Adjustable Block Program Voluntary vs. Compliance Markets Net Metering Alternative Compliance Payment Hourly Matching / Time-based RECs Energy Storage and RECs Co-benefits (Pollinator, Water Quality, Tribal Lands, Localized Benefits) Market-based Mechanisms for Clean Energy MISO = Midcontinent Independent System Operator Nuclear Certificates / Alternative Energy Certificates Greenhouse Gas Protocol (Annual vs. Hourly Accounting) Software Development for Clean Energy Tracking Third-party Certification and Attribute Tracking Clean Energy Standards PPA = Power Purchase Agreement State-by-State REC/SREC Programs   Reach out to Ben Gerber & Rob Davis here: Ben’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-gerber Ben’s Email: ben@cleancounts.org Rob’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/robdavis Rob’s Email: rob@cleancounts.org Website: www.cleancounts.org   Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean www.solarsean.com/pvip www.solarsean.com/esip

Join Sean White and Aaron Nichols as they turn the world of solar energy upside down with humor, stories, and a fresh take on education. Discover why facts and graphs aren’t enough, and how laughter and creativity can make even the most technical topics memorable. From fake ads to satirical brainstorms, this episode proves that learning about solar can be fun, engaging, and unforgettable. Tune in for a brighter perspective!   Topics Covered Sitcom = Situation Comedy Making Boring Stuff Fun Graphs & Acronyms Exact Solar This Week in Solar Substack www.exactsolar.substack.com The Modern Mythmaker www.themodernmythmaker.substack.com Podbean Colbert Report Solyndra Fake Advertisement Big Oil Beverly Hillbillies YouTube Channel Repurposing   Reach out to Aaron Nichols here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-nichols Substack: www.exactsolar.substack.com   Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean www.solarsean.com/pvip www.solarsean.com/esip

Join host Sean White as he sits down with Mike Haydon, CEO of The Off-Grid Shop, to explore how Australians are leading the way in solar innovation. Discover how peer to peer energy trading is empowering everyday people to share solar power with neighbors, family, and local businesses. Hear real stories about off-grid living, community microgrids, and the unique challenges and opportunities of building energy independence in Australia. Whether you’re a solar enthusiast or just curious about the future of energy, this episode offers practical insights and inspiring ideas from the front lines of the renewable revolution.   Topics Covered The Off-Grid Shop www.theoffgridshop.com Net Metering Solar in Australia Cheaper Home Batteries Solar Market Off-Grid Peer to Peer Utility Energy Lending Eco Hamlet Microgrid Battery Generator   Reach out to Mike Hayden here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mikelhaydon     Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean www.solarsean.com/pvip www.solarsean.com/esip

Sean White is joined by Alfred Ignacio, also known as AI, to discuss the proposed changes in the 2029 National Electrical Code (NEC). They cover the renumbering and restructuring of key articles, such as PV systems and energy storage, moving from familiar chapters to new ones, highlighting significant. The discussion also emphasizes the importance of understanding these new placements for professionals in the field, and humorously explores the reliability and future roles of artificial intelligence in handling NEC content. The episode wraps up with a playful interaction, affirming no AI world domination plans.   Topics covered: Article 690 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems Article 690.12 Rapid Shutdown Article 691 Large-Scale Photovoltaic (PV) Electric Supply Stations Article 692 Fuel Cell Systems Article 705 Interconnected Electric Power Production Sources Article 480 Stationary Standby Batteries Article 445 Generators Article 480 Stationary Standby Batteries Article 694 Wind Electric Systems Article 706 Energy Storage Systems Article 710 Stand-Alone Systems Article 702 Optional Standby Systems Article 100 Definitions Article 110 General Requirements for Electrical Installations Article 220 Branch-Circuit, Feeder, and Service Load Calculations Article 750 Energy Management Systems Chapter 2  Wiring and Protection Chapter 3 Wiring Methods and Materials Article 310 Conductors for General Wiring Article 200 Use and Identification of Grounded Conductors Article 210 Branch Circuits Not Over 1000 Volts ac, 1500 Volts dc, Nominal Article 215 Feeders Article 225 Outside Branch Circuits and Feeders Article 230 Services Article 240 Overcurrent Protection Article 300 General Requirements for Wiring Methods and Materials Article 330 Metal-Clad Cable: Type MC Article 334 Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cable: Types NM and NMC Article 338 Service-Entrance Cable: Types SE and USE Article 342 Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC) Article 344 Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC) Article 352 Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride Conduit (PVC) Article 356 Liquidtight Flexible Nonmetallic Conduit (LFNC) Article 358 Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT) Chapter 10 Power Systems Article 368 Busways Article 408 Switchboards, Switchgear, and Panelboards Article 450 Transformers and Transformer Vaults (Including Secondary Ties) Chapter 11 Temporary and Open Wiring Chapter 12 Devices and Distribution Equipment Chapter 13 Ligtng equipment Chapter 14 Motors and Motor-Driven Machinery Chapter 15 Electric Heating and Heating Equipment Chapter 16 Other Equipment Chapter 17 Equipment Over a Thousand Volts AC, 1500 Volts DC Chapter 18 Hazardous Locations Chapter 19 Occupancies Chapter 20  Installations Associated with Bodies of Water Chapter 21 Life Safety and Emergency Systems Chapter 22 Electrified Transport Equipment Chapter 30 Tables AI world domination plans   For more information and resources, visit www.solarSEAN.com. Interested in advancing your solar career? Get NABCEP certified with Sean’s classes at: www.heatspring.com/sean www.solarsean.com/30hr2023nec