CleanTech Talk — Solar, Batteries, EVs, AI

In this episode, Dylan McDowell, CEO of the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL), and Hawai‘i State Senator Chris Lee break down why state action matters now more than ever in the clean energy transition, how hands‑on learning is shaping real policy outcomes, and what trends are defining the 2026 legislative landscape.

Sam Calisch, engineer and founder/CEO of Copper, builds plug-in, battery-equipped induction stoves to make clean cooking accessible. He explains why induction matters and how pairing batteries avoids costly electrical upgrades. Sam describes simple 120V installs, benefits for renters and affordable housing, and real-world retrofits already underway.

If all U.S. single-family homes adopted heat pumps, it would equal taking 32 million cars off the road. But we need to 10x the current adoption pace by 2030. Quilt CEO Paul Lambert explains how his team from Google, Apple, and Nest is making heat pumps irresistible — with sleek design, 25+ SEER2 efficiency, and software that makes systems smarter over time. He also discusses Quilt's rapid scaling strategy, its $20M Series B funding round, and the new 3-zone system.

What does it really take to build a stronger, smarter, clean energy future? In this episode of CleanTech Talk, we delve into the forces shaping the next era of solar energy. With decades of experience leading in the global energy space, from ABB and Schneider Electric to Enphase and now SolarEdge, General Manager for SolarEdge North America Marty Rogers shares a ground-level view of what’s next in inverter and storage innovation, how the US can take control of its domestic solar supply chain, and why sustainability must extend beyond the rooftop. We also delve into real-world solar trends across residential, commercial, and grid services, as well as the policy, technology, and manufacturing shifts necessary to scale with impact.

The Executive Director of new energy coalition Common Charge, Mary Rafferty, talks with CleanTechnica CEO Zach Shahan about what the organization is doing and how we can continuing advancing distributed energy in the United States in 2026.

Deforestation is accelerating, biodiversity loss is at record levels, and conservation funding still falls short by more than $700 billion a year. On this episode, Dr. Drea Burbank of Savimbo and Doug Heske of Newday Financial Technologies join CleanTech Talk to discuss how a new generation of “bio-credits” could transform how the world funds nature. From the Colombian Amazon to global investors, they explore how verified biodiversity credits and transparent funding platforms are reshaping conservation — and what it will take to scale a market that finally values ecosystems for what they’re worth.

In this episode, Taiga Motors CEO and Co-Founder Sam Bruneau shares the story behind building the world’s first electric powersports company and why electrification on water and off-road matters now more than ever. From the launch of the new Orca WX3 — a versatile crossover watercraft designed for watersports and adventure — to innovations like bi-directional charging, geofencing, and speed limiting, Sam explains how electric vehicles unlock capabilities combustion could never match. He also dives into the technical challenges his team has overcome, scaling advanced battery manufacturing, and what it takes to lead the transition to clean, high-performance fun in some of the toughest environments.

Gagan Dhillon, CEO of Synop, and Zach Shahan, CEO of CleanTechnica, discuss why electric school buses are the perfect starter V2G fleet, real-world results from electric school bus V2G programs, making electric school bus (and other EV) fleets pencil out after the federal tax-credit cliff, EV fleet energy management, and more!

Exhale Fans has developed an extremely efficient (arguably the most efficient) HVAC delivery system, created with the world’s only bladeless ceiling fan. It is designed to support the energy efficiency needs of offices, hotels, airports, data centers, restaurants, schools, homes, and indoor spaces. In this fascinating interview, CleanTechnica talks with Richard Halsall, CEO and Founder of Exhale Fans.

In this episode of CleanTech Talk, CleanTechnica sits down with Founder and CEO of UbiQD, an advanced materials company powering product innovation in bifacial solar PV and controlled-environment agriculture. UbiQD has partnered with solar leader First Solar to advance solar PV technology using quantum dot technology. Additionally, the company's first product, UbiGro, is a layer of light that uses fluorescence to help plants get more from the sun in a greenhouse. Ultimately, the value proposition is about boosting crop yields and quality without the cost or energy impact of lighting. Learn much more in the full interview.