The Energy Show

When you electrify your home – with a heat pump HVAC system, EV charger, induction cooktop or heat pump water heater – your demand for electricity will go up. Duh. Or as Tim Allen would say: “I need more power.”Incentives as part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) help reduce the "upfront" costs of these electrification upgrades. But the only way to reduce the "operating" costs of these new electrical appliances is with more solar power on your roof. But upgrading an old solar system is not for the faint of heart. New solar inverters and panels are unlikely to be compatible with your existing system. Your utility may restrict the number of panels you can add. And sometimes your electrical service may require an upgrade to handle the higher power output from your upgraded solar system. Keep in mind these three recommendations. First, it is relatively easy to add a battery to an existing system. Second, seriously consider replacing the entire system if it is over 15 years old. And third, work with an experienced solar installer who’s familiar with older equipment.For the nitty gritty details about upgrading your existing solar system, please tune into this week’s Energy Show.

Yes, definitely. Heat pumps are literally and figuratively cool. And without a doubt, the best time to consider installing a heat pump is when your AC (or furnace) dies.Heat pumps do double duty, providing both heating and cooling. They offer significant savings and improved comfort -- which I confirmed first hand after my old outdoor air conditioner compressor died. Replacing both my old AC and gas furnace with a heat pump was one of the best home improvements I’ve ever made. The system operates almost silently, has better temperature control throughout my house, and my heating and cooling bills are down significantly.New heat pump models use inverter-based variable speed compressors with efficiencies in excess of 350%. These high system efficiencies mean that your total heating and cooling costs will almost always be lower with a heat pump than an ordinary AC and gas furnace. And from a comfort standpoint, with mini-split models you can even heat/cool individual rooms in your house!Sure, a basic AC replacement might seem cheaper initially. But keep in mind, federal tax credits and state rebates (part of the Inflation Reduction Act) will bring down the cost of your heat pump installation by $2k-$10k. So in most cases it makes sense to price out a heat pump when your AC fails in the summer, or your furnace fails in the winter.Want to learn more? Tune in to the full podcast at EnergyShow.Biz and discover why heat pumps are the smart choice when your AC can longer stand the heat.

Since our worldwide economy depends on a steady supply of fossil fuels — oil, gasoline, natural gas, LNG, jet fuel — even the mere threat of disruption can cause a large and long-term increase in energy costs. Especially energy that is generated from burning hydrocarbon molecules, which have to be physically transported in pipelines and tankers. But not so much for energy that is generated from photons (I bet you know where I’m going with this).During the first two weeks in March, 2026, Iranian drones set ablaze four oil tankers with a combined total of about 750,000 barrels of petroleum products. That’s less than 1% of the world’s daily petroleum consumption. Nevertheless, the price of oil went up by 40%. Not because of a real supply shock, but because of the new uncertainty about future oil supplies and prices.No one really knows how long Iran will be able to threaten shipping and energy production throughout the Persian Gulf. Until there is peace in that region there will be uncertainty about fossil fuel energy prices. But there are ways to reduce this uncertainty and avoid energy price spikes.In this episode:• Why U.S. fuel prices rise in the U.S. even when we are the biggest oil producer in the world. Hint: the solar and battery tax credits (still available) were a quid pro quo for fossil fuel exports.• How global oil and natural gas markets determine prices — not political jawboning.• How rising natural gas prices affect electricity and food costs.• Why solar, batteries, and electric vehicles reduce exposure to fossil fuel volatility.To cap it all off, we’ll explain what you can do to isolate your home and business from skyrocketing energy costs.

Sean Gallagher, Senior VP of Policy at SEIA and former California regulator, explains shifting market realities after federal tax credit changes. He covers evolving financing models like leases, PPAs and loans. State policy actions, permitting and interconnection streamlining, plug-in balcony solar safety, and how local solar+storage can serve data centers are highlighted in lively discussion.

After more than four decades in the solar industry, Barry Cinnamon breaks down the most common mistakes made by solar installers and homeowners and how to avoid them to ensure long-term performance, savings, and peace of mind. In this episode of The Energy Show, you’ll learn: • The installation mistakes that can cause leaks or system failures • Why some systems are oversized or undersized • How shading, roof orientation, and design affect performance • The truth about solar loans, leases, and payment escalators • How to compare quotes using price per watt • What to look for in a reliable solar installer • How to avoid high-pressure sales tactics If you want solar that delivers maximum savings and reliability for 25+ years, this episode is essential. Like, Comment & Subscribe Today!

A lively breakdown of the Trillion Trees idea, weighing the science of carbon sequestration against staggering land, cost, and timeline demands. It examines how many trees would be needed, the risks like logging and wildfires, and political and social roadblocks. The conversation contrasts tree planting with faster climate fixes, arguing for prioritizing fossil fuel cuts and smarter land use.

Consider the poor photons! If your panels are dirty you are causing trillions of premature photonic deaths when they collide with dirt molecules. Please give those photons the chance to knock an electron loose from an eager semi-conductor. Instead of being converted to heat and banished to quantum hell.Save The Photons. Clean Your Solar PanelsAfter just a week, your panels might look slightly dusty. But a light coating of dust doesn't significantly block sunlight. However, severe grime, especially on low-tilt panels, can slash your output by over 25%!You can’t save all the photons all the time, but by watching your solar monitoring system you can tell mathematically -- as well as visually -- when your panels should be cleaned. If you have a larger system in an area with high electric rates and a dry climate, the economics of cleaning become more favorable.When it comes to cleaning solar panels there’s lots of bad advice on the internet…and even from manufacturers. On this week’s podcast we address WHEN you should clean your solar panels, as well as HOW. Please tune into the full “Save The Photons” podcast at www.energyshow.biz. And keep these three things in mind: safety, the type of water, and the best cleaning agents.Like, Comment & Subscribe Today!

Unfortunately, there are a few "quick buck" solar companies that take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners. These ten tips will help you avoid these scam artists -- and get the best solar and battery installation for your home or business.1. Beware of the word “Free”2. Beware of TGTBT pricing and financing3. Don’t sign up on the spot4. Do not trust quotes generated completely online5. Beware of “free maintenance and cleaning” commitments6. Beware of optimistic system savings7. Research the company that manufacturers the solar panels you will install8. Research the company that manufactures battery SYSTEM you will install9. Understand your backup power strategy10. Do your own research on applicable incentives, credits and financing optionsDon’t let a bad deal or poor installation quality ruin your solar investment. Tune into this week's podcast at www.energyshow.biz

This week on The Energy Show, we’re talking about solar + battery systems not just the equipment, but the customer service and troubleshooting that keeps these systems performing year after year.Traditional “solar-only” systems can be wonderfully simple and reliable. But when you add batteries (plus transfer switches, CTs, load management, apps, and firmware), you also add more moving parts and that means it’s helpful to know what’s normal, what’s fixable, and what’s worth upgrading.Barry is joined by the Cinnamon Energy Systems service team Frank Teague, Lucas Cordero, Lily Cinnamon, and Yvette Res for a practical, real-world conversation on what we see in the field and what homeowners can do to stay ahead of issues.In this episode:• Why batteries add complexity (hardware + software + communication)• The truth about warranties (what’s covered and what usually isn’t)• The most common “no production” scenario: it’s often monitoring/communication• Why we often recommend waiting 48-72 hours before assuming the worst• Firmware updates: why they matter and why they can be tricky• Roof leaks, critters, and prevention tips • When older systems (15+ years) may be better replaced than “patched”• Cleaning + shade + winter production: what “normal” looks like seasonally• VPPs + battery calibration cycles: why batteries sometimes discharge unexpectedlyLike, Comment & Subscribe Today!

Rooftop solar, net metering, and clean energy policies are being dismantled across the U.S. From the effective cancellation of the Inflation Reduction Act to broken contracts and financial clawbacks, fossil-fuel interests are pushing hard to regain control of our energy system.This week on The Energy Show, Barry Cinnamon is joined by Bernadette Del Chiaro, Senior Vice President at the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and former Executive Director of CALSSA, for a powerful, no-nonsense conversation about what’s really happening—and how consumers can push back.• Why utilities are attacking rooftop solar and net metering• The truth behind the “cost-shift” myth• EWG’s landmark lawsuit against the California Public Utilities Commission• How bad utility policy drove 17,000+ solar job losses• The rise of balcony solar / plug-in solar and why utilities fear it• Why decentralized energy = cheaper, safer, more reliable power• What California (and the rest of the country) must do nextLike, Comment & Subscribe Today!