The Energy Show

Barry Cinnamon
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Oct 15, 2025 • 40min

Cut Costs, Close Faster: Chris Hopper’s 2026 Solar Playbook

The 30% residential tax credit is ending in 2026—and the rules around commercial credits, domestic content, and safe harbor are tightening. What now? Aurora Solar’s CEO & Co-founder Chris Hopper joins Barry to lay out a practical plan for installers and homeowners: cut soft costs with software, speed up project cycles, and choose financing that fits the new reality.What you’ll learnWhy lease/PPA will surge in 2026—and how to prepareHow project velocity (lead→cash) beats panel price cutsAurora’s latest: instant plan sets, financing integrations, and smarter battery modelingThe new homeowner decision tree: buy now vs. lease laterHow to sell on accuracy & trust (not just lowest price)Like, Comment & Subscribe Today!
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Oct 8, 2025 • 37min

Top Products from RE+ 2025: Solar Panels, Home Batteries & Balcony Solar

RE+ (formerly Solar Power International) brought together over 40,000 energy enthusiasts in Las Vegas this year. From cutting-edge home batteries to balcony and plug-in solar systems, the industry is buzzing with products that are practical, reliable, and ready for homeowners now.On this week’s Energy Show, Barry Cinnamon shares his Top Product Picks from RE+ 2025 — technologies that check all the boxes: affordability, reliability, ease of installation, and real benefits for your home or business.You’ll learn:• Why solar panel costs have dropped by 150x over the past 25 years• The truth about solar panel quality, warranties, and manufacturer stability• Which home battery systems (Tesla, Enphase, Franklin) are market leaders in reliability• The rise of balcony & plug-in solar systems — and why they’re booming in Europe and coming soon to U.S. homes• Practical advice on how to choose solar and battery systems that will last decadesIf you couldn’t attend RE+ 2025 in Vegas, this episode brings the show floor straight to your ears.Don’t miss Barry’s expert take on the products that matter most for today’s homeowners and tomorrow’s clean-energy future.
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Oct 1, 2025 • 52min

Turmoil for Home Solar Loans, Leases and PPAs

Dan Javan Explains the Mad Scramble for Solar Financing in 2026.The “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB) killed the 30% tax credit for residential solar. With no more residential tax credits as of 1/1/2026, the demand for solar financing will be higher than ever. But the supply of easy financing is constrained by safe harbor headaches, higher interest rates and questions about domestic content.What does this mean?Solar loans, credit unions and cash purchases will be 30% more expensive in 2026Leases and PPAs using the commercial tax credit structure can still get the 30% credit, but added financing and project complexity can eat up half of the incentive or moreSince the supply of financing is limited, installers looking to switch to leases and PPAs may have to work with unproven finance providersHow slow-paying solar financing companies can kill a solar installer’s businessTo help make sense of this, Barry sits down with Dan Javan, former CEO of Suntuity and one of the smartest voices in solar finance. Together, they break down the mad scramble that manufacturers, finance companies and installers are going through as they get ready to finance the future demand for residential solar and battery systems.
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Sep 24, 2025 • 27min

McCalmont’s EV + Microgrid Musings

In this episode of The Energy Show with Barry Cinnamon, Barry speaks with Tom McCalmont, CEO of McCalmont Engineering and co-founder of Paired Power, an innovative microgrid and EV charging company.Together, they break down how the elimination of the 30% residential solar tax credit and restrictions on commercial projects will reshape solar — and why smart companies must adapt now to survive in 2026 and beyond.Here’s what you’ll learn:Why microgrids are key to reliability and resilienceHow data centers and load growth will drive solar demandWhy level 2 chargers and solar-powered microgrids are the real solutionDiversifying into HVAC, storage, and serviceWhat to do when revenue drops 30% overnightWhy the future is still bright for solar and storage
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Sep 17, 2025 • 28min

How to Avoid the Solar Cliff with Jeff Wolfe

In this episode of The Energy Show with Barry Cinnamon, Barry reconnects with Jeff Wolfe, clean-tech veteran, founder of GroSolar, longtime SEIA board member, and now managing partner at Wolf Yates & Co. Together, they unpack what contractors and homeowners need to know as the 30% residential solar tax credit disappears in 2026.Here’s what you’ll learn:• OBBB 101 – Why cash and loan solar prices jump 30% in 2026• Why batteries may become the financial backbone of solar installs• Contractor survival playbook – AI-driven marketing, cutting acquisition costs, diversifying into heat pumps & electrification• Financing shake-up – Why shady solar loans disappear, and what comes next• EVs as backup batteries – the untapped “fourth source” of home power•  How reliability sells – why blackouts and rising rates make batteries irresistible• The big picture – Solar without subsidies will still thrive, and the transition is unstoppableLike, Comment & Subscribe Today!#OBBB #SolarCliff #SolarEnergy #CleanEnergy #SolarTaxCredit #BatteryStorage #EVCharging #VehicleToGrid #Electrification #HeatPumps #SolarContractors #SolarInstallers #HomeElectrification #SolarPolicy #EnergyShow #BarryCinnamon #JeffWolfe
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Sep 3, 2025 • 32min

OBBB Fallout: Tom Werner on Surviving the Solar Shake-Up

In this week’s episode of The Energy Show with Barry Cinnamon, we break down how the elimination of the 30% residential solar tax credit and new commercial restrictions are shaking up the entire solar industry.Joining Barry is Tom Werner, former CEO & Chairman of SunPower, one of the most respected leaders in solar. Together they cover:What the OBBB really means for homeowners and contractorsWhy 2025 might be a record-breaking year for installs — and what happens in 2026How smart solar companies can pivot to full-home electrification The future of TPO, storage, and repowering How to survive and thrive when margins shrink and policies shift The critical role of software, service, and future-proof equipment Why policy (and CALSSA) matters more than everWhether you’re a solar contractor, energy investor, or homeowner trying to understand the future of rooftop solar — this conversation has real-world insights from two industry veterans.Like, Comment & Subscribe Today!
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Aug 27, 2025 • 51min

EV Batteries + Solar = The New Backup Plan

Raghu Belur, co-founder and chief product officer at Enphase, shares insights on the rapid evolution of home energy systems. He discusses the importance of Gen 4 and Gen 5 batteries and how smart microinverters are shaping the future of solar and storage. Belur highlights the significance of bidirectional EV charging and the role of software in enhancing battery ROI. He emphasizes that battery storage is becoming essential for installers, paving the way for energy independence in the U.S. as tax credits fade and utility rates climb.
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Aug 14, 2025 • 0sec

Solar + Battery Distributors Throw A Lifeline To Contractors

Dan Fadden, co-founder of Green Tech Renewables (CED), shares vital insights from his extensive experience in the solar industry. He discusses the impending end of the 30% residential tax credit and its implications for installers and homeowners. Fadden reveals how new financing restrictions may reshape the market and emphasizes the need for strategic partnerships. With advice on managing risks, navigating supply chain chaos, and ensuring readiness for 2026, he provides smart questions for homeowners considering solar, making this a must-listen for all in the sector.
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Aug 13, 2025 • 44min

The OBBB and the End of Solar and Battery Tax Credits — Insights From Corey Geiger, COO of Enstall

Welcome to the next episode in our continuing series examining the devastating impact on the solar industry embedded in the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” or OBBB as described in polite terms. We’re interviewing experts in the solar and battery industry throughout the entire value chain. If you’re a homeowner looking for solar, a contractor installing solar and battery systems, or a manufacturer/service provider, this series is for you as you plan for the future.This week’s guest is Corey Geiger, Chief Operating Officer at Enstall—the largest rooftop solar racking company in the world. Enstall is the parent company of IronRidge, EcoFasten, Quickmount, and PanelClaw. If there’s anyone who understands how to get solar panels on roofs faster, cheaper, and with fewer headaches, it’s Corey. With a background that includes Soligent and Sparq Systems, Corey brings a rare, full-stack view of the industry—from racking and inverters to distribution and deployment.Corey shares proven strategies for contractors to stay profitable as the 30% residential tax credit disappears. He dives into what you can do now to reduce costs, streamline operations, and differentiate your solar business in a tighter, post-OBBB market. We also cover:How to prepare for price increases and product shortages in 2026The smart way to handle cash customers, financing, and leases post-ITCWhy branding, service, and installer stability matter more than everTune into this week’s Energy Show to hear how the most successful contractors are staying ahead—and why the race to complete projects before the end of 2025 could make or break your solar season.
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Aug 6, 2025 • 51min

The OBBB and the End of Solar and Battery Tax Credits — Insights From Jeff Spies at Planet Plansets

Welcome to the next episode in our continuing series examining the devastating impact on the solar industry embedded in the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” or OBBB as described in polite terms. We’re interviewing experts in the solar and battery industry throughout the entire value chain. If you’re a homeowner looking for solar, a contractor installing solar and battery systems, or a manufacturer/service provider, this series is for you as you plan for the future.On this week’s show we're joined by Jeff Spies, President of Planet Plansets. If you didn’t know, Planet Plansets creates the engineering plan sets that are essential to getting the building permit needed for every code-compliant solar and battery system. Not only is Jeff an expert in designing residential and commercial solar systems, he’s also the Executive Producer of “Solar Roots,” the first documentary movie on the early days of the solar industry.Jeff shares his journey from telemarketing solar water heaters to shaping solar policy as a Board Member with the California Solar and Storage Association. Jeff explains:Why California utilities can legally CUT OFF your powerThe unpleasant truth about permitting and interconnection delaysFEOC and what this requirement means for battery systemsPlease tune into this week’s Energy Show for Jeff’s tips and secrets to get your solar projects through permitting and installed before the end of the year.

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