The Energy Show

The podcast explores women's contributions to the energy transition, focusing on Jeanine Cotter's leadership in solar. They discuss challenges in installing solar in urban areas like San Francisco, addressing parking issues and permitting hurdles. Jeanine's journey from a lawyer to leading a successful solar company highlights the importance of navigating industry regulations. The conversation also delves into personal interests and civic engagement in San Francisco.

The Learning Curve for understanding home batteries and solar systems is steep. Your battery system education will require mastering at least twice as much jargon, TLAs (that’s Three Letter Acronyms), specifications and industry gossip than ordinary solar systems. So if you don’t want to get bamboozled by an aggressive salesperson, this week’s podcast is a great place to start. Some of the topics and questions include: * What is the best way for me to expand my existing solar system? * What are the important assumptions -- such as shading, battery location and equipment compatibility — that I should verify with my salesperson? * How long will my battery last during a blackout? Can my backup battery start large equipment, such as my AC or pool pumps? * What’s the difference between AC- and DC-coupled battery systems, and why should I care? * What changes do I need t make to add a battery to my existing solar system? * What are the building code and fire code restrictions on battery installations in my city? * Can I install two batteries alongside my house or in my garage? * Should I install an Essential Loads Panel, or just go with Whole Home Backup? *How can I connect a generator to my batter system? * What are my alternatives to doing an electric service upgrade? Answers to the questions above are not obvious, and vary significantly based on your location, existing solar equipment, and the electrical wiring in your house. For all the details, please tune into this week’s Energy Show podcast at www.energyshow.biz.

The Utility Empire is striking back. As a result, the rooftop solar industry is experiencing its first decline in growth ever. In California alone the end of Net Metering has resulted in an 80% drop in rooftop installations and 17,000 job losses among passionate Rebel solar installers. Utilities in other states are following California’s lead, leveraging their Death Star-caliber monopoly powers and millions in lobbying money to further reduce competition. Even though we need rooftop solar more than ever, this solar industry decline may leave both new and existing customers in the lurch. New solar and battery customers have fewer, although some will say better, choices. And people with existing systems may find that their original installer is no longer around to support their system. Jedi Geoff Greenfield from Kokosing Solar joins us on this week’s Energy Show. His suggestions will help both new and existing customers continue to benefit from money-saving solar and storage systems. He points out that there are still thousands of established local solar companies all around the country with the Force to be able to support their existing customers — as well as orphan customers. Here's the bottom line: if you're investing in solar, you need to choose wisely. There is a Dark Side to the cheapest or fastest solar and storage internet deal. In some cases the companies pitching these systems may not have the resources to complete your system, no less support it for its 25 year projected life. What may seem like a too good to be true deal may very likely cost you in the long run. Please tune in to the full podcast at www.energyshow.biz for Geoff’s wisdom and solutions for the best ways to navigate these changes in the solar and storage industry.

This week we’re talking about World Domination. Domination of energy production, that is. In the re-scrambled words of the wise and infamous Dr. Evil: “Why make Gigawatts when we can make…Terrawatts!” Indeed, solar is on track to completely dominate electricity generation. Solar is growing faster than wind, nuclear and LNG ever did. Alternatives to solar such as nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, CO2 capture and sequestration (CCS), and CO2 direct air capture (DAC) are way too expensive and very slow to scale to meet our needs. And with batteries sited with solar, we’ve solved the problems of intermittency and power when the sun is down. Costs for rooftop solar and storage are continuing to decline as manufacturing scale increases. According to the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), rooftop solar can meet 45% of our energy needs. The rest can be easily met with utility scale solar. So as long as we aggressively pursue deployments of BOTH rooftop and utility solar and storage, there is no doubt in my mind that by 2050 our society will be almost completely powered by solar. For more about Solar Power World Domination, listen to the full podcast at www.energyshow.biz.

Solar energy is not free, despite deceptive advertising. False advertising tactics and potential scams in the solar industry are discussed. The disadvantages of a disaggregated business model for solar installations are highlighted. Challenges in the solar business are identified, including financing and cuts in incentives.

Factors to consider when choosing solar panels, including efficiency, cost-effectiveness, aesthetics, and reliability. Importance of local installers and their objective advice. Significance of warranty and the changing landscape of solar panel manufacturers. Comparison of solar panel types, manufacturers, and the importance of high-quality panels. Analysis of different solar panel brands, their efficiency, pricing, ownership, and reliability.

In this podcast, the host discusses the recent 28.4% electric rate increase in California and blames politicians for accepting contributions from utilities. They connect these contributions to various negative impacts, including anti-solar laws, hostile rooftop solar policies, and the crash of California's rooftop solar industry. The podcast also explores the consequences of distant utility-scale solar on electric rates, such as job losses and a budget deficit, and suggests solutions for consumers, including relying on rooftop solar and batteries.

I’ve added electrification predictions for 2024 to my customary set of solar and storage predictions. Electrification incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) are already starting to drive demand for heat pumps and electrical upgrades, just as tax credits accelerated the solar and EV markets in the past. So here I go again sticking my neck out with these ten home energy predictions for 2024: EVs will be equipped with integrated 240-volt generators for home backup and evening power Heat pump sales will surge by 25% Fewer than half of the newly announced clean energy manufacturing plants will be completed Utilities in other states will follow California’s lead to end Net Metering Residential solar revenues in California will plunge by 50% A national-scale solar installation company will file for bankruptcy Tesla will claw its way into the U.S. inverter business Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) and Vehicle to Grid (V2G) will not gain traction The residential battery system business will consolidate It’s Game Over for fossil fuels For more details on my Home Energy Predictions for 2024, please go to www.EnergyShow.biz.

Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of heat pump water heaters, including their efficiency and installation process. Discover different types of water heaters and the benefits of heat pump options. Explore considerations and options for heat pump water heaters, such as dedicated electric circuits and plug-in alternatives. Gain insights into the installation process, building permits, and available incentives.

The podcast discusses the urgent need to reduce CO2 emissions to combat global warming. It highlights the resistance from fossil fuel companies and countries to transition away from fossil fuels. The podcast also explores the challenges of utility growth and power transmission and offers strategies to address them, such as promoting rooftop solar and storage systems and advocating for widespread solar and storage deployment.