SunCast

“Storage Was Never Just an Add-On”What if we’ve been thinking too small about batteries?In this rebroadcast from RE+, Kiran Kumaraswamy, former VP of Growth at Fluence, makes a bold case for reimagining energy storage—not just as a renewable add-on, but as a foundational tool for grid transformation. Kiran breaks down how the energy storage sector evolved from supporting solar to replacing gas peakers, enhancing transmission, and becoming central to resiliency planning.  Long before the IRA supercharged the market, he was urging utilities and regulators to rethink what batteries could do—and now, we’re seeing those ideas implemented at scale.From the Inflation Reduction Act’s massive market tailwinds to the rise of virtual transmission, this conversation is loaded with strategy, foresight, and tactical insight for storage developers, grid planners, and policy leaders alike.Expect to learn:🔹 Why peaker replacement was the battery industry’s first killer app🔹 How Fluence is positioning storage as critical transmission infrastructure🔹 What the IRA’s standalone ITC means for decoupling storage from solar🔹 How domestic manufacturing and supply diversification are shaping the next phase of growthFor more conversations like this, be sure to come visit us at the PowerUp Live Stage next week at RE+ in Las Vegas!Whether you’re deep in the weeds of development or just curious about the future of grid reliability, this is one of those “listen again” episodes.Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast?Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Heading to Las Vegas for RE+ 2025? This episode is your ultimate field guide.We’ve got the inside scoop from SunCast host Nico Johnson and some of the industry leaders shaping this year’s event—from Abby Hopper’s optimistic industry outlook to Jigar Shah’s no-nonsense advice for finding your tribe in the midst of uncertainty. You’ll also hear from RE+ content architect Kathy Schott, social media guide Derek Mast, sales pro Ethan Ehlers, and Daily Morning Show co-host Lisa Ann Pinkerton as they break down how to navigate the largest clean energy show in North America.This episode will help you make the most of your time on—and off—the show floor whether a first-time visitor or a returning veteran.Expect to Learn:🔹 The mindset shift leaders like Hopper and Shah want you to embrace post-OB3🔹 What’s included in the Full Conference Pass (spoiler: it’s worth it this year)🔹 The best networking spots and new layout features like the RE+ Bridge🔹 And how the new RE+ app will [almost] literally walk you to your destinationRE+ isn’t just a tradeshow—it’s a moment of reconnection, recalibration, and reinvention. Don’t go in blind. Listen now and show up ready.See you under the bright lights!  And do come see us at the PowerUp Live Stage!Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast?Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

"You're not in the solar industry anymore."That bold declaration from Jigar Shah at RE+ 2023 sparked debate, shifted mindsets—and now, two years later, is being realized.Nico Johnson recently revisited the discussion with Jigar for a current-day check-in before diving into the full, original conversation that started it all. As the then-Director of the DOE Loan Programs Office, Jigar laid out a compelling case: the future for solar installers is not solar at all. It’s storage, VPPs, and full-blown grid integration.If you think you’re just in solar, you’re falling behind. This episode lays out why storage, grid services, and demand response are becoming the real business of clean energy—and what you need to do now to stay relevant. Jigar explains why the business model is evolving faster than most realize—and how those who embrace the shifts afoot stand to win big.Expect to learn:🔹 Why VPPs are the new normal (and why the utilities are finally playing ball)🔹 How entrepreneurs are flipping the solar+storage business model on its head🔹 Why the utilities finally care—and what they need from you🔹 Why installers must pivot from LTV/CAC to circuit-specific problem solvingWhether you're running a solar company or rethinking your clean energy strategy, this episode is a key to unlock the next decade.Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast?Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Is the U.S. solar manufacturing boom standing on a hollow foundation?In this live episode from PV ModuleTech USA, Nico sits down with solar industry veteran Arndt E. Lutz, a global exec who’s seen it all—from Germany’s early solar rise to hydrogen innovation and now leading EliTe Solar’s manufacturing efforts.Despite America’s massive build-out of module assembly plants, there's a gaping hole in the supply chain: solar cell manufacturing. Arndt lays out the challenge with clarity—and urgency. It's not just about economics. It’s water, power, permitting, and a chemical process no one’s quite ready for.If we’'re serious about reshoring manufacturing, this is critical path.Expect to learn:🔹 Why 50GW of module assembly in the U.S. means little without more cell fabs🔹 How Germany’s “right to interconnect” flipped the solar game🔹 Why permitting delays are crushing U.S. manufacturing timelines🔹 The surprising reason Texas leads in solar deployment & manufacturingThis is your front-row seat to the real challenges (and solutions) shaping the future of solar in America.Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast?Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Heat pumps are the EVs of HVAC—so why aren’t we all using them?Stephen Lake, a highly successful engineer turned climate-tech entrepreneur, is here to explain why heating and cooling is the most overlooked piece of the decarbonization puzzle.After selling his last company to Google, Stephen founded Jetson to tackle one of the biggest—and slowest-moving—sectors of home energy: HVAC. From cold-weather performance to noise, he busts the myths about heat pumps and outlines why they haven’t hit mass adoption in North America.Spoiler: it’s not the tech. It’s everything else—price, friction, contractors, complexity.Expect a crash course in sector disruption, including Jetson’s decision to build everything in-house and cut install costs by half through full-stack operations. If Tesla built HVAC, it’d look like this.🔹 What makes heat pumps 300% efficient (and why it’s not magic)🔹 The hidden friction points that stall heat pump adoption🔹 Why cold-climate performance is no longer a dealbreaker🔹 Lessons from scaling a vertically integrated climate tech startupIf you’ve ever wondered why heat pumps haven’t gone mainstream—or whether it should be part of your electrification journey—this is a conversation you can’t miss.Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast?Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

A new wave of power demand is here. Is the grid ready? And can States keep up?Doug Scott, now in his second term as Chairman of the Illinois Commerce Commission, joins Nico to share how Illinois is navigating the accelerating pace of the energy transition. From integrating energy storage to regulating gigawatt-scale data centers, the ICC isn’t moving at glacial speed anymore—it’s sprinting.Does Illinois provide a glimpse into the agency that individual States have in managing their way through this energy transition? Doug reveals the behind-the-scenes challenges of regulating clean energy deployment while keeping costs in check and reliability rock-solid. In this conversation, we unpack how Illinois plans to balance electrification, equity, and economic growth—all while trying to avoid ratepayer whiplash.  Plus, we dig into the legislation that almost passed and what’s still on the table for 2025. Expect to learn:🔹 The ripple effects of data centers on local and regional grid planning🔹 What the “beneficial electrification” agenda really means for consumers🔹 Why energy storage and VPPs are at the center of Illinois’ grid playbook🔹 How the ICC is adapting to a faster, more decentralized energy landscapeGet the full picture of Illinois’ clean energy momentum and what it means for the rest of the country. If you’ve been waiting for policy to catch up to innovation—this is the episode for you.Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast?Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Barry Cinnamon, a solar industry veteran and podcaster at Cinnamon Energy Systems, interviews Nico Johnson, who transformed from solar sales to a podcasting powerhouse. They discuss how storytelling drives audience engagement and builds influence in the clean energy sector. Nico reveals his journey of turning curiosity into a successful media brand, emphasizing that the best marketing feels authentic. The conversation also covers sponsorship strategies and how to craft genuine dialogues that resonate with listeners.

Most warranties aren’t worth the paper they’re written on.In a solar market defined by price pressure and disappearing installers, consumers are more skeptical than ever—and they’re asking smarter questions. Who’s responsible when something breaks? Will anyone answer the phone in 10 years? 5 years?In this live session, Nico Johnson sits down with Dean Chiaravallotti of Solar Insure at NABCEP 2025 to unpack how modern solar companies are rethinking service, liability, and the real value of a system warranty. Dean outlines the pitfalls of relying solely on manufacturer coverage—and why smart contractors are shifting to a proactive, financially backed model that keeps them competitive and customer-centric.This isn’t just about insurance. It’s about building trust at scale—and protecting your business in the long haul.Expect to learn:🔹 The warranty models installers are using (and where each one fails)🔹 How to turn your service department from cost center to profit driver🔹 The real impact of workmanship warranties when companies go under🔹 What criteria sets top-performing partners apart?Warranties aren’t just fine print—they’re your reputation on the line. Whether you’re scaling your solar company or just trying to avoid costly callbacks, this episode gives you the insights and tools to build a smarter service model. Dean brings years of experience and hard-won lessons to the mic—and you’ll walk away with ideas you can implement immediately.Hit play and learn how to turn warranties into a winning advantage.Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast?Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

In this engaging discussion, Andrew McGuigan, General Manager for OpenSolar and a solar industry veteran, reveals why residential solar in the U.S. remains costly. He highlights the hefty soft costs and operational bottlenecks, such as permitting nightmares and bloated commissions. Andrew shares innovative strategies like the SolarAPP for streamlining permitting and discusses how OpenSolar's financial tools are revolutionizing installer cash flow. His insights on a consultative sales approach and the rise of solar storage systems provide a fresh perspective on enhancing solar adoption.

Mark LaVerghetta, co-founder of ReElement Technologies, is reshaping the coal industry by innovatively extracting critical minerals from coal waste more efficiently and sustainably than China. He discusses how his company is transforming environmental liabilities into valuable resources, highlighting the importance of metallurgical coal in the clean energy economy. They delve into the U.S. effort to onshore mineral refining and tackle supply chain challenges, emphasizing the critical role of these minerals in modern technology and national security.