Clean Power Hour

In this episode of Clean Power Hour, hosts Tim Montague and John Weaver dive into the latest developments in the solar and storage industry.

Episode Highlights:

• Perovskite Breakthrough: Analysis of Trina's new commercial-sized perovskite solar panel exceeding 800 watts with 26% efficiency, marking a significant advancement in solar panel technology.

Link: https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/03/25/chinese-pv-industry-brief-trina-solar-announces-800-w-tandem-solar-module/

• Battery Storage Revolution: Examination of China's six gigawatt-hour battery tender at just $65/kWh, less than half the cost of U.S. installations, signaling dramatic cost reductions in energy storage.

Link: https://www.ess-news.com/2025/03/24/chinas-huadian-announces-winners-in-6-gwh-bess-tender-with-average-bid-at-65-kwh/

• Global Supply Chain: Discussion of how the Myanmar earthquake is disrupting solar wafer production, potentially affecting the global supply chain.

Link: https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/04/02/myanmar-earthquake-disrupts-solar-wafer-production-global-supply-chain/

• EV Charging Expansion: Update on Hyundai and Kia vehicles now being able to use Tesla's Supercharger network with adapters.

Link: https://www.hyundainews.com/en-us/releases/4406

• Electric Construction Equipment: Introduction of a new 25-ton electric excavator with a 422kWh battery pack, providing 6-8 hours of operation time with significant fuel savings.

Link: https://electrek.co/2025/03/29/sany-electric-excavator-arrives-in-europe-with-massive-422-kwh-battery/

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The Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email:  [email protected]

Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/

The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems.  Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

Today on the Clean Power Hour recorded at InterSolar in San Diego, host Tim Montague welcomes back Matt Campbell, CEO and founder of Terabase Energy, to discuss the future of automated solar construction. Matt shares Terabase's journey over the past four years developing Terafab, their innovative "in-the-field factory" that semi-automates solar power plant construction.

Matt explains how Terabase is tackling the unique challenges of outdoor autonomy and robotics to achieve 24/7 solar construction capabilities. Unlike traditional automation that happens in controlled indoor environments, Terafab brings robots outdoors to build solar installations faster, with higher quality, and at lower costs. The conversation explores the technical hurdles of implementing robotics in variable field conditions and Terabase's vision for scaling to help the industry reach terawatt-level solar deployment.

The discussion also covers Terabase's broader digital ecosystem, including their construct platform (a digital construction management system currently used on 14 gigawatts of projects), plant predict, and SCADA solutions. Matt shares insights on how these digital tools are creating comprehensive digital twins of solar projects and helping improve quality, safety, and productivity across the industry.

KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• Terafab's development journey and upcoming 100-megawatt deployment in 2025
• The challenges and solutions for outdoor robotic automation in solar construction
• Different approaches to automating solar construction (off-site prefab, on-site prefab, in-field robots)
• Addressing labor shortages through automation while improving safety and reliability
• Terabase's digital construction management system and its impact on 14 gigawatts of projects
• The path to achieving "penny-a-kWh" solar electricity

Suppose you're interested in the future of renewable energy construction, automation in solar, or how technology is helping to speed the energy transition. In that case, this episode offers valuable insights from one of the industry's most innovative companies.

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Matt Campbell

Terabase Energy

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The Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email:  [email protected]

Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/

The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems.  Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

Today on the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague speaks with Costa Nicolau of PanelClaw and John Drummond of CPS America about the critical policy challenges facing the solar industry in 2025. Recorded at InterSolar San Diego, the conversation highlights the existential threat to energy credits that the solar and storage industries depend on.

Costa Nicolau, a long-time SEIA board member, delivers a passionate call to action for industry professionals to become more politically engaged as Congress considers significant budget cuts that could impact the ITC, IRA, and other vital solar incentives. The discussion emphasizes how these policies have successfully built American manufacturing capacity from nearly zero to over 50 gigawatts of solar module production and created thousands of jobs across red, blue, and purple states.

John Drummond provides insights on how CPS America is adapting to policy changes by developing new energy storage solutions, particularly in response to shifts like California's NEM 3.0. Both guests stress that solar offers immediate energy independence benefits that complement longer-term solutions like nuclear power, making it an essential component of American energy strategy.

The episode concludes with breaking news about a House vote signaling potential reconciliation package cuts of $4-4.5 trillion, placing all energy credits at risk. Don't miss this essential conversation about the future of American energy policy and how the solar industry must unite to protect its interests. Listen now to understand what's at stake and how you can help defend the progress we've made.

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John Drummond
CPS America

Costa Nicolau

PanelClaw

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The Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email:  [email protected]

Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/

The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems.  Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

Today on the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague sits down with Bryan Wagner, President of CPS America, at InterSolar San Diego 2025. Wagner shares insights on CPS's impressive growth to over 10.5 gigawatts of inverters deployed in the US market and their ambitious goal to reach 15 gigawatts.

The conversation dives into CPS's innovative product offerings, including their groundbreaking skidded string inverter approach that combines the benefits of centralized and distributed string systems. Wagner explains how their new 250 kilowatt 600-volt inverter in a centralized configuration is revolutionizing commercial and utility-scale solar with factory-wired systems that drastically reduce labor costs.

A significant focus of the discussion is on CPS's exciting "Gonzo" commercial energy storage system - a 261 kWh all-in-one battery solution that combines PCS and battery storage in a single container. Wagner describes how this product simplification mirrors the evolution of string inverters from a decade ago and reveals plans to offer skidded one-megawatt-hour configurations by combining multiple units.

The episode also explores the growing importance of energy storage because of declining net metering (where solar electrons are devalued) nationwide. Wagner provides fascinating insights on how commercial building owners can think of their properties as energy assets through arbitrage opportunities and intelligent energy management.

Perhaps most valuably, Wagner shares his philosophy on team building and talent development, explaining how CPS America cultivates its industry-leading customer service through investing in people. His athletic background informs his approach to identifying each team member's unique talents and helping them break through their personal ceilings.

Listen to this episode to gain valuable insights on the current state and future direction of commercial and utility-scale solar and storage technology, and learn leadership lessons from one of the industry's most respected executives.

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Bryan Wagner

CPS America

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The Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email:  [email protected]

Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/

The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems.  Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

Today on the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague interviews Tooraj Arvajeh, co-founder and CEO of Perl Street, a fintech platform designed to streamline financial operations for distributed energy resources. Tooraj shares his journey from sustainability engineer to fintech entrepreneur, explaining how his experience developing energy efficiency projects led him to identify a critical gap between engineering expertise and financial knowledge in the clean energy sector.

Perl Street addresses the financial complexity faced by companies developing and managing distributed energy resources (DERs) like rooftop solar, battery storage, EV chargers, and heat pumps. Tooraj explains how their platform helps third-party asset owners and managers transform individual machines into projects, bundle those projects into portfolios, and finally convert them into financial products that can attract institutional investment.

The conversation explores how Perl Street's technology helps customers like King Energy, who develop commercial rooftop solar across real estate portfolios, by automating complex financial workflows and consolidating data from multiple sources. Tooraj highlights the value proposition for independent power producers (IPPs): enabling scale, improving returns, and creating standardization that makes distributed energy assets as easy to invest in as utility-scale projects.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into the evolution of DERs from retail products to real estate investments to critical energy infrastructure and learn how financial technology is essential to unlocking capital at the scale needed to accelerate the clean energy transition. Tune in to understand the financial backbone that's powering the deployment of distributed energy resources across the country.

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Tooraj Arvajeh

Perl Street

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The Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email:  [email protected]

Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/

The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems.  Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

Today on the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague sits down with Ryan Mayfield of Mayfield Renewables and Jayson Smith of CPS America to explore commercial and industrial battery solutions, with a special focus on the new "Gonzo" 125 kW / 261 kWh C&I battery from CPS America.

The conversation dives deep into microgrid applications, examining both resiliency and demand response use cases. Jayson Smith details the technical specifications of the Gonzo unit, highlighting its grid-forming capabilities with a 20-millisecond switchover time, 125 kW continuous output, and scalable design allowing multiple units to be connected for larger installations.

Safety is thoroughly discussed, with Smith explaining the multiple layers of safety features built into the Gonzo system, including cell sensing circuits, heat/smoke/fire detection, dry pipe systems, and deflagration panels. Ryan Mayfield provides valuable context around current fire safety standards, including NFPA 855, CSA TS 800, and 9540A certification, and how CPS America is addressing jurisdictional requirements across different regions.

The experts also cover integration with building systems, microgrid controllers, commissioning processes, and maintenance plans. CPS America's exceptional service model is highlighted, with 60% of their workforce dedicated to service and support including free commissioning services and long-term service agreements.

Whether you're an installer looking to understand commercial battery options, a developer navigating complex safety regulations, or a facility owner exploring demand charge reduction and resiliency options, this episode provides crucial insights into the rapidly evolving commercial and industrial battery storage landscape.

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Ryan Mayfield

Jayson Smith

Mayfield Renewables

CPS America

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The Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email:  [email protected]

Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/

The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems.  Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

Today on the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague delves into the critical yet often overlooked aspect of electrification: EV charging infrastructure for multifamily housing. Tim welcomes Aubrey Gunnels, CEO and co-founder of 3V Infrastructure, a company that's tackling the significant gap in EV charging accessibility for the 31% of Americans living in multifamily buildings.

Aubrey explains how 3V's business model works – they provide all capital expenditure and operational costs while installing Level 2 chargers at multifamily properties at zero cost to property owners. The company generates revenue by charging drivers a premium on electricity rates, creating a sustainable business model that doesn't rely heavily on government subsidies. This approach addresses a crucial market need, as currently, only about 5% of multifamily buildings have EV chargers despite 80% of charging happening at home.

The conversation explores how 3V uses data-driven approaches to determine the optimal number of chargers for each property, considering factors like local EV registration data, building demographics, and anticipated growth patterns. Aubrey shares insights about how property managers see EV charging as an increasingly important amenity that affects NOI (Net Operating Income) and resident retention.

Tim and Aubrey discuss the challenges of EV infrastructure development in the US compared to Europe, the importance of charger reliability, and how private investment in charging infrastructure remains critical regardless of policy shifts. They also touch on the broader EV market trends, battery price decreases, and how the automotive sector's global competitiveness continues to drive EV development despite political changes.

This episode provides valuable insights for real estate owners, property managers, clean energy professionals, and anyone interested in the future of transportation electrification. Listen now to understand how companies like 3V Infrastructure are working to make EV ownership accessible to all Americans, regardless of where they live.

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Aubrey Gunnels

3v infrastructure

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The Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email:  [email protected]

Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/

The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems.  Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

The energy storage industry is evolving rapidly, driven by shifting market trends, policy changes, and supply chain volatility. In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague sits down with Aaron Marks from Clean Energy Associates (CEA) to unpack the latest insights on energy storage, battery procurement, and how tariffs and policy shifts are shaping the industry.

Aaron shares insights from his seven years in energy storage market intelligence, highlighting the different sources of volatility the industry has faced - from the transition in battery cell procurement in 2017-18 when Korean OEMs dominated before Chinese OEMs and LFP batteries gained traction, to the impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act, and now the policy changes under the Trump administration.

The conversation explores how recent policy shifts are creating market turbulence, with Aaron revealing breaking news about manufacturing pullbacks, including Freyr's pivot away from their planned Georgia battery factory toward solar production. This exemplifies the rapid changes that make market intelligence services so valuable for companies trying to deploy solar and storage solutions while keeping pace with industry developments.

Aaron explains how CEA has expanded from its origins in factory audits and quality assurance to offer comprehensive supply chain services and market intelligence - helping clients know exactly what they're buying, who they're working with, and how to make strategic decisions based on current market conditions.

Listen to this episode to gain valuable insights into:

• How policy volatility affects energy storage markets
• The evolution of battery cell procurement trends
• The impact of the IRA and Trump administration policies on US manufacturing
• The integrated approach CEA takes to quality assurance, supply chain management, and market intelligence

As the clean energy sector continues to grow, understanding market dynamics is more important than ever. Tune in to gain valuable insights from one of the industry’s leading experts and ensure your projects are set up for success.

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Aaron Marks

CEA

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The Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email:  [email protected]

Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/

The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems.  Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

Today on the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague welcomes back Dan Leary from Denowatts, joined by Marc Bamberger of Portside Systems, to discuss their innovative partnership in solar monitoring technology. Recorded at RE+ Boston, this conversation highlights how these companies are revolutionizing data acquisition systems (DAS) for solar sites.

Dan Leary shares updates on Denowatts' growth, including their new ISO-accredited energy test service focused on standardized "energy accounting" for the solar industry. The company has expanded its capabilities to support projects ranging from 200 kilowatts to 500 megawatts, demonstrating impressive scalability.

Marc Bamberger explains how Portside Systems, based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, has evolved from being an installer of Denowatts Systems to becoming a full integration partner offering its own DAS product line. Their collaboration focuses on efficiency and effectiveness, with innovations like using ZigBee communication technology, eliminating the need for extensive field conduits.

The conversation explores the recent shifts in the solar market, particularly in Maine's CMP (Central Maine Power) territory, and looks ahead to emerging opportunities in states like New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Marc highlights how their installer-centric approach to DAS systems allows for quicker, more cost-effective implementations, which are especially valuable in harsh northern climates.

Dan emphasizes the power of their partnership model compared to traditional turnkey packages, explaining how Portside's expertise in building and commissioning monitoring systems complements Denowatts' data analytics capabilities. This synergy ensures systems are installed correctly the first time, creating a seamless operational process.

Tune in to learn how this collaborative approach represents the future of solar monitoring and how these innovations are helping speed the energy transition across the United States.

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Dan Leary

Denowatts

Portside Systems

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The Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email:  [email protected]

Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/

The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems.  Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

Women make up only 10-20% of the solar workforce despite being 50% of the population, highlighting a significant gender gap in the renewable energy industry. Today on the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague sits down with Noelle Paige, Vice President of Development at Aspen Power, to explore the evolving landscape of women's leadership in solar energy. Recorded at RE+ Northeast in Boston, we explore Noelle's unique journey from ballet dancer to solar executive and her eight-year trajectory through the solar industry before landing at Aspen Power.

Noelle provides valuable insights into Aspen Power's work in community solar and multi-family projects, particularly in key markets including New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, and Maryland. The discussion takes a meaningful turn as they address the critical issue of gender representation in renewable energy, with women comprising only 10-20% of the solar workforce despite being 50% of the population. Noelle shares her involvement with WRISE (Women in Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy), highlighting how the organization's Leadership Forum creates spaces for women to network, learn, and grow professionally without traditional barriers. Mark your calendar for the WRISE 20th Anniversary Gala on June 26th in New York City!

The conversation tackles the multifaceted nature of the gender pay gap, which Noelle describes as layered by variables including motherhood status, geography, and ethnicity. Listeners will gain practical insights on how men in leadership positions can support women in the industry through intentional inclusion and meaningful dialogue. 

The episode also explores the challenges of community acceptance for solar projects and provides tactical advice for developers on authentic community engagement. Whether you're interested in diversity in renewables, community solar development, or the intersection of both, this episode offers valuable perspectives on building a more inclusive and successful clean energy future.

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Noelle Paige

Aspen Power

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The Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email:  [email protected]

Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/

The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems.  Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com