CleanTech Talk — Solar, Batteries, EVs, AI

Scott Cooney chats with Brian Essenmacher, Head of Business Development for North America at EcoFlow, to discuss the technology, products, and legal status of this game changing technology — plugin solar (aka balcony solar) — which can bring the freedom of solar power to renters.

SOLARCYCLE CEO Suvi Sharma sits down with CleanTechnica CEO Zach Shahan to discuss the fascinating history of the solar market and the next key task for the industry — recycling solar panels. Suvi shares how SOLARCYCLE is helping with that, and how it is working to make the process as green and effective as possible. Suvi's timing has been superb throughout the growth of the solar industry, and it looks like he's nailing it again by developing superb solar panel recycling systems and factories before the market explodes in its demand for them.

CleanTechnica's Scott Cooney talks with Britt Zwierzchowski Tisler, COO of the Conservative Energy Network, and Bradley Pischea, National Director of Land & Liberty Coalition (L&LC), a project of CEN. They discuss:

1. Who they are, why they came to the clean energy space.

2. Importance of engaging conservatives in this space and why they cannot be left behind (depoliticizing these issues is the goal).

3. The role clean energy plays in rural communities.

4. Why it's important for our national defense to have a diversified grid.

5. How clean energy and diversified energy enable economic growth in the U.S.

In this episode, Dylan McDowell, CEO of the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL), and Hawai‘i State Senator Chris Lee break down why state action matters now more than ever in the clean energy transition, how hands‑on learning is shaping real policy outcomes, and what trends are defining the 2026 legislative landscape.

Copper Founder & CEO Sam Calisch joins the Cleantech Talk team to discuss how battery-equipped induction stoves are redefining what it means to electrify the kitchen, making clean cooking possible without expensive electrical upgrades or home renovations. Sam breaks down why traditional electrification has left many households behind, how Copper’s plug-in, battery-equipped stoves turn electrification into a simple appliance swap, and what this means for renters, affordable housing providers, and everyday families. The conversation also highlights real-world deployments with partners such as the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator and Esperanza Community Housing Corporation, showing how this approach is already delivering cleaner kitchens, cost savings, and healthier homes.

If all U.S. single-family homes adopted heat pumps, it would equal taking 32 million cars off the road. But we need to 10x the current adoption pace by 2030. Quilt CEO Paul Lambert explains how his team from Google, Apple, and Nest is making heat pumps irresistible — with sleek design, 25+ SEER2 efficiency, and software that makes systems smarter over time. He also discusses Quilt's rapid scaling strategy, its $20M Series B funding round, and the new 3-zone system.

What does it really take to build a stronger, smarter, clean energy future? In this episode of CleanTech Talk, we delve into the forces shaping the next era of solar energy. With decades of experience leading in the global energy space, from ABB and Schneider Electric to Enphase and now SolarEdge, General Manager for SolarEdge North America Marty Rogers shares a ground-level view of what’s next in inverter and storage innovation, how the US can take control of its domestic solar supply chain, and why sustainability must extend beyond the rooftop. We also delve into real-world solar trends across residential, commercial, and grid services, as well as the policy, technology, and manufacturing shifts necessary to scale with impact.

The Executive Director of new energy coalition Common Charge, Mary Rafferty, talks with CleanTechnica CEO Zach Shahan about what the organization is doing and how we can continuing advancing distributed energy in the United States in 2026.

Deforestation is accelerating, biodiversity loss is at record levels, and conservation funding still falls short by more than $700 billion a year. On this episode, Dr. Drea Burbank of Savimbo and Doug Heske of Newday Financial Technologies join CleanTech Talk to discuss how a new generation of “bio-credits” could transform how the world funds nature. From the Colombian Amazon to global investors, they explore how verified biodiversity credits and transparent funding platforms are reshaping conservation — and what it will take to scale a market that finally values ecosystems for what they’re worth.

In this episode, Taiga Motors CEO and Co-Founder Sam Bruneau shares the story behind building the world’s first electric powersports company and why electrification on water and off-road matters now more than ever. From the launch of the new Orca WX3 — a versatile crossover watercraft designed for watersports and adventure — to innovations like bi-directional charging, geofencing, and speed limiting, Sam explains how electric vehicles unlock capabilities combustion could never match. He also dives into the technical challenges his team has overcome, scaling advanced battery manufacturing, and what it takes to lead the transition to clean, high-performance fun in some of the toughest environments.