Harmon Solar Podcast

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What happens when one of Arizona's most recognizable radio personalities sits down with the Harmon Solar Podcast? You get football debates, plenty of laughs, some brutal honesty about the solar industry, and a firsthand look at what it's REALLY like to go solar in Arizona!

This week, Ralph and Ben welcome John Holmberg of 98 KUPD's Holmberg's Morning Sickness for a fun, entertaining, and surprisingly educational conversation.

☀️ JOHN'S SOLAR JOURNEY — THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY!

John shares how his first experience researching solar turned into a nightmare of nonstop sales calls and aggressive marketing tactics that completely turned him off to the industry.

So what changed his mind?

Believe it or not, Harmon Solar initially told him NO!

We discuss why honesty matters more than making a sale, the challenges presented by John's unique electrical system, and how the team ultimately designed a solar and Tesla Powerwall 3 solution that worked for his home.

⚡ IN THIS EPISODE:

🏈 Steelers vs. Seahawks — John and Ralph talk NFL football, Aaron Rodgers, playoff hopes, and a little friendly trash talk!

📞 Solar Sales Horror Stories — John's experience with aggressive solar telemarketing and why it nearly kept him from going solar.

🏠 Why Harmon Solar Said NO — Sometimes the right answer isn't selling someone a solar system.

🛠️ Behind the Scenes of Solar Installation — Electrical upgrades, roof repairs, inspections, delays, and setting realistic expectations.

💰 Will Solar REALLY Save John Money? — We discuss projected savings, utility bills, and why going solar doesn't necessarily mean eliminating your electric bill.

And yes, we fully intend to bring John back to see what his actual solar savings look like!

At Harmon Solar, we believe solar education should come before the sales pitch. Solar isn't right for everyone, and that's exactly why we're having these conversations.

👍 LIKE this episode if you enjoyed the conversation!

💬 COMMENT BELOW: Should John finally get that golf simulator installed?

🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more real conversations about solar, batteries, technology, and home energy — with plenty of laughs along the way!

🌐 LEARN MORE ABOUT HARMON SOLAR

Website: https://harmonsolar.com

Phone: 800-281-3189

🎧 FEATURED GUEST

John Holmberg — Holmberg's Morning Sickness on 98 KUPD



#JohnHolmberg #HolmbergsMorningSickness #HarmonSolar

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Solar batteries are more popular than ever, but is your solar company designing your system correctly? A bigger solar system doesn't always mean more power, and where you install your battery could make a major difference in its performance.

On this episode of the Harmon Solar Podcast, Ralph Romano, VP of Sales & Marketing, joins co-host Ben and special guest Ryan King, Harmon Solar's engineering and design expert, to break down what homeowners need to know before investing in solar battery storage.

We cover why everyone suddenly wants batteries, how the Tesla Powerwall 3 works, the hidden problem of inverter clipping, why Arizona's extreme heat matters, and how Tesla's new Powershare technology could turn your electric vehicle into an additional source of home backup energy.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why solar batteries are becoming essential for managing electricity costs.
• How energy arbitrage can help reduce expensive peak-hour utility usage.
• What solar inverter clipping is and why an oversized system could waste potential production.
• Why Powerwall 3 placement is especially important in Arizona.
• How to add battery storage to an existing solar system.
• The differences between AC-coupled and DC-coupled battery installations.
• How Tesla Powershare connects your Model 3 or Model Y to your home energy system.
• What questions to ask before signing a solar or battery contract.

At Harmon Solar, we believe homeowners deserve straight answers, accurate system designs, and transparency about the equipment they're buying.

#HarmonSolar #TeslaPowerwall3 #SolarBatteries #TeslaPowershare #SolarEnergy #SolarClipping #ArizonaSolar #HomeBatteryBackup #EnergySavings #SolarPodcast

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Solar companies are going out of business, leaving many homeowners with “orphaned” solar systems and no clear place to turn for help. In this episode of the Harman Solar Podcast, Ralph and Ben introduce the new Harman Solar Service Club, a service program built to give solar owners peace of mind, proactive monitoring, maintenance support, and real help when something goes wrong.

They break down why so many solar installers are disappearing, how Harman Solar’s diversified business model helps protect customers, and why system monitoring is not always as “automatic” as people think. The episode covers the Service Club’s current plans, including active monitoring, annual inspections, preventative maintenance, panel cleaning, monthly performance reports, and priority service options.

Whether your original installer is no longer around or you simply want someone keeping an eye on your system, this episode explains how the Harman Solar Service Club can help protect your investment and keep your solar working the way it should.

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If you’ve gone solar but still find yourself staring at a higher-than-expected electric bill, you’re not alone—and the answer might not be what you think.

In this episode of the Harman Solar Podcast, Ralph and Ben break down the most common reason homeowners call in frustrated: “Why is my bill so high if I have solar?” The truth? There are a few possible causes—and one of them surprises almost everyone.

Ben walks through how we troubleshoot your system, from checking expected vs. actual production to verifying output through your utility meter (not just your app). The guys also dive into a major misconception: just because you have solar doesn’t mean unlimited power.

You’ll learn:

•  The reasons your solar bill can increase 
•  How to tell if your system is actually underperforming 
•  Why 95% of high-bill cases come down to usage changes
•  The difference between a monitoring issue vs. a real system problem
•  How lifestyle changes (thermostat, guests, new appliances) impact your bill 
•  Why you’ll always have some utility bill, especially in hot climates like Phoenix 
•  How misleading sales promises can set the wrong expectations 

Plus, Ralph and Ben introduce Harman Solar’s free 90-day active monitoring program, giving you real-time insights into your system’s performance and energy usage—so you can stop guessing and start knowing.

Bottom line: Solar is about reducing your costs—not eliminating them—and understanding your data is the key to maximizing your savings.

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The solar industry has changed — and so have the options available to homeowners.

In this episode of the Harmon Solar Podcast, Ralph Romano and Ben Wollschlager break down the new era of solar and why today’s solutions are more flexible than ever. After a major industry shift and the removal of traditional residential tax credits, many homeowners are left wondering: Does solar still make sense? The answer might surprise you.

Ralph and Ben walk through three powerful options now available, including ownership with potential tax incentives, prepaid solar for upfront savings, and a fixed-rate lease designed to protect you from rising utility costs. They also introduce a unique approach involving independent tax advisors who help homeowners uncover incentives many people don’t even realize still exist.

This episode is all about cutting through misinformation and giving you real, practical insight into how solar can fit your specific situation — whether you’re buying, financing, or just exploring your options.

If you’ve ever been told there’s only one way to go solar… this episode is for you.

Harmon Solar — Solar That Fits Your Situation.

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Most people are told solar is “set it and forget it.” We pull back the curtain on why that myth costs owners money, risks safety, and jeopardizes warranties—and what smart O&M looks like when it’s done right. With guest Amanda Bybee, CEO of Amicus O&M Cooperative, we explore the full life of a solar asset from turn‑on to decommissioning, and the simple steps that keep arrays producing at their potential.

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Commercial solar is on the clock.

Ralph and Ben sit down with Harmon Electric COO Dan King to explain how businesses can still lock in up to a 30% federal tax credit — but only if they act before the year-end safe harbor deadline.

We cover:
 • Why residential solar is basically sold out for this year’s tax credit, but commercial is not
 • How “safe harbor” works (5% down, documented equipment, contract)
 • Why waiting until January triggers new FIAC rules, higher prices, and limited supply
 • Real numbers: a $1M solar project can mean ~$300K in tax credit

If you’re a business owner thinking about solar, this is the window.

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 With federal tax credit deadlines fast approaching, the Harmon Solar team delivers honest insights on what homeowners can realistically expect when it comes to installation timelines. We also dive into the supply chain crunch on domestic panels, major shifts in solar financing, and the comeback of leasing — with fixed rates as low as 9¢ per kilowatt hour, nearly half the cost of today’s utility power. Plus, Ralph and Ben introduce new active monitoring services designed to protect homeowners by detecting issues before they impact monthly bills. 

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Ever wonder what happens when those too-good-to-be-true solar promises fall apart? In this eye-opening conversation with attorney Neil Prevost, we pull back the curtain on the solar industry's shadowy side. Whether you're exploring solar options or already experiencing problems with your system, this conversation provides essential insights that could save you from becoming another cautionary tale.

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Navigating the solar marketplace can feel like walking through a minefield of misleading claims and high-pressure tactics. From "free solar" promises to salespeople pretending to represent your utility company, deceptive practices have unfortunately become commonplace in an industry that should be focused on transparency and sustainability. Ralph and Ben draw from years of frontline experience to expose the most common solar sales deceptions.