            The IRA gave solar manufacturers a huge incentive to manufacture on U.S. soil. How does the 45x incentive work, and are we actually gonna see anybody other than Nextracker capitalize on it?! Companies like FTC Solar are taking full advantage of this huge manufacturing tax credit. Their Vice President of Sales, Eric Frazier, shares how they’re bringing higher-paying manufacturing jobs back to American communities and what it means for developers.  He also shares his career lessons in mitigating project underperformance, navigating complex project sites, and empowering rural economic development. Expect to learn:How The Inflation Reduction Act(IRA) is transforming U.S. solar manufacturing FTC Solar’s plan to take its manufacturing from 50% domestic to 85% U.S.-basedThe challenges we need to overcome to manufacture complex components in the U.S.How Agrivoltaics can create multiple revenue streams for landowners The impact that re-shoring manufacturing is having on small American communities. 
 Interested in the creative ways solar is reviving American communities? Press play!  Learn about the 10 Uncommon Books That Influenced Leaders of the Energy Transition + Giveaway If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/. SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar. You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors. Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 650 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com. 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/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

696: Manufacturing Ground Mounts In The U.S. For The Same Cost as Abroad? FTC’s Solar’s Eric Frazier

Nico Johnson takes you into conversations with those at the forefront of Renewable Energy. 

SunCast gives an inside look into what is happening in renewable energy. From conversations with the biggest Solar Panel manufacturers in the world to the small startups creating the future of renewable energy, such as carbon capture and battery technology breakthroughs. 

SunCast is dedicated to providing the knowledge, research, tools and expert guidance you need to understand, grow and be ahead of the curve in the fastest-growing markets in the world. 

Featuring over 600 conversations, Nico has interviewed people from Tesla, SolarCity, Trina Solar, Meyer Burger, Conergy, SunEdison, Energy Vault and even the US Government... to name a few. Covering topics such as Solar Power, Wind Energy, Batteries, Electric Vehicles, Carbon Capture, Finance, Hydrogen, and more. 

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            It only took me 8 years and 699 episodes to finally land today’s guest! But the wait was WELL worth it. You’re in for a treat. And it was recorded in-person at Strata’s HQ, so you might enjoy some of the extra footage included in the YT video version of this episode.  Markus Wilhelm founded Strata Clean Energy in 2009, but readily admits that he didn’t have the right initial vision for the company.  In fact, it wasn’t till the THIRD pivot that he says they really found their groove.  By any measure, Strata has now become an undeniable success-story in the world of Solar Energy Development and Construction. Over the course of 15 years, Strata has grown from a small residential installer to a globally-recognized utility-scale developer, owner, and operator of clean energy assets.  Yet, few have been able to get access to the man behind the curtain and unpack what makes him tick and how Wilhelm's background as a former media executive uniquely prepared him to grow the company to this level. One of the most interesting things for me, having done now 700 of these, is that when Markus and his wife began this venture, it was supposed to be something to pass the time…in his RETIREMENT!  15 years later, he’s still going strong, and Strata is more relevant and impressive than ever. Filmed at Strata's Durham NC HQ, this episode finds Wilhelm reflecting on the company's evolution—from pioneering the North Carolina solar market to building multi-billion dollar solar and battery storage projects.  Expect to learn:Strata’s three strategy changes that led them to become the company they are today. How building a vertically integrated business model can enhance your project quality.How Markus’s background as a media executive prepared him to grow an energy companyHow Strata plans to stay flexible amid inconsistent government policies and administration changes
This is a rare opportunity to hear how an industry titan built a solar company from the ground up. Oh, and listen closely, because we’re giving away a free gift to our listeners for helping us reach 700 episodes! Learn about the 10 Uncommon Books That Influenced Leaders of the Energy Transition + Giveaway If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/. SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar. You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors. Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 650 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com. 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: <a...

700! Behind the Success of Strata Clean Energy, Markus Wilhelm

            265,000!  That’s how many of you/us work in Solar Energy so far (and rapidly growing!) Yet, with 4 million solar installations in the U.S alone, Solar Energy is rarely featured in mainstream media. WHY? Probably True Solar Stories, a podcast created by Tor Valenza, also known as Solar Fred, aims to bridge this content gap with engaging solar-themed fictional tales. Valenza, once a Hollywood writer for shows like "The Dead Zone," "Dharma and Greg," and "Stargate SG-1” brings a uniquely solar flair (get it? 

Bonus: A love story, about Solar. w/Tor “Solar Fred” Valenza

            Many of us working in clean energy forget that access to clean power is still a privilege, not a right. Millions of Americans still don’t have the freedom to choose clean energy.  People all over the country want to fight climate change by choosing renewable energy sources for their homes and businesses. But, in monopolized electricity markets, consumers are forced  to purchase power from the only available utility (like Duke Energy here in my home state of NC). CleanChoice Energy is fighting to address this limitation. As you’ll hear from Zoë Gamble Hanes, President of CleanChoice, their platform enables residential customers in deregulated Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states to choose clean energy.  And their the first in the nation to offer 100% green energy direct-to-consumer, or farm-to-table as one press release recently put it.  That is to say, they own both the generation side (with solar and wind farms) and the retail side (consumer choice contracts in deregulated markets), thus “gen-tailer”.  Expect to learn:How CleanChoice Energy distributes power to offer residential customers in deregulated markets a cleaner choice. Why  True Green Capital Management acquired a majority stake in the company.Zoë’s Pioneering role in kickstarting the NC solar [tax credit] market and her subsequent milestones with FLS Energy and Pine Gate Renewables.How hiring diverse leadership is helping CleanChoice solve complex energy sector problems.The importance of balancing professional drive and personal well-being as a leader.
Passionate about clean energy access? This one’s for you. Hit play!  Learn about the 10 Uncommon Books That Influenced Leaders of the Energy Transition + Giveaway If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/. SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar. You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors. Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 650 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com. 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/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

699: Breaking the American Electricity Monopoly | CleanChoice’s Zoe Gamble

            Imagine that your phone rings. The person on the other end tells you: “you won the project. Now, we need you to fly to Australia and build the largest battery backup project in the entire world.”  Powin, a Portland, Oregon-based battery energy storage developer, was up to the challenge.  Nico got a chance to sit down with then-President of Powin, Anthony Carroll, to discuss where the energy storage market is headed and how large-scale integrators like Powin are moving the needle.  Under Anthony’s leadership, Powin secured the nearly 2 GWh Waratah Super Battery project in Sydney, Australia. We asked him for his insights into the utility changes and emerging job opportunities that are driving the adoption of battery technology. Expect to learn:How Powin won the contract to build the world’s largest battery backup system. The advancements in safety and reliability shaping large-scale battery deployment.Why the U.S. battery market is finally ready for Wall Street
You can learn a lot in 15 minutes… Click play to hear the full discussion!  Learn about the 10 Uncommon Books That Influenced Leaders of the Energy Transition + Giveaway If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/. SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar. You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors. Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 650 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com. 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/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

698:  Building the Biggest Battery Project in the World — Anthony Carroll, former President of Powin

            Chris Nelder challenges the status quo.  And his efforts have, for nearly a decade, centered on mobilizing an army of supporters to help us transition away from fossil fuels. As creator & host of the podcast The Energy Transition Show, Nelder aims to "influence the influencers" through carefully researched interviews with clean energy experts. I know that many many listeners of SunCast are also listeners of Chris’s show (and many have even told me you’re paid subscribers!) which has long-inspired me to watch and appreciate what Chris does. It took me YEARS to finally convince him to give me the honor & privilege of hearing his backstory and sharing it w/you all. Chris has written about energy and investing for decades, and I consider him one of the genuine thinkers and thought leaders of our modern energy community. Like me, he’s interviewed hundreds of guests on his show and has over 200 episodes; unlike me, each episode for Chris is a deep, deep dive into the technical details geared to help academics and laypersons alike have a more sensible and well-rounded understanding of a topic, not necessarily a person.  I have heard said of him, “Chris helps me think better about the topic and gives perspectives I might not have considered.” I like to think of him as a sort of clean energy Yoda…gently, reverently moving the collective ‘mind’ toward the outcome he envisions for our clean energy future, one conversation at a time. Expect to learn:Chris’s journey from internet publishing to solar PV system engineer to energy journalistCreating a common vocabulary for key concepts like “renewables” and “energy transition”His perspectives on underrated technologies like distributed energy resources (DERs), virtual power plants (VPPs), and geothermal energyHow Chris selects the most impactful topics and guests Why Chris built The Energy Transition Show as a subscription podcast
 Still reading? Must be pretty intriguing. Hit play! Learn about the 10 Uncommon Books That Influenced Leaders of the Energy Transition + Giveaway If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/. SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar. You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors. Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 650 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com. 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 -...

696: Manufacturing Ground Mounts In The U.S. For The Same Cost as Abroad? FTC’s Solar’s Eric Frazier

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