In this podcast, Tiffany Menhorn, Vice President of North American Utilities at Prisma Photonics, discusses grid congestion and the role of grid enhancing technologies like dynamic line ratings in integrating more renewable energy, particularly solar. Tiffany explained how Prisma Photonics uses existing fiber networks for real-time monitoring and analytics to increase grid capacity and reduce curtailment. The conversation also touched on security, forecasting, and the potential for these technologies to prevent grid-related issues.

 

Topics Covered

Prisma Photonics

Utility

Grid

Wind

Fiber Optics & Dark Fiber

Distributed Acoustic Sensing

Distributed Temperature Sensing

Renewable Energy

FERC Order 881 = Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Dynamic Line Rating

Pacific Gas and Electric

Great River Energy

NYPA = New York Power Authority

Southern Company

Renewable Energy Curtailment

Renewables on the Grid

IEEE = Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

 

Reach out to Tiffany Menhorn here:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tiffany-menhorn-82451249

Website: https://www.prismaphotonics.com/

Email: [email protected]

 

Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at

www.heatspring.com/sean

solarsean.com/intro

solarsean.com/pvip

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Adewale Ogunbadejo, Vice President of Workforce Development at Grid Alternatives. They discussed Grid Alternatives' evolution from a volunteer- based solar installation organization founded in 2004 to a professional workforce development program serving 500-700 job trainees annually across multiple regions including California, Colorado, DC, and tribal communities throughout North America. Adewale explained how the organization transitioned from heavy volunteer involvement to focused technical training programs, including partnerships with Goodwill's Clean Tech Academy and various local organizations in markets like Houston, Albuquerque, Columbus, and Chicago. They covered Grid Alternatives' various service areas including residential installations, affordable housing projects, community solar, and international work primarily in Mexico and Puerto Rico, while also discussing the organization's relationship with AmeriCorps and the SolarCorps fellowship program. The touched on industry challenges including predatory contractors, the growth of solar and storage for data centers, and Grid Alternatives' current project scope ranging from residential to 5- megawatt community solar installations

Topics Covered

GRID Alternatives History

Workforce Development

Solar Installations

SASH Program

Solar Corps Fellowship

Goodwill Partnership

International Programs

Tribal Communities

Contractor Network

Clean Energy Transition

Data Centers

EVSE = Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment

Energy Storage

Solar Industry Growth

Solar Education

 

Reach out to Adewale Ogunbadejo here:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/adewale-ogunbadejo

Website: www.gridalternatives.org

Email: [email protected]

Podcast with Gil Hough

 

Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at

www.heatspring.com/sean

solarsean.com/intro

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Rob Schwarzinger, CEO of SIG Energy North America, and Rich Reynoso, Director of Service, about vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology and Signergy's bi-directional EV charging solutions. The discussion covered how SIG Energy's system scan charge electric vehicles using solar and grid power, and also discharge vehicle batteries to power homes during power outages or to provide grid services. Rob explained that while the hardware and software are ready for V2G functionality, they are currently limited to discharging approximately 75-80% of EVs due to manufacturer compliance with industry standards, with Quebec being the only region where they have received official utility approval for grid injection. The conversation also covered SIG Energy's modular battery systems ranging from 6kWh to 54kWh, their VPP (Virtual Power Plant) capabilities, and their development of self-developed meter collar technology for microgrid interconnect devices.

 

Topics Covered

Bidirectional DC charging

Modular battery systems

Solar energy storage

EV warranty concerns

OEM software blocking

Home energy management

Grid backup power

Quebec V2G approval

EV battery longevity

ISO 15118-20 standard

Meter collar switch

V2X = Vehicle to Everything

EV = Electric Vehicle discharging

V2H = Vehicle to Home

V2G = Vehicle to Grid

VPP = Virtual Power Plant

 

Reach out to Rob Schwarzinger and Rich Reynoso here:

Rob’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/robert-schwarzinger

Rich’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/rich-reynoso-iii

Website: www.sigenergy.com/us/

Rich’s Email: [email protected]

 

Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at

www.heatspring.com/sean

solarsean.com/intro

solarsean.com/pvip

solarsean.com/pva

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Ryan Warrick, National Sales Manager for Outback Power, where they discussed Outback's history, products, and status. Ryan explained that Outback Power was founded in 2001 and recently acquired by Energy Access Innovations (EAI) in 2024, moving headquarters from Washington to Commerce, Texas. They covered Outback's two main inverter platforms - the FX series (up to 3.6 kilowatts) and Radian/GS series (8 kilowatts), both designed for modular stacking and field service ability. Ryan discussed the Energy Cell 5 lithium battery system, which can be stacked from 15.3 to 122 kilowatt hours, and explained how Outback continues to support legacy equipment with technical support for board replacements. The conversation also touched on the company's history with EnerSys and EG4 partnerships, the transition from lead-acid to lithium-ion batteries, and various specialized applications including marine and European voltage inverters.

 

Topics Covered

Company History

Fx Inverters

Inverter Platforms

Field Serviceability

Lithium Batteries

Lead-Acid Transition               

AC/DC Coupling

System Stacking

Antarctica Applications

European Voltage

Three-Phase Power

EAI = Energy Access Innovations

EAI Acquisition

EG4 Partnership

Space-Based Solar

Data Centers

Solar Training

 

Reach out to Ryan Warrick here:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-warrick

Website: www.outbackpower.com

Email: [email protected]

Podcast with James Showalter

 

Podcast with Dylan Rup

 

Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at

www.heatspring.com/sean

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Grid Rails founder and CEO Michael Grasso explains how real-time settlement and device-level orchestration can unlock the untapped capacity of distributed energy resources including electric vehicles, home batteries, and solar systems. The discussion covers virtual power plants, the duck curve, bidirectional charging, FERC 2222 requirements, and the financial incentives needed to engage consumers as active grid participants.

 

Topics Covered

Real-Time Settlement

Grid Orchestration

Duck Curve

Bidirectional Charging

FERC 2222 Requirements                                                                                                                    

Consumer Grid Participation

Grid Capacity Utilization

Data Center Demand

Battery Lifecycle Performance

Consumer Privacy Protection

DERs = Distributed Energy Resources

VPP = Virtual Power Plant

 

Reach out to Michael Grasso here:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpgrasso/

Website: www.gridrails.ai/

Email: [email protected]

Podcast with John Berger

 

Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at

www.heatspring.com/sean

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Max Rünzel, CEO and co-founder of HiveTracks, discussing the integration of bees and beekeeping practices in solar farm operations. Max explained how HiveTracks uses beehives as monitoring tools to assess pollinator health and ecosystem resilience on solar farms, with hives capable of foraging up to 10,000 acres and traveling 2-4 miles from their location. The company places two hives as a starting point and collects data through regular visits, pollen analysis, and IoT devices to determine foraging patterns, habitat quality, and potential ecotoxicology issues from PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances), microplastics, and pesticides. Max described how they work with local experienced beekeepers rather than providing bees directly, and how they use bee intelligence to identify dearth periods and recommend specific plantings to create year-round foraging resources. The discussion covered practical aspects including hive placement considerations, safety protocols, and the potential for solar-powered monitoring equipment, with Max noting they currently have 12 solar sites and are beginning to produce honey for sale.

 

Topics Covered

Hive Mind Concept (Star Trek reference)

Solar Farm Beehives

Agrivoltaics Ecosystem Health

Hive Health Monitoring

Pollinator Habitat Design

Pollen Foraging Analysis

Bee Foraging Range

Manuka Honey

Beehive Placement Strategy

Queen Bees (Sean is a big Freddie Mercury fan)

Bee Breeding & Docility

Beekeeper Training

Waggle Dance Communication

Ecotoxicology Testing

Microplastics Contamination

Solar Honey Harvest

IoT Hive Sensors

PV = Photovoltaic

PFAS = Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

NABCEP = North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners

 

Reach out to Max Rünzel here:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/maxrunzel/

Website: www.hivetracks.com/

Email: [email protected]

 

Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at

www.heatspring.com/sean

www.solarsean.com/esip

Ravi Mikkelsen of Atmos Financial examines why cash and loan purchases remain vital in residential solar despite the expired tax credit. The discussion covers FEOC equipment pricing gaps, predatory lease buyout structures, dealer fee commissions, and door-to-door sales practices that inflate costs. Mikkelsen advocates for tax credit elimination, pricing transparency, and reaching a $2 per watt national benchmark for residential installations.

 

Topics Covered

Cash vs Financing

Solar Tax Credits

Lease Buyout Traps

Dealer Fee Commissions

Door-to-Door Sales

Pricing Transparency

Atmos Financial

$2/Watt Benchmark

Tariffs and Equipment Costs

International Solar Pricing

FEOC = Foreign Entity of Concern                                                                   

NEM = Net Energy Metering

VPP = Virtual Power Plant

TPO = Third-Party Ownership

Reach out to Ravi Mikkelsen here:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ravimikkelsen

Website: www.joinatmos.com

Email: [email protected]

Previous podcast with Ravi Mikkelsen

 

Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at

www.heatspring.com/sean

www.solarsean.com/pvts

Frederick Brooks, founder of Pacific Panel Cleaners in Hawaii, discusses solar photovoltaic operations and maintenance, covering proper panel cleaning methods, deionized cleaning solutions, and common installation errors. He explains his certifications in energy management and auditing, then details how thermal imaging and drone technology identify failed diodes, malfunctioning microinverters, and soiling patterns across solar arrays, improving maintenance efficiency and warranty claims.

 

Topics Covered

Pacific Panel Cleaners

Solar Panel Cleaning

Deionized Cleaning Solutions

O&M Contracts

PPA Responsibilities

CEM Certification

CEA Certification

Thermal Imaging

Drone Inspections

Diode Failure Detection

Hawaii Solar Boom

Installation Quality Issues

Employee Training

O&M = Operations and Maintenance

PPA = Power Purchase Agreement

CEM = Certified Energy Manager

CEA = Certified Energy Auditor

 

Reach out to Frederick Brooks here:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/fred-brooks

Website: www.pacificpanelcleaners.com

Email: [email protected]                                                    

Podcast with Eric Woodruff CEM

 

Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at

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Gil Hough, Executive Director of TenneSEIA, discussing the upcoming TenneSEIA Valley Solar Plus Storage Conference scheduled for September 2nd and 3rd in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Gil explained that the conference has been moved earlier in the year and will feature Sean as the featured trainer for a full-day training session on Thursday. They discussed the significant growth in solar and energy storage projects in the Tennessee Valley region, including utility-scale projects, local power company initiatives, and residential installations. Gil highlighted the new TVA Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) that will be approved in August and its potential impact on the market, as well as the booming energy storage market, particularly with local power companies implementing substation-level storage projects. The conversation covered various industry topics including manufacturing growth in the region, data center development, and quantum technology applications, with a special panel planned on quantum technology and its connection to solar and storage.

 

Topics Covered

TenneSEIA Conference

Energy Storage Growth

Residential Solar Market

TVA Federal Structure

Rare Earth Materials

Conference Registration

Training Track

Solar Manufacturing

Data Centers

Quantum Computing

US Competitiveness

TVA = Tennessee Valley Authority

EPB = Electric Power Board

Manufacturing Tours

IRP = Integrated Resource Plan

Local Power Companies

RFP = Request for Proposals

 

Reach out to Gil Hough here:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gilhough/

Website: www.tenneseiasolar.com/

Email: [email protected]

Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at

www.heatspring.com/sean

www.solarsean.com/esipexam

Scott Wharton, CEO of Tandem PV, discusses his company's tandem perovskite silicon solar panel technology, which recently achieved a record 30.4 percent efficiency. He explains how a thin perovskite layer boosts power output, lowers manufacturing costs, and supports domestic production. The conversation also covers utility scale deployment, rising demand from data centers, manufacturing tax credits, and the future of solar energy in the United States.

 

Topics Covered

Tandem PV Origin

Perovskite Technology

Solar Panel Efficiency

Silicon Cell Integration

Company Board Members                                                                   

Panel Degradation Testing

Solar Manufacturing Timeline

Utility-Scale Solar

Silicon Valley Talent

US Manufacturing Tax Credits

Data Center Demand

Solar Cost Reduction

Bifacial Solar Panels

Automated Factory Production

Future Efficiency Roadmap

PV = Photovoltaic

IPP = Independent Power Producer

SEIA = Solar Energy Industries Association

IRA = Inflation Reduction Act

Podcast with Dick Swanson

 

Reach out to Scott Wharton here:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/scottwharton/

Website: www.tandempv.com/

Email: [email protected]

 

Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at

www.heatspring.com/sean

www.solarsean.com/esip