Soliverse | The Future of Solar

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I n this episode of the Soliverse podcast, Peter interviews Maksim Markevich, co-founder of Sunbim and PVFarm.

They discuss Maksim's journey from structural engineering to solar innovation, the challenges faced in solar PV design, and the importance of collaboration in the industry.

They explore the role of AI in enhancing design processes, the significance of understanding market dynamics, and the future of solar energy integration.

The conversation emphasizes the need for a vertically integrated approach to effectively address the complexities of solar projects.

Contacts of Maksim/PV FARM:

PVFARM's website: https://www.pvfarm.io/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maksimmarkevich/

Email:[email protected] or/and [email protected]

Connect with Soliverse on:

Linkedin:⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterpongraczsaas/⁠⁠

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/106534214/

https://www.soliverse.energy/

[email protected]

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Soliverse | The Future of Solar, the podcast for people building the future of solar, storage, and renewable infrastructure.

Each episode features grounded, unfiltered conversations with the people financing, developing, operating, and scaling real projects across the solar and clean energy ecosystem.

Soliverse exists to cut through noise, hype, and disconnected narratives and replace them with clarity, realism, and execution-focused insight for professionals who want to make smarter decisions, faster.

📌 Explore more from Soliverse

📲 Follow Soliverse and Peter for more insights and updates:
Peter on LinkedIn
Subscribe on YouTube

🎙️ New episodes release bi-weekly.

Produced by APodcastGeek

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Connect with Mohit/Enerdatics:

Web:⁠ enerdatics.com⁠

Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaulmohit/⁠Enerdatics

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/enerdatics/posts/?feedView=all

Enerdatics newsletter: https://www.enerdatics.com/get-exclusive-insights

Connect with Solidclouds/Jordan: 

Solidclouds’ Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/solid-clouds/⁠

Solidclouds’ Whatsapp: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaE2x8ODZ4LjtOOtFd1x

Jordan’s Linkedin:       https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanjjfkock

Connect with RatedPower/Carla:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlacoghenrosich/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/ratedpower/

https://ratedpower.com/

[email protected]

Connect with Soliverse:

Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterpongraczsaas/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/106534214/

https://www.soliverse.energy/

[email protected]

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Soliverse | The Future of Solar, the podcast for people building the future of solar, storage, and renewable infrastructure.

Each episode features grounded, unfiltered conversations with the people financing, developing, operating, and scaling real projects across the solar and clean energy ecosystem.

Soliverse exists to cut through noise, hype, and disconnected narratives and replace them with clarity, realism, and execution-focused insight for professionals who want to make smarter decisions, faster.

📌 Explore more from Soliverse

📲 Follow Soliverse and Peter for more insights and updates:
Peter on LinkedIn
Subscribe on YouTube

🎙️ New episodes release bi-weekly.

Produced by APodcastGeek

Send us Fan Mail

In this conversation, Carla Coghen from Rated Power shares her journey from a being a law to the renewable energy sector, emphasizing the importance of innovation, transparency, and a strong company culture.

She discusses the founding story of Rated Power, the role of AI in enhancing solar project design, and the critical need for investment in smart grids and battery storage.

Carla also highlights the significance of customer feedback, the challenges faced in the energy grid, and the exciting opportunities in emerging markets.

She also give insights on team building, lessons learned from failures, and recommended readings for aspiring professionals in the industry.

Contacts of RatedPower/Carla:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlacoghenrosich/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/ratedpower/

https://ratedpower.com/

[email protected]

Connect with Soliverse on:

Linkedin:⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterpongraczsaas/⁠⁠

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/106534214/

https://www.soliverse.energy/

[email protected]

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Soliverse | The Future of Solar, the podcast for people building the future of solar, storage, and renewable infrastructure.

Each episode features grounded, unfiltered conversations with the people financing, developing, operating, and scaling real projects across the solar and clean energy ecosystem.

Soliverse exists to cut through noise, hype, and disconnected narratives and replace them with clarity, realism, and execution-focused insight for professionals who want to make smarter decisions, faster.

📌 Explore more from Soliverse

📲 Follow Soliverse and Peter for more insights and updates:
Peter on LinkedIn
Subscribe on YouTube

🎙️ New episodes release bi-weekly.

Produced by APodcastGeek

Send us Fan Mail

• Peter and Jordan discuss Solidclouds’ innovative services in the solar energy sector.
• Focus on drone technology and 3D modeling for solar projects.
• Solidclouds’ evolution and use of point clouds for precise site measurements.
• Importance of structural analysis in solar project development.
• Integration of AR and VR to improve project visualization and client engagement.
• Emphasis on construction monitoring for effective solar project management.
• Exploration of Solidclouds’ market focus and product development approach.
• Discussion of entrepreneurial inspirations driving the company.
• Highlight of Solidclouds’ global reach and future goals.
• Emphasis on efficiency and innovation in the renewable energy sector.

Resources: 

https://youtube.com/shorts/DqjssDkzINI?si=brgo4SP8xe-FuUI9

https://digitaltwininsider.com/2024/05/21/10-top-digital-twin-startups-in-2024/

https://youtu.be/z_uIIiKZ4sE

Elevation files for Netherlands:

https://www.ahn.nl/

Contact details of Solidclouds/Jordan:
Solidclouds’ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/solid-clouds/

Solidclouds’ Whatsapp: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaE2x8ODZ4LjtOOtFd1x

Jordan’s Linkedin:       https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanjjfkock

Connect with Soliverse on:

Linkedin:⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterpongraczsaas/⁠⁠

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/106534214/

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Soliverse | The Future of Solar, the podcast for people building the future of solar, storage, and renewable infrastructure.

Each episode features grounded, unfiltered conversations with the people financing, developing, operating, and scaling real projects across the solar and clean energy ecosystem.

Soliverse exists to cut through noise, hype, and disconnected narratives and replace them with clarity, realism, and execution-focused insight for professionals who want to make smarter decisions, faster.

📌 Explore more from Soliverse

📲 Follow Soliverse and Peter for more insights and updates:
Peter on LinkedIn
Subscribe on YouTube

🎙️ New episodes release bi-weekly.

Produced by APodcastGeek

Send us Fan Mail

In this conversation, Mohit Kaul from Enerdatics shares insights on the renewable energy sector, the role of AI in market intelligence, and the intricacies of the M&A process.

He discusses the founding story of Enerdatics, emphasizing the importance of data and customer experience. The conversation also touches on the challenges and opportunities in the industry

Mohit and Peter also discuss the significance of client success, effective hiring strategies, and the potential of the Indian market in the renewable energy sector.

They explore the challenges faced in the industry, the impact of market downturns, and the importance of negotiation skills for entrepreneurs.

The discussion also highlights the need for flexibility in grid infrastructure and the role of battery storage in stabilizing energy supply.

Connect with Mohit/Enerdatics:
Web: enerdatics.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaulmohit/
Enerdatics Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/enerdatics/posts/?feedView=all

Enerdatics newsletter: https://www.enerdatics.com/get-exclusive-insights

Books mentioned:
The Lean startup:

https://leanstartup.co/books/
Shoe Dog by Phil Knight

https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Shoe-Dog/Phil-Knight/9781501135910

Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss

https://www.harpercollins.com/products/never-split-the-difference-chris-voss-tahl-raz

Zero to One by Peter Thiel and Blake Masters

 https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/234615/zero-to-one-by-peter-thiel-and-blake-masters/

Connect with Soliverse on:

Linkedin:⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterpongraczsaas/⁠⁠

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/106534214/

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Soliverse | The Future of Solar, the podcast for people building the future of solar, storage, and renewable infrastructure.

Each episode features grounded, unfiltered conversations with the people financing, developing, operating, and scaling real projects across the solar and clean energy ecosystem.

Soliverse exists to cut through noise, hype, and disconnected narratives and replace them with clarity, realism, and execution-focused insight for professionals who want to make smarter decisions, faster.

📌 Explore more from Soliverse

📲 Follow Soliverse and Peter for more insights and updates:
Peter on LinkedIn
Subscribe on YouTube

🎙️ New episodes release bi-weekly.

Produced by APodcastGeek

Send us Fan Mail

Miguel Galatas- Co-Founder - nTeaser - 00.30- 22.07

https://www.linkedin.com/in/miguel-galatas-perez-juez-096203175/

Shane Lebow - CEO - PV Complete - 22.21- 46.29

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-lebow-10a67a63/

Paul Grana -  Grana - Co-Founder - Folsom Labs(Helioscope) - 46.40 +

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pgrana/

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Soliverse | The Future of Solar, the podcast for people building the future of solar, storage, and renewable infrastructure.

Each episode features grounded, unfiltered conversations with the people financing, developing, operating, and scaling real projects across the solar and clean energy ecosystem.

Soliverse exists to cut through noise, hype, and disconnected narratives and replace them with clarity, realism, and execution-focused insight for professionals who want to make smarter decisions, faster.

📌 Explore more from Soliverse

📲 Follow Soliverse and Peter for more insights and updates:
Peter on LinkedIn
Subscribe on YouTube

🎙️ New episodes release bi-weekly.

Produced by APodcastGeek

Send us Fan Mail

Keywords

Folsom Labs, Helioscope, solar software, PVSYST, market expansion, CAD, cloud-based tools, product development, acquisitions, solar industry


Takeaways

Folsom Labs was founded to address gaps in solar software.
Helioscope emerged as a competitive alternative to PVSYST.
User feedback is crucial for product development and feature prioritization.
Sales and engineering teams must collaborate effectively for success.
The solar software market is evolving with new entrants and technologies.
Localization is key for international market success.
Cloud-based tools are likely to dominate over traditional CAD software.
Freemium models can provide valuable insights into user needs.
Strategic decision-making is essential in product development.
Failures can lead to valuable lessons and future successes.


Summary

In this conversation, Peter Pongracz discusses the founding and evolution of Folsom Labs and its flagship product, Helioscope. He shares insights into the solar software landscape, the importance of user feedback, and the dynamics between sales and engineering teams. The discussion also covers the challenges of market expansion, localization, and the future of CAD versus cloud-based tools. Peter reflects on the lessons learned from failures, the strategic decision-making process in product development, and the experience of navigating acquisitions, particularly the merger with Aurora. He concludes with thoughts on the future of solar software and the importance of engaging with the audience.


Titles

The Birth of Folsom Labs: A Solar Revolution
Helioscope: Transforming Solar Software


Sound bites

"This is not normal."
"We were both pretty burnt out."
"The best time to plant a tree is today."

Connect with Paul:
Email: [email protected]
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pgrana/

Connect with Soliverse on:
Linkedin:⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterpongraczsaas/⁠⁠
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/106534214/

Chapters

00:00 The Genesis of Folsom Labs
02:29 Navigating the Solar Software Landscape
05:06 The Evolution of Helioscope
07:59 Feedback and Workflow Integration
10:40 Sales and Engineering Dynamics
13:20 PVSYST vs. Helioscope: A Comparative Analysis
16:00 Market Expansion and Localization Challenges
18:55 The Future of CAD and Cloud-Based Tools
21:26 Freemium Model Insights
23:55 Feature Development and User Feedback
26:32 Strategic Decision-Making in Product Development
29:29 Lessons from Failures and Successes
31:44 The Role of International Markets
34:08 Navigating Acquisitions and Mergers
37:11 The Future of Solar Software
39:55 Final Thoughts and Audience Engagement

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Soliverse | The Future of Solar, the podcast for people building the future of solar, storage, and renewable infrastructure.

Each episode features grounded, unfiltered conversations with the people financing, developing, operating, and scaling real projects across the solar and clean energy ecosystem.

Soliverse exists to cut through noise, hype, and disconnected narratives and replace them with clarity, realism, and execution-focused insight for professionals who want to make smarter decisions, faster.

📌 Explore more from Soliverse

📲 Follow Soliverse and Peter for more insights and updates:
Peter on LinkedIn
Subscribe on YouTube

🎙️ New episodes release bi-weekly.

Produced by APodcastGeek

Send us Fan Mail

On this episode we chat with Shane Lebow, CEO of PV Complete, about revolutionizing solar design.

Shane shares his journey from finance to leading a solar software company, unveiling how PV Complete’s tools slash design time with AI and AutoCAD automation.

From tackling permitting challenges to a seamless end-to-end workflow, we explore solar’s future, including the rise of battery storage and community solar.

Shane’s insights on breaking industry silos and navigating regulatory shifts are a must-hear for anyone passionate about renewables!

Shane’s Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-lebow-10a67a63/

Follow Soliverse on:

Linkedin:⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterpongraczsaas/⁠⁠

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/106534214/

X: ⁠https://x.com/soliversepp?s=21&t=EdAhw1uzDwgviOhAUunnhg

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Soliverse | The Future of Solar, the podcast for people building the future of solar, storage, and renewable infrastructure.

Each episode features grounded, unfiltered conversations with the people financing, developing, operating, and scaling real projects across the solar and clean energy ecosystem.

Soliverse exists to cut through noise, hype, and disconnected narratives and replace them with clarity, realism, and execution-focused insight for professionals who want to make smarter decisions, faster.

📌 Explore more from Soliverse

📲 Follow Soliverse and Peter for more insights and updates:
Peter on LinkedIn
Subscribe on YouTube

🎙️ New episodes release bi-weekly.

Produced by APodcastGeek

Send us Fan Mail

In this conversation, Miguel Galatas discusses the innovative approaches nTeaser is taking in the renewable energy sector, particularly in energy mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

He emphasizes the importance of passion in entrepreneurship, the digital transformation of the industry, and the founding story of nTeaser.

Miguel shares insights on the challenges and lessons learned from failures, the future of renewable energy markets, and the technological advancements that are shaping the industry.

He also highlights the significance of continuous improvement and the strategies for funding and growth in the startup landscape.

Miguel's Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/miguel-galatas-perez-juez-096203175/

Connect with Soliverse on:

Linkedin:⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterpongraczsaas/⁠⁠

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/106534214/

X: https://x.com/soliversepp?s=21&t=EdAhw1uzDwgviOhAUunnhg

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Soliverse | The Future of Solar, the podcast for people building the future of solar, storage, and renewable infrastructure.

Each episode features grounded, unfiltered conversations with the people financing, developing, operating, and scaling real projects across the solar and clean energy ecosystem.

Soliverse exists to cut through noise, hype, and disconnected narratives and replace them with clarity, realism, and execution-focused insight for professionals who want to make smarter decisions, faster.

📌 Explore more from Soliverse

📲 Follow Soliverse and Peter for more insights and updates:
Peter on LinkedIn
Subscribe on YouTube

🎙️ New episodes release bi-weekly.

Produced by APodcastGeek

Send us Fan Mail

This is a special recap episode, rounding up the best moments from last month’s conversations. You’ll hear a short clip from each guest, giving you a taste of their insights! 

We’ve fine-tuned this format based on your feedback, keeping it sharp and straight to the point. Think of it as your solar-powered teaser—here to charge up your curiosity.

If you like what you hear, full episodes are here:

⁠https://linktr.ee/soliversepodcast⁠

List of guest:

1. Michael Zapf, CEO of Heliokraft - a solar enginering and design company

2. Stanislas van den Vaeren - Managing director of Sitemark - a cutting-edge drone platform revolutionizing solar project management 

3. Orcun Baslak - Co Founder and CEO of pvX - PV design software and Solarian - PV design engineering and consulting company

Please like and follow us on the links below:

Linkedin:⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterpongraczsaas/⁠⁠

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/106534214/

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Soliverse | The Future of Solar, the podcast for people building the future of solar, storage, and renewable infrastructure.

Each episode features grounded, unfiltered conversations with the people financing, developing, operating, and scaling real projects across the solar and clean energy ecosystem.

Soliverse exists to cut through noise, hype, and disconnected narratives and replace them with clarity, realism, and execution-focused insight for professionals who want to make smarter decisions, faster.

📌 Explore more from Soliverse

📲 Follow Soliverse and Peter for more insights and updates:
Peter on LinkedIn
Subscribe on YouTube

🎙️ New episodes release bi-weekly.

Produced by APodcastGeek