“Speed to Power” is the new race — but can the grid keep up?

Hyperscalers, AI, and industrial demand are pushing load growth from flat to vertical. Yet most projects still take five to seven years just to interconnect.

That’s the bottleneck Hugo Mena is tackling as Chief Growth Officer at Electric Power Engineers (EPE).

This live conversation addresses the forces shaping the grid of the future — and what it’ll actually take to deliver power at the speed innovation demands. Hugo shares how developers, utilities, and data centers can collaborate to unlock speed to power without sacrificing reliability or long-term vision.

Expect to learn:

🔹 Why the “best available electron” isn’t always the cleanest

🔹 How hyperscalers are driving off-grid and hybrid microgrids

🔹 What Order 2023 (OB3) really means for developers

🔹 How software, siting, and partnerships define the next decade of grid planning

This is one of the most pragmatic and forward-looking conversations you’ll hear on how clean energy actually scales.

Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.

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

This Giving Tuesday, SunCast brings you three powerful stories of how clean energy is transforming communities, saving lives, and unlocking local climate action.

Host Nico Johnson sits down with leaders working across three different fronts of the climate fight:

• Robin Swanhuyser — Twende Solar

Electrifying community hubs in places like rural Ghana, turning schools and clinics into resilience engines for entire villages.

• Will Heegaard — Footprint Project

Deploying portable solar microgrids after hurricanes and wildfires, from Jamaica to Western North Carolina.

• Jack Hanson — Run on Climate

Empowering local leaders to pass real climate policy—proving the most effective climate action often starts at your city council.

These are tangible, hopeful, boots-on-the-ground solutions you can support today.

Expect to learn:

🔹 Why “being connected to the grid” doesn’t always mean having reliable energy

🔹 How solar-powered microgrids restore communication, water, and medical services after disasters

🔹 Why local elections and city-level policies are quiet climate superpowers

🔹 How small actions—like a $50 donation or even buying a solar-themed puzzle—can create outsized impact

Hope this episode is more than a way to pass the time; pay it forward by donating or sharing w/your community!

Listen in, get inspired, and consider giving where it matters most.

Support all three organizations here:

https://www.suncast.media/giving-tuesday-2025

Can getting a solar permit be as fast as ordering takeout?

Permitting may be the most boring part of solar, but it's also the biggest bottleneck.

That’s what Matthew McAllister is working to fix. As CEO of SolarAPP, he’s leading a quiet revolution that helps installers skip the paperwork and get to work faster with instant, automated approvals.

In this episode, we dive into Matthew’s journey from the West Wing to the frontlines of the clean energy transition. With a background in government technology and big public wins like launching Colorado’s universal preschool platform, he knows what it takes to move bureaucracy at startup speed. Now he’s using that know-how to help solar installers and local governments solve one of the industry’s oldest problems.

We explore how SolarAPP grew from a small NREL pilot into a platform adopted by more than 525 jurisdictions across the country. But the real innovation isn't just instant permits — it's about creating consistency, clarity, and confidence on both sides of the table.

Expect to learn:

🔹 Which soft costs are killing solar’s ability to scale and how SolarAPP is tackling them

🔹 How standardizing permitting helps both installers and local governments

🔹 What public sector trust-building looks like behind the scenes

🔹 Why installers should take another look at SolarAPP’s expanded capabilities

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to streamline solar deployment and scale with confidence.

And for those of you in the USA who are listening to this when it publishes,

Happy Thanksgiving!

Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.

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

America’s about to make a big bet on critical minerals and rare earths. In case you missed it, the DOE just reorganized and announced a major initiative around the refining of this critical element in our energy and defense future.  Why?  Because the energy and defense sectors are dangerously dependent on China’s refining power; but, what if we could change that without opening a single new mine? 

We recently covered a company that’s rethinking rare earth and critical mineral supply chains from the ground up. Mark LaVerghetta, VP at ReElement Technologies, explained that their secret weapon is a closed-loop chromatography-based refining system that can extract and purify vital materials from recycled batteries, magnets, and even coal waste, all on U.S. soil. 

Mark shares how the leadership team pivoted from distressed coal assets to inventing a modular, small-footprint solution that could rewrite the rules of critical mineral processing and eliminate America’s reliance on toxic, capital-intensive Chinese methods and imports.  It can also liberate us from the supply constraints imposed by the ever-growing trade war between the two countries for materials that are critical path to our clean energy future.

Expect to learn:

🔹 How chromatography replaces hundreds of toxic chemical stages in rare earths refining

🔹 What rare minerals are hidden in EV batteries, coal waste, and wind turbines

🔹 Why ReElement's tech is scalable in the nation’s abandoned strip malls, not megafactories

🔹 How they’re restoring U.S. supply chain independence through innovation

This is more than a conversation about minerals. It’s about resilience, security, and a cleaner future built right here at home.

Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.

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

In 2008, Fluence installed one of the first lithium-ion battery systems ever connected to the U.S. grid. Back then, the idea of a domestic battery supply chain felt distant—almost theoretical.

Today, it’s real.

John Zahurancik, now President of Fluence Americas, has spent nearly two decades pushing the storage industry from “interesting pilot projects” to critical grid infrastructure. The last time he was on SunCast, he said domestic content would happen.

This year, Fluence started shipping it.

In this episode, John breaks down how storage has quietly become the backbone of the power system—independent of renewables—and why the next wave of deployments will be bigger, faster, and more strategically important than anything we’ve seen.

We dig into:

🔹 What true U.S.-made battery content means for developers and grid operators

🔹 How AI and hyperscale data centers are reshaping grid architecture

🔹 The fire-safety testing Fluence spearheaded that is now industry standard

🔹 Why batteries are becoming the “shock absorbers” of the modern grid

If you care about project execution, energy security, or the future of grid reliability, this conversation is essential.

Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.

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

Most solar projects are still built the hard way—treating structure, electrical, and software as separate scopes that have to be stitched together in the field. But the teams delivering gigawatts today know something different: solar plants work best when they’re designed as systems, not parts.

In this Tactical Tuesday, Nico sits down with three of the people shaping that shift inside Nextpower:

Jake Morin (Chief Product Officer),

Ryan Schofield (VP of Electrical Systems), and

Jyoti Jain (Head of Software Product Management).

Together, they break down what actually changes when you integrate structure, eBOS, data, and software upstream—and why EPCs, developers, and owners are turning toward system-level thinking to reduce rework, prevent failures, and build faster.

Expect practical insights like:

🔹 Why early electrical integration eliminates jumpers and avoids 80% of DC field failures

🔹 How integrated tracker + foundation design removes entire construction steps

🔹 How tools like NX Pulse speed up commissioning by 50%

🔹 How robotics and fleet data are reshaping hardware design

🔹 Why “internalizing complexity” at the OEM level is becoming a competitive advantage for builders

If you're trying to build smarter and reduce surprises, this episode gives you the playbook the most experienced teams are using right now.

Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.

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

Batteries aren’t just supporting the grid anymore, they are defending the grid.

Chris Finley, CCO of TruGrid, joins Nico on stage at PowerUp Live to explain how battery storage has shifted from a “nice-to-have” to a mission-critical asset class. Whether it’s enabling arbitrage in ERCOT or powering hyperscale data centers, battery systems are now leading the charge, literally.

From the complexities of supply chains to the myths about lithium tech, Chris shares a practical, from-the-field perspective on what it takes to deliver large-scale battery projects in today’s challenging market. He also breaks down how policy shifts and interconnection delays are forcing EPCs to rethink how they plan and execute storage projects.

Expect to learn:

🔹 What developers get wrong about battery risk profiles

🔹 How TruGrid streamlines integration from EMS to commissioning

🔹 The hidden economics behind data center battery deployment

🔹 Why project standardization remains elusive, and what to do about it

Today’s convo is must-listen material if you’re building in the battery sector.

Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.

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

A Powerwall delivery truck flipped. No fire. No smoke. Seemed safe.

They tossed those Powerwalls into a landfill. Four days later—explosion!

That incident didn’t just make headlines; it changed Tesla’s fire strategy. In this Tactical Tuesday, retired Battalion Chief Kathleen McCaffery explains how that one mistake led Tesla to create a Global Fire Liaison role—and why every developer, EPC, and AHJ should borrow the playbook.

Kathleen walks through the real science of lithium-ion incidents and the simple operational changes that stop projects from turning into disasters. It’s short, practical, and built for people who build.

This episode is a rare peek behind the curtain of Tesla Energy’s fire safety strategy—and a must-listen for developers, installers, and fire safety professionals building battery storage projects in 2025 and beyond.

You’ll learn:

🔹 Why lithium-ion fires can reignite days later (delayed thermal runaway)

🔹 Why the old rule “big fire, big water” fails—and what to do instead

🔹 How misting/cooling tactics cut water use and cleanup time

🔹 What Tesla got right (and what most companies still get wrong)

🔹 A real-world miss that destroyed a facility—and how to prevent it

From Australia’s mega sites to small-town stations, Kathleen’s job was to bridge battery tech and fire ops. Steal the lessons—and save yourself time, money, and a lot of risk.

00:00 Landfill explosion: what really happened

01:33 Why Tesla built a Global Fire Liaison

04:05 “I thought I’d seen it all”—the hazmat wake-up call

07:37 Global pushback on EVs/BESS & how training changed it

10:16 Fire Triangle: why lithium-ion “creates its own oxygen”

12:55 Misting > Big water (cooling beats smothering)

13:52 Dev mistake that drives Kathleen nuts (and the fix)

PSA: If you build solar + storage, share this with your safety lead and your local fire chief. Then listen to the full episode for the deeper playbook.

Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.

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

This episode marks ten years of SunCast - and the return of its very first guest.

In 2015, a young GTM Research analyst named Adam James joined host Nico Johnson for the debut episode exploring the rise of solar in Latin America.

A decade later, Adam is a Partner at Energy Impact Partners and Chair of the Clean Energy Leadership Institute (CELI). Together, he and Nico reflect on how far both they—and the clean energy industry—have come.

This isn’t just a reunion; it’s a conversation about how work, leadership, and life evolve over time. Adam shares what he’s learned about managing people, building systems that scale, and staying grounded through seasons of growth and fatherhood.

They explore:

🔹 What it takes to build great teams and sustainable systems inside fast-growing organizations

🔹 How to hire for responsibility, not just experience

🔹 The lessons fatherhood teaches about leadership and presence

🔹 Why consistency—and showing up—is the real differentiator in both parenting and management

Whether you’ve been listening since that first episode or you’re just discovering SunCast today, this 10-year anniversary conversation captures the heart of what the show has always been about: how we grow—personally, professionally, and collectively—in the work of powering a better future.

Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.

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

“Is your project really compliant?”

That’s the billion-dollar question developers across the U.S. are asking as Foreign Entity of Concern (FEOC) rules tighten their grip on clean energy tax credits. If you are(were) banking on the ITC, PTC, or 45X, you can’t afford to miss this Tactical Tuesday deep-dive.

The rules are shifting. Supply chains are murky. And guidance is still evolving. Host Nico Johnson pulls together an expert panel to decode how FEOC is reshaping the way projects are sourced, engineered, financed, and papered across the U.S. solar and storage market.

You’ll hear from:

• Christian Roselund (Clean Energy Associates) — decoding ownership, material assistance, and effective control
• 
  
• Raj Pawar (EVS) — revealing how inverter-level definitions trigger real engineering redesigns
• 
  
• Aaron Gomolak (Ampt) — showing how string-level optimization keeps projects on schedule and compliant
• 
  
• Mona Dajani (Baker Botts) — outlining how to structure deals and mitigate legal risk while guidance evolves

Expect to learn:

🔹 Why Treasury’s guidance on "qualified facility" could force developers to rethink procurement

🔹 How to vet supplier self-certifications and avoid “phantom compliance”

🔹 How top counsel advise clients when regulations are still in flux

🔹 The engineering tradeoffs and cost-neutral approaches developers are taking to stay bankable

The FEOC clock is ticking — this episode gives you the clarity (and tactics) to stay compliant, on schedule, and in control.

Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.

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