Dive into the growth of solar engineering teams in this latest episode of Sounds of Solar!  Hosts Christoph Bruhn and Prahalad Shivshankaran sit down with Raj Pawar, Director of Solar PV and Battery Storage at EVS, to explore how the company grew its solar department from 12 to 36 team members while maintaining top-tier quality and fostering a strong company culture.  Raj shares his leadership strategies, including the importance of decentralized decision-making, building a leadership pipeline, and the role of standardized processes in sustaining rapid growth. Whether you’re a solar industry veteran or a newcomer, this episode offers valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of scaling in a competitive industry.

Dive into the nitty-gritty of substations with Colin Paarmann, EVS Inc.'s substation manager, as we explore how civil and electrical engineering collide to power renewable energy projects across the nation. From collector substations to the art of stepping up voltage, this discussion blends high-level technical insight with a dash of humor.

In this episode of the Sounds of Solar, the boys explore what sustainable living could look like if money weren’t an obstacle. From community solar options to the latest in EV technology, they discuss the complexities of making greener choices and how policy, technology, and personal finances shape the way we approach sustainability.  Must hear moments include how cost barriers impact our choices for solar and EVs, the practicalities of community solar for renters and homeowners, and small sustainable actions that add up, from composting to cloth bags.

Could Minnesota be the unexpected leader propelling the next wave of renewable energy and tech innovation? Join hosts Chris, Russell, and Prahalad, live from MnSEIA’s Gateway to Solar Conference, as they sit down with Minnesota Representative Patty Acomb to explore how groundbreaking policies are transforming Minnesota into a renewable energy powerhouse and attracting major tech companies. Discover how initiatives like the 100% Clean Energy by 2040 mandate, the establishment of the State Competitiveness Fund, and innovative permitting reforms are accelerating solar adoption and drawing hyperscale data centers from tech giants like Meta, Google, and Amazon to the North Star State. 

Recording LIVE from the expo floor of MnSEIA's Gateway to Solar conference, the Sounds of Solar podcast hosts speak with MnSEIA Executive Director Logan O'Grady and Bernadette Del Chairo from California Solar & Storage Assoc. (CALSSA) as they 'pull back the curtain' around distributed solar energy, net metering, and the work and lessons learned between California and Minnesota agencies.

Structural engineering and solar energy - an unlikely pairing? Not for Structural Engineering Manager Abby Reetz. In this episode, we uncover the hidden world of structural engineering in utility-scale solar projects.  Abby shares her unexpected transition from traditional building design to the solar industry, offering a unique perspective on the engineering marvels behind massive solar farms, how PV foundations ground the solar revolution, designing for extremes, and striking the perfect balance between cost, efficiency, and longevity. 

Join us for an enlightening conversation that bridges the gap between structural engineering and sustainable energy. Discover how Abby and her team at EVS are building the backbone of our solar future, one foundation at a time.

The boys are back to kick off Season 4! Join Chris, Russell, and Prahalad as they settle into the new studio and share their summer adventures and industry insights.

This premiere episode takes you from Russell's Greek excursion and first piloting experience to Chris and Prahalad's Pacific Northwest explorations.

Special guest Abby Reetz joins the conversation, offering a comprehensive overview of the RE+ solar convention in Anaheim. Get ready for in-depth discussions on the latest industry trends and technological advancements shaping the solar landscape.

Highlights include:

• Detailed analysis of RE+, the preeminent solar conference in the U.S.

• Reflections on Season 3 achievements and anticipations for Season 4

• Insightful dialogue on the solar industry's vibrant culture and promising outlook

Please subscribe and leave a review to help us spread the word about the Sounds of Solar!

More info? Looking to switch to a career in solar? Contact us here: https://evs-eng.com/

In this must-listen season finale, the Sounds of Solar team tackles the industry's most pressing issue: tariffs on solar modules and batteries. We share worst-case scenarios and real-world examples of how these tariffs are driving up costs and delaying projects.

Join us as we explore:

• How tariffs strain budgets and push back timelines
• The engineering challenges of module changes and redesigns
• The ripple effects on the entire solar supply chain

Plus, we discuss potential strategies for navigating this new normal and the importance of domestic manufacturing.

Subscribe and leave a review to join the conversation and stay informed on the future of solar energy.

Connect with our hosts on LinkedIn:

Prahalad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prahaladshivshankaran

Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christoph-bruhn-pe-bb3a7546

Russell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-hamilton-8225b5179

Interested in joining the EVS Engineering team? Check out our careers page: https://evs-eng.com/careers/

Navigating the complexities of green hydrogen and power-to-X technology is crucial for driving progress in the renewable energy sector. In this episode, Michael Klein, Head of Project Development at EE North America, shares his expertise on the regulatory framework, cost-effectiveness, and safety aspects of hydrogen projects. Solar engineers and decision-makers cannot miss this insightful conversation on the transformative potential of green hydrogen in decarbonizing various industries.

Must Hear Moments:

1. Michael's thoughts on the misconceptions surrounding green hydrogen production (29:25)
2. The importance of skill stacking and a well-rounded skill set in the renewable energy industry (09:10)
3. The role of collaboration and trust in developing safe and efficient hydrogen projects (19:17)

Notable Quotes:

1. "Our industry has proven time and time again, we can get to a cost-effective point where we can compete with other traditional forms of energy."
2. "If we're not all having this conversation, like we're having right now, we're never going to get there as an industry."
3. "As an industry, if we're, if we want to play with the big boys, we need to have big boy safety programs and safety systems in place to keep people safe long term and get them home to their family."

Contact Information:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldkleinpe

Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaeldklein23?lang=en

Website: https://eenorthamerica.com/

To learn more about the Sounds of Solar, visit https://evs-eng.com/. Subscribe and leave a rating for the podcast to help us continue bringing you valuable insights from renewable energy experts.

The Sounds of Solar podcast is live from the floor brining you the highlights of CleanPower 2024, a major renewable energy conference in Minneapolis.  Hosts Chris, Russell, and Prahalad interview top industry professionals, including Adam Pratt from McCarthy Building Companies, Michael Klein and Alex Ng from EE North America, Sohan Das from EVS, and Michael Benitez from Moss and Associates.

Gain insights into the latest trends and technologies, such as battery energy storage systems (BESS), the future of renewables, and advice for aspiring engineers. If you couldn't attend the conference, let EVS take you inside with this special episode featuring key moments and valuable insights from the event.