This episode was recorded in 2021 (but the insights are timeless).  This week on YOOOOO Sun! we're joined by Amanda Bybee, the CEO of Amicus O&M Cooperative, one of the most important bodies in the solar industry.  https://www.amicusom.com/ O&M stands for Operations & Maintenance, and its members (Solar States is one) promise to fulfill their solar promise for decades after their projects are installed. Amanda takes us on her path to Amicus O&M and discusses women in solar, diversity in solar, the vetting process used by O&M to recruit new installers and how they hold them accountable over time, her new website solarrecycle.org, and more.

This week it's THE GODFATHER! That's right the Godfather of Solar himself joins us - Ron Celentano. Ron's advice saved Solar States years ago and today might save YOU. We talk PA solar policy achievements, the future of Net Metering, challenges to solar growth from here, community solar, solar for farmers and SO. MUCH. MORE.  It's....YOOOOOOOOO Sun!!! episode 23!

Episode 22 is all about the solar market in our great state of Pennsylvania.

Laura Rigell was Director of the Philadelphia Energy Authority at the time of this recording and has since moved on to new and exciting things. She was joined by C. Baird Brown, principal at eco(n)law and legal counsel for the PEA. 

Baird shares his perspective on the state of solar here in PA, including an overview of AEPS, net metering, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, and roadblocks / issues we need to address in order for solar to blossom here. Emily discusses the discrepancy they (the PEA) discovered in the way Net Metering was being implemented in PA, and what her team and Baird have done to right the issue. 

 

Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear boots and drive a Prius, and Thomas Glenn is one of those. Thomas came to us through our free solar education programs five years ago, and has advanced to become a Philadelphia Master Electrician. He is leaving this summer for a big move to Colorado with his fiancè.  Thomas shares his full story from dropping out of High School to finding our free training programs, graduating them, accepting his job with Solar States, and evolving at our company over the years.

Brian Barr is Manager of PECO's Green Power Connect team, a group committed to creating more opportunities for solar energy in Greater Philadelphia. 

On this episode we get DEEP into the nitty gritty of how a utility is involved in the process of going solar. Brian's team manages relationships with all solar developers in the area, including Solar States. Their job is to make sure everything is run smoothly and make improvements wherever possible, which they have by dramatically reducing the time it takes your permit to be processed and by adding online payments (!), among other things. The process can get complicated. Brian, Jared, and Micah boil it down. 

And for today's Rapid Shutdown, shutdown unnecessary bureaucracy! 

Marc Shackelford-Rowell was born and raised in North Philadelphia and met Solar States Founder Micah Gold-Markel at Solar States' Solar Training Lab during his time in the Philadelphia OIC program. “OIC is probably one of the best things to ever happen to me that I never planned for. A great combination of hands-on training as well as technical knowledge."  After OIC and an internship with the Philadelphia Energy Authority, Marc joined Solar States and has since become a master of all trades for us. In this episode, he speaks to Micah and Jared about his first installation as an installer, his experience with Solar States including his massive achievement shortening the time-to-permit for all solar installs in Philadelphia, and his path to becoming a solar homeowner. As Micah says, he's "the greenest dude of anyone I know."

Judy Wicks is an entrepreneur, author, speaker and mentor working to build a more compassionate, just, regenerative and locally-based economy. She joined us to discuss her approach to a carbon-free life both at home and in business, and discussed her non-profits and how they're building more sustainable economies in PA and across the nation. 

Learn more at circleofauntsanduncles.com, judywicks.com, proudpennsylvania.org.   

Today we talked with members of the Pennsylvania Conservative Energy Forum and learned we can all agree on a whole awful lot. We talk about the future and importance of renewables in Pennsylvania, the challenges and nuance of reaching across the aisle to find middle ground and progress, and the potential benefits of community solar on PA's agricultural center. A refreshing and feel-good conversation in search of middle ground and practical next steps. 

Thank you to PCEF's Chad Forcey, John Storey, and Justin Mason for joining us! More about PCEF at https://penncef.org/.

Today on the show - the one and only Jackson Kusiak. Jackson's background in community organizing and climate relief initiatives led him to Solar States, where he started as an installer and soon transitioned to the sales team. Jackson joined Jared & Micah to discuss his vision for solar, and his work that led to the 2021 groundbreaking solar pilot program for low and moderate income households in Philadelphia.

Today's episode is a masterclass on building efficient homes. We're joined by Alex Seldin, a Solar States client who hired us during renovations to his Philadelphia home, and Brian Osborne of Osborne Construction, who was hired by Alex to design the home using Brian's "whole-house organism" approach. 

Alex shares his initial vision for the home, including his motivations for going solar, and Brian details on his plans and execution. Brian is what Jared calls "Picasso with a 2x4". He has spent his career thinking deeply about building efficiencies and developing a practical, long-term approach to building green homes.

Nobody likes to crack open the walls to their own home for energy improvements. Brian outlines his "200-year solution" for clients so that they don't have to worry about upgrades to indoor air quality, air tightness, or other concerns ever again. 

You'll hear the full story from financial and design considerations to execution to life after solar install / renovations. 

More about Osborne Construction: http://www.osborne-construction.com/