The Spoon Podcast DIY Solar, Backup Power, and the New Home Energy Stack with Pila's Cole Ashman
Apr 1, 2025
Cole Ashman, Founder and CEO of Pila Energy and former Tesla Powerwall project member, shares his vision for revolutionizing home energy with a distributed, plug-and-play battery system. He discusses the advantages of placing smaller batteries throughout the home, making backup power more flexible and affordable. The conversation also highlights Utah's new legislation fostering DIY balcony solar solutions, enhancing energy accessibility for renters and homeowners. Ashman explores the integration of battery technology in appliances, promoting energy efficiency and resilience.
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Cole's Power Outage Motivation
- Cole Ashman grew up in New Orleans and experienced power outages caused by storms like Hurricane Katrina. - This motivated him to study engineering and work on home backup power products like the Tesla Powerwall and Span smart electrical panel.
Limitations of Whole-Home Batteries
- Whole-home battery backups remain out of reach for most due to high costs and complex installations. - This creates a huge opportunity for more affordable, plug-and-play solutions that don't require home ownership or big investments.
Fridge as Backup Power Priority
- The refrigerator is the most critical appliance to keep powered during outages due to food safety and financial value. - Many users buy full home battery systems just to back up their fridge specifically.