Sean White‘s Solar and Energy Storage Podcast

Solar energy was the most expensive energy in the world 25 years ago and now it is the least expensive energy in the world. This is because Hans-Josef Fell invented a policy called the Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) that made it a good financial decision to invest in solar back when solar was very expensive. This caused mass production of solar technologies and the price of solar systems went down orders of magnitude. The first FIT program was in Hans-Josef’s hometown in Bavaria Germany and was capped at 15kW for the entire program (now that is how much solar that is over my head). The FIT price was 2 Marks (pre-Euro money) per kWh, which was about $1 US. With the FIT, there was a law requiring the utility to pay the solar system owner a price for the electricity for usually 20 years, so that people will have the incentive to purchase grid-tied solar. 1000 years from now, Hans-Josef will be recognized as saving the planet and as the most important person of our era.   Topics Covered: Hans-Josef Fell’s Credentials: Started the world’s first Feed-In-Tariff Co-author of the German Renewable Energy Sources Act 2000 with Hermann Scheer Member of the German Parliament representing the 15 years (Green Party) President of Energy Watch Group Author of Global Cooling Past Vice President of Eurosolar City Counselor School Teacher   Awards: Global Leadership Award in Advancing Solar Energy Policy – In Honor of Hermann Scheer, January 2019 LUI Che Woo Prize – Prize for World Civilization, Recognizing lifetime achievements for sustainable global development, January 2018 Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, January 2015 Bavarian Order of Merit, January 2012 Bonda Award – European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA), January 2006 Nuclear-Free Future Award, January 2001 Energy Globe Award, January 2000 Solar Award – European Solar Energy Association (EUROSOLAR), January 1994   I met Hans-Josef Fell at the Intersolar Germany conference in May (also known as The Smarter E) thanks to Tomasz Slusarz, who invited me to a Cleantech Business Club dinner near the Hofbräuhaus München, (where I drank beer as a teenager). I was fortunate to sit next to Hans-Josef and have non-alcoholic beer with him! #TogetherWeAreStronger   Contact info: Website: www.hans-josef-fell.de LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/hansjoseffell   Global Cooling book: https://a.co/d/6JlAOw5

In this episode of Sean White's Solar and Energy Storage Podcast, Sean interviews Sachin Gupta at the American Clean Power conference in Arizona. They discuss the lengthy lead times for huge transformers, the challenges of supply chains, and the capabilities of Pennsylvania Transformer Technology. Gupta explains the details of manufacturing and delivering massive transformers, some of which take up to three years to produce. They cover the significance of Made in America products, the impact of tariffs, and the growing demands in the solar and energy storage sectors. Additionally, they talk about the future of transformer technology, including potential developments in high voltage direct current (HVDC) applications.   Topics discussed: American Clean Power (ACP) Affordable Wire Management 144 to 146 weeks lead time Supply chain 50 to 500 MVa transformer MVA (VA=volts x amps) Tariffs 765,000 volts transformer Single Phase Transformer Bushing American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) Utility Scale Rooftop solar Small pad transformers Collector transformer = Large power   transformer Pad mounted transformer Civil pad FAT = Factory Acceptance Test Minimum 25 years life span up to 40 to 50 years HVDC = High Voltage Direct Current   Reach out to Sachin Gupta here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sachin-gupta-b1997b1a Pennsylvania Transformer Technology LLC: www.patransformer.com   Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean

Matt Hirsch is a writer and has been writing about the solar industry before there was a modern solar industry in California. Sean and Matt shoot the breeze and find out they crossed paths a few different times in the industry, when Matt was writing about the birth of solar CCAs in California in the 1990s and writing about Sean’s friend Paul Fenn, who got Sean into solar. Matt and Sean were both affiliated with Photon Magazine and now they are both hanging out in Berkeley and hanging out at NorCal Solar events.   Matt Hirsch is the Chief Marketing Officer of TerraCurrent   Topics covered: Terra Current www.terracurrent.com Photon Magazine www.photon.info Grounding and electrical current flow Single Wire Earth Return Sean White’s creative songs to promote NABCEP certification NorCal Solar = Northern California Solae www.norcalsolar.org CALSSA  = California Solar and Storage Association www.calssa.org ASES = American Solar Energy Society www.ases.org Solar Coaster Challenges in solar policy and public perception Bundesnetzagentur Net metering Starlink FIT = Feed in Tariff Grid defection Paul Fenn CCA = Community Choice Aggregation Ava Community Energy www.avaenergy.org Sean’s Journey in the Solar Industry Life and Politics in Berkeley, California SEIA = Solar Energy Industry Association www.seia.org IREC = Interstate Renewable Energy Counsil www.irecusa.org SEAC = Sustainable Energy Action Committee www.sustainableenergyaction.org Planet Plan Sets www.planetplansets.com Solar Roots Party [Register now]   Reach out to Matt Hirsch on: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/matthewbhirsch Terra Current Website: www.terracurrent.com   Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean

Sean met Wilson at the RE+ Texas Conference and they hit it off. Wilson also does training and just started an apprenticeship program on HeatSpring.   Check it out! https://www.heatspring.com/electrical   Topics covered: NCCER = National Center for Construction Education and Research www.nccer.org Energizeus www.energizeus-edu.today        www.energizeus.today RE+ Vegas Blue Collar & White Collar Training Roof SunPower www.sunpower.com Mark Mrohs Infinite Solar Feed in Tariff Solar Coaster San Francisco Comedy College Ontario Solar Academy Texas Trade Technical Skill Trades Apprenticeship License & Certification NEC = National Electrical Code JTA = Job Task Analysis IRA = Inflation Reduction Act IBEW = International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers ABC = Associated Builders and Contractors NorCal Solar = The Northern California Solar Energy Association www.norcalsolar.org Journeyman Card Contractor’s License FAA = Federal Aviation Administration www.faa.gov Drone Certificate SEIA = Solar Energy Industry Association www.seia.org Curriculum Interstellar LMS = Learning Management System Reach out to Wilson Batances Here: Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/energizeus Enrgizeus Instagram: www.instagram.com/energize_us_edu Energizeus Websites: www.energizeus-edu.today                 www.energizeus.today   Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean

Join us for an exciting episode as we talk with Madeline Acri from SunGrow at the RE+ Texas conference. Learn about the latest in central and string inverters, cool energy storage ideas, and creative ways to help the planet. From the fun side of solar tech to the future of clean energy, this episode is full of insights and a touch of humor. Tune in for a great look into the world of renewables!   Topics covered: Sungrow Central Inverter String Inverter MPP = Maximum Power Point MPPT = Maximum Power Point Tracking DC to DC Converter Fuse Grounded Inverter Non-Isolated Inverter Grounded and Ungrounded NEC = National Electrical Code Bipolar Solar Circuit Floating Array PID = Potential Induced Degradation Solar Power at Nighttime Nicola Tesla and Thomas Edison SNEC Distribution System Geomagnetic Reversal Solar Roadways BIPV = Building Integrated Photovoltaics Solar Window Balcony Solar Solar Recycling Hydrogen Electrolyzer Wind Energy Oil and Gas ESS = Energy Storage System EV = Electric Vehicle EV Charging Vehicle to Grid Adaption Feed in Tariff Dual Glass Modules Tesla Elon Musk Electric Bobcat Ideas to Save the Planet The Boy who Harnessed the Wind Space Junk Dyson Sphere Reach out to Madeline Acri Here: Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/madeline-acri Sungrow Website: www.sungrowpower.com   Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean

In this episode of Sean White's Solar and Energy Storage Podcast, Sean talks with Fox Swim from Aurora Solar about the latest trends and issues in the solar industry. They cover topics like corporate personhood, solar tariffs, the future of solar technology, and the complexities of modern utility rate structures. They also touch upon the ethical responsibilities of solar salespeople, the evolving landscape of energy storage and virtual power plants, and the impact of recent legislative changes on the industry. This episode offers helpful updates and perspective.   Topics covered: Aurora Solar www.aurorasolar.com Software tool Liquidation Ford versus Dodge Shareholder Supremacy Corporate Personhood B Corp EV = Electric Vehicles VPP = Virtual Power Plant NorCal Solar = The Northern California Solar Energy Association www.norcalsolar.org Inverter Utility Smart Grid Microgrids European Market Intersolar and Smarter E Tariff Solar Bros Reach out to Fox Swim Here: Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/fox-swim Aurora Solar: www.aurorasolar.com   Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean

Rob Mueller, an ethics instructor at HeatSpring and a key player at Revision Energy, dives into the importance of integrity in solar sales. He discusses the need to tackle shady practices and the value of education in reshaping the industry. Rob emphasizes value-based sales and the role of apprenticeships in developing skilled workers. The conversation highlights the Amicus Buyers Group's efforts to foster trust and ethical standards, underscoring the significance of customer relationships built on honesty and transparency.

In this milestone 200th episode, Sean White shares the evolution of his podcast and reflects on his journey in the solar industry. Starting from his days as a radio DJ, he chronicles how he transitioned to producing online solar classes and eventually podcasting. Sean highlights key moments and guests on the show, including industry pioneers like Ward Bower, Bill Brooks and Mark Mrohs. He recounts his engagements at various conferences and the benefits of continuous learning and education in the rapidly expanding solar industry. Sean emphasizes the importance of balancing fun with education and the impact of making incremental changes in policies affecting the industry. Looking forward, he expresses optimism about the future of solar energy and his podcast.   Topics discussed: Radio DJ National Electrical Code Radio 690 Article 690 NABCEP Certified D1 Water License Fake Advertisements A Prairie Home Companion SunCast Media RE+ Stage Johan Alfsen = founder of Solar Battle of the Bands Ward Bower = Godfather of Solar Mark Mrohs Bill Brooks San Francisco Comedy College Press pass SEIA = Solar Energy Industry Association Feed-in Tariff (FIT) American Clean Power Trevor Noah  Solar Coaster   Trevor Noah audio clip courtesy of SunCast Media YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0neVALfl6zQ&t=1981s    Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean

In this episode, we hang out with Madeline Acri at the NABCEP Conference in Reno and hear the wild story of how she went from walking 800 miles to becoming a go-to expert in solar and storage. She shares behind-the-scenes stories from the solar world, what’s changing in the industry, and where it’s all headed. If you’re into clean energy or just love a good journey you’ll want to hear this one.   Topics covered: Intersolar EV = Electric vehicle Solar Coaster 800 Miles Walk: The Arizona Trail BLM = Bureau of Land Management Transmission Sungrow www.en.sungrowpower.com Inverter ESS = Energy Storage System Applications Engineer Rapid Shutdown Array Boundary Bill Brooks Tigo Transmitter UL 3741 Wire Management Derek Solarboi Subarray Gap MPP = Maximum Power Point Tracking IV Curve Karaoke at the NABCEP conference www.linkedin.com   Reach out to Madeline Acri Here: Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/madeline-acri Sungrow Website: www.en.sungrowpower.com   Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean

Join Sean White in a conversation with special guest Johan Alfsen as they explore the history and impact of the Solar Battle of the Bands. They discuss the event's beginnings, standout moments, and how it has shaped the solar industry emphasizing the community spirit and remarkable talent that define it. You'll also hear about upcoming happenings, behind-the-scenes stories, and the unique connection between music lovers and solar professionals. This is an episode full of fun and valuable insights you won't want to miss!   Topics covered: SBOB = Solar Battle of the Bands Semicon NABCEP Conference = North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners Conference History of SBOB Solar Bands Effect of Covid Solar Fight Club Jerry Garcia Warfield Jeff Spies CALSSA = California Solar and Storage Association www.calssa.org SnapnRack www.snapnrack.com Sunrun www.sunrun.com Solar Coaster Sean O’Brien SBOB Timeline NorCal Solar = Northern California Solar Energy Association ASES = American Solar Energy Society InterSolar   Reach out to Johan Alfsen Here: Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/johan-alfsen SnapnRack Website: www.snapnrack.com   Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean