Sean White‘s Solar and Energy Storage Podcast

In this episode of the Sean White Solar and Energy Storage Podcast, recorded at the world's largest solar and storage conference, SNEC, host Sean White interviews Willis Ren, the marketing director for Osda Solar. They discuss the history and growth of Osda Solar, which was founded in 2009, and its extensive manufacturing capabilities including PV cells, modules, and energy storage systems. The conversation delves into the global reach of Osda Solar, their focus on markets like MENA, Southeast Asia, and Brazil, and their ability to provide both OEM, OBM and ODM services. He also explains different inverter types and their applications from residential to utility-scale projects, and the particularities of balcony solar markets in different regions.   Topics Covered: Osda Solar Growth of SNEC Osta Solar's Global Reach and Product Range Manufacturing and Production Capacity Introduction to OEM and Branding Explaining  OEM, OBM, and ODM Original Equipment Manufacturer = manufacturer for another company and put their label on it Original Brand Manufacturer = you put your own label Original Design Manufacturer = OEM plus design Residential and Commercial (C&I) Inverters MENA = Middle East and North Africa Manufacturing Capacity Definition = How much you can manufacture if operating 24/7/365 in a year Manufacturing Processes and Capabilities Inverters and Product Range Balcony Solar Market   Reach out to Willis Ren here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/WillisRen Website: www.osdasol.com.cn/en/  Facebook: www.facebook.com/OSDA2009   Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean Getting a NABCEP certification gives you job security.

In this episode, Sean White talks with Ignacio Carellan, founding director of Inverter Advisor, a company dedicated to helping large-scale solar projects avoid costly inverter failures. They explore the growing importance of grid-forming inverters, the role of reliability testing, and key considerations when designing utility-scale systems. With insights from real-world projects across the US, Europe, and Australia, this episode highlights what it takes to build more resilient solar infrastructure.   Topics covered: Grid Forming Inverter Grid Following Inverter Inverter Advisor www.inverteradvisor.com HeatSpring Classes Utility-Scale Inverters String Inverters Central Inverters NABCEP = North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners Solyndra MPPT = Maximum Power Point Tracking PCB = Printed Circuit Board Spanish Blackout Stand-alone Inverter Synthetic Inertia ESIG = Energy Systems Integration Group www.youtube.com/@energysystemsintegrationgroup ERCOT = Electric Reliability Council of Texas Smarter E / Intersolar NEC = National Electrical Code PCB = Printed Circuit Board System Availability Reliability Testing Tropical Climates Root Cause Analysis LCOE = Levelized Cost of Energy Tariffs Inverter Warranty Microinverter Three-Phase Systems   Reach out to Ignacio Carellan Here: Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ignacio-carellan Website: www.inverteradvisor.com   Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean

Avery Dennison makes solar tape!  In this episode, Jenna Miles talks about how their specialty tapes are finding new roles in solar panel manufacturing, helping with things like ease of installation, cleaner production, and design flexibility. It's a look at how materials from outside the solar world are quietly contributing to innovation in the industry.   Topics covered: Avery Dennison Labels Solar Tape Foam Tape Adhesive and Carrier PSA = Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive Acrylic Based Adhesive Solvent Based Adhesive Solar DIY Solar Made in America   Reach out to Jenna Miles Here: Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-golic-miles-11316b68/  Website: www.averydennison.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 White and special guest Stephen Smith, CEO of Solvida Energy Group, talked about what’s going on in the solar world today, including tax credits, market changes, and new ideas helping the industry grow. They also touch on policy shifts and how solar is spreading around the world.   Key Topics: History of the investment tax credit (ITC) Impact of losing the investment tax credit  (ITC) Politics behind solar incentives Rising electricity prices and grid reliability issues Statistics on solar adoption in Australia Issues with tax equity and financing Project acceleration at the end of the year Executive orders affecting solar industry How the Industry Handles Political Shifts China’s Influence on the Solar Industry California and New Jersey rebates German Feed in Tariff Recycling of batteries and other minerals Encouragement for the solar industry   Reach out Stephen Smith here: Solvida Design Website: www.solvidadesign.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stephenjsmithjr   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 sit down with Ken Bossong, executive director of the Sun Day Campaign and a clean energy advocate who’s been active since the very first Earth Day in 1970. With over 50 years of experience pushing for renewable energy solutions, Ken shares stories from the early solar movement, the rise of wind and solar power, and why nuclear might not be the climate solution some think it is. From his time in the Peace Corps to working with Ralph Nader, Ken has seen the evolution of energy policy up close and he’s not slowing down.   Topics covered: Sun-Day Campaign Earth Day Podcast with Aidan Charron of Earthday.org www.podcasts.apple.com Fossil Fuels Nuclear Power Solar Price Utility Solar and Wind Natural Gas Coal Climate Change Nuclear Waste ESS = Energy Storage System Decentralized Systems Smarter E Rooftop Solar Transmission Nuclear Fusion & Nuclear Fission Peace Corps Energy Policy Chernobyl Fallout Offshore Wind   Reach out to Ken Bossong Here: Email: sun-day-ampaign@hotmail.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 welcomes Ben Batchelder, Multi-Family Engineering Manager at Aspen Power, for an in-depth conversation about the solar energy industry. They discuss Ben’s career journey, from his early days at Sunlight and Power to his current role. Topics include the evolution of solar technology, the distinction between residential and commercial solar projects, the significance of energy storage, and innovative solutions in the field. Ben also shares fascinating experiences from his time working in Antarctica and highlights the importance of designing for the long term in solar energy projects.   Topics covered: SLP = Sunlight and Power www.sunlightandpower.com C&I = Commercial and Industrial SatCon Technology Corp SNEC www.snec-pv.com SolarEdge www.solaredge.com/us UL 3741, Rapid Shutdown, and Firefighter Safety Legacy Systems Power Garden Sean’s Solar Training Center Recycling old modules Solar thermal vs. PV Decline of solar hot water Pool thermal systems Ben’s experience in Antarctica Life at McMurdo Station Shift to large-scale PV NEM 3.0 and electricity rates Demand charges and storage Energy monitoring strategies PPAs and system ownership Site visits and real-world issues Bad solar practices in the industry Aspen Power Solar Long-term design mindset Find out more on: Aspen Power Solar Website: www.aspenpower.com Episode with Michael Shonka: www.podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/michael-shonka-solar-thermal-and-solar-in-the-80s/id1441958371?i=1000708495417   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 interviews Nabih Cherradi, a longtime industry expert with over 34 years of experience. The interview takes place at the SNEC conference in Shanghai, the world's largest solar and storage event. Nabih discusses his extensive career, including his PhD work, involvement in manufacturing solar panels, and his current projects in Saudi Arabia. They also touch on the impact of new technologies like simultaneous translation earbuds and the global expansion of solar energy. The conversation highlights the importance of local manufacturing in the solar industry and the positive future trends for solar energy deployment. >   Topics Covered: SNEC China Intersolar Germany 34 years in the industry Dessert Technology Madam Mi Blockchain Technology Simultaneous Translator Tool GPS CTO = Chief Technology Officer Yingli Solar   Reach out Nabih Cherradi here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nabih-cherradi-b9b4157 Empowersun Website: www.empowersun.com   Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean

Thresh power can analyze a lot of data at once for large solar projects and then answer queries about those projects. Meet Mark Grozen-Smith, founder and CEO of Thresh Power. Learn about practical solutions for energy project diligence, how AI is changing the industry, and what’s ahead for large-scale solar and wind projects.   Topics covered: Thresh Power www.threshpower.com Automated Diligence AI = Artificial Intelligence Interconnection 9 Zero www.9zero.com Wind Energy Lease Climate Industry EV = Electric Vehicle Grid Data Center Cryptocurrency AI Training and Inference Toyota Prius   Reach out to Mark Grozen-Smith Here: Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/grozensmith Website: www.threshpower.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 and Greg Smith, the Snarky Solar Guy, as they talk about the ups and downs of solar energy and battery storage. They cover everything from dealing with unexpected weather to the latest updates in the solar world. This episode has honest conversations, useful tips, and a look at what Greg’s working on next. Tune in for a fun mix of jokes, know-how, and real stories from two solar pros.   Topics covered: NABCEP = North American Board of Certified Energy Tax Credits Greg Smith’s YouTube Channel www.youtube.com The Big Beautiful Bill www.youtube.com Solar Bros ITC = Investment Tax Credits Door-to-Door Salespeople Tariff Oil and Gas Incentives SMA Sonnen Energy TIGO Energy Hofbräuhaus Greg Smith’s Books O&M = Operations and Management Curriculum Codes Rapid Shutdown IRC = International Residential Code IFC = International Fire Code NEC = National Electrical Code Inverter Short Circuit MPPT = Maximum Power Point Tracking AC Coupling and DC Coupling VPP Virtual Power Plant Lumen Panels Home Automation Connected Home AI = Artificial Intelligence Defecting from the Grid Off Grid Solar Balcony Solar Mini Splits   Reach out to Greg Smith Here: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregsmith007/  Tigo Energy: www.tigoenergy.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 the Sean White Solar and Energy Storage Podcast, Sean White is joined by two of his good friends, both named Juan Carlos, in Shanghai. The discussion revolves around their experiences in the solar industry, particularly in Panama, where they have implemented solar and storage systems. They share their journey of achieving NABCEP certification, their choice of microinverters for Panama’s conditions, and the benefits of net metering. The conversation also touches upon attending various conferences and a factory visit in Shanghai, and their plans for solar technology in Panama. Sean highlights the importance of ethical practices in the solar industry and emphasizes gradual policy changes.   Topics Discussed: Solar and Storage NABCEP Certification Las Vegas Computer-based exam Juan Carlos Microinverters Solar Bros Ethical Sales Casco Viejo San Jose Island Hacienda Delmar C250 Enphase Yingli Solar Modules PV Technical Sales Net Metering Policy Change Shanghai Maglev train = Magnetic Levitation Train Microinverter Glasses with thin film BIPV Racks Panama Canal   Solar in Panama with Juan Andrés Navarro of NSolar Podcast Link: www.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/solar-in-panama-with-juan-andre-s-navarro-of-nsolar/id1441958371?i=1000685533681     Reach out Juan Carlos Navarro Barb & Juan Carlos Arango de Dianous here: Juan Carlos Navarro Barb LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/juan-carlos-navarro-barb Juan Carlos Arango de Dianous LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/juan-carlos-arango-de-dianous NSolar Website: www.nsolar.net     Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean.