Sean White‘s Solar and Energy Storage Podcast

In this episode, Sean White talks with Nick Tumilowicz, Director of Product Management Solutions at Itron, about how smart meters and distributed energy resources are changing the way we use electricity. They discuss the role of grid edge technology, virtual power plants, and how consumers can save money and help the grid by managing devices like solar panels, batteries, and EV chargers. The conversation covers practical tips for homeowners, the future of energy management, and how new technology is making the grid smarter and more efficient.   Topics covered: Itron www.na.itron.com Gas Water Electricity Grid Edge Solar and Storage Itron Meter Grid Distributed Energy Battery Energy Forecasting Meter DER = Distributed Energy Resources EV = Electric Vehicle Consumer Utility VPP =Virtual Power Plant Nuclear Central Generation AMR = Advanced Meter Reading AMI = Advanced Metering Infrastructure PG&E = Pacific Gas and Electric Company EV Charging Energy Management System Autonomous Load Following or Automated Load Management NEC = National Electrical Code Transformer Utility Programs Bi-Directional EV OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer ESS = Energy Storage System Automated Program HEMS = Home Energy Management Systems Smart Appliances Emergency Load Response Program Mini Split Heat Pump Voltage Sag Data Center ASES = American Solar Energy Society   Reach out to Nick Tumilowicz Here: Linkedin: www.linkedin.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 as he talks with John Perlin, a well-known historian and author, about the history of solar energy and how it connects to human progress. John shares stories from his books and career, touching on everything from ancient solar use to the role of forests in shaping our world. It’s a laid-back, insightful episode for anyone into solar, history, or just learning something new.   Topics covered: Intersolar Eicke Weber UC Berkley Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems Smarter E Hermann Scheer Hans Josef Fell Feed in Tariff NREL = National Renewable Energy Laboratory International Solar Energy Society University of California Santa Barbara Monty Python Keeling Curve Solar Water Heater Roman, Greek & China History Heliocaminus Photovoltaic History Bell Labs Calvin Fuller Daryl Chapin Gerald Pearson Becquerel Thermodynamics Albert Einstein Solar Selenium Photovoltaic Solid-State Solar Cell Pier 39 Fisherman’s Wharf UC Berkeley Alumni Camp Barrington Hall` Lexicon The Wood Age Literature The Great Valves of Roam Marcus Vitruvius Pollio Ship Solar Thermal Iron Horses Coal & Charcoal UCC Monitor USS Monitor CSS Virginia (USS Merrimack) John Ericsson A Golden Thread: 2,500 Years of Solar Architecture and Technology From Space to Earth: The Story of Solar Electricity Let It Shine: The 6,000-Year Story of Solar Energy A Forest Journey: The Role of Trees in the Fate of Civilization Patagonia Eike Webber (Herman Scheer 80th Birthday) Podcast www.podcasts.apple.com   Reach out to John Perlin Here: Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/john-perlin Website: www.aforestjourney.com John Perlin’s books: http://aforestjourney.com/     Links to John Perlin’s book reviews: Let It Shine: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/seven-of-the-greatest-solar-stories-over-the-millennia    A Forest Journey: https://botany.one/2023/05/perlins-potentially-perfect-plants-and-people-publication/   https://time.com/6969478/forests-human-history/   https://news.mongabay.com/2024/10/interview-with-john-perlin/     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 podcast Dan Lotano, GoodLeap’s Chief Operating Officer, talks about the Treasury guidance that is good news, because it offers a smooth glidepath, rather than a hard landing.   This podcast was recorded on August 15, 2025 at 11AM Pacific.   Additionally, we talk about GoodLeap and their involvement with virtual power plants (VPPs), solar and storage financing, home energy, the GoodLeap app, Connecticut Green Bank and a lot more.   Topics covered: GoodLeap platform and services Treasury Guidance Update Solar Coaster IRA = Inflation Reduction Act Energy Incentives Domestic Manufacturing & Jobs ITC = Investment Tax Credit Residential Credit Expiration Corporate vs Homeowner Tax Credits VPPs = Virtual Power Plants Financial Innovation in Solar Utility Interconnection Timelines AI’s Role in the industry Future of Incentives   Reach out to Daniel Lotano here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-lotano GoodLeap: www.goodleap.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 host Sean White as he welcomes Stephanie Choi Brookes of Emtel Energy USA to discuss a revolutionary new approach to energy storage. Discover how graphene technology could reshape the future of power and hear stories from the front lines of innovation. Don’t miss this insightful conversation about what’s next in solar and storage!   Topics covered: Solid State Graphene Based Electrostatic Storage Emtel Energy USA www.emtelenergyusa.com Masdar Capacitor Super Capacitor Graphene ESS = Energy Storage System Energy Density LDES = Long Duration Energy Storage Li-ion battery = Lithium-ion Battery Battery Silicon Diamond Industrial Diamond Waste-based graphene Utility Duke Energy  Dominion Energy www.dominionenergy.com Con Edison www.coned.com EPRI = Electric Power Research Institute www.epri.com EMWALL Wall Mounted ESS C&I Commercial and Industrial EV = Electric Vehicle EV Charging   Reach out to Stephanie Choi Brookes Here: Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-choi-brookes Emtel Energy USA: www.emtelenergyusa.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, Sean White talks with Paul Warley, CEO of Ascent Solar Technologies, about the latest advances in solar panels for space. They cover how thin-film solar technology is changing satellite design, why weight and flexibility matter in orbit, and what makes space solar different from panels used on Earth. Paul also shares insights on manufacturing, industry trends, and the future of solar power in space. If you’re interested in solar energy, satellites, or new technology, this episode has something for you.   Topics covered: Ascent Solar Mark Mrohs Space X Starlink Project Kuiper Space Station Gallium Arsenide CIGS = Copper Indium Gallium Selenide Thin Film Watts per Weight VS Watts per Square meter Solar in Space Satellite LEO = Low Earth Orbit Crystalline Silicon ASES Conference = American Solar Energy Society Conference Geosynchronous Orbit Hubble Space Telescope Concentrated Solar SBSP = Space-Based Solar Power Vanguard 1 Sputnik Sesna 150 Solar Cooling in Space NASDAQ = National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations NASDAQ: ASTI = Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. Moon   Reach out to Paul Warley Here: Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/paul-warley   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, recorded at the SNEC Conference in Shanghai, the world’s largest solar and energy storage event, Sean meets with Dr. Stefan Kaufmann, former member of the German Parliament and Hydrogen Commissioner for the German government. Dr. Kaufman is now a consultant in the private sector and co-head of the hydrogen sector of the Clean Tech Business Club. They discussed the power of international collaboration through the Clean Tech Business Club. How hydrogen is transforming the industries: steel, shipping, aviation and more. The challenges and opportunities of transporting and storing hydrogen and why ammonia is the key for global hydrogen logistics.   Topics Covered: Hydrogen Economy German Parliament CleanTech Business Club Hans Josef-Fell Green Party = Conservative Party Tomasz Slusarz Hydrogen Plants Hydrogen in Mobility Sector Green Molecule Green Hydrogen Ammonia Fertilizers Shipping the sunshine Compressed hydorgen Natural Gas Pipeline Synthetic Aviation Fuel   You can reach Dr. Stefan Kaufmann here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dr-stefan-kaufmann    Website: www.cleantechbusiness.club/   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, Sean White interviews Kirk Edelman, CEO of SolMicrogrid, who brings a unique perspective with a business degree and an electrical engineering degree. They dive into the intricacies of microgrids, energy as a service (EaaS), and the future of renewable energy. Topics include the unique business model of SolMicrogrid, the role of batteries in energy storage, the impact of community choice aggregation, demand response programs, and new initiatives like the Energy as a Service Partners Program. They also discuss energy tariffs, load shedding, peak demand management, and more.   Topics covered: SolMicrogrid www.solmicrogrid.com SaaS = Software as a Service EaaS = Energy as a Service Microgrid Resiliency Grid IEEE = Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers MID = Microgrid Interconnect Device SDG&E = San Diego Gas & Electric PG&E = Pacific Gas and Electric Battery ESS = Energy Storage System SMA Inverter Peak Demand Utility Tariff NABCEP = North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners Energy Charge Demand Charge DER = Distributed Energy Resources Array to Microgrid CCA = Community Choice Aggregation PPA = Power Purchase Agreement C&I = Commercial and Industrial Morgan Stanley JP Morgan Incentives AHJ = Authorities Having Jurisdiction Demand Response Program Duck Curve Trackers Energy as a Service Partners Program Microgrid Knowledge Conference EEI = Edison Electric Institute Edison Electric Institute Key Accounts   Reach out to Kirk Edelman Here: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirk-edelman/ SolMicrogrid www.solmicrogrid.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, Sean interviews Grant Gunnison, founder, and CEO of Zero Homes. They discuss Grant's innovative company, which aims to simplify home upgrades and electrification for homeowners through a seamless digital platform. The conversation covers topics including nomadic lifestyles, the future of solar and energy storage, privacy concerns, and Grant's background in electrical engineering and computer science from MIT. They also touch upon Grant's previous work with NASA on space systems and the potential impacts of advanced home-energy solutions.   Topics covered: Zero Homes SNEC RE+ = Renewable Energy Plus AWEA = American Wind Energy Association ACP = American Clean Power Rooftop Solar Utility Scale Solar Grid Net Metering Democracy Elon and Trump Spat Home Upgrades Digitized Home Homeowners and Contractors NASA = National Aeronautics and Space Administration Flat Earth Outbound Salesperson Laser Communication Terminal Earth Imaging NPS = Net Promoter Score Smart Panels Smart Home Grid Defection Natural Gas Batteries Fossil Fuel Electrifying Homes Starlink Zero Homes App Android www.play.google.com Zero Homes App IOS apps.apple.com   Reach out to Grant Gunnison Here: Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/grantgunnison Zero Homes Website: www.zerohomes.io   Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean<br/ >

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