SunCast

Ben Callam, an architect-turned-builder with extensive field experience, and Maksim Markevich, a self-taught software engineer and creator, co-founded PVFarm to bridge the solar design and buildability gap. They discuss why most solar software fails EPC needs, emphasizing the importance of collaboration over mere automation. Ben shares insights from building in challenging environments, while Maksim highlights the need for design tools that start near construction. Their journey illustrates the synergy between engineering and practical construction to make solar truly effective.

Roofers are entering solar. Solar pros are adding roofing. How are these trades getting the training & resources required to level up and provide the appropriate level of service to homeowners? Is the future of residential solar trades consolidating int a new kind of contractor?In this RE+ 2025 live session, Nico sits down with James Mason, VP of Renewable Energy at ABC Supply, to explore the once-in-a-generation convergence of two massive industries—and why the right strategy (and the right partner) makes all the difference.From short-term wins to 30-year vision, James unpacks the lessons ABC Supply has learned over 40+ years of helping contractors grow and adapt. This conversation is loaded with honest advice, bold warnings, and real success stories from the field. If your business is stuck in survival mode—or if you’re planning your next big move—you’ll want to hear this.Expect to Learn:🔹 The top blind spots keeping contractors stuck in survival mode🔹 How to scale roofing + solar without falling into costly traps🔹 What the best contractors are doing to prepare for future policy shifts🔹 Why simplicity beats strategy - when done rightHit play to learn how to thrive in a volatile market—and why ABC Supply might be the partner you didn’t know you needed.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 850 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Did you know that more than 185,000 solar customers in the US have been abandoned by their installers? How will we take care of these “Orphaned” solar systems? Is this a golden opportunity or fool’s gold?Nick Sherman sees opportunity where most see chaos. As CEO of Energy Aid, he’s building a national brand in solar service—scaling faster than any of his installer-focused peers. While others race for new installs, Nick is scooping up orphaned systems and building trust with a unique(to this industry at least) membership model.He’s betting the future of residential solar is about service, not installs—and it’s working, marvelously.Expect to learn:🔹 The $9/month model that could change how homeowners buy all-things-electrification🔹 How Energy Aid scaled by acquiring bankrupt installer customer data🔹 Why orphaned systems are a hidden goldmine in the solar market🔹 The HVAC-inspired model Nick is applying to clean energyThis is more than a startup story—it’s a blueprint for unlocking overlooked value in clean energy. If you’re trying to stand out in a crowded market or future-proof your solar business, Nick’s strategy will challenge how you think about growth, service, and sustainability. Don’t sleep on this one.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 850 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

David Hebert, VP of Global Sales & Strategy at Wärtsilä Energy Storage, shares insights on transforming batteries into vital grid infrastructure. He discusses how recent climate events have changed energy storage dynamics. Tamara de Gruyter, President of Energy Storage, highlights the U.S. market's maturity and the need for software-driven solutions. They explore the concept of 'virtual inertia' and its importance, along with revenue models from international markets, urging collaboration between developers and tech providers for a reliable energy future.

Why are millions of apartment rooftops still empty while single-family homes cash in on solar savings?Turns out it’s an accounting problem – a technicality known in industry jargon as the “split-incentive” and it’s keeping renters and property owners sidelined from benefiting from distributed generation on-site.In this episode, we sit down with Dover Janis, co-founder and CEO of Ivy Energy, to explore the split incentive that’s held multifamily solar back for years. Dover and his team are building the software backbone that makes solar pencil for both property owners and renters - and their traction is accelerating.You’ll hear how Dover went from boots-on-roof solar tradesman to leading a team solving one of the most persistent challenges in the clean energy transition. If you’ve ever wondered why multifamily solar adoption has been so sluggish—or how to unlock a massive untapped market—this is your blueprint.🔹 The “last mile” problem stopping solar on apartments🔹 How Ivy’s platform makes energy equity bankable for landlords🔹 The hidden policy battles shaping the multifamily solar market🔹 What it takes to scale hundreds of megawatts with just a few customersExpect bold insights, regulatory war stories, and a rare look at how Ivy Energy could transform real estate owners into a new class of clean energy providers.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 850 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Michael Chanin, CEO of Cherry Street Energy, leads the charge in reshaping distributed power solutions. He reveals how customers have come to trust their unique approach more than local utilities. Michael discusses the rise of hybrid power systems and Cherry Street's rapid expansion across the Southeast. He emphasizes the critical role of company culture in building long-term customer relationships, aiming to create a 100-year legacy in clean energy. Tune in for insights on creating lasting value and trust in the evolving energy landscape.

Landfill explosions, lithium-ion firestorms, and CIA briefings—today’s guest has seen it all - or so she thought!Kathleen McCaffery’s illustrious firefighting career includes crawling through rubble in Haiti, leading battalions as one of the first female fire chiefs in North America, and even rewriting Tesla’s global fire safety strategy. This episode takes us into uncharted territory as Tesla recruits a retired firefighter to address global concerns over battery [fire] safety.Most solar companies are woefully underprepared to interact with firefighting agencies, and that’s increasingly going to create friction and unnecessary limitations.  Kathleen spent her entire career breaking down barriers (when she wasn’t breaking down doors!) and has even been in the situation room of more than a few CIA operation briefs! To say she is battle-tested is putting it mildly. She answered the call to serve the country (CIA) and those in need (disaster relief), but could not have been prepared for the call she received post-retirement that pulled her back into active duty, this time taking her halfway ‘round the world to help solve battery fires in Australia! This is one of the most fun and wild conversations we’ve published all year.Expect to learn:🔹 The hidden dangers of damaged lithium-ion batteries (and why we don’t just bury them)🔹 Why the age-old truism “big fire, big water” doesn’t work for Batteries🔹 How Tesla created a new role just to fix their fire communication gap🔹 Why every developer needs to build relationships with local fire operators, not just permit officesFrom Pentagon rescue missions on 9/11 to training Tesla teams, Kathleen’s insights are not only fun and eye-opening—they’re critical for every solar professional adding batteries to their portfolio.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 850 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

More batter density = more value, right? Not so fast.In this episode, we challenge the hype around energy storage density—and reveal what really drives value for battery storage assets.At RE+ 2025, Nico Johnson got to connect with two powerhouse product leaders from Wärtsilä Energy Storage: Neha Sinha, Head of Hardware Portfolio, and Ruchira Shah, Lead for Software Product Management. Together, they’re crystal clear about how hardware and software integration impacts performance, revenue, and long-term viability in energy storage projects. And how that translates to strategic value for battery operators.If you think “more megawatt-hours per box” is the endgame, you might be oversizing your system—and leaving cash on the table. Neha and Ruchira explain why “usable energy,” not just nameplate capacity, is the real metric investors should care about. And why that’s not solely defined by  the MWH you can stuff inside a container.Expect to learn:🔹 Why density ≠ value (and when high-density enclosures actually hurt your ROI)🔹 How software helps unlock stranded energy and accurate bidding🔹 The surprising role of chillers in degradation—and how to optimize them🔹 How to navigate site constraints, noise ordinances, and permitting barriersIf you're bidding into markets or scaling storage assets, this episode is your wake-up call: performance, not just packaging, determines profits.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 850 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

A shocking 1 in 5 solar panels are failing due to unforeseen issues with glass breakage. Industry experts reveal that tempered glass often isn't up to par, and design shortcuts lead to increased risk. Thin glass might seem cost-effective but can result in costly failures. Discover how contamination and poor silicone placement exacerbate these problems, and learn about essential quality control improvements. This discussion is a must-listen for anyone involved in solar project development!

Justin Locke, Executive Director of Global Energy Monitor and former RMI leader, discusses the surprising surge in U.S. natural gas development, driven by AI data centers. He explains how GEM tracks global energy infrastructure, highlighting the importance of open-source data in navigating the messy energy transition. Locke dives into the pivotal role of the Global South in future emissions and energy solutions, mentioning the need for local leadership. Tune in to learn how GEM is challenging traditional narratives and revealing the realities of our energy landscape.