SunCast

Mark LaVerghetta, co-founder of ReElement Technologies, is reshaping the coal industry by innovatively extracting critical minerals from coal waste more efficiently and sustainably than China. He discusses how his company is transforming environmental liabilities into valuable resources, highlighting the importance of metallurgical coal in the clean energy economy. They delve into the U.S. effort to onshore mineral refining and tackle supply chain challenges, emphasizing the critical role of these minerals in modern technology and national security.

Join Jason Steinberg, CEO of Scanifly, as he discusses revolutionizing the solar design process with drone technology. Discover how his innovative approach can reduce permitting times from three weeks to just three days. Jason dives into the critical gap between sales and operations, explaining how outdated methods can sabotage installations. He emphasizes the surprising ROI of drone tech and challenges the reliance on AI-generated designs. If you're in the solar industry, this insight could help you streamline workflows and boost your bottom line!

Joining the conversation is Michael Worry, CEO of Nuvation Energy, an innovator in battery management systems. He discusses how his company stands out amid a flood of cheap imports and geopolitical risks. Learn about the critical implications of over 80% of U.S. battery infrastructure being influenced by foreign governments. Michael shares his entrepreneurial journey, from building EVs before Tesla to developing unique user testing platforms. He emphasizes the importance of supply chain security and the future of reliable energy technology amidst global challenges.

Derek Chase, the Founder and CEO of OnSight Technology, shares groundbreaking insights into the AI and robotics revolutionizing utility-scale solar farm maintenance. He discusses the capabilities of the Bulldog robot that uses 3D vision and thermal imaging to preemptively detect failures and prevent costly downtime. In addition, Derek highlights the OwlCam's real-time fire detection functionality, emphasizing the significance of predictive maintenance and how these innovations can save millions for solar asset owners. Tune in for an inside look at the future of solar performance!

Barry Cinnamon, a 20+ year veteran in the solar industry and host of his own podcast, dives into the turbulent landscape of solar in 2025. He discusses the surge in layoffs and budget cuts affecting solar companies and the importance of strategic partnerships. Cinnamon shares survival tips for companies diversifying into HVAC and roofing, highlighting the need for smart marketing despite cutbacks. With challenges like shifting tax credits and regulatory hurdles, he emphasizes adaptation as key to thriving in clean energy's future.

Ann Will, founder of GroundWork Renewables, dives into the game-changing role of high-accuracy irradiance data in securing crucial funding for solar projects. She reveals how just 0.3% of CapEx can lead to a staggering 10X ROI. Ann shares her journey from investment banking to launching a successful clean energy startup, emphasizing the importance of strategic partnerships and data-driven decisions. Listeners will learn how GroundWork helps de-risk solar developments and the innovative use of satellite data in project assessment.

Jason Smith, Solutions Engineer at CPS America, dives into the intricacies of battery energy storage systems in commercial and industrial solar. He discusses major barriers hindering battery adoption, like complex installations and long lead times. Jason highlights exciting advancements that promise 3.5-year paybacks thanks to demand charge reductions. Learn about the significance of UL 1741 standards and how HVAC control can turn buildings into thermal batteries. This conversation is a game-changer for installers and developers eager to stay ahead in the energy storage landscape.

Nextracker has proven its market dominance for more than a decade, and has practically rewritten the playbook on utility-scale solar globally. Lately, they’ve been on an acquisition spree, further fueling their market dominance and diversifying to better serve their customers. If you, like us, are on the outside looking in wondering “how they heck do they do it?”, then this episode will give you a glimpse inside the magnificent machine that is NXT!Jonathan Eastwood, Nextracker’s SVP of Sales, has seen the clean energy industry evolve from the ground up—literally. In this long-awaited episode, Jonathan joins Nico to share how product innovation, customer obsession, and strategic M&A are helping solve solar’s most urgent challenges, from logistics chaos to catastrophic hail risk.It’s a rare peek behind the curtain on how NextTracker has become more than just another manufacturing partner—offering not just parts, but fully integrated systems that EPCs and owners trust to perform. From solving logistics bottlenecks with proprietary software to designing hail-proof stow systems that win over insurers, Eastwood shares the innovations—and the culture—that keep NextTracker at the front of the pack.You’ll hear what most people get wrong about trackers, how customer feedback led to some of NextTracker’s biggest breakthroughs, and why integrated solutions—not just price—are winning deals in 2025. Expect to learn:🔹 The sales innovation that helped NextTracker stay 2–3 years ahead🔹 How HailPro tech saves projects and unlocks lower insurance premiums🔹 Why integrated platforms are winning over cost-focused EPCs🔹 How customer feedback shapes everything at Nextracker🔹 The secrets behind NextTracker’s elite sales culture🎧 Don’t miss this candid and career-spanning conversation with one of the industry’s sharpest operators—Eastwood’s story is proof that customer-driven innovation is still the ultimate differentiator in solar.If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.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

What happens when a solar technician calls themselves a “Level 2,” but no one knows what that actually means?For years, solar O&M has lacked the structure and standardization seen in other trades. The result? Confusing job titles, wage inflation, inconsistent training, and safety risks. But that’s all about to change.In this Tactical Tuesday episode, Nico Johnson is joined by Amanda Bybee, CEO of Amicus O&M Cooperative, and Karo Fernandez, Technical Training manager at AES Clean Energy. Together, they have helped create and rollout ANSI/SEIA 301, the first ANSI-accredited standard defining technician levels in the solar industry! They share how a diverse coalition of stakeholders—from co-ops to giants like AES—came together to define skill levels, competencies, and a real career ladder for solar techs.Amanda breaks down the origin of the standard, why it’s necessary, and how it was shaped through broad consensus (60+ companies!). Karo brings it to life, showing how AES is rolling out hands-on, real-world training that prioritizes safety and clarity.If your business hires solar technicians—or wants to keep them—this episode is a must-listen.Expect to Learn:🔹 Why lack of technician standards leads to industry-wide wage inflation🔹 How ANSI/SEIA 301 enables clear career pathways for solar workers🔹 The 5 learning modalities AES uses to implement tech training🔹 The surprising data benefits of standardized technician levelsIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.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

Your solar project is one storm away from financial disaster!That’s not just fear-mongering—it’s the reality many developers are waking up to. In this episode, Nico sits down with Jason Kaminsky, CEO of KWH Analytics, the data-driven company reshaping how solar projects are financed and insured. You’ve probably already read this year’s Solar Risk Assessment—that’s the genius and hard–work of Jason’s team on full display, and the latest SRA dropped in Mid-June, so we’re here to cover the details for you.We’re presently in a high-stakes reality of asset performance, from the rise of “big and floppy” modules to the silent cost of wildfire smoke and hail storms. You’ll hear how the kWh Analytics team built a robust data infrastructure from scratch (literally by asking for spreadsheets from anyone who’d listen) and turned it into risk mitigation tools Wall Street trusts.More than just an insurance firm, KWH Analytics is building financial scaffolding for a volatile climate future—and they’re doing it with a mission to make solar stronger.Expect to Learn:🔹 Why 73% of solar financial losses come from just 6% of hail events🔹 How module design changes are quietly increasing system fragility🔹 The evolution of the Solar Revenue Put and risk-resilience insurance🔹 How wildfire smoke and cyber threats are reshaping performance expectationsDon’t miss this deep dive into what’s next for solar risk, resilience, and reliability.If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.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