SunCast

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.

Patrick Crane, Global Head of Growth at OpenSolar and a veteran in the solar industry, shares insights on cutting solar costs in half. He reveals how improving customer acquisition through referrals can dramatically lower expenses. Patrick discusses AI's role in streamlining customer design experiences, speeding up sales, and tackling permitting hurdles. He emphasizes the necessity of consolidating tech stacks to unlock further savings and promotes a retail-style website approach to enhance accessibility and transparency in solar sales.

Nick Josefowitz, founder of the nonprofit Permit Power, discusses the staggering costs of rooftop solar in the U.S. He reveals that the true culprit is not the technology but the excessive paperwork and permitting delays. Drawing on his background as a developer and policy leader, Nick highlights how streamlined processes in states like California and Texas are transforming the solar landscape. He shares innovative solutions to reduce interconnection hurdles and explains why a nonprofit approach is vital for reforming an industry riddled with inefficiencies.

Silas Mähner, founder of EarthSearch and co-host of the Clean Techies podcast, joins Steven Zhang, creator of ClimateTechList, to provide an insider's guide to NYC Climate Week. They discuss its evolution and significance beyond the UN General Assembly. Expect tailored job-seeking strategies and tips on using digital tools like interactive maps to navigate the chaos of events. Silas reveals key personal events to attend, while Steven emphasizes the importance of LinkedIn for networking and visibility, ensuring attendees don't miss out on valuable opportunities.

Nearly 1 billion people still live without reliable electricity. Nedjip Tozun co-founded d.light to change that—starting with a $10 solar lantern and growing into one of the world’s most influential off-grid solar companies.Today, d.light has already impacted hundreds of millions of lives and aspires to reach 1 billion by 2030, bringing affordable, clean energy to the people and places traditional grids overlook.In this conversation, Nedjip shares the spark that launched d.light, the toughest hurdles they faced, and the financial and leadership innovations that helped them scale globally. A masterclass in entrepreneurship, energy access, and climate impact.Expect to learn:🔹 How toxic kerosen lanterns inspired a decade-long global solar campaign🔹 Why rural trust was harder to build than the product itself🔹 Why early failures were key to building rugged, low-cost solar products🔹 How "Pay-Go" solar financing unlocked ownership and scale in Africa🔹 What it takes to scale across 70+ countries without traditional marketingYou’ll hear how Nedjip moved to China to manage manufacturing himself, and how d.light pioneered a business model that became a blueprint for the solar industry in rural development. If you’ve ever wondered how social impact and innovation collide—this is the episode for you.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 875 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

The Wake-Up Call We Can’t IgnoreClean energy isn’t losing the economics game—it’s losing the political one.Jigar Shah returns to SunCast live at RE+ 2025 with an urgent message: the energy transition will stall unless we, as an industry, stop underestimating the role of political power. The economics are there. The technology is there. What’s missing? Unity, speed, and ground-level influence.This isn’t just another policy chat—Jigar breaks down:🔹How residential solar can reach $2.50/watt (including storage!)🔹Why storage-first thinking is flipping the solar script🔹The staggering $4B political spend from oil & gas—and our paltry $150M🔹How 70,000 boots on the ground could change everythingYou’ll come away from this episode with clarity, conviction, and a checklist for action. “The Oracle” delivers again in a rousing episode live from Las Vegas.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 875 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

The final day at RE+ showcases vibrant discussions on clean energy innovations. Leaders address investments flow and why clean tech thrives despite policy challenges. Exciting initiatives from Native American tribes promote renewable energy equity. Conversations on domestic manufacturing highlight the need for skilled workforce development. With humor and camaraderie, participants reflect on the importance of storytelling in energy narratives. The event closes with gratitude and a hopeful outlook for the future of clean technology.

Daniel Dus, CEO of Clean Tech Industry Resources, discusses innovative 'development as a service' models for solar and storage, comparing it to an Amazon-style menu. He highlights the rise of long-duration storage solutions beyond lithium-ion and the push towards turning homes into mini power plants. The conversation also touches on the impact of Trump-era policies on the supply chain and emphasizes the urgency for clean energy leaders to influence policy. Insights from upcoming events like Solar Fight Night add a touch of excitement to the fast-evolving clean energy landscape.

Nick Sangermano, President of GP Power Partners, dives into the booming world of distributed generation, capturing investor attention. He discusses the evolving landscape of battery energy storage and the necessity for standardization to propel growth. The podcast also covers the integration of electric vehicles into clean energy, focusing on collaborations that enhance grid management. Additionally, advancements in hydrogen technology are highlighted, showcasing innovative solutions for sustainable energy and long-term storage.

“Storage Was Never Just an Add-On”What if we’ve been thinking too small about batteries?In this rebroadcast from RE+, Kiran Kumaraswamy, former VP of Growth at Fluence, makes a bold case for reimagining energy storage—not just as a renewable add-on, but as a foundational tool for grid transformation. Kiran breaks down how the energy storage sector evolved from supporting solar to replacing gas peakers, enhancing transmission, and becoming central to resiliency planning.  Long before the IRA supercharged the market, he was urging utilities and regulators to rethink what batteries could do—and now, we’re seeing those ideas implemented at scale.From the Inflation Reduction Act’s massive market tailwinds to the rise of virtual transmission, this conversation is loaded with strategy, foresight, and tactical insight for storage developers, grid planners, and policy leaders alike.Expect to learn:🔹 Why peaker replacement was the battery industry’s first killer app🔹 How Fluence is positioning storage as critical transmission infrastructure🔹 What the IRA’s standalone ITC means for decoupling storage from solar🔹 How domestic manufacturing and supply diversification are shaping the next phase of growthFor more conversations like this, be sure to come visit us at the PowerUp Live Stage next week at RE+ in Las Vegas!Whether you’re deep in the weeds of development or just curious about the future of grid reliability, this is one of those “listen again” episodes.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 875 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