SunCast

Welcome to Episode 141 of SunCast! Today’s exceptional entrepreneur, Rick Ivins, was introduced to me by Chris Grablutz, who happens to work for one of Rick’s companies, PV Pros. Thanks Chris! Rick has an insatiable appetite for learning, and it has manifested in his building not 1 but 3 companies in the last decade (you’ll learn why he killed one of them and how the other 2 are now thriving).    I thought it appropriate that we bring him on to share about 2 things very important to the Solar industry 1) value engineering to improve project quality, and 2) training up good people in your organization. Rick is another infinite learner, just like you, so be sure you have your pen & paper ready for note taking!   Remember you can always find me on Twitter, LinkedIn or email and you can get the resources and learn more about how to find Rick or his recommendations on the SunCast Blog. - For resources from today's episode and more information on how you can support Suncast, head over to www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes to the blog. (the direct URL is ...episodes/141) Join the Tribe? Check out Episode 86, in which I explain how YOU can become an Energy Tribe member and support the growth and stability of SunCast moving forward! www.mysuncast.com/member to join today! If you like what you see and hear, please SHARE it with this pre-filled tweet!

Welcome to Episode 140, Solar Warrior! Matthew Britt, CEO of Switch Energy, is a Canadian entrepreneur and startup junkie who is one of the best networkers I’ve ever met. We dive deep on how he retired at 30 from his first career and is plowing all the earnings and next decade of his life into the school of hard knocks that is revolutionizing the energy industry. You can find more great founder stories and solar startup advice in the other 139 episodes archived over at www.mysuncast.com.   Thanks to our partners, Helioscope & Powerhub for supporting this show so you can listen to it for Free.

Welcome to Episode 139, Solar Warrior!Today’s #solarwarrior is a true pioneer in the industry, and described as “the founding father of renewable-energy legislation in New Jersey’’ by the New York Times!  Thanks to John Moran for putting Mr. Lyle Rawlings on my radar. His company Advanced Solar Products has been crusading for solar in New Jersey and beyond for nearly 30 years. You can find more great founder stories and solar startup advice in the other 138 episodes archived over at www.mysuncast.com.   Thanks to our partners, Helioscope & Powerhub for supporting this show so you can listen to it for Free.Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations.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

Welcome to Episode 138, Solar Warrior! In October 2009, Mike Eman was sworn in as Prime Minister of the small island state of Aruba, a dutch territory in the Caribbean, and over the course of 8 years established a leadership position in championing renewables. Aruba became the first Caribbean island to declare a 100% renewable target, way back in 2012, long before the recent fanfare we’ve covered here on the US cities also taking up that banner. He partnered with Sir Richard Branson & Jigar Shah via their Carbon War Room, and created the 10-island challenge, a call to other Caribbean islands to increase renewables penetration & wean off fossil fuels.   Today, Mike and I discuss how this all came to be, the obstacles his administration faced in passing this legislation, the lessons learned along the way, and the work he’s now doing to help other Small Island Developing States with similar visions for sustainability. His perspective is beautiful, so I hope you’ll take the time to check it out.   You can find more great founder stories and solar startup advice in the other 137 episodes archived over at www.mysuncast.com.   Thanks to our partners, Helioscope & Powerhub for supporting this show so you can listen to it for Free.   I am opening up 2 new coaching spots this quarter, so if you're interested please shoot me an email to get an application: Nico@mysuncast.comAre there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations.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

Welcome to Episode 137 of SunCast!     In ’02, Andrew Beebe took a much-needed sabbatical from tech after selling his startup Big Step, in order to find new direction.   Ignoring advice from solar legend Dick Swanson, he scaled a solar EPC business long before being an EPC subcontractor was a popular model, and was still able to sell his solar company to then-market-leader, Suntech, going on to run Global Sales for that company.   You can find Andrew's story and more great founder stories and solar startup advice in the other 136 episodes archived over at www.mysuncast.com.   Thanks to our partners, Helioscope & Powerhub for supporting this show so you can listen to it for Free.   I am opening up 2 new coaching spots this quarter, so if you're interested please shoot me an email to get an application: Nico@mysuncast.comAre there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations.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

Welcome to Episode 136 of SunCast!   We’re kicking the new year off with an entrepreneur out of Colorado who has been instrumental in pioneering the category of solar we today call Community Solar, you may have also heard the alternate phrase "Solar Gardens".   Unfamiliar w/that term? Well today you’ll learn not only what it is, but why David decided to spend the better part of his 20’s capturing a huge share of this booming segment his company coined as the 4th vertical. You may also recall that term "4th vertical" was first mentioned here on SunCast by one of his former employees, and now CEO of Nikola Power, JW Postal).   You can find that episode with JW and more great founder stories and solar startup advice in the other 135 episodes archived over at www.mysuncast.com.Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations.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

Welcome to Episode 135 of SunCast!Do you prefer New Year’s Resolutions, or Goals? At SunCast, we are resolved to continue bringing you, solar warriors, quality content that will improve your lives and businesses. In this episode, host Nico Johnson looks back at some key moments from the podcast throughout 2018. Tune in for highlights from the wide array of fascinating guests and topics covered this year, and a preview of the first two episodes that kickoff 2019!For resources from today's episode and more information on how you can support Suncast, head over to www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes to the blog. (the direct URL is ...episodes/135)Join the Tribe? Check out Episode 86, in which I explain how YOU can become an Energy Tribe member and support the growth and stability of SunCast moving forward! www.mysuncast.com/member to join today!If you like what you see and hear, please SHARE it with this pre-filled tweet! Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations.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

Welcome to Episode 134 of SunCast! It was almost exactly a year ago that I had the honor and privilege of having the eponymous Jigar Shah on SunCast. To celebrate the anniversary of this episode, and the fact that it’s currently the most downloaded episode of the year, I’m re-publishing it so the numerous new listeners to SunCast this year get a chance to hear it.  For resources from today's episode and more information on how you can support Suncast, head over to www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes to the blog. (the direct URL is ...episodes/134)Join the Tribe? Check out Episode 86, in which I explain how YOU can become an Energy Tribe member and support the growth and stability of SunCast moving forward! www.mysuncast.com/member to join today!If you like what you see and hear, please SHARE it with this pre-filled tweet! Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations.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

Merry Christmas Solar Warriors!Since today is about giving more than receiving, I wanted to give you a gift. I don’t have another interview, rather I’d like to share with you some of my favorite podcasts of the year, and in so doing, also shout out to some of the fellow podcasters I believe are bringing incredible value to the world.Head to www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/133 for the links to the podcasts mentioned.Hear the remaining 15 recommendations and join the tribe? Check out Episode 86, in which I explain how YOU can become an Energy Tribe member and support the growth and stability of SunCast moving forward! www.mysuncast.com/member to join today!If you like what you see and hear, please SHARE it with this pre-filled tweet! Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations.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

Welcome to Episode 132 of SunCast!Ben Damiani is the co-founder of Solar Inventions, and his research has already dramatically improved solar cell manufacturing, but there’s more to come.For resources from today's episode and more information on how you can support Suncast, head over to www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes to the blog. (the direct URL is ...episodes/132)Join the Tribe? Check out Episode 86, in which I explain how YOU can become an Energy Tribe member and support the growth and stability of SunCast moving forward! www.mysuncast.com/member to join today!If you like what you see and hear, please SHARE it with this pre-filled tweet! Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations.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