CleanTech Talk — EVs, Solar, Batteries, AI, Tesla

Deforestation is accelerating, biodiversity loss is at record levels, and conservation funding still falls short by more than $700 billion a year. On this episode, Dr. Drea Burbank of Savimbo and Doug Heske of Newday Financial Technologies join CleanTech Talk to discuss how a new generation of “bio-credits” could transform how the world funds nature. From the Colombian Amazon to global investors, they explore how verified biodiversity credits and transparent funding platforms are reshaping conservation — and what it will take to scale a market that finally values ecosystems for what they’re worth.

In this episode, Taiga Motors CEO and Co-Founder Sam Bruneau shares the story behind building the world’s first electric powersports company and why electrification on water and off-road matters now more than ever. From the launch of the new Orca WX3 — a versatile crossover watercraft designed for watersports and adventure — to innovations like bi-directional charging, geofencing, and speed limiting, Sam explains how electric vehicles unlock capabilities combustion could never match. He also dives into the technical challenges his team has overcome, scaling advanced battery manufacturing, and what it takes to lead the transition to clean, high-performance fun in some of the toughest environments.

Gagan Dhillon, CEO of Synop, and Zach Shahan, CEO of CleanTechnica, discuss why electric school buses are the perfect starter V2G fleet, real-world results from electric school bus V2G programs, making electric school bus (and other EV) fleets pencil out after the federal tax-credit cliff, EV fleet energy management, and more!

Richard Halsall, the innovative Founder and CEO of Exhale Fans, shares his journey from Army aviator to HVAC inventor. He discusses the unique bladeless design of his ceiling fan, which optimizes energy use while ensuring comfort in various indoor spaces. Halsall highlights how his product can enhance air quality, reduce humidity, and maintain thermal comfort at higher thermostat settings. He also delves into market strategies, the challenges of changing consumer perceptions, and the potential environmental impacts of energy-efficient solutions.

In this episode of CleanTech Talk, CleanTechnica sits down with Founder and CEO of UbiQD, an advanced materials company powering product innovation in bifacial solar PV and controlled-environment agriculture. UbiQD has partnered with solar leader First Solar to advance solar PV technology using quantum dot technology. Additionally, the company's first product, UbiGro, is a layer of light that uses fluorescence to help plants get more from the sun in a greenhouse. Ultimately, the value proposition is about boosting crop yields and quality without the cost or energy impact of lighting. Learn much more in the full interview.

Join Dr. Denis Phares, CEO of Dragonfly Energy, and Zach Shahan, CEO of CleanTechnica, for a fascinating conversation around dry electrode battery manufacturing, Tesla's dry electrode battery manufacturing vs. Dragonfly Energy's, dye-sensitized solar cells, nanotechnology, solid-state batteries, and more.

Nicole Richards, CEO of Allonnia and a chemical engineer, shares her insights on using biotechnology to tackle environmental challenges. She discusses the innovative solutions Alonnia is developing for mining remediation and the removal of PFAS chemicals, often termed 'forever chemicals.' Nicole highlights their nature-inspired approaches, including a groundbreaking chemical-free foam solution for PFAS. The conversation reveals how biotechnology can reshape industries and pave the way to a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Mike Richter, former NHL star and current President of Brightcore Energy, dives into the world of geothermal energy. He explains how geothermal systems provide cost-effective heating and cooling solutions. Listeners learn about recent innovations making these technologies more accessible. Richter shares his own inspiring journey from sports to sustainability advocacy and highlights Brightcore's pioneering efforts in adopting geothermal practices. The conversation emphasizes the importance of clean energy in the quest for deep building decarbonization, showcasing its substantial benefits.

Today we talked with Quentin Scott, Federal Policy Director at the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) Action Fund, about the organization's 7th annual EV raffle, the tremendous work CCAN Action Fund is doing at the federal and state level to try to advance climate action, clean technologies, and sensible policies. Listen in for plenty of insight and fun, and go here to buy an EV raffle ticket or three: https://ccanactionfund.org/ev-raffle/

Aquaria is a company reimagining water access through distributed atmospheric water generation systems. In this episode, CleanTechnica's Scott Cooney talks with founder Brian Sheng about the company's technology and Brian's history. To date, Aquaria has raised over $112 million from leading investors including Soma Capital, Bow Capital, SoftBank, and former House Majority Leader Dick Gephardt. For its impact and innovation, Aquaria was named one of Fast Company’s World Changing Companies of 2023 and selected among TIME’s Best Inventions of 2024.