SunCast Podcast

This week, we examined two pivotal areas shaping the solar industry: unlocking the vast potential of the commercial and industrial (C&I) market and exploring how utility-scale solar can incorporate agrivoltaics and enhance biodiversity. _______ The commercial and industrial (C&I) solar market, often stuck in the "messy middle," is finally gaining momentum. Rising electricity costs and transferable tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act are driving adoption, while vast commercial rooftops offer untapped potential to lower energy costs and carbon footprints. Hear how Versiris Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of New Energy Equity, is leading this charge for C&I solar with Rocky Shoemaker and Nick Kerwin. 🎧 Listen here: https://lnkd.in/e2CCyJ7h Solar projects can do more than produce clean energy. Alyssa Edwards and Virginia Brown share how Lightsource bp's Responsible Solar approach enhances biodiversity, restores habitats, and integrates practices like sheep grazing and pollinator-friendly vegetation. 🎧 Listen here: https://lnkd.in/em6PJdvR We'd love to hear your insights on this week's episodes. What stood out to you? #Solar #RenewableEnergy #Biodiversity

What is grid parity? 𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗱 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 is achieved when the cost of producing electricity from renewable sources matches or falls below the cost of fossil fuels. This milestone represents a critical tipping point, where clean energy becomes not just an option, but the most compelling choice. But achieving grid parity isn’t just about cutting labor or material costs. In the solar industry, those factors play a smaller role. The real breakthroughs come from 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 and 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀. Over the years, solar manufacturing has made remarkable strides: ❖ Polysilicon usage has become significantly more efficient. ❖ Wafers are now thinner and require far fewer materials. ❖ Overall resource requirements for producing solar panels have dramatically decreased. These improvements have not only lowered costs but also reduced resource consumption, making solar power more practical and widely accessible. One example of progress has been Trinasolar, which recently achieving its 𝟮𝟴𝘁𝗵 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱 with a 350.4 cm² n-type bifacial TOPCon solar cell reaching 26.58% efficiency. Certified by Germany's ISFH CalTeC, this breakthrough reflects the innovation fueling the industry’s momentum. As we look toward 2025, the focus must remain on: ❖ Scaling deployment to meet growing global demand, ❖ Building resilient supply chains, and ❖ Delivering cost-effective, high-performing solutions. What do 𝗬𝗢𝗨 think will help us achieve grid parity as we enter 2025??? #RenewableEnergy #SolarEnergy #EnergyTransition

What is Responsible Solar? Lightsource bp, one of the largest utility-scale solar developers in the world, is pioneering how solar projects interact with and edify the ecosystems and communities they “inhabit”. With over 2 GW of projects contracted with farming families, the company is integrating biodiversity and sustainability into their developments while maintaining large-scale operations. Kerim Baran (Solar Academy) and NICO JOHNSON 🎙️ spoke with Alyssa Edwards, Senior VP of Environmental and External Affairs, and Virginia Brown, Director of Ecosystem Services at Lightsource bp, to better understand what Lightsource has dubbed “Responsible Solar”. Expect to learn: ⚡How solar projects can enhance biodiversity and habitat through intentional land management over time. ⚡How the specific strategies Lightsource is deploying on projects today is both cost saving and good for all stakeholders. ⚡What is included in Lightsource bp's agrivoltaics approach like integrating sheep grazing, pollinator habitats, and other agricultural practices Does #Agrivoltaics get you excited? What are the challenges we still need to address/overcome? You can watch or listen to the full conversation here 👉https://lnkd.in/gCkCqZED #Biodiversity #RenewableEnergy #agrivoltaics #SolarEnergy

The commercial and industrial (C&I) solar market—often called the 'messy middle'—is finally gaining momentum. While residential and utility-scale solar have surged ahead, rising electricity costs, transferable tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act, and growing corporate sustainability goals are unlocking the vast untapped potential of commercial rooftops across America. Rocky Shoemaker, VP of Engineering & Construction, and Nick Kerwin, Senior Vice President, are leading the charge at Versiris Energy, a spin-out of New Energy Equity. Together, they bring 30 years of combined solar expertise to tackle the unique challenges of scaling C&I solar, from navigating complex installations to educating clients and aligning incentives with property owners. Versiris Energy combines the agility of a startup with the resources of an established industry leader to focus on the opportunity in C&I solar. Expect to learn: ⚡The strategic decision-making process behind spinning out Versiris from New Energy Equity ⚡Why rising electricity rates are opening new C&I markets in regions like Alabama and Indiana. ⚡How transferable tax credits from the IRA unlock opportunities for commercial property owners. ⚡How advancements like the UL 3741 standard are reducing costs and simplifying C&I solar installations. Listen to the full conversation here 👉 https://lnkd.in/e2CCyJ7h What’s your take on the future of C&I solar? Let us know in the comments! #RenewableEnergy #Solar #CleanEnergy #Sustainability

"AI workloads consume up to 10 times the electricity of standard operations..." Data centers are driving advancements in AI, cryptocurrency, and cloud computing—but their growing energy demands are putting immense pressure on the grid. How can our industry continue to drive innovation while fulfilling demand? The U.S. data center sector is expanding at an unprecedented rate, with nearly 24 GW of new capacity announced in the first half of 2024—already outpacing all of 2023. Meeting this demand requires strategic thinking about on-site solar + storage solutions to boost grid resilience, and ensure stable, uninterrupted power for data centers, and we appreciate Trinasolar sharing their ideas on how to take on this challenge. #RenewableEnergy #DataCenters #SolarEnergy #EnergyStorage

Hurricane Helene tore through Asheville and western North Carolina, leaving hospitals in darkness, power grids down for weeks, and communities struggling to access basic necessities like water and electricity. Footprint Project, led by Operations Director Will Heegaard and his team responded immediately. Their team deployed solar trailers, portable battery systems, and even atmospheric water generators to bring clean power and water to the hardest-hit areas. By replacing fuel generators with renewable energy solutions, they’re not only addressing immediate needs but also reducing long-term dependency on fossil fuels in disaster recovery. Will shares with NICO JOHNSON 🎙️, how this operation—their largest to date—is reshaping how communities recover from climate disasters, proving that renewables are a vital part of building resilience. The recovery effort in western North Carolina is far from over. 🌍 You can support ongoing recovery efforts here: https://lnkd.in/dJBH8RF and https://www.energync.org/. Listen to the full episode with Will and Matt Abele from NC Sustainable Energy Association on Spotify https://lnkd.in/eY6TaySP #RenewableEnergy #CleanEnergy #DisasterRelief  

With 2025 around the corner, we want to know, which #cleanenergy events are on your calendar? #RenewableEnergy #SolarEnergy #EnergyStorage

Listen Now: https://lnkd.in/eDHKWC5V The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has opened billions in federal funding. How can the solar industry, especially rural and low-income communities, make the most of it? Programs like the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and Solar for All are at the forefront, providing crucial support to expand solar access and affordability. In our latest episode, three industry leaders share how to capitalize on these programs: Scott Nguyễn, Co-founder and CEO, Bodhi® Sean Garren DeKrey, Chief Program Officer, Vote Solar Corey Ramsden, VP of Go Solar Programs, Solar United Neighbors Tune in to learn: ⚡ The expanded benefits of the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant and how it can reduce project costs by up to 50%. ⚡ How the $7 billion Solar for All program is being rolled out across the country. ⚡ Strategies for installers and developers to navigate the complexities of grant applications. ⚡ Why compliance with federal guidelines, such as Davis-Bacon and Build America Buy America Act, can be a competitive advantage. #IRA #SolarEnergy #CleanEnergy #EnergyTransition

Can individuals really fund #renewableenergy projects with just $5, via a mobile app??? Today on SunCast Podcast, Will Wiseman, Co-Founder & CEO of Climatize, shares how his SEC-registered investing platform is transforming clean energy financing by making investments accessible to everyone. Climatize has funded millions in solar projects across the U.S., leveraging innovative tools like crowdfunding and federal incentives to transform how renewable energy projects secure funding. You’ll discover: ⚡ How Climatize is democratizing retail renewable energy investing ⚡ Greta Thunberg’s surprising role in validating Climatize’s early development ⚡ How Climatize bridges the "missing middle" for C&I and community solar funding ⚡ The innovative strategies Climatize uses to build trust and engage first-time investors ⚡ How crowdfunding regulations and FinTech advancements drive Climatize’s success Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/e-KciUZk Or listen on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eszXc-S4 Are you directly investing into #Solarenergy projects? What are your thoughts on investing in this asset class? What are the limitations? #Finance #ImpactInvesting

Our annual Giving Tuesday special episode is live https://tr.ee/cuP3dkVbBv! This year, NICO JOHNSON 🎙️ spotlights three nonprofits leveraging solar energy to create meaningful change. From bringing [sun]light to underserved communities to helping schools inspire future clean energy leaders, these organizations are tackling critical challenges head-on.   𝗪𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗛 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀; 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄. Hear from: Bill Jordan of Let's Share The Sun Foundation, bringing solar power to Haiti, Honduras, and Puerto Rico to provide stability during disasters. https://lnkd.in/erFG3etv Kirk Anne Taylor, MPA and Laurie Smith (she/her/hers) of Climate Action Pathways for Schools (CAPS), helping schools cut emissions, save money, and inspire students to pursue clean energy careers. https://lnkd.in/ezJBDZ9N Emily Teitsworth of Honnold Foundation, driving energy resilience in vulnerable off-grid communities. https://lnkd.in/es25XCS5 Daniel Dus of The Solar Fight Club have been uniting the solar industry for more than 15 years to raise over $2 million for transformative projects like these.  You can join us once again and extend the Solar Fight Night energy by making a Giving Tuesday donation today. Learn how these leaders are transforming lives with solar and discover how you can be part of their mission. #CleanEnergy #SolarEnergy #RenewableEnergy #GivingTuesday