SunCast

You can buy solar panels in many places around the world for around 10 cents-a-watt— so why are Americans still paying an average of about $3.70 for every watt installed?

In this candid and fiery live episode, Nico Johnson sits down with long-time clean energy champions Andrew Birch and Kerim Baran to unpack what’s really slowing down solar deployment in the U.S. The verdict? Bureaucracy, bad trade policy, and a lack of open-market access are dragging us down.

From SolarApp to tariffs to balcony solar, this conversation delivers a clear-eyed exploration of clean ener...

What if the utility bill you barely understand holds the key to stabilizing the grid, accelerating electrification, and saving you money?

Rachel Bryant has spent nearly 20 years navigating the complex world of energy regulation—as both an engineer and a lawyer. Now at GridX, she’s helping utilities across the country translate convoluted tariff structures into clear, actionable decisions for customers. The result? Better engagement, smarter energy use, and a grid that can flex with our electrifying future.

Recorded live at RE+ Northeast, this conversation unpacks why traditional cost-of-service rate structures are crumbling unde...

Texas: where oil and gas once reigned supreme—and now, renewables are rewriting the rules.

In this special live episode recorded at Intersolar & Energy Storage North America 2025, Doug Lewin and Nico Johnson flip the script. Doug takes the mic to interview Nico about his biggest takeaways from the show, and the two dive deep into what’s fueling Texas' meteoric rise in solar, storage, and energy expansion.

Expect a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about why Texas has become the unexpected juggernaut of clean energy—and what risks could upend that growth if policymakers aren't carefu...

“Don’t pitch slap me.”

That’s the line Spenser Meeks uses to describe the all-too-common trap most any professional falls into when presenting information (Usually via presentation decks) — jumping straight into specs and data before earning your audience’s attention. In a lively convo, Spenser and Nico break down why 60% of all conference speaking sessions (yes, your conference panels) are rated “meh”… and how better storytelling could fix that.

If you’re tired of your message falling flat or sales calls that go nowhere, learn to help people care before they calculate. Spenser, who’s train...

The FinTech Reboot Solar Has Been Waiting For

What happens when local banks finally start playing ball in solar lending? Ravi Mikkelsen is here to tell us.

In this “Where Are They Now” episode, we reconnect with Ravi Mikkelsen, the co-founder and CEO of Atmos Financial, who first joined SunCast in 2021. Since then, the solar financing world has been flipped on its head—rising interest rates, shifting policies, and a return to leases have left installers and homeowners alike with questions and headaches. Ravi has been quietly building an answer in the form of a f...

“Virtual power plant” might be trending—but Eversource’s Tilak Subrahmanian says it misses the mark.

In this RE+ Northeast PowerUp Live stage interview, Nico sits down with Tilak for a refreshingly candid utility perspective on how distributed energy resources (DERs) are being integrated, managed, and monetized at scale. Spoiler: it's not just about demand response anymore.

From managing EV charging loads to influencing ISO capacity calculations, Tilak breaks down how Eversource is designing a distributed grid built for policy, performance, and people. If you’ve ever wondered how utilities actually think about DERs, this...

What’s blocking our climate tech breakthroughs?

It’s not the tech. It’s the process.

Ben Downing has seen the system from both sides—first as a Massachusetts state senator, then as VP at Nexamp scaling solar across the country. Now, as Chief Growth Officer at The Engine, MIT’s accelerator for “tough tech,” he’s helping commercialize game-changing innovations that can decarbonize the toughest sectors—steel, cement, transmission, and beyond.

But it’s not just about the science. It’s about fixing the systems—permitting, infrastructure, policy—that stall progress. In this episode...

The U.S. grid is facing its biggest stress test since WWII. The answer? Batteries.

Joan White, Director of Storage & Interconnection Policy at SEIA, joins Nico on the PowerUp Live stage at RE+ Northeast to unpack the audacious 700 GWh storage deployment target laid out in SEIA’s latest white paper. That’s a 50% increase over the “business as usual” trajectory—and Joan believes it’s not just possible, but necessary.

As AI data centers, EV adoption, and manufacturing supercharge national energy demand, the grid must evolve. Energy storage isn’t a luxury anymore—it’s a requireme...

When Maria Robinson took the helm at the Grid Deployment Office within the US Department of Energy (US DOE), she stepped into one of the most pivotal (and difficult) roles in the clean energy transition.

Now that she’s no longer a government employee, Maria reveals what really happens inside DOE decision-making rooms, why the grid is far more fragile than most realize, and how her new role as CEO of IREC is helping shift the power back to the people.

From wildfire response to data center load growth and interconnection bottlenecks, Maria cl...

Residential solar may still be a long way from recovery —but the commercial and industrial (C&I) solar market is heating up. In this power-packed episode recorded live at RE+ Northeast, Nico sits down with John Carroll of SolarEdge to explore why the commercial market could be the biggest growth driver in clean energy this year.

From training installers to navigating the evolving incentive quagmire, John unpacks the forces reshaping the C&I landscape in 2025..

📜 The IRA’s surprising ripple effects on project development and jobs

⚙️ Top challenges facing new C&I installer...

Microgrids are essential to the clean energy future—but they’re still too complex, slow, and unbankable. That’s the problem Adib Naslé set out to solve. With Xendee, he’s built a platform that makes distributed energy systems faster to plan, easier to finance, and smarter to operate.

Nico digs into how Adib and his team turned 20 years of national lab research into a commercial product now used by governments, fleet operators, developers and data centers. If you want to understand where AI, microgrids, and electrification converge—this is the episode for you.

🔹 The 3 b...

At a time when uncertainty looms for many clean energy companies, Encore Renewable Energy just secured a $389 million financing deal that proves the big money’s still looking for good bets to be made. Chad Farrell walks us through their recent landmark deal with Brookfield and what it signals for the broader renewables industry.

From raising capital the slow, scrappy way to winning major infrastructure funding, this episode is packed with insights for anyone navigating the shift from developer to independent power producer. And it also is a strong signal from the capital markets that di...

800 episodes. 1 unforgettable conversation. For the first time in years, Nico Johnson becomes the guest on his own show, interviewed by friend and fellow podcaster, Lisa Ann Pinkerton. What follows is a raw and powerful exploration of the highs, lows, and turning points behind SunCast’s success. Whether you’re building a brand, running a business, or just love clean energy—this episode has something for you.

🔹 How vulnerability built SunCast’s loyal following

🔹 Why podcasting is a secret weapon for industry influence

🔹 Failures that almost killed the show

🔹 What clean energy needs m...

Live from the Hub Stage at Intersolar 2025, Nico gathers a powerhouse podcaster panel to dig into what’s really going on in the solar & battery sectors. Sean White (Solar Sean), Chris Crowell (Solar Builder), and Joe Ordia (Solar Surge) don’t hold back as they swap stories and product insights live from the show floor, and discuss the tough realities facing the solar sector presently.

It’s equal parts geek-out, gut check, and group therapy. Don’t miss this behind-the-scenes take from media voices walking the solar beat daily.

🔹 Candid takes on layoffs, slow budget...

There are billions of square feet of commercial rooftops in the U.S. that should have solar—but don’t. Why? Because financing these projects has been nearly impossible… until now. For years, the thousands of unrated businesses, nonprofits, and local institutions that want to go solar are stymied by one primary roadblock - financing. One developer is finally unlocking commercial solar for the long tail of the market, and we’re here to share exactly how.

Claire Broido Johnson (Sunrock DG) and Josh Goldberg (Sunstone Credit) have “cracked the code on commercial solar”, giving small busine...

Smithville, Texas, a town known for its giant gingerbread man and Hollywood cameos, is making headlines for something even bigger—its solar future. With a 1.4MW solar power plant now generating clean energy for over 100 homes, this small town is proving that the energy transition isn’t just for big cities.

In this episode, we go behind the scenes of Smithville’s solar transformation, from the unique financing mechanism that made it possible to the community benefits already taking shape. Hear from the local government and developers as they share the challenges, solutions, and surprising impact...

Solar and battery prices have dropped so low that energy independence is truly NOW within reach—no permits, no utility red tape, just DIY power that any homeowner can harness. Kerim Baran, CEO of SolarAcademy, breaks down why this shift is happening now and how it could reshape the way we think about electricity as homeowners. From “balcony solar” to microgrids, Nico & Kerim explore why these utility-disrupting models are at a tipping point and how innovators around the world are capitalizing on this moment.

 🔹 The concept of balcony solar and why it’s booming in Europe

Community solar promises to lower energy costs while expanding access to clean power—but does it deliver? Aviv Shalgi, CEO of Solar Simplified, joins Nico to expose the hidden challenges and big opportunities in this growing market. From financing hurdles to state-by-state policy shifts, we dig into what’s really happening behind the scenes. If you want the inside scoop on the future of community solar, this episode is a must-listen!

Here are five key topics from the interview:

1️⃣ What is Community Solar? – The surprising way renters and homeowners can benefit without installing panels.

Solar’s growth isn’t just steady—it’s compounding. If current trends hold, half of the world’s energy could come from solar by 2035. That’s the prediction Andrew “Birchy” Birch has modeled using real-world data and the S-curve of technology adoption. He explains why mainstream forecasts underestimate solar, how exponential growth works in energy markets, and what policies must change to support a fully electrified economy.

Birchy is the CEO and co-founder of Open Solar, a free solar design and project management platform used by installers worldwide. A longtime solar industry pioneer, he previously co-fo...

With 45 percent of U.S. water sources containing toxic contaminants, according to the EPA, access to clean drinking water is becoming increasingly uncertain. Worse still, according to a UN study, over 40% of the world's water bodies are considered severely polluted, meaning a significant portion of Earth's water is contaminated; this translates to around 1 in 3 people not having access to safe drinking water. Traditional water treatment methods rely on filtering or distilling existing sources like lakes, rivers, or oceans. But a new approach is gaining traction—one that pulls water directly from the air.

Alexander Von We...

The distributed generation market is shifting rapidly as capital tightens, power prices rise, and smaller developers bump up against capital and market constraints. Independent power producers (IPPs) like Aspen Power are stepping in to bridge the gap—partnering with developers, securing financing, and scaling solar assets in key markets. But what does it take to succeed in today’s distributed energy sector? And what does distributed energy mean in today’s evolving market?

Jorge Vargas, co-founder and CEO of Aspen Power, has spent over two decades in structured finance and solar project development, with past roles...

Industrial facilities depend heavily on natural gas for steam production; in California, food processing, which is one of the largest users of steam, consumes an incredible amount of energy as a result. Because the price of steam is directly tied to the price of natural gas, industries face volatile costs that can directly impact competitiveness. And there are precious few alternatives for producing the volume of steam required to keep our food industry productive.  Yet, by producing hydrogen on-site via solar power, along with high-efficiency hydrogen boilers, that paradigm can shift significantly.  As a result, companies can st...

Jigar Shah spent the last few years shaping the future of clean energy finance as the Director of the Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office. He approved billions in investments that helped scale solar, storage, nuclear, and emerging technologies. With that position coming to a close with the change in administration,what’s next for him? And what lessons can he share from funding some of the industry’s biggest breakthroughs?

Before leading the DOE’s loan office, Jigar built and financed some of the most transformative clean energy companies. He co-founded SunEdison, pioneered the sola...

InterSolar North America is always the first ‘big’ clean energy industry conference that kicks off the year! And who doesn’t want to kick off the year with a trip to sunny San Diego?!

To ensure you are up-to-speed on this year’s event, we’ve curated a "Know Before You Go" episode that will help maximize your experience at InterSolar and Energy Storage North America 2025 next week!

With thousands of clean energy professionals gathering at the San Diego Convention Center, this year’s event is packed with new features, insightful keynotes, and exclusive ne...

What if the key to solving our rising materials costs and hurdles to decarbonize hard-to-abate industries lies in a radical shift in thinking—laying solar panels directly on the ground and using the cheap electrons they produce to make hydrogen?

When I first heard of Erthos, I thought, like many of you  I’m sure, “What a radical idea! Will that even work?  Lay the panels directly on the ground???”  Yet, the more I learned about the company, it’s leadership, and their approach to creating the cheapest cost of solar energy, I decided I needed to sus...

Solar projects depend on strong design engineering to move from concept to construction. Design engineers assess site feasibility, optimize layouts, navigate permitting challenges, and ensure projects are financially viable. Without their expertise, developments can stall. This role is also a key entry point into the solar industry, offering a path to more senior positions in project development and engineering.

Phil Hofmeyer, Design Engineering Manager at New Leaf Energy, a pure-play renewable energy developer, brings over a decade of experience in solar project design and engineering. With a background in both technical execution and team leadership...

The global energy storage market is skyrocketing, with battery capacity more than doubling year over year. With over 60 gigawatts of storage installed worldwide, the sector is poised for even more rapid expansion. 

In this special roundup episode, we look back at some of the top episodes on SunCast discussing key trends, policies, and technologies shaping the future of energy storage. We break down the domestic manufacturing boom, how the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is driving investment, and the hurdles of scaling storage safely and efficiently. Plus, we discuss cell-to-grid strategies and a revolutionary non-battery approach t...

What is the real economic impact of a utility-scale solar farm on rural America?

That’s one of the questions I had in mind when I visited one of the largest solar projects recently inaugurated right in my own home state of North Carolina.  As one of the largest renewable energy companies in the world, EDP Renewables has expanded its footprint into North Carolina with the 74-megawatt Misenheimer Solar Park, a project big enough to power 12,000 homes while generating more than $30 million in long-term benefits to the local community. Built on rolling terrain the site req...

What if it were actually possible to power your EV from the sun collected on it’s surface?  Or what if you were not constrained by only one battery chemistry type but could mix chemistries?   Want to charge 400 volts with a 3V unit?  For 150 years, electrical engineers have relied on magnetic induction for power conversion, using coils and magnetic structures to transfer energy.  These constraints result in energy waste, size restrictions, and chemistry challenges, preventing seamless transfer between low and high voltages. 

But what if you could control, manipulate, and augment the near-field reactive space by shap...

How do we unlock the final frontier of lowest-cost solar and deploying it at scale? The U.S.-India nexus is emerging as one of the most pivotal relationships in the fight against climate change. As the solar industry faces steep challenges, from navigating the cyclical nature of renewables to integrating advanced technologies and addressing workforce shortages, what can we learn from others who’ve successfully evaluated, engineered and deployed gigawatts of solar and hydrogen? Removing the industry’s infrastructure obstacles is critical to accelerating deployment and driving the global energy transition.

Daniel Dus, CEO and...

How do you successfully scale & exit a startup enterprise?

The art of entrepreneurship is part science, part stick-to-it-iveness, part grind and part good luck. 

So what does it take to sell your companies to major players like SolarCity(now Tesla), Nextracker, and even attempt to change how the EV market works with one of Tesla’s co-founders?

That’s what I’ve been dying to ask the only person I know who’s had such achievements - Mike Miskovsky.

Success in business often requires navigating a maze of opportunities, setbacks...

It is estimated that by 2027 nearly half of all new solar installations will have energy storage attached, and today’s guest, Adam Knudsen of Dynapower, asserts that almost half of those will have DC coupled storage. The choice between AC or DC coupled systems has become a critical consideration for developers, utilities, and energy planners. While AC coupled systems have long dominated the market due to their established infrastructure and reliability, DC coupled technology is quickly gaining momentum. DC coupling reduces energy losses, simplifies system design, and requires less electrical infrastructure, so why has AC-coupled been so pr...

Join us for an in-depth discussion with three different perspectives on the future of energy. We'll explore the potential impacts of Trump's policies on renewable energy, fossil fuels, and the environment. With the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) driving historic clean energy investments, we're at a critical juncture as Trump begins his second term. Tune in as we navigate the complex landscape of the energy industry's future.

The solar industry has proven its resilience time and again. During Trump’s first term, solar capacity in the U.S. surged by 128%, exceeding 100 GW despite a federal focus on...

Increasingly, it seems that corporate philanthropy (and even personal giving) are reactive rather than proactive.  Today’s episode challenges that notion with an insightful look into the relationship REC Solar’s Cary Hayes has formed with Alex Honnold and his Honnold Foundation, which REC has supported for years with both cash and in-kind donations.  Why does Cary believe this is a meaningful part of their annual marketing budget? Hear Cary, Alex & Nico discuss why this is an overlooked marketing line item for most companies, and consider for yourself if supporting non-profits should be more prevalent in yours or any...

Alex Honnold, the world-famous rock climber and philanthropist, has pushed the physical boundaries of human potential with his climbing pursuits, but in his travels to some of the world’s most remote and beautiful locations he’s come face-to-face with one of the world’s most urgent challenges: energy access.

Alex has never been one to stand by and let others do the hard work. Before his rise to fame with his harrowing, albeit Oscar-winning performance on Yosemite’s most famous of all big walls, El Capitan, Honnold has had a soft spot for those without...

No matter how you think about marketing your product or service in clean energy in 2025, your marketing plan is incomplete until you have nailed down your events schedule! 

Attending the right event(s) sets the stage for networking, collaboration,  innovation, and ultimately business growth. That’s why nailing your events strategy (and budget) is critical. Most of you have already gotten your head around the MAIN events (RE+, ACP, Intersolar), but are you clear on what else is happening that you should have considered? 

In this episode, Nico Johnson unveils the top [mostly clean...

Despite decades of progress, the commercial solar market remains bogged down by slow development cycles and complex approvals, leaving millions of buildings and temporary power needs underserved. This challenge extends even to large-scale events like the Super Bowl & Burning Man, where fossil fuel generators dominate, contributing to significant carbon emissions. With the right innovation, this “messy middle” could unlock a massive opportunity for faster, more sustainable energy deployment.

Dr. Ryan Wartena, founder and CEO of Southern Beams Builds has developed Dragon Wings.  This novel modular solar generator unfolds from a shipping container to reveal 60 solar panel...

This special episode compiles insights from some of the most influential voices in the solar and clean energy sector. Introducing a fun new “5 in 5” segment to SunCast, Nico asks industry leaders to answer five key questions (in 5 minutes) reflecting on the year that has gone and the future ahead.

Each offers fresh perspectives on the industry’s most pressing challenges and bold predictions for 2025.

Hear from:

A little gratitude for the holiday season. 🙏

Can solar projects do more than generate clean energy?

How about enhance the health and diversity of local ecosystems? 

Sometimes viewed critically for their land use, solar farms can actually offer a unique opportunity to restore habitats and integrate agricultural practices. Lightsource bp, one of the world’s largest utility-scale solar developers, is a pioneer in what they refer to as “responsible solar”; with over 2 GW of projects contracted with farming families, Lightsource is helping to sustain rural livelihoods, revitalize ecosystems, and drive the energy transition through utility-scale solar.

Alyssa Edwards is Seni...