Suncast

Late last year, kWh Analytics released a report titled 2020 Solar Risk Assessment suggesting that Recent assessments of the solar industry’s pre-construction production estimates have found evidence of “an industry wide bias towards aggressive predictions,” noting that “when a typical solar project performs at the official “P90, equity cash yield drops by 50%.” This revelation has the potential to impact cash flows across the industry, as these over optimistic assumptions are netting a measured underperformance of about 2% on P50 revenue. Today, we’ll offer you the opportunity to learn from three highly experienced solar experts on the past, present and future of solar project financing. Heidi Larson, ICF International Hao Shen, kWh Analytics Skip Dise, Clean Power Research Today we will touch on: How to know what your solar project’s really worth What does Bankability really mean? What's the difference between common solar finance terms like p50 and p90 How does Turning dials on the financial m

Today's story of Solar pioneer, Michelle McGee, is illustrative of the power of a good question. In this case, we learn one question that changed the course of her career. This former Tesla Exec leads us on a serendipitous journey, and explains how now as President of GivePower Foundation she supports global communities in need of power. Michele's a true serial entrepreneur having launched and scaled seven businesses, and led teams as large as 1400 people over the course of her career. When I asked her what guiding principle helped her launch two different businesses w/her husband, she imparted, "Know your strengths, be respectful of your partner's strengths, and stay in your lanes." I think that advice is fitting for just about any partnership! She's been able to provide strong support & leadership to some of the most iconic businesses in the solar industry. And the lessons I learned from her are too many to list. If you like this episode, you can find the resources and learn more about today’s guest, reco

Last week, the first ever Cleantech Podcaster's Roundtable was held with 8 of the major clean economy podcasts, hosted by my friend Mike Casey at Tigercomm. The discussions were a lot of fun (and very interesting) as we covered favorites sector trends, where we get our insights/info, key backgrounds we expect to see in CEOs of the sector in coming years, and how best to approach this (and other) group of podcasters with topics & guests for their shows. If you listen closely, you'll even hear me promise some free resources (as per usual!). You will always find the resources mentioned and learn more about today’s episode guest(s), recommendations, book (and back) links and more than 375 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com. Gain access to all the show notes & resources from this episode here. That's where you can find the Linkedin profiles of each of the speakers☝️. You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on Twitter, LinkedIn or email Or you can just text me...+1 (310) 634-1780 -

Nisha Desai, is a serial entrepreneur, TX clean energy pioneer, and founder and CEO of Ennuity Holdings. This "Startup Queen" has 25+ years of experience in the energy business, and has started companies that span 2 continents and multiple energy sectors. Listen in for critical steps of creating a company and how to skillfully navigate your way through the energy industry. In addition, we learn what she learned on an expedition to the South Pole! Remember you can always find the resources and learn more about today’s guest, recommendations, book links, and more than 380 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com. Text Nico and start a conversation! +1 (310) 634-1780 You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on Twitter, LinkedIn or email

Do You understand Reactive Power? How's it different from Real Power? You're not alone, but we're here to help! ICYMI from 2020, this SunCast Rewind answers these 2 questions from one of our SunCast Summit speakers, Jacqueline DeSouza Jacqueline's company, Apparent, Inc, specializes in helping folks take advantage of the 3 elements of this complex topic, Real, reactive and apparent power. Remember you can always find the resources and learn more about today’s guest, recommendations, book links, and more than 380 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com. Text Nico and start a conversation! +1 (310) 634-1780 https://www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/385 (Gain access to all the show notes & resources from this episode here) You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on Twitter, LinkedIn or email

Today we get to soak in the wisdom of an industry pioneer in the solar-distribution business model. Boaz Soifer has been a solar pioneer for the last 20+ years. He is the Director of Solar Trade at BayWa r.e., where he oversees the company’s distribution activities in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Today we get into Boaz’s focus on co-creating a culture that truly values and contributes to personal and professional development, something that we care a lot about here on SunCast. We’ll also take a look at how he enjoys solving complex challenges and how that's kept him in the renewables business in particular. Remember you can always find the resources and learn more about today’s guest, recommendations, book links, and more than 380 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com. Text Nico and start a conversation! +1 (310) 634-1780 https://www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/384 (Gain access to all the show notes & resources from this episode here) You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on Tw

We will continue our SunCast Rewing theme, this time, dipping into the vault of one of our LinkedIn Live sessions from last year. I had a great conversation with John Powers of Extensible Energy about the value of capacity building in an organization during difficult times. In truth, this happened just as the pandemic started back in April of 2020. I recently looked back and asked myself, “where can I glean some insight from one of our past guests about how the world has changed or how it might change?”. The immediate answer was my conversation with John. John and the Extensible Energy team recently raised a whopping amount of $3.4 million dollars in their venture funding round. They clearly did something right during this pandemic so congratulations to John and his team for this amazing milestone. Remember you can always find the resources and learn more about today’s guest, recommendations, book links, and more than 370 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com. Text Nico and start a

Today's entrepreneur is Aviv Shalgi. He has several successful M&A VC investments and joint ventures under his belt, in addition to two successful startups prior to his current venture, Solar Simplified. Aviv has been a mentor and advisor to many entrepreneurs, startups, investors, VCs, nonprofits, and is a captain in the Israeli Defense Force or IDF, as many call it the eyes in the sky. We'll talk a little bit about that, as we get into today's episode of how he is simplifying solar and challenging the status quo. Remember you can always find the resources and learn more about today’s guest, recommendations, book links, and more than 370 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com. Text Nico and start a conversation! +1 (310) 634-1780 https://www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/382 (Gain access to all the show notes & resources from this episode here) You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on Twitter, LinkedIn or email

We wanted to add a different touch to this Tactical Tuesday, so we thought “why not create a rewind with the Top 3 Tactical Tuesdays of 2020?”. The first episode will disseminate practical advice on fundraising for solar start-ups by the hand of Josh Beck of BCI Technology Investments. Why do startups fail to raise capital? Josh and his team know the answer to this question! The second episode includes an in-depth look at the ins and outs of building a project that incorporates a massive battery component to the equation. We'll understand how and why folks are able to monetize and deploy these battery systems: the answer is resource adequacy. That’s why I brought my friend Will Mitchell, Director of Origination for the Western U.S. of Strata Solar, to walk us through these questions. The third segment is worth giving a listen especially if you are about to get a new job or if you yourself are hiring others onto your team. We brought PXiSE’s Hannah Greene and her 30/60/90 framework plan for successfully onb

Today's entrepreneurs are Texas solar pioneers. The story we're about to unwrap today is unprecedented. If you haven’t heard about Speir Innovations, they are one of the leading sustainable energy providers in Texas. Not only that, they are developing the largest floating solar voltaic system in Texas, and we will get all the details from their EVP of Operations, and their EVP of Commercial Business Development, Craig LoValvo and Mark Rangel. Founded by a group of friends who share the common goal of contributing to the progress and development of sustainable practices, they are a sustainability lifestyle brand.  With prior experience in the solar industry and education in sustainable sciences, Craig and Mark formed a company with the primary goal of improving quality of life by increasing the long-term implementation of sustainable practices. Remember you can always find the resources and learn more about today’s guest, recommendations, book links, and more than 370 other founder stories and startup advice

What you're about to hear is a conversation between Eric and me rolling out an overview of the clean energy economy where we draw inspiration not just from his book, but from both our decades-long careers in building solar companies and helping others do the same. Today's content specifically is actually part of our exclusive coaching program, but this is an abbreviated version, intentionally. So if you'd like to hear all of the content and access the full episode, which is actually a video interview, then you have two options: Join our https://suncast.vip (Mission-Minded cohort) that's gonna kick off again in July. Join the waitlist for our SunCast Tribe relaunch that is also coming in July. That's our inner circle of industry all-stars where we share bonus content and have curated a private community where more than 100 people have joined the conversation. If you'd like to be on that waitlist, just text me at 310-634-1780. I'll make sure you get all the details. Remember you can always find the

Today's entrepreneur has impressed me through the years with his ability to be a diplomat and translator between technical and laypeople, helping folks dial in their product-market fit with his entrepreneurial sense. From pizza.com to rooftop solar, Jeff Weiss has pioneered innovation across multiple sectors. Today’s episode will glean into his insights, and hopefully, you will be able to add them to your toolkit. Remember you can always find the resources and learn more about today’s guest, recommendations, book links, and more than 370 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com. Text Nico and start a conversation! +1 (310) 634-1780 https://www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/378 (Gain access to all the show notes & resources from this episode here) You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on Twitter, LinkedIn or email

Are the monopoly utilities attacking your individual rights to make energy from the sun, power your life and become more financially independent? If you’re in California, the answer might be yes. Today we’ll find out in this special report from Dave Rosenfeld, the Executive Director of Solar Rights Alliance, what you need to know to be informed on the NET energy metering policies currently under siege in the state of California. Remember you can always find the resources and learn more about today’s guest, recommendations, book links, and more than 370 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com. Text Nico and start a conversation! +1 (310) 634-1780 https://www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/377 (Gain access to all the show notes & resources from this episode here) You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on Twitter, LinkedIn or email

Today’s guest is a pioneering cleantech entrepreneur and product developer as chief Commercial Officer of the company Invinity Energy Systems. We’re talking about Matt Harper! He's transforming the evolution of what we call the Grid storage and value creation to enable the energy transition that we all desire so much. Matt has been in this industry for a long time and he's looked at product creation from a number of different angles. Remember you can always find the resources and learn more about today’s guest, recommendations, book links, and more than 370 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com. https://www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/376 (Gain access to all the show notes & resources from this episode here) You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on Twitter, LinkedIn or email

Last year, we hosted the first Great Solar Debate featuring clean-energy thought leaders sharing two contrasting perspectives on critical solar and storage topics. This time for our first Great Solar Debate of 2021, representatives from the residential solar financing industries will discuss the value of their respective financing solutions for consumers and installers. This episode is a replay of the first debate where we covered the following points: The value of each financing product for consumers The value of each financing for installers What’s the best value for all income levels? What about the solar homebuyer? Which financing is best for them, and therefore for the seller? Which financing is best for expanding residential solar throughout the U.S. Remember you can always find the resources and learn more about today’s guest, recommendations, book links, and more than 370 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com. https://www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/375 (Gain acc

Today's entrepreneur has been in the renewables industry since 1999. My friend Ryan Mayfield started Mayfield Renewables back in 2007, blending his technical expertise with his affinity for writing and education. He is the CEO of a company that now provides PV system technical engineering services to hundreds of companies across the United States and probably around the world. Ryan discovered his passion for renewable energy early in his college career at Humboldt State while pursuing his degree in environmental resources engineering. Ryan was exposed to the exciting possibilities of solar power and his desire to learn more and be involved in the solar industry only grew as he continued his studies. Remember you can always find the resources and learn more about today’s guest, recommendations, book links, and more than 370 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com. https://www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/374 (Gain access to all the show notes & resources from this episode here) You

Today’s topic is Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), and to give us the ins and outs of this hot topic we have one of the top guests we’ve had on the show: Mona Dajani, Global Co-Head of Energy, Infrastructure, Mobility, Renewables & Water at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, an international law firm with a particular focus on the technology & media, energy, financial services, and real estate & construction sectors. If you're unfamiliar with ESG, then listen to this episode coming directly from a recent checklist that Pillsbury, the firm for whom Mona heads the renewable energy practice, created as a tantalizing tidbit to craft your own ESG strategy, as institutional shareholders invest record amounts in environmental, social and governance. ESG conscious funds and companies, boards of directors are looking for ways that companies can design and implement a business strategy that produces a sustainable future and remain relevant in a world where climate change, social injustice, pandemics, dise

Today's entrepreneur is redefining the way that clean energy buyers and sellers think about Risk Management. Lee Taylor founded REsurety before ever finishing his MBA, and he amassed a portfolio of over 5 Gigawatts of renewable energy generation with his unique insurance product. Despite Insurance not being always the most compelling topic in clean energy, Lee's story of the what when, where, how and why of his entrepreneurial journey is worth sticking around. He founded the company in 2012 to commercialize research he conducted at Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business, and today REsurety’s products are redefining the way clean energy buyers and sellers predict value and quantify and manage risk. Remember you can always find the resources and learn more about today’s guest, recommendations, book links, and more than 370 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com. https://www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/372 (Gain access to all the show notes & resources from this episode here) You can

Today’s Tactical Tuesday will be longer than usual, as we have the honor to bring Dr. Tamika Jacques to the show. She is the Director of Workforce Development for the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, and she's also the CEO of Fruitful Vision Enterprise. She's been in workforce development for over 18 years and has the honor of assisting with the distribution of nearly 30 million training programs in workforce development targeted for women, minorities, college students, youth unemployed, and underemployed. Dr. Jacques is also the author of A Brown Girls Guide to Employment and Networking. I was happy to have Dr. Jacques speak at our SunCast Career Summit back in the fall of 2020. Today’s episode is a recap of her presentation on the subject of unconscious bias, some of its concepts and definitions, how to identify it, and how to overcome it. Remember you can always find the resources and learn more about today’s guest, recommendations, book links, and more than 370 other founder stories and startup advic

Today's entrepreneur has been elevating the solar industry for more than 20 years across different roles. More recently, he’s been an inventor of breakthrough solar ovens and outdoor gear that's caught my attention. As a Social Entrepreneur, Patrick Sherwin focuses on appropriate technology with measurable impact. Patrick maintains a diverse background in construction, engineering, marketing, design, and integration of renewables. His thirst for solutions has put him at the center of several technology breakthroughs, and today we will unveil the how and why of his entrepreneurial journey. Remember you can always find the resources and learn more about today’s guest, recommendations, book links, and more than 360 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com. https://www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/370 (Gain access to all the show notes & resources from this episode here) You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on Twitter, LinkedIn or email