Suncast

Welcome to Episode 89 of Suncast! Today's episode is Part 2 of an interview with Josh Weiner of SepiSolar, so if you didn't listen yet to Episode 88, I would recommend you start there. We continue to dive deep with Josh Weiner the CEO/Founder of SepiSolar, a SF Bay Area engineering services company that specializes in the integration of energy storage with solar.   Tune in to Learn: How a 7/11 in New York became the pivot point for the storage industry  How a downed Boeing Dreamliner changed Josh's career trajectory A clear case for including energy storage in the Investment Tax Credit  One of the best answers to the Crystal Ball question in the history of SunCast, so be sure to stay to the very end!  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/089) Join the Tribe? Check out Episode 86, in which I explain how YOU can become an Energy Tribe member and support the gro

Welcome to Episode 88 of Suncast! Did you check out last weeks episode with Rob Andrews? If not, Listen to it here! Josh is the CEO/Founder of SepiSolar, a Bay Area engineering services company that has taken a long view on the integration of storage with solar. Stay tuned to learn:  SepiSolar’s foundation story and what separates them from others  Lessons learned from Akeena Solar's IPO and dramatic growth  The not-so-strange connection between Music & the Solar Industry?  The incredible impact a neighbor can have on a young mind  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/088) 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! Thanks again for setting aside THIS time in your day. Enjoy this episode of SunCast

Welcome to Episode 87 of Suncast! Did you check out last weeks episode with Mike Silvestrini? If not, Listen to it here! Today on SunCast, we're going to discuss with Rob Andrews how his Canadian startup, Heliolytics, is improving the way operating assets are managed and optimized for long-term yield.   Hang tight as we explore:  Why solar plant inspection matters and how it's been done historically  How different aerial inspection methods compare  Real data on solar site failure rates  What Rob sees as the next frontier for solar assets Rob is the CEO and co-founder of Heliolytics, a technology company developing advanced inspection tools for renewable energy facilities.  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/087) Thanks again for setting aside THIS time in your day. Enjoy this episode of SunCast.

Welcome to Episode 86 of Suncast! Since I started SunCast, I've received hundreds of thank-you's, dozens of positive ratings/reviews, and more high fives and pats on the back from industry friends than I can remember.  Today, I'm giving you the chance to join me in helping build Suncast even more. To find out more about becoming a member of the Suncast Tribe, visit mysuncast.com/member As always, thanks again for setting aside THIS time in your day.

Welcome to Episode 85 of Suncast! Did you check out last weeks episode with Jason Zook? If not, Listen to it here!  Today on SunCast, I had a chance to catch up with one of my oldest friends and colleagues in the industry. If you're unfamiliar with his name, or the company he started and recently sold for well into the 8+ figures range, then you should at least be curious to learn how he took his FIRST company to a nearly half-billion-dollar valuation and exit, and in-so-doing achieved the status of "No. 1 ranking US Solar Company in the US" by SolarPowerWorld in 2016.    Stick around as we dig into a variety of topics, including:  What contributed to becoming the largest C&I solar company in the US  How his young, inexperienced team pulled together some of the biggest deals in our industry at the time  The old-school tactics he employed that led to a very successful business and exit  And more lessons and takeaways than I can capture here in bullet points!  For resources from today's episode and

Welcome to Episode 84 of Suncast! Did you check out last weeks episode with yours truly, me? If not, Listen to it here! I drill down on the ways that you have been losing in your negotiations, in business and life, and the subtle ways you can fix it, and stop missing out on the spoils of your labor.  Today's episode is with my first 3-time returning guest, Jason Zook, a mentor and friend who I've learned from a ton over the last 3 years. He was most recently in Episode 79 talking about his entrepreneurial journey and creating profitable products that solve real-world problems. But I wanted to have him back one more time to discuss the remarkable ways he and his wife Caroline are very intentional in their philosophy of the notion of work-life balance, or as Jason calls it, Working to Live.    Stay tuned to learn: Jason's approach to work-life and framework for achieving balance  What they do every Monday and Friday to lock in the rewards  Jason's strategy for finding work he truly loves  The ne

Welcome to Episode 83 of Suncast! Did you check out last weeks episode with Ed Feo? If not, Listen to it here! Today we're going to drill down on the ways that you have been losing in your negotiations, in business and life, and the subtle ways you can fix it, and stop missing out on the spoils of your labor. There's no formal guest today, but instead we get a virtual guest by the name of Chris Voss, author of Never Split the Difference – possibly one of the best books I've read in a decade. I've personally used the tools I've learned from it to negotiate a 150% fee increase in a contract negotiation, more than once. It's the single most recommended book, by me, to all my business colleagues as well as family & friends, and for good reason. It's changed how I do business and has materially changed my life, and I've been waiting for a good time to share it with you because YOU deserve to have this information in your hands!   After we've studied this material together, you'll know: The keys to spotting

Welcome to Episode 82 of Suncast! Did you check out this week's Tactical Tuesday, another great one on Energy Storage with SepiSolar CEO, Josh Weiner! Listen to it here! Today on SunCast, are returning to the Solar Pioneers Series with one of the large-scale solar project development greats, Ed Feo of Coronal Energy. As you'll hear, Ed has a fabled history in the renewables industry. Accolades like "Attorney of the Decade" or "One of the 5 most influential people in Renewable Energy" are earned in the trenches, and Ed's been in the deal room more than just about anyone – having worked on hundreds of deals and over $35B in transactions during his 23 yr tenure leading the Project Finance practice at law firm Millbank. Tune-in as we discuss these topics:  How Ed's favorite past time has greatly influenced his leadership style  What it means to develop "plate discipline" even as a home-run hitter  Details of Coronal's industry-first "solar put" contract with kWh Analytics The 3 things it takes to be a successful

Welcome to Episode 81 of Suncast! Did you check out the last Suncast episode? It's with James Ellsmoor who was on Forbes 30 Under 30 for Energy! Listen to it here! On this Tactical Tuesday, I speak with Josh Weiner of SepiSolar. Josh Weiner is the CEO/Founder of SepiSolar, a SF Bay Area engineering services company that has taken a long view on the integration of storage with solar. He was notably one of the co-founders of another well-known storage company, Green Charge Networks. Josh has gone on to develop grid-connected energy storage and micro-grid projects with NRG’s Station A team and NEXTracker’s integrated energy storage program, where Josh has played many roles in the development of energy storage products and services, including business, finance, policy, project, product, hardware, and software development.   Tune-in as we discuss these topics:  4 Questions Engineers should ask when evaluating energy storage $/kwh Depth of discharge and efficiency factors Maintenance and Safety of Lithium Batterie

Welcome to Episode 80 of Suncast! Did you check out the last Suncast episode? It's with my friend and mentor, Jason Zook! Listen to it here! Today on Suncast, you'll meet James Ellsmoor. James is a social entrepreneur with expertise in sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship in rural, remote and island regions. He's on the 2017 Forbes 30 under 30 list for Energy and has been leading the efforts of the non-profit Solar Head of State for the last 5 yrs. Tune-in as we discuss these topics:  How James got on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. The projects of Solar Head of State How the Carribean is striving to lead the way in Solar. For resources from today's episode, head over to www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes to today's and every other show's blog posts. (the direct URL is ...episodes/079) Thanks again for setting aside THIS time in your day. Enjoy this episode of SunCast.

Welcome to Episode 79 of Suncast! Did you check out the last Suncast episode? It's Part 2 of my conversation with Paul Grana! Listen to it here! Today on SunCast, you'll meet my friend and mentor, Jason Zook. Jason might be the best marketer, heck, best sales guy I’ve ever met. He made over $1Million doing something you and I do every day – putting on a t-shirt.  He sold his last name...3 times!  He even got his first book sponsored by more than a dozen companies before he ever wrote the first word...or even knew what the book would be about.    Well, Jason and his super-creative wife Caroline are at it again, only this time they've teamed up to create something together aimed at helping the budding entrepreneur navigate the wandering path toward success.  Tune-in as we discuss these topics:  Some of Jason's early struggles as an entrepreneur who looked like he had it all figured out. Jason’s advice for someone starting out on their entrepreneurial journey. Creating products that solve your own probl

Welcome to Episode 78 of Suncast! Did you check out the last Suncast episode? It's Part 1 of this conversation with Paul Grana! Listen to it here! This week we are rounding out our discussion with Paul Grana, co-founder of the much-loved solar design software, Helioscope.  If you missed last week's episode, then you might consider going back to catch it next, as we go over a lot of the foundations and early pivots in Pauls career that led to founding Folsom Labs with his partner Paul Gibbs.  Known as "The Pauls", they have created one of the most successful SAAS companies in the solar industry, and I asked Paul Grana how on earth they manage to grow to >3000 users with ZERO formal salespeople. Tune-in as we discuss these topics:  2 key inflection points along their growth path  Building a product so easy a 10 yr old can use it  How they attracted and activated early adopters  Startup advice for both employees and founders  For resources from today's episode, head over to www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episod

Welcome to Episode 77 of Suncast! Did you check out the last Suncast episode? It's a Tactical Tuesday with Scott Sullivan! Listen to it here! In this episode I had the honor to sit down with one of my good friends in the solar biz who, along with his partner, has built arguably the most recognizeable software in the solar industry, especially if you've been doing commercial solar for any period of time. After all they have over 3000 users. So whether you are or aren't one of the 3000 who already sing the praises of Helioscope from the rooftops, you'll want to hang around for today's episode with Paul Grana. Tune-in as we discuss these topics: The failures and left turns that led to Helioscope's start The value of experience and networking in making career moves  The core philosophy underlying the Helioscope product and how that has led to rapid adoption How Helioscope have dominated with no outside sales team   For resources from today's episode, head over to www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes to today's an

Welcome to Episode 76 of Suncast! Did you check out my full interview with Scott Sullivan? Listen to it here! As I mentioned in that episode, Scott is a pro who truly understands that your network is your net worth. He has a reach of over 60K in his LinkedIn network alone. As promised I got Scott to do a deep-dive with me on this networking, career and even brand-building tool.  Tune-in as we discuss these topics: How to Fully Complete your LinkedIn Profile How to Build Your Network and Career using LinkedIn The Immense Power of LinkedIn Premium For resources from today's episode, head over to www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes to today's and every other show's blog posts. (the direct URL is ...episodes/076) Thanks again for setting aside THIS time in your day. Enjoy this episode of SunCast.

Welcome to Episode 75 of Suncast! Did you check out the last Suncast episode? It's with Scott Sullivan! Listen to it here! While networking is a natural part of the career advancement process, there is another key element that is often overlooked - recruitment. Today, we're going to have a closer look at the process of building your ideal team or career with the help of one of the best recruiters I know in the solar industry, Chris Turzo. Tune-in as we discuss these topics: The steps to consider both on the hiring and candidate side of the equation. How to find the right recruiter. The 3 fundamentals of a successful venture. Chris's developmental approach to recruiting.  The personality assessments Chris recommends for companies and candidates to find the right fit. For resources from today's episode, head over to www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes to today's and every other show's blog posts. (the direct URL is ...episodes/075) Thanks again for setting aside THIS time in your day. Enjoy this episode of Sun

Welcome to Episode 74 of Suncast! Did you check out the last Suncast episode? It's with Adam Gerza of Energy Toolbase. Listen to it here! Today on SunCast, I'm taking a deep dive into the power of your network with one of the most connected people in the solar business,  Scott Sullivan has built a career on leveraging the value of his connections and honing the skills of sales and relationship building.  Tune-in as we discuss these topics: Tactics for setting up your own LinkedIn allstar profile. Memory tricks for networking and life. Scott's advice on building sales rapport. For resources from today's episode, head over to www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes to today's and every other show's blog posts. (the direct URL is ...episodes/074) Thanks again for setting aside THIS time in your day. Enjoy this episode of SunCast.

Welcome to Episode 73 of Suncast! Did you check out the last Suncast episode? It's all about Blockchain, Electrification of the Vehicle Industry, Distributed Storage & A Nationwide Carbon Tax. Listen to it here! Today's guest, Adam Gerza, is the COO of the fast-growing SAAS company, Energy Toolbase, which I know many of my listeners use. Today I get the chance to look under the hood and hear why over 1500 solar companies trust the most critical piece of their sales process to this barely 3 yr old company. Tune-in as we discuss these topics: What Adam learned from his days as an Energy Trader. The Elevator Pitch for Energy Toolbase. How Energy Toolbase gained their first customers. Adam's predictions for Blockchain. For resources from today's episode, head over to www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes to today's and every other show's blog posts. (the direct URL is ...episodes/073) Thanks again for setting aside THIS time in your day. Enjoy this episode of SunCast.

  Welcome to Episode 72 of Suncast! Did you check out Tuesday's episode yet with Mike Grunow of Vizn Energy? Listen to it here! You have told me over & over again that you love the Hot or Hype segment of the show, so we took some time to compile some of the more interesting answers to what I consider some of the more interesting questions. Today, I decided to focus on just 4 questions - it was actually harder than it might appear - what became apparent is that I actually DON't ask the same questions to every guest!  These topics did come up several times, so today we'll hear snippets from Travis Simpkins(Ep 056), Stephen Lacey(Ep 028), Suvi Sharma(Ep 063) and Jing Tian(Ep 041) with their thoughts on  Blockchain The Electrification of the Automobile Industry Distributed Storage & A Nationwide Carbon Tax For resources from today's episode, head over to www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes to today's and every other show's blog posts. (the direct URL is ...episodes/072) Thanks again for setting aside THI

Welcome to Episode 71 of SunCast!  I hope you enjoyed the last episode with Brian Patterson of Emerge Alliance. In Episode 59, Mike Grunow and I discussed an awful lot of excellent topics around the ins and outs of developing and even selling energy storage products. But it was his answer to one question in particular that set the stage for this Tactical Tuesday. Mike is the VP of Marketing for Vizn Energy, a Flow Battery manufacturer.  Tune in Today as we Discuss Topics Such As:   Why is Lithium Ion the dominant technology, and will that continue?  What is a flow battery, and how are these two different/similar?  The 3 critical things to understand about batteries: Duty Cycle, Cooling Cycle, and Electrodegredation  The difference between Power & Energy  How batteries can actually help a customer take advantage of these so-called ancillary services  For resources from today's episode, head over to www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes to today's and every other show's blog posts. (the direct UR

  Welcome to Episode 70 of SunCast!  I hope you enjoyed the last episode with James Pagonis, the Head of Product at PowerHub. I met Brian at SPI 2017 last year after asking around a bit about the microgrid they had built to power an entire section of this enormous tradeshow.  Brian gave me a clinic on the history of microgrids, and if you're at all interested in the evolution and indeed renaissance of DC-powered systems, stick around for today's discussion.  Tune in Today as we Discuss Topics Such As: Why Charles Kettering is actually the father of microgrids  Early microgrids in rural America are a template for the modern era  Emerge Alliance addressing energy access globally  Creating the "Enernet" - aggregating personal and enterprise level power networks until we have a "world network"  The DC microgrid Emerge created to power an entire area of SPI 2017  For resources from today's episode, head over to www.mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes to today's and every other show's blog posts. (the direct URL is ..