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Sean White teaches solar and storage classes and seminars around the world and inside your home (online). He is known for helping people get NABCEP certified. This podcast contains an assortment of topics, with an emphasis on solar and storage technical knowledge. Up your game! Catch a photon! Save the planet! Learn more and go to www.solarSEAN.com
Episodes
3 days ago
3 days ago
Earth Day officially started on April 22 1970 and is officially recognized as April 22, but there are usually celebrations on different days of the week, such as SF Climate Week, which is this week! In this episode, we talk about important topics related to climate change and renewable energy. We explore the role of renewable sources like solar and wind, and how climate change impacts certain communities more than others. We share ideas for how you can make a difference this Earth Day and highlight career opportunities in the green energy field. Plus, we discuss the importance of standing up for the environment, taking legal action, and keeping up with global climate events.
If you are in the Bay Area, make sure to go to NorCal Solar’s party on Friday April 25th, and find out more here at www.NorCalSolar.org/events
Topics covered:
Renewable energy sources
Divisions in society affecting views on climate change
Climate change and fairness for disadvantaged groups
Pollution and health risks from refineries
Sea level rise and storms affecting the Outer Banks, NC
The Wright Brothers' breakthrough in flight
Earth Day activities like recycling and contacting lawmakers
Organizing neighborhood cleanups
Inspiring others to protect the environment
Career opportunities in renewable energy
Becoming a leader in environmental work
Encouraging others to explore green energy careers
Renewable energy jobs without a college degree
Joining EarthDay.org and contributing
Global climate conferences and their impact
Reach out Aidan Charron here:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/aidancharron
Website: www.earthday.org
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean
5 days ago
5 days ago
The tables have turned! Sean is getting interviewed by a High School Senior who had an assignment to interview someone, and the High Schooler was directed to Sean! Additionally, they went to the same High School, Northgate in Walnut Creek CA. Go Bronchos!
They discuss how Sean got started in renewable energy, the importance of renewable energy, the challenges and advancements in the solar industry, and even touch on comparisons between renewable and nuclear energy. Tune in to learn how everyday actions can contribute to a sustainable future. Don't miss Sean's insights on the evolving landscape of energy storage and the potential for a world run predominantly on renewable energy.
Topics covered:
PG&E = Pacific Gas and Electric
CCA = Community Choice Aggregation
Fidelity Roof Company
Stuart Wentworth
Quickmount
Used Solar
NorCal Solar = Northern California Solar Energy Association
Recycling & Reusing Solar
Tariffs
Energy Prices<
CALSSA
Net Metering
Energy Storage
Batteries
Duck Curve
Wind Energy
Are the Materials for Solar Modules Harmful?
LFP = Lithium Iron Phosphate
NMC = Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Fossil Fuel
Nuclear Waste
Misconceptions About Renewable Energy
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean
Sunday Apr 13, 2025
Sunday Apr 13, 2025
Join Sean White and Will White as they dive into the latest in solar testing tools and equipment. Learn about the innovative devices from Fluke, their applications, and how advanced tools are revolutionizing the solar industry.
Topics covered:
Fluke www.fluke.com
Measuring Tools
IV Curve
Solmetric www.solmetric.com
Zep Solar
SnapNrack www.snapnrack.com
SunRun www.sunrun.com
RGS = Real Goods Solar
Tesla www.tesla.com
Vivint Solar www.vivint.com
Connecticut
Shade Analysis Tool
SunEye 360
IV Curve Tracers
EV = Electric Vehicle
Solaflect www.solaflect.com
NRG Systems www.nrgsystems.com
IR Camera
Infrared
Multimeter
Fluke’s New Tools
Ground Fault Location Tool
Electric Vehicle Tools
Reach out to Will White here:
Will’s Email: will.white@fluke.com
Will's Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/william-white
Fluke’s Website: www.fluke.com
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean
Sunday Apr 06, 2025
Sunday Apr 06, 2025
Ben explains how Signature solar has a program to educate employees and give them raises based on passing NABCEP exams. They also have fun talking about the different cool products out there, such as a mini split that you can plug a string of Solar PV into, that will even work when the grid goes down.
Topics Covered:
Signature Solar www.signaturesolar.com
Mini Split and Window type Air Conditioning
PV System Disconnect
EG4 = Energy Generation for Everyone
NEC = National Electrical Code
Air Conditioner
Air Conditioning
Ductless System
NEM 2.0 Status
Signature Solar’s Program
Solar Photovoltaic Basics (Sean White’s Book)
PV and the NEC (Sean White and Bill Brook’s Book)
Signature Solar Batteries
UL 9540
Incentives for NABCEP taker and certified staff
Sulfur Springs
Certification for solar panel cleaners
Reach out to Benjamin Whillock here:
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-whillock
Signature Solar Website: www.signaturesolar.com
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean
Sunday Mar 30, 2025
Sunday Mar 30, 2025
If you are a solar installer, it may be a good time to upgrade your usefulness with a NABCEP certification, before the robots come for your job!This episode of Sean White's Solar and Energy Storage Podcast features a live discussion at the Intersolar in North America San Diego. Sean interviews the team behind RoboForce, a cutting-edge robotic solution designed to automate labor-intensive tasks on solar farms and beyond. Discover the capabilities of these intelligent robots, their potential to revolutionize industrial labor, and the future of robotics in challenging environments. Tune in to learn about the technological advancements and industry insights from the experts driving this innovation. This episode was recorded with video of everyone standing next to the robot, which you can see on YouTube. You can see links to every episode at www.solarSEAN.com/podcast
Topics covered:
Topics covered:
RoboForce www.roboforce.ai
Intro to RoboForce
What the Robot is and What is it Capable of
AI = Artificial Intelligence
OSHA = Occupational Safety and Health Administration
AI/Robots taking over Jobs
Autonomy
LiDAR = Light Detection and Ranging
RoboForce World-Class Supporters
Reach out to RoboForce here:
- Myron Scholes = Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics
- Gary Rieschel = World-Class Venture Capitalist
- Carnegie Mellon University = World-Class AI Robotics Institution
Reach out to RoboForce here:
RoboForce Website: www.roboforce.ai
Linkedin Leo Ma: www.linkedin.com/in/biaoma
Linkedin Dan Zhao: www.linkedin.com/in/dan-zhao
Linkedin Veeral Hardev: www.linkedin.com/in/veeralhardev
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean
Sunday Mar 23, 2025
Sunday Mar 23, 2025
Reno local Eric Haskell, the founder and CEO of Sagebrush Energy, let’s us in on the Reno solar industry and what to do besides hanging out with the brains of the solar industry at the big NABCEP conference in Reno. They cover everything from the booming clean tech scene and solar power in Reno to wild horses and must-visit spots around the city, including the battery Megafactory. Eric shares insightful details about the local solar market, the benefits of Nevada's legislative changes, and even his experiences with international companies like PopSockets and Allbirds. Whether you're attending the conference or simply curious about renewable energy and modern tech in Reno, this episode is packed with valuable information and engaging stories that you won’t want to miss!
Topics covered:
Topics covered:
NABCEP Conference
Sagebrush Energy www.sagebrushenergy.com
Burning Man
Solar in RenoEV = Electric Vehicle
Tesla Giga Factory
Lithium Mine in Nevada
Zero State Income Tax
Tesla Semi Truck
Battery Recycling
Red Wood Materials
Lithium Mining
Solar in RenoCasinos
Must-visit Spots of Reno
Marriage and Divorce in Reno
Elvis Wedding
GSR = Grand Sierra Resort
Outdoor Activities in Reno
Sagebrush Energy
Residential Solar Market
Net Metering and Time of Use
ESS = Energy Storage System
Wildfire Risk in Reno
PG&E = Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Battery Attach Rate in RenoBatteries
Wild Horses in Reno Nevada
PopSockets
Riley Neugebauer of Solar for Women www.solarforwomen.com (listen to her podcast here too)
Allbirds
California and Nevada
SNEC
Intersolar in Munich
Battle Born Batteries
Climate Change
Senate Bill 293
Residential SolarDoor to Door Sales
New Mission of NorCal SolarSolar Coaster
Solar Sales and Install
Sagebrush Financial www.sagebrushfinancial.com
Reach out Eric Haskell here:
Reach out Eric Haskell here:
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/erick-haskell
Website: www.sagebrushenergy.com
Sagebrush Financing: www.sagebrushfinancial.com
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean
Thursday Mar 20, 2025
Thursday Mar 20, 2025
Shawn O’Brien is probably well known by most of our audience, since we talk more about technical PV and storage topics, than any podcast I know of. If you have even been to a solar conference in the USA, you probably have been in the presence of Shawn and Sean, perhaps both at the same time!
We are leading up to the NABCEP conference in Reno next week, the week of March 24th! Be sure to be there and you can also take Sean’s PV Associate class at the conference, so sign up here: https://www.heatspring.com/courses/nabcep-pv-associate-training-live-from-the-2025-nabcep-ce-conference?aff_id=t3nlgw
Or for the NABCEP Conference, go to www.nabcep.org
Sean will also be there podcasting at the NABCEP conference along with famous podcaster Nico Johnson of Suncast, so check it out!
Topics Covered:
Job Security
Different NABCEP Certifications
Non-PV and ESS Certifications-Wind and Solar Thermal<
Most NABCEP Letters after your name
Certifications vs. licenses vs. credentials
PVO&M Associate Credential
Emeritus status
Retired status
Board eligible status
Online testing = virtual testing environment
NABCEP Certified Locator
Unethical solar salespeople
NABCEP Code of Ethics
NABCEP Company Accreditation
NABCEP ANSI Accreditation
JTA = Job Task Analysis
IREC and NCCER using PVIP JTA
PVIP JTA is open source
Check out Shawn O’Brien here:
www.nabcep.org/about-us/nabcep-staff-members
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean
Sunday Mar 16, 2025
Sunday Mar 16, 2025
Vince Ambrose, CCO of Franklin Whole Home, explores advanced energy storage solutions, including AC/DC coupling, grid-forming capabilities, and VPP integration. He gets into battery chemistries, installation processes, and the advantages of Franklin's products for homeowners and installers.
Topics covered:
Overview of Franklin Whole Home
Comparison to Tesla Powerwall
Functionality of the Energy Storage System (ESS)
Whole-Home Backup
Energy Cost Savings
Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) & Grid Interaction
Future of Energy Storage & EV Growth
Franklin Whole Home's VPP Participation
EV Integration with Energy Storage
Future of EV and Grid Integration
Microgrid Interconnect Devices
Battery Chemistry & Safety
Battery Type & Construction
Franklin’s AC & DC Coupled Battery Systems
Compatibility with Inverters
FranklinWH’s Distribution & Certification Requirements
System Connectivity & Networking
Learn more about Franklin WH at:
www.franklinwh.com
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean
Sunday Mar 09, 2025
Sunday Mar 09, 2025
Perovskite is a type of thin film PV that can be layered on top of silicon cells to get more power! Caelux makes perovskite on glass that can be used as the glass of a traditional PV module. Charlie gets into how perovskite is made and how it works, all the way to the band gap.
Topics covered:
What is a Perovskite
How Perovskite Crystals Form
Transparent conductors
Matching Perovskite and Silicon Technologies
Temperature Coefficients
Two-Terminal Tandem vs. Four-Terminal Tandem
Reverse Bias
Solar Cells as LEDs in Reverse
Space-Based Solar Technologies
Perovskite Panel Development & Market Entry
History & Development of Perovskite Solar Cells
Industry Insights & Personal Experiences
Reach out Charlie here:
www.caelux.com
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com (http://www.solarSEAN.com) and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean (http://www.heatspring.com/sean)
Sunday Mar 02, 2025
Sunday Mar 02, 2025
In this episode, Sean White interviews Jordan Harris, CEO of Yotta Energy, at the Inter Solar conference in San Diego. They discuss Yotta Energy's innovative energy storage systems, their thermal management, UL certification process, and the benefits of integrating storage seamlessly with solar installations. Listen in for insights into future-proofing solar storage solutions and the fascinating origin story of Yotta Energy.
Topics covered:
Intersolar
Yotta Energy
Battery
ESS = Energy Storage System
Yotta = 10^24
Yotta Block
Ballast Battery
LFP = Lithium Iron Phosphate
Ballasted System
Inverters
Sean’s Red Neck Shaman? (Stay tuned!)
Yotta’s Battery Thermal Management
Lead Acid Battery
Reach out Jordan Harris here:
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-harris
Yotta Energy Website: www.yottaenergy.com
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean