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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
Sunday Dec 28, 2025
Sunday Dec 28, 2025
This episode features Lennart Hinrichs from TWAICE, exploring how AI and data analytics are transforming battery energy storage systems. Discover how advanced software helps operators optimize performance, ensure safety, and maximize the value of large-scale batteries. The conversation covers technical challenges, industry acronyms, and the future of energy storage in a rapidly evolving grid. Perfect for anyone interested in renewable energy, battery technology, and the impact of AI on the energy sector.
Topics Covered
TWAICE www.twaice.com
Battery
BESS = Battery Energy Storage System
ESS = Energy Storage System
DOD = Depth of Discharge
SOC = State of Charge
PCS = Power Conversion System
EPC = Electronic Power Converter
NEC = National Electrical Code
Chemistry
Coulomb Counting
C-rate
RTE = Round Trip Efficiency
AI = Artificial Inteligence
Reach out to Lennart Hinrichs here:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lennart-hinrichs
TWAICE: www.twaice.com
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at
Friday Dec 26, 2025
Friday Dec 26, 2025
Sean White is joined by Julia Lee, Yash Ketharam, and Ilya Mazalov. The group dives into the journeys of Gen Z engineers and advocates, exploring their roles in student organizations, hands-on projects like the Solar Car Race, and their vision for the future of sustainability. The discussion covers generational perspectives, the power of community, and the challenges and opportunities in renewable energy education.
Topics Covered:
Grassroots community
Triton Solar Car
Formula Sun Grand Prix
Solar powered car
Generational perspectives
Social media
Renewable energy education
UC San Diego Club
Climate change
Student leadership
Tips in writing and publishing books
Reach them out here:
Julia Lee: www.linkedin.com/in/julialee123
Yash Ketharam: www.linkedin.com/in/yash-ketharam
Ilya Mazalov: www.linkedin.com/in/ilya-mazalov
UC San Diego Renewable Energy Club: www.eswtritons.wordpress.com
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at:
Wednesday Dec 24, 2025
Wednesday Dec 24, 2025
Join host Sean White as he interviews William Grant, co-founder of Sun Collectors, for an inspiring deep dive into the world of solar energy. Discover William’s journey from electrical engineer to solar entrepreneur, the challenges and rewards of building a business in Illinois, and the impact of the SREC program. The conversation covers technical insights, ethical business practices, and the importance of community and second chances. With personal stories of overcoming adversity and a commitment to making solar accessible and reputable, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in renewable energy, entrepreneurship, and positive change.
Topics Covered
Sun Collectors www.suncollectors.solar
William’s Background
SREC = Solar Renewable Energy Certificate
Tax Credit
Incentives
Lease
Solar Coaster
PPA = Power Purchase Agreement
Illinois Peoria
Unions
Reach out to William Grant here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-grant-b49a65156/
Sun Collectors: www.suncollectors.solar
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at
Sunday Dec 21, 2025
Sunday Dec 21, 2025
Discover how Brooklyn Solar Works is transforming New York City rooftops with innovative solar canopies. Host Sean White chats with co-founders T.R. Ludwig and Gaelen McKee about the challenges and breakthroughs of installing solar in dense urban environments. Learn how their unique canopy designs overcome space, code, and engineering hurdles, turning underused rooftops into sustainable, usable spaces. From technical insights to humorous anecdotes, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the future of urban solar, the growth of a pioneering company, and the exciting possibilities for clean energy in cities everywhere.
Topics Covered
Brooklyn Solar Works www.brooklynsolarworks.com
Solar Canopy
Solar Carport
Burj Khalifa
Solar in New York City
Codes and Jurisdictions
Racking
Post and Truss Designs
Previous Podcast with T.R. Ludwig
Reach out to T.R. Ludwig and Gaelen McKee here:
T.R Ludwig LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/trludwig
Gaelen McKee LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gaelen-mckee
Brooklyn Solar Works: www.brooklynsolarworks.com
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at
Friday Dec 19, 2025
Friday Dec 19, 2025
Discover the story of Johnny Weiss, the visionary who transformed solar education and empowered a global clean energy movement. Join host Sean White and guest Jeff Spies as they share personal stories, industry insights, and the lasting impact of Solar Energy International. Learn how one man’s passion for teaching sparked a revolution, inspired thousands, and continues to light the way for a sustainable future. Whether you’re a solar pro or just curious about renewable energy, this episode will leave you inspired by the power of community, education, and one remarkable legacy.
Topics Covered
Johnny Weiss
Solar Pioneer
SEI = Solar Energy International
SEI Mini Documentary of Johnny Weiss www.youtube.com
SEI Mini Documentary of Johnny Weiss www.youtube.com
Claudia Wentworth Award
Mark Mrohs
Bill Brooks
Solar Training
Podcast with Johnny Weiss
Podcast with Mark Mrohs
Johnny Weiss Initiative
Solar Maintenance
Fossil Fuel
Greenhouse Gas
Solar Roots – the Pioneers of PV
Reach out to Jeff Spies here:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-spies
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at
Thursday Dec 18, 2025
Thursday Dec 18, 2025
In this episode, Sean White welcomes Bernadette Del Chiaro, a prominent figure in the solar industry. Bernadette discusses her current role as the Senior Vice President of the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and her extensive background in the field, including her tenure as the executive director of the California Solar and Storage Association. The conversation dives into EWG's mission and Bernadette's recent projects, including a lawsuit against the California Public Utilities Commission over net metering policies and promoting balcony solar systems. The episode highlights the importance of distributed generation, rooftop solar, and the legal and policy challenges facing the solar industry in California. Sean and Bernadette also touch on the political influence of investor-owned utilities and the future of energy policy.
Topics Covered:
CALSSA = California Solar and Storage Association
Distributed generation
EWG = Environmental Working Group
Public Utilities Commission and California
Net-Metering
Balcony Solar
Plug-in and play systems
Neighborhood sharing program
Lawsuit
Load growth
Million Solar Roof Initiative 2006
Reach out to Bernadette Del Chiaro here:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bernadette-del-chiaro-7598706/
Email: bernadette@ewg.org
Website: www.ewg.org
Rooftop Solar Defense Fund Campaign: www.act.ewg.org/a/ewg-solar
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at
Wednesday Dec 17, 2025
Wednesday Dec 17, 2025
Join us as we explore the future of energy storage with Antonio Baclig, CEO of Inlyte Energy. Discover how reinventing batteries—especially sodium-based technology—could transform the grid, make renewable energy more reliable, and reduce dependence on global supply chains. We break down battery basics, discuss the challenges and opportunities in battery innovation, and touch on the broader impact for climate and society. Whether you’re an energy enthusiast or just curious about what powers tomorrow, this episode offers fresh insights and inspiration for anyone interested in the next big leap in clean energy.
Topics Covered
Inlyte Energy www.inlyteenergy.com
Battery
Solid State Battery
Battery Chemistry
Antonio’s Career Background
ESS = Energy Storage System
Chemistry
Sodium Metal Battery
Grid Storage
Anodes & Cathodes
Alkaline Batteries
Three Electrode Batteries
Quantum Mechanics
Intercolation
Dendrites
Batteries for Airplane
EV Charging = Electric Vehicle Charging
Electrochemical Potential
Nominal Volt
Chemical Bonds
Bill Gates’ Three Tough Truths About Climate Change
Global Climate
Reach out to Antonio Baclig here:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/antonio-baclig
Inlyte Energy: www.inlyteenergy.com
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at
Wednesday Dec 17, 2025
Wednesday Dec 17, 2025
Celebrate a century of innovation with “100 Years of Energy.” Host Sean White interviews Laurie Oswald, Chief Commercial Officer at Trojan Battery Company, to uncover how Trojan evolved from a lead-acid battery pioneer to a leader in lithium technology. Discover real-world stories from off-grid Alaska to global markets, the secrets behind batteries that last decades, and how customer feedback drives Trojan’s innovation. Whether you’re into energy, technology, or inspiring business journeys, this episode offers powerful insights into the past, present, and future of energy storage.
Topics Covered
C&D Trojan www.cdtrojan.com
ESS = Energy Storage System
Battery
LSEV = Low Speed Electric Vehicle
EV = Electric Vehicle
Trojan Batteries
Lead-Acid VS Lithium ion
Battery Longevity
NEC = National Electrical Code
Float Charge
Off Grid
Reach out to Laurie Oswald here:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ldoswald
C&D Trojan www.cdtrojan.com
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at
Sunday Dec 14, 2025
Sunday Dec 14, 2025
Discover how solar power is changing the game for cities, businesses, and your wallet. Host Sean White sits down with Michael Chanin, CEO of Cherry Street Energy, to reveal the secrets behind affordable, no-upfront-cost solar electricity. From the company’s unique origin story to real talk about industry myths, workforce training, and building a legacy business, this episode is packed with insights, humor, and practical advice. Whether you’re a solar skeptic or a clean energy fan, you’ll learn how the future of power is being built, one community at a time. Tune in and get energized!
Topics Covered
Cherry Street Energy www.cherrystreet.com
Heatspring www.heatspring.com/instructors/sean-white
NABCEP = North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners www.nabcep.org
NABCEP = North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners www.nabcep.org
Marketplace
Education
IREC = Interstate Renewable Energy Council
Unethical Solar Salespeople
Supply and Demand
Utility
Coal
Fossil Fuel
Solar Coaster
Combustion Car
EV = Electric Vehicle
HVAC = Heating, Ventilation, And Air Conditioning
Reach out to Michael Chanin here:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/michaelchanin
Website: www.cherrystreet.com
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at
Friday Dec 12, 2025
Friday Dec 12, 2025
Dr. Laura A. Ward is a leading contributor to the global shift from inertia-dominated, mechanically driven power systems to inverter-based, high-renewable smart grids. She bridges advanced power electronics theory with practical, data-driven roadmapping to deploy resilient microgrids at scale.
As the global grid pivots away from fossil generation, the industry is confronting a core question: how do we maintain stability without the physical inertia of synchronous machines? In this RE+ episode, host Sean White speaks with Dr. Laura A. Ward—IEEE Senior Member and Energy Innovator Fellow at the DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), mentored by Thomas Bartholomew in the Clean Energy Division—about the transition from inertia-based power systems to “virtual” stability enabled by inverter-based resources and smart-grid controls.
Dr. Ward breaks down the high-stakes engineering behind Grid Forming (GFM) inverters, the technical bridge that allows renewable energy to go from simply "following" the grid to actively "forming" it. Whether you are curious about the physics of droop coefficients or the policy hurdles of DC grid modernization, this conversation provides a masterclass in building a resilient, decarbonized future.
Dr. Ward breaks down the high-stakes engineering behind Grid Forming (GFM) inverters, the technical bridge that allows renewable energy to go from simply "following" the grid to actively "forming" it. Whether you are curious about the physics of droop coefficients or the policy hurdles of DC grid modernization, this conversation provides a masterclass in building a resilient, decarbonized future.
Key Insights Include:
- The Physics of Stability: Why losing traditional synchronous machines creates a "stability gap" and how inverters fill it.
- GFM vs. GFL: A deep dive into the technical advantages of Grid Forming over Grid Following technology.
- Urban Infrastructure: Adopting and applying 21st-century standards (like IEEE 1547) to complex, high-density city grids.
- Microgrid Resiliency: How autonomous control allows local grids to survive during wider system outages.
Dr. Ward’s work is anchored in her unique ability to provide insights and influence decision-making through recommendations on best practices. While many focus on either the adoption of IEEE 1547-2018 or the scalability analysis of Grid-Forming inverters using software—work she did under the supervision of Dr. Stephen Bayne at Texas Tech University—Dr. Ward has unified them through the validation of the scalable Self-synchronized Universal Droop Controller (SSUDC), providing a mathematical and practical foundation for a carbon-neutral grid.
Dr. Ward’s influence is solidified by her rigorous data-driven approach, featured in major repositories and journals:
- OSTI Office of Scientific and Technical Information (Department of Energy): Modeling and Evaluation of Microgrids with Grid-Forming Inverter Technology (Focus on SSUDC algorithms). DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su16052148
- Technical Roadmaps: Authoring the transition strategies for DOEE and utilities moving from 20th-century synchronous machine reliance to 21st-century power electronics. ArcGIS StoryMap technical report:https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/cca0d8ca348c452787e70759035aaa97
- The Physics of Stability: Why losing traditional synchronous machines creates a "stability gap" and how inverters fill it.
- GFM vs. GFL: A deep dive into the technical advantages of Grid Forming over Grid Following technology.
- Urban Infrastructure: Adopting and applying 21st-century standards (like IEEE 1547) to complex, high-density city grids.
- Microgrid Resiliency: How autonomous control allows local grids to survive during wider system outages.
Dr. Ward’s work is anchored in her unique ability to provide insights and influence decision-making through recommendations on best practices. While many focus on either the adoption of IEEE 1547-2018 or the scalability analysis of Grid-Forming inverters using software—work she did under the supervision of Dr. Stephen Bayne at Texas Tech University—Dr. Ward has unified them through the validation of the scalable Self-synchronized Universal Droop Controller (SSUDC), providing a mathematical and practical foundation for a carbon-neutral grid.
Dr. Ward’s influence is solidified by her rigorous data-driven approach, featured in major repositories and journals:
- OSTI Office of Scientific and Technical Information (Department of Energy): Modeling and Evaluation of Microgrids with Grid-Forming Inverter Technology (Focus on SSUDC algorithms). DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su16052148
- Technical Roadmaps: Authoring the transition strategies for DOEE and utilities moving from 20th-century synchronous machine reliance to 21st-century power electronics. ArcGIS StoryMap technical report:https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/cca0d8ca348c452787e70759035aaa97
Connect with Dr. Ward:
Professional: www.linkedin.com/in/drlaura-ward
Research: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4550-1581
Public Engagement: @stem.laurandre (Instagram)
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at