Sean White‘s Solar and Energy Storage Podcast

Plug-in solar legalization, large solar company closures, and the One Big Bogus Bill are examined in this episode. Aaron Nichols and Sean White bring decades of combined industry experience to each topic, covering state-level policy developments, market consolidation, and the potential impact of shifting federal tax credit structures on solar businesses and homeowners.

 

This podcast was stolen from Aaron Nichols. I dare you Aaron, sue me! It’s mine now. I am this week in solar!

 

Topics Covered

This week in Solar www.youtube.com/@ThisWeekInSolar

Plug-in Solar

BBB = Big Beautiful Bill

Tax Credit

DIY Solar

Balcony Solar

No Permits (Plug-in Solar)

Water Heating

Solar Companies Going Bankrupt

Solyndra

Ray Kurzweil

Evolution of Solar

The Future

Space Based Solar

Moon

 

Reach out to Aaron Nichols here:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-nichols

This week in Solar: www.youtube.com/@ThisWeekInSolar

Email: aaron.nichols@exactsolar.com

 

Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at

www.heatspring.com/sean

solarsean.com/pva

This podcast episode featured Sean White's interview with Heather Newport, Director of Community Relations at Aileron, a Chicago-based community engagement and public affairs firm that works on renewable energy projects across the United States. Heather discussed the challenges of community opposition to renewable energy projects, particularly battery energy storage facilities, explaining that concerns often stem from misinformation, fear of the unknown technology, and distrust of developers rather than the actual safety of the technology. They explored how Aileron helps developers navigate community relations through early engagement, stakeholder outreach, and relationship building with local officials and residents, emphasizing the importance of listening to community concerns and providing transparent, authentic information about project safety and benefits.

 

Topics Covered

Aileron Communications www.aileroninc.com

Airplane Aileron

Community Engagement in Public Affairs

Politics
Polarization

ESS = Energy Storage System

EV = Electric Vehicle

Moss Landing

Battery

Data Center

NIMBY = Not in my backyard

Erin Brockovich

 

Reach out to Heather Newport here:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/heathermonaghan

Website: www.aileroninc.com

 

Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at

www.heatspring.com/sean

solarsean.com/pvipexam

Dan Fletcher, Co-Founder and Head of Ecosystems at dcbel, discusses Ara - the company's integrated home energy station combining solar, battery storage, bidirectional EV charging, and grid connectivity in a single device designed to give homeowners greater control over their own energy supply. The conversation covers how vehicle-to-home technology works, its role in reducing grid stress during peak hours, virtual power plant integration, and the California Redwoods program. dcbel's approach removes redundant power conversion hardware, improving efficiency and lowering the cost of achieving genuine residential energy independence.

 

Topics Covered

DCBEL www.dcbel.energy

Decibel

Home Energy

Solar Integration
ESS = Energy Storage System

Battery Storage

Nissan Leaf

EV = Electric Vehicle

EV Charging

Bidirectional EV Charging

Vehicle-to-Home

Grid

REDWOODS Program

Energy Efficiency

Residential Energy

Power Conversion

Distributed Energy

Utility

VPP = Virtual Power Plant

CEC = California Energy Commission

Queen’s University

 

Podcast with Dan Fletcher | Part 2

• Apple podcast
• YouTube
• Spotify
• Pandora
• Podbean

Reach out to Dan Fletcher here:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/fletcherdan

Website: www.dcbel.energy

 

Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at

www.heatspring.com/sean

http://solarsean.com/sfev

Millions of solar systems installed between 2010 and 2018 are approaching inverter end-of-life, creating a $3 billion repowering market. GoodWe Sales Manager Manny Aponte breaks down what repowering actually involves, why functional panels rarely need replacing, how modern inverters improve system performance, and where energy storage fits into the upgrade conversation. Recorded at the 2026 NABCEP Conference in Milwaukee.

 

Topics Covered

NABCEP = North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners

Vanguard 1 satellite

GoodWe www.goodwe.com

Repowering

Inverter

GE = General Electric

White Labeling

OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer

VPP = Virtual Power Plant

ESS = Energy Storage System

 

John Berger Episode

• Apple podcast
• YouTube
• Spotify
• Pandora
• Podbean

Cesar Barbosa Episode

• Apple podcast
• YouTube
• Spotify
• Pandora
• Podbean

Reach out to Manny Aponte here:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mannyaponte

Website: www.goodwe.com

Email: mannyaponte@goodwe.com

 

Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at

www.heatspring.com/sean

http://solarsean.com/esipexam

Bruce Anderson, CEO of 247Solar, explains how concentrated solar power using air and ceramic pellets can deliver reliable electricity around the clock. Unlike photovoltaic systems, 247Solar heats air to 1,000 degrees Celsius, stores that energy in insulated ceramic pellet silos, and uses a modified turbine to generate power at night. The system pairs with daytime solar PV, requires no exotic materials, and eliminates the need for battery backup.

 

Topics Covered

247Solar www.247solar.com

24 Hours Solar Energy

Solar Hot Air

1,800°F/1000°C Air

Heat Transfer

Solar Thermal

 Molten Salt

ESS = Energy Storage System

Turbine Mechanics

Environmental Safety

Ceramic Pellets

 

Reach out to Bruce Anderson here:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bruceanderson

Website: www.247solar.com

 

Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at

www.heatspring.com/sean

solarsean.com/esipexam

Recorded at the NABCEP conference, solar educator Sean White and Rudy Saporite discuss the InterSolar Solar Games, a competitive installation event where certified teams race to complete a 4 kW rooftop system under timed, judged conditions. They also explore solar education strategies, the carbon lifecycle of renewable energy systems, and the importance of safety and code compliance in professional solar installation.

 

Topics Covered</ br>

Solar Nerds</ br>

Solar Education

Code

Trees

EV = Electric Vehicle

ICE = International Combustion Engines

Flat Earth

Solar Games

InterSolar

Rack Learning Curve

Battery

 

Reach out to Rudy Saporite here:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/rudy-saporite

Website: www.ibts.org

Email: rsaporite@gmail.com

 

Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at

www.heatspring.com/sean

solarsean.com/pva

Eric Partyka, Director of Business Development at Standard Solar, explains how community solar works and why it matters. The conversation covers how renters, low-income households, and small businesses can subscribe to solar energy without rooftop panels, which states have adopted community solar programs and why others have not, and how utility deregulation shaped today's market. Standard Solar operates commercial projects ranging from one to five megawatts across more than twenty states.

 

Topics Covered

Standard Solar www.standardsolar.com

Standard Oil

Oil

Community Solar

Utility

DG = Distributed Generation

Fossil Fuel

 

Sean’s trips:

Going back to two dimensions

Only land owners should vote

Trickle down economics

Rich people rights

 

Reach out to Eric Partyka here:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/eric-partyka

Email: eric.partyka@standardsolar.com

Website: www.standardsolar.com

 

Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at

www.heatspring.com/sean

solarsean.com/pvipexam

Recorded live at the NABCEP 2026 conference, Sean White and Brian Hayden discuss the current state of NABCEP credentials, including updates to the PV Associate, the ESIP (Energy Storage Installation Professional), and the upcoming OMAT (Operation and Maintenance Associate Technician credential. They also cover Spanish language exam availability, the history and growth of HeatSpring as an online renewable energy education platform, and the expanding role of operations and maintenance in the solar industry as installed systems continue to age.

 

Topics Covered

HeatSpring www.heatspring.com

NABCEP = North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners www.nabcep.org

Sean’s Training Impact

JTA = Job Task Analysis

PV Associate

ESIP = Energy Storage Installation Professional

Spanish Exams and AI

OMAT = Operations & Maintenance Associate Technician

HeatSpring Origin Story

BPI = Building Performance Institute

Building Performance

Online to In Person Training

Practice Exam

PVCMS = PV Commissioning & Maintenance Specialist

 

Reach out to Brian Hayden here:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/brianfhayden

HeatSpring: www.heatspring.com

 

Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at

www.heatspring.com/sean

solarsean.com/40hrpv

David Taylor, Solutions Expert at Anker Innovations, discusses the Anker Solix E10, a modular home energy storage system scalable from 6 to 90 kilowatt hours. The conversation covers solar compatibility, smart panel integration, generator pairing, and time-of-use optimization. Taylor also addresses installation options for both DIY homeowners and licensed electricians, portable power stations, and Anker's broader expansion from mobile charging into the residential energy storage market.

 

Topics Covered

Anker Solix www.ankersolix.com

Anker Solix E10

Anker Innovations

Battery

Solar DIY

Inverter

Off Grid & On Grid

EMS = Energy Management System

PCS = Power Control System

Back Feeding the Grid

Ul Listing

DC = Direct Current

AC = Alternating Current

Balcony Solar

Plug-in Solar

EV = Electric Vehicle

EV = Charging

PPS = Portable Power Station

 

Reach out to David Taylor here:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/david-taylor

Website: www.ankersolix.com

 

Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at

www.heatspring.com/sean

solarsean.com/esipexam

Gwendoly Espe, Product Manager at Yaskawa Solectria Solar, discusses the technical and commercial advantages of DC-coupled solar-plus-storage systems at utility scale. The conversation covers DC versus AC coupling architecture, energy harvest optimization through clipping recovery, and Yaskawa’s American-manufactured PVS 500 inverter solution. Additional topics include NABCEP-accredited training programs, FEOC compliance, and the growing role of solar storage in powering data centers and supporting grid stability.

 

Topics Covered

Yaskawa Solectria Solar www.solectria.com

Inverter

Converter

DC Coupling
AC Coupling

Energy Yield

DC = Direct Current

AC = Alternating Current

Utility Scale Solar

Utility

Grid

Microgrid

Ercot

DER = Distributed Energy Resources

AI = Artificial Intelligence

ESS = Energy Storage System

Data Center

Recharge with Solectria

FEOC = A Foreign Entity of Concern

 

Reach out to Gwendoly Espe here:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gwendolyespe

Website: www.solectria.com

 

Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at

www.heatspring.com/sean

www.solarsean.com/esipexam