Sean White‘s Solar and Energy Storage Podcast

John Coffman: Solar-Wind Hybrid Trees, too good to be true?

Sean White talks to John Coffman from Commercial Solar about the innovative hybrid power tree. This new technology combines solar and wind energy. John shares insights about the design, engineering, and potential of these hybrid power trees, which are being manufactured in the Philippines. They also discuss partnerships, financing options, and the advantages of combining solar and wind power. Tune in to learn more about this exciting development in green technology.

 

Topics Covered:

 

Martin Navales

Commercial Solar www.commercialsolar.biz

Hybrid Power tree

Solind Technology Corporation www.solindtechcorp.com

Maxeon solar cells

Sun Power www.us.sunpower.com

Sunpower vs. Maxeon difference

SKEPS www.skeps.com

Primus wind turbine

Enphase Battery System

UL 61730

Solar Windows

Colored Solar

Artistic Solar

Solar Roadways

Paint on Solar

Smart Flowers

Works at night

Solar Tree description:

PV-7.5 and 8kW-

Wind-turbine is 13ft up

 

Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by takingSean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean

Joe Marhamati of Sunvoy-The Ultimate Solar App

In this episode, Sean White hosts Joe Marhamati, the visionary behind Sunvoy, as they explore the revolutionary solar and energy storage solutions reshaping the industry. From discussing Sunvoy's innovative customer portal and fleet management app to delving into wider topics like the impact of solar on the grid, the program offers insightful discussions on the future of energy. Join us as we uncover the intersections of technology, sustainability, and business in the solar sector.

 

Topics covered:

 

Joe Marhamati www.linkedin.com/in/marhamati/

SUNVOY www.sunvoy.com

Ipsun solar www.ipsunsolar.com

Lex Friedman

White Label

US Department of Energy www.energy.gov

President Office of Sustainability Support and the Office of the Loan Programs.

Jigar Shah www.linkedin.com/in/jigarshahdc/

NABCEP = North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners

Herve Billiet www.linkedin.com/in/hervebilliet/

Herve Billiet on Sean White's podcast 

SaaS = Software as a Service

CRM = Customer Relationship Management

API = Application Programming Interface

Rapid Shutdown

B Corp = Benefit corp

SREC = Solar renewable energy certificate

Hubspot

SunCRM www.suncrm.solar

Salesforce

IRS = Internal Revenue Service

Largest PV Plant in the US

Electric Vehicles

The first large scale commercial solar thermal plants

Nevada

CSP = Concentrated Solar Power

Tesla

Revenge of the electric car

Solyndra vs Solar module

Question and answer for Sean White

Infinite Solar

Bill Brooks www.linkedin.com/in/bill-brooks-6782616/

derek the solarboi www.solarboi.com

derek the solarboi on Sean White's podcast

 

Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by takingSean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean

NorCal Solar 50 Years Party

Celebrating 50 Years with NorCal Solar: Insights, Innovations, and Impact

 

In this special episode, join Sean White at the 50th NorCal Solar Anniversary Party in Oakland, California. Sean captures the essence of this vibrant gathering, filled with pioneers, innovators, and advocates for solar and energy storage. Each conversation shines a light on the diverse contributions to the solar industry and environmental sustainability. As we celebrate 50 years of NorCal Solar, join us in exploring the future of solar energy, the importance of community, and the advancements in technological and environmental advocacy.

 

Topics covered and people I talked to:

 

BMO - Bank of Montreal

Oliver Zahn of Climax Foods Check his cheese out on Colbert https://youtu.be/085iMEoqyAI?si=FiFriqxzYgFlLB5p&t=4m18s

Claudia Wentworth Past President of ASES

Tor "Solar Fred" Valenza or Probably True Solar Stories podcast

Rosemary Howley past BOD NorCal Solar

Carlo Federiconi past BOD NorCal Solar

SEER - Solar Energy Expo and Rally

Jim Augustyn

BOD NorCal Solar 48 years ago and recently! Author of Solar Cat Book - www.solarcat.com

Jerry Brown

Kevin Gao

Will Wiseman of Climatize - https://climatize.earth

Investment

Sean's www.solarcellregistry.com idea (anyone want to take it on).

EPC

Helix Electric

Wallbox Chargers

Franz Feuerherdt former NorCal BOD and of Solar4america PV manufacturing in California

Elaine Hebert former NorCal Solar President

ASES - American Solar Energy Society

Tor Allen former NorCal BOD of RAHUS INSTITUTE www.rahus.org

PG&E

Urban Solar Energy Association

Mass Bay Solar Energy Association

NESEA New England Solar Energy Association

NESEA Northeast Sustainable Energy Association

California Energy Commission

PV USA

Siemens Solar Modules

Ken Wu of International Ocean Film Foundation https://intloceanfilmfest.org

Will Draven

SF Climate Week Lana Suvorova 🕊 CEO ESGentle and New NorCal Solar Board Member

John Min

Saya Impact

Kenny Warren of SunrunSun Run

Sierra Fan Co-Founder of illu www.illu.works and New NorCal Solar Board Member

Paper Cuts

Greg Smith

RTFM

 

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

Johan Alfsen: Solar Rock Star

Johan Alfsen is the Senior DIrector of Training at K2 Systems. He was also the Director of Training at Quick Mount PV for 12 years. Johan started the Solar Battle of the Bands, the Solar Comedy Slam and seems to me that he must be in charge of the Solar Games at Intersolar. All super fun competitions. 

Topics covered:

Quick mount PV

K2 and Everest www.k2-systems.com/en-us/

Solar battle of the bands

Solar Comedy Slam competition at Intersolar

Solar installer competition-Solar Games

Warfield Theater

Solar Siblings (Sister Jennifer Alfsen)

Fidelity Roof Company www.fidelityroof.com

Quality Solar

Claudia Wentworth

ASES www.ases.org

NorCal Solar www.norcalsolar.org

Nich Pak, Johan’s Solar Band member

111 Minna www.111minnagallery.com

Intersolar www.intersolar.us

Quick Mount Band

Fronius Band

Solar City Band

Sun Power Band

SMA Band

Solectria Band “DC/AC”

Hotel Utah

CALSSA California Solar and Storage Association www.calssa.org

RE+ www.re-plus.com

Johan’s Band www.northernerband.com

HeatSpring classes

Brittany Heller

Alex Heller

Stand up comedy

San Francisco Comedy College

Rolls Battery

Solar Games Intersolar

Smarter E www.thesmartere.com (formerly Intersolar)

Eicke Weber - Listen to Podcast with Eicke on 4/29/2024

Herman Scheer

Fraunhofer Institute www.fraunhofer.de

Solar tour

Tesla tours

Diversified www.divcom.com

CSLB www.cslb.ca.gov<

K2 formerly known as Everest

Company Century Roofing and Solar www.centuryroofandsolar.com

Metal flashing

Sealant based flashing and mounts

“Goop and a prayer” was Johan’s quote

Norcal Solar/ASES was first solar experience with Solar Homes Tour and the Wentworths

Comp shingle roof in japan

Asphalt shingle

Asphalt impregnated underlayment

Butyl Roofing

Tim Montague's podcast www.cleanpowerhourpodcast.com

Heatspring Classes

SEIA Solar Energy Industry Association www.seia.org

NYSERDA = New York State Research, Energy Research Development Association www.nyserda.ny.gov

CALSSA formerly known CALSEA

 

You can find Johan Alfsen here:

LinkedIn: Johan Alfsen

Facebook: Sol Riders

Instagram: 510Johan

 

Johan’s free HeatSpring class for NABCEP credit: www.heatspring.com/courses/k2-pro-certified-installer-training-composition-shingle-roofs

 

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

Richard Lawrence of IREC on Apprenticeships and More!

Richard Lawrence has a long history in the solar industry and is very knowledgeable in many areas (He was formerly the Executive Director of NABCEP among other things). Our main focus of this podcast was apprenticeship programs. This is a big deal, since to qualify for the Inflation Reduction Act 30% Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for projects over 1MW, fulfilling the apprenticeship and prevailing wage standards are required.

 

Topics covered:

 

Richard Lawrence career:

IREC Program Director currently 5 years irecusa.org

IBTS 2 years - Institute for Building Technology and Safety

NABCEP Executive Director 3.5 yrs<

Solar (PV) Instructor Training Network Hudson Valley Community College

Topics covered and questions answered:

What is an apprenticeship?

What is prevailing wage?

Union vs. non-union

Is prevailing wage different for different places?

Right to work states (anti-union)

Registered apprenticeship programs

Unregistered apprenticeship programs<

How does someone set up an apprenticeship program?

Who to register an apprenticeship program with, like the DOL (Department of Labor)

Local and federal programs

IRA-apprenticeship - tax credits - pay workers prevailing wage 1MW and up

15% of labor hours requirement

What is IREC doing for apprenticeship and What is IREC

Drama with different unions and non-unions-everyone wants the work

$200k/yr electrician cost

Prevailing wage for small vs. large projects

Can election results take away these benefits

Veterans

California C46 solar license and batteries

Solar PV Instructor Training Network

Hudson Valley Community College

SPI

NYSERDA www.nyserda.ny.gov

Massachusetts Clean Energy Center www.masscec.com

Burnham Energy

AHJ

Multi Junction Technology

Apprenticeship programs.

Solar Energy International

Department of Energy www.energy.gov

Larry Sherwood

Soul Smart Program in Puerto Rico

Zoning laws

Donations

Cod community college

Non-Profit Organizations

SEAC Sustainable Energy Action Committee www.sustainableenergyaction.org

ANSI Standards

Jane Weissman

Solar ABC's www.solarabcs.org

Solar ready veterans network

John Kim

American Battery Factory

IBEW International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers www.ibew.org

UBC United Brotherhood of Carpenters www.carpenters.org

ITC

Eike Weber

Herman Scheer

NREL www.nrel.gov

 

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

Cameron Fearey NABCEP PVIP talks about his NABCEP Experience

Cameron works and lives in New York where having a NABCEP PV Installation Professional (PVIP) helps you qualify for the NY State program that helps fund projects.

 

Here are some of the topics we discuss:

NYSERDA = New York State Research, Energy Research Development Association www.nyserda.ny.gov
NY Sun Program
NABCEP Certifications
Indent Builders www.indentbuilders.com
IBEW = International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers www.ibew.org
3 Pathways
Dobbs Ferry
Best Investment is Education
Heatspring Courses Bundles
NFPA  855
NFPA  70 = National Electrical Code (NEC)
IBC = International Building Code
IFC = International Fire Code
IRC = International Residential Code
ICC = International Code Council
NFPA 70E
OSHA = Occupational Safety and Health Administration www.osha.gov
NABCEP PV Commissioning and Maintenance Specialist (PVCMS) Exam
NABCEP Energy Storage Installation Professional exam = ESIP
NAPCEP Website www.nabcep.org
Professional Directories
Companies directory
Spanish Class
Tim Montague
C&I = Commercial and Industrial
Clean Power Hour www.cleanpowerhour.com
NABCEP PV Technical Sales = PVTS
NABCEP PV Installer Specialist Certification = PVIS
NABCEP PV System Inspector Certification = PVSI
FAA  Drone Pilot Class = Federal Aviation Administration https://www.heatspring.com/courses/nabcep-solar-pv-associate-faa-part-107-drone-pilot-exam-prep?aff_id=t3nlgw
UL Certification
120 percent rule for backfeed breaker
NEC 690 Photovoltaic Systems
NEC 690.12 Rapid Shutdown
Italian Class for NABCEP PV Associate
Giulia Suriano<

Check out his website and connect on LinkedIn:
www.indentbuilders.com

Linkedin: Cameron Fearey
 
Youtube Video Podcast:https://youtu.be/aoeex-QK3bw
 
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean

Eicke Weber: Hermann Scheer's 80th BD 4/29/1944 (Scheer founded the solar revolution)

Hermann Scheer (RIP) was a German politician who is responsible for making grid-connected solar profitable in about the year 2000 as he brought the German policy for reimbursing people for solar energy, so that they would make a profit. This brought about years where over half of the World’s installed PV was in Germany. This created the modern solar industry and kick-started modern PV manufacturing. If it were not for Hermann Scheer, we would probably be 10 years behind where we are now with PV
prices and installed capacity. Eicke Weber was a friend of Hermann Scheer and Eicke was also the director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems for 10 years, which is the European equivalent of NREL. Eicke brought Intersolar to San Francisco, he was on UC Berkely Faculty and has done a million other things, while remaining a really nice person. I am proud to call Eicke a friend.

 

Topics Covered:

 

Hermann Sheer’s Legacy www.ilsr.org/hermann-scheers-feed-tariff-legacy-75-worlds-solar-pv/

Bill Brooks www.brooksolar.com

Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems www.ise.fraunhofer.de/en

Madam Mi

Fusion

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) www.NREL.gov

Governor Jerry Brown

California Solar Initiative (CSI)

SNEC World’s Largest Renewable Energy Conference www.pv.snec.org.cn

Nancy and George Lightman

Hans-Josef www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans-Josef_Fell

Swanson’s Law

Feed in Tariff (FIT)

Sultan Al Jaber

Irena www.IRENA.org

International Solar Energy Society (ISES) www.ises.org

PV manufacturing in China

Deng Xiaoping

IRA

John Kerry

Deng Xiaoping

CO2

PV Technology and Market Developments

Global Shifts in Energy Policy

Clean Tech Business Club www.cleantechbusiness.club

 

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

Solar Roots with Jeff Spies

Where do we start, in this podcast we covered many things and Jeff Spies is very active and connected in the solar industry.

 

Here is a short list of what Jeff does and has done:

 

Owner of Planet Plansets www.planetplansets.com

NABCEP Board of Directors www.nabcep.org/about-us/board-of-directors

CALSSA Board of Directors www.calssa.org

Solar Roots, the Pioneers of PV Documentary, Executive Producer www.solar-roots.com

The Solar Panel Podcast www.linkedin.com/company/the-solar-panel-podcast

 

Here are some of the many topics we covered:

Solar PV origin in Humboldt and Mendocino Counties in Northern California

Marijuana wars with guns in Northern California: solar using weed growers vs. the Feds

Hippie Definition

Rednecks and Hippies

Hipnecks

AEE Solar

David Katz is a genius

DC Power

Solar Depot

Real Goods 

Solar Living Institute

Ironridge

Quickmount

Stuart Wentworth

Claudia Hansen Wentworth

Johnny Weiss

Go Green Solar

Home Power Magazine

Humboldt Country

Nika Show

Oregon Solar Energy Industry

Boogy rough cut version

Plastics

Blue grass

Solar Pioneer Party

Bell Labs

BriceLand, CA

Brian Tittlebaum

Solar PV Magic

Nobel Prize

Solar Pioneers group in Facebook

John Burdner

Brian Teitelbaum

Davey Rittner

Jason Vetterli

Wendy Dankof

Gov. Jerry Brown
Bob McKee

Joseph Marino

Keisha

Johnny Hill

Sam Vanderhoof

Ron Kennedy

John Schaefer

Arthur Rudin

Ezra Auerbach

Richard Perez

Bob O. Schultz

Kathleen Schultz

Mark Moroz

Charlie Gay

Albert Einstein

Edmund Becquerel

Adams and Day

Charles Fritz

 

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

American Battery Factory President John Kem

This is my first interview with a real US Military General and I am honored that he took the time to meet with me. I am not worthy!

 

John Kem is in the civilian sector now and is the President of American Battery Factory! In this podcast we discuss their huge Gigafactory, which they are building in Arizona and which will go online towards the end of 2025 making made in the USA lithium iron phosphate (LFP) lithium-ion batteries. They are working on prismatic battery cells, which are as big as 1kWh each! In the podcast we talk about the manufacturing processes and how the battery materials are put together in a factory that can produce 4GWh per year of battery cells.

 

Topics covered:

 

American Battery Factory

Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP)IRA = Inflation Reduction Act

Army Corps of Engineers

Civil WorksMining

Battery cell production and safety

Investment and manufacturing scale of American Battery Factory

The process and challenges of battery cell manufacturing

Battery factory

American Lithium Mining

Cobalt in the Congo

Gigafactory

Abundance and toxicity of Lithium, Iron and Phosphorous

Big Battery Cell

Folding Cells

Prismatic Battery Cell

314 Ah cells x 3.2V = 1kWh/cell

Half of a shoebox size cell

Bigger is better

Pouch and cylindrical battery cell comparison

Prismatic folding speed increased

Longer cycle life

Fiji Water bottle shape comparison

Chemical Mixing

Anode and Cathode layers

Thin coating

Isotropic graphite = consistent shape

Narrow film

LFP is the cathode

LFP mix in vats

Absorption capacity for ions to flow

Buy pre-mixed LFP

Separator between anode and cathode

Foils

Cans - Aluminum

Food can people making battery can for prismatic battery (cell casing)

Stationary Energy Storage Systems

Smart grid

Underground mining operations

Drag racing and LFP

Range anxiety

Home to GWh ESS

Tax credit survival vs. competitive manufacturing

Made in America with Chinese parts

Smartest people in the world come to America

Energy storage is required for net zero

Investing and buying American Battery Factory

Privately held now

Series A and Series B funding defined

Accredited investors and venture capital

 

Check out the American Battery Factory website: www.americanbatteryfactory.com

 

For good luck, give this podcast 5️s

 

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

Joe McCabe American Solar Energy Society (ASES) Fellow, historical figure and a lot more!

Joe McCabe has been in the solar industry since before there was a solar industry. In this podcast we talk about many things. 

 

Here is a list of topics:

 

ASES Fellow

American Solar Energy Society www.ASES.org

International Solar Energy Society www.ISES.org

MREA = Midwest Renewable Energy Association

SMUD = Sacramento Municipal Utility District

PVUSA Davis California

PV Policy

SAM software

PV Reliability Workshop Nerdfest

Golden Colorado

SANDIA

Community Solar Gardens

Bifacial Solar<

Vertical Bifacial produces more than tilted south no matter what the direction

Higher latitude better for vertical bifacial

Vertical bifacial requires smaller wires because of lower Isc

Clipping

Hanging vertical bifacial to swing in the wind.

North facing PV for used PV

PV module size increasing

PV efficiency not important; LCOE (levelized cost of electricity) is important. 

Monofacial

Agrivoltaics

Agrisoltaics

Dual use of land

Mark Fitzgerald

Jane Wiseman

IREC = Interstate Renewable Energy Council

NABCEP Entry Level

Praise Ward Bower!

George Kelly

NREL

NABCEP Exam Committees

Photovoltaic effect

Conduction band

Photoelectric effect

Becquerel

Einstein

Quantum mechanics

Thermodynamics

Nuclear engineering

Schrödinger’s equation

Straw bale construction

SERF = Solar Energy Research Facility

SERI = Solar Energy Research Institute

Neutron Scatter

Cadmium rods

Neutron magazine

Smart Inverter Working Group

Dan Shugar

Howard Wenger

PG&E

PV for $9/watt in 90s

Richard Swanson and Swanson’s curve

Colorado Public Utilities Commission

CALISO

California Independent System Operator

BIPV

California Energy Commission (CEC)

Community Solar Garden

Solar Shares

Stupid grid vs. smart grid

Grid following and grid forming inverters

Reactive power

Rule 21 Smart Inverter Working Group

Smart Inverter Classes

Hermann Scherr

Frieberg Germany 

Smarter E in Munich (formerly Intersolar)

Intersolar in San Diego and Long Beach

RE+ conferences

Making education fun

University of Arizona Reactor

How PV works

Photons

Grid Forming and Grid Following Inverters

Donating a kidney to Bill Brooks

Freiburg Germany

NABCEP Certification

Energy Ideas

Renewable Energy Steward

Giant Bifacial module 

Joe Mccabe recommends Bill Brooks on LinkedIn 

Blue light inside a reactor

Integrated Resource Plan (IRP)

Carl Weinberg

Paul Fenn

Community Choice Aggregation = CCA 

Eicke Weber

RE+ Texas

Sean Sings ABC 123 at NABCEP Conference

 

Homework Assignment read: Leverage Points, Places to Intervene in a System by Donella Meadows

https://donellameadows.org/wp-content/userfiles/Leverage_Points.pdf

 

Joe McCabe LinkedIn Page

 

Joe’s email: energyideas@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