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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 Sep 07, 2025
Sunday Sep 07, 2025
In this episode, Sean White talks with Wayne Feltman from VELUX about skylights and how they can help bring more daylight and fresh air into homes and buildings. They discuss the difference between solar PV and passive solar, and how skylights can make spaces brighter and more energy efficient. Wayne shares the history of VELUX, explains how modern skylights work including solar-powered and smart skylights and talks about the benefits of natural ventilation for better indoor air quality. The conversation also covers energy savings, new technology like app-controlled skylights, and tips for builders and homeowners.
Topics covered:
VELUX company background and history
Passive solar vs. solar PV
Benefits of skylights for daylight and ventilation
Energy efficiency and building envelopes
Natural ventilation and indoor air quality
Types of skylights (fixed, manual, solar-powered, smart)
Fire safety and egress with skylights
Solar-powered skylights and battery technology
Smart skylight controls and app integration
Shades and light control for skylights
CO2 and humidity sensors for healthy homes
Sustainability and electric vehicles at VELUX
Energy savings and automation
Skylight installation tips for builders and homeowners
Reach out to Wayne Feltman here:
Email address: wayne.feltman@velux.com
VELUX: www.veluxusa.com
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at
Sunday Aug 31, 2025
Sunday Aug 31, 2025
In this episode, Sean White and Cesar Barbosa, CEO of Nu Life, break down the seven “re-”s of solar: Repurpose, Repower, Recycle, Repair, Refurbish, Retrofit, and Remediation. Discover how these strategies are shaping the future of solar projects, from giving panels a second life to tackling the challenges of decommissioning and sustainability.
Topics covered:
Nu Life www.nulifepower.com
PPA = Power Purchase Agreement
Repurpose: Use old panels in a new place or application.
Repower: Upgrade a system with new parts for better performance.
Recycle: Break down panels to recover materials.
Repair: Fix specific issues without major replacements.
Refurbish: Restore used panels by repairing minor parts.
Retrofit: Replace or upgrade components across a system.
Remediation: Correct larger-scale problems to restore function.
FabTech www.fabtech.net
Decommissioning
PV Cycle www.pvcycle.org
Used Solar
End of Life
Utility
Cesar Barbosa’s Articles www.linkedin.com/in/cesarbarbosa
Reach out to Jon Williams Here:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/cesarbarbosa
Nu Life Website: www.nulifepower.com
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at
Wednesday Aug 27, 2025
Wednesday Aug 27, 2025
When a battery cell heats up a lot, it can propagate to its neighboring cell and usually they do propagate on the cell level and not the battery storage unit level, but Viridi Parente has figured out how to not have cell propagation and has gone through the UL 9540A fire testing to prove it. They are working on a residential battery that will be “listed and labeled for use in habitable spaces” which nobody has ever successfully done to the best of my knowledge. This means that you would not have to follow the 2024 International Residential Code (2021 IRC with different wording), which means they can put as much as they want in any room in a house, once this is a done deal, which will probably happen in the first quarter of 2026.
Here it is in the IRC:
https://up.codes/viewer/mississippi/irc-2024/chapter/3/building-planning#R330.1
This is big news that could revolutionize energy storage.
Viridi Parente has two factories in historical places. The Ford Motor building in Richmond CA where Rosie the Riveter worked and was photographed during WW2 and also the other factory in Buffalo NY was a GM factory built in 1920 which was also building tanks for WW2, so besides kicking Nazi’s butts, these buildings will help with the modernization of the grid.
Jon and Sean also talk about virtual power plants (VPPs) and the internet of things (IoT). They cover how using energy storage can lead to a lot less current on wires and how you can run 40 houses on a single 200A service with the right amount of energy storage and coordination.
Topics covered:
Viridi Parente www.viridiparente.com
Nikola Tesla
George Westinghouse
AC = Alternating Current
DC = Direct Current
HVDC = High Voltage Direct Current
Arc Lighting
Electric AC Lighting
Devil in the White City (Historical Fiction Book)
Thomas Edison
Battery
Inverter
Pack System
UL Listing
UL 9540A
Preventing Cell to Cell Propagation
Sewage Lift Station
Rosie the Riveter
Transmission And Distribution Deferral
ESS = Energy Storage System
Jigar Shah
EV = Electric Vehicle
Energy Density
LFP = Lithium Iron Phosphate
NMC = Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide
Thermal Runaway
Cheese Cloth Test
IRC = International Residential Code
VPP = Virtual Power Plant
IoT = Internet of Things
Balcony Solar
18650 Battery
CSA = Canadian Standards Association
EV Charging
California Olympics
Tax Credit
Energy Revolution
Reach out to Jon Williams Here:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jon-m-williams
Viridi Parente www.viridiparente.com
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at:
Sunday Aug 24, 2025
Sunday Aug 24, 2025
Curious about how residential solar could actually get cheaper, and what’s holding it back? In this episode, host Sean White speaks with Ravi Mikkelsen, CEO of Atmos Financial, to explore the realities behind solar pricing, industry challenges, and how smarter financing can make solar accessible for more people. Whether you are a homeowner, industry professional, or simply curious about clean energy, this conversation offers valuable insights.
Topics covered:
Atmos Financial www.joinatmos.com
Grandma Maxing
Solar Bros
Transparency to Homeowners
Tax Credit
Atmosphere
Financing
Banks
Credit Unions
Loan / Lending
Solar and Storage
Grid
Utility
Battery
C10
C46
Ravi Mikkelsen’s Origin Story
Tesla
AHJ = Authority Having Jurisdiction
Standardization
NEC = National Electrical Code
Unethical Salespeople
Equipment Cost
DIY Solar
Smarter E / Intersolar
Balcony Solar
Reach out to Ravi Mikkelsen Here:
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ravimikkelsen
Atmos Financial: www.joinatmos.com
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at:
Wednesday Aug 20, 2025
Wednesday Aug 20, 2025
In this episode, Sean White talks with Nick Tumilowicz, Director of Product Management Solutions at Itron, about how smart meters and distributed energy resources are changing the way we use electricity. They discuss the role of grid edge technology, virtual power plants, and how consumers can save money and help the grid by managing devices like solar panels, batteries, and EV chargers. The conversation covers practical tips for homeowners, the future of energy management, and how new technology is making the grid smarter and more efficient.
Topics covered:
Itron www.na.itron.com
Gas
Water
Electricity
Grid Edge
Solar and Storage
Itron Meter
Grid
Distributed Energy
Battery
Energy Forecasting
Meter
DER = Distributed Energy Resources
EV = Electric Vehicle
Consumer
Utility
VPP =Virtual Power Plant
Nuclear
Central Generation
AMR = Advanced Meter Reading
AMI = Advanced Metering Infrastructure
PG&E = Pacific Gas and Electric Company
EV Charging
Energy Management System
Autonomous Load Following or Automated Load Management
NEC = National Electrical Code
Transformer
Utility Programs
Bi-Directional EV
OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer
ESS = Energy Storage System
Automated Program
HEMS = Home Energy Management Systems
Smart Appliances
Emergency Load Response Program
Mini Split
Heat Pump
Voltage Sag
Data Center
ASES = American Solar Energy Society
Reach out to Nick Tumilowicz Here:
Linkedin: www.linkedin.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 Aug 17, 2025
Sunday Aug 17, 2025
Join Sean White as he talks with John Perlin, a well-known historian and author, about the history of solar energy and how it connects to human progress. John shares stories from his books and career, touching on everything from ancient solar use to the role of forests in shaping our world. It’s a laid-back, insightful episode for anyone into solar, history, or just learning something new.
Topics covered:
Intersolar
Eicke Weber
UC Berkley
Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems
Smarter E
Hermann Scheer
Hans Josef Fell
Feed in Tariff
NREL = National Renewable Energy Laboratory
International Solar Energy Society
University of California Santa Barbara
Monty Python
Keeling Curve
Solar Water Heater
Roman, Greek & China History
Heliocaminus
Photovoltaic History
Bell Labs
Calvin Fuller
Daryl Chapin
Gerald Pearson
Becquerel
Thermodynamics
Albert Einstein
Solar Selenium Photovoltaic
Solid-State Solar Cell
Pier 39 Fisherman’s Wharf
UC Berkeley Alumni Camp
Barrington Hall`
Lexicon
The Wood Age
Literature
The Great Valves of Roam
Marcus Vitruvius Pollio
Ship
Solar Thermal
Iron Horses
Coal & Charcoal
UCC Monitor
USS Monitor
CSS Virginia (USS Merrimack)
John Ericsson
A Golden Thread: 2,500 Years of Solar Architecture and Technology
From Space to Earth: The Story of Solar Electricity
Let It Shine: The 6,000-Year Story of Solar Energy
A Forest Journey: The Role of Trees in the Fate of Civilization
Patagonia
Eike Webber (Herman Scheer 80th Birthday) Podcast www.podcasts.apple.com
Reach out to John Perlin Here:
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/john-perlin
Website: www.aforestjourney.com
John Perlin’s books: http://aforestjourney.com/
Links to John Perlin’s book reviews:
Let It Shine: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/seven-of-the-greatest-solar-stories-over-the-millennia
Let It Shine: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/seven-of-the-greatest-solar-stories-over-the-millennia
A Forest Journey:
https://botany.one/2023/05/perlins-potentially-perfect-plants-and-people-publication/
https://botany.one/2023/05/perlins-potentially-perfect-plants-and-people-publication/
https://time.com/6969478/forests-human-history/
https://news.mongabay.com/2024/10/interview-with-john-perlin/
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean
Friday Aug 15, 2025
Friday Aug 15, 2025
In this podcast Dan Lotano, GoodLeap’s Chief Operating Officer, talks about the Treasury guidance that is good news, because it offers a smooth glidepath, rather than a hard landing.
This podcast was recorded on August 15, 2025 at 11AM Pacific.
Additionally, we talk about GoodLeap and their involvement with virtual power plants (VPPs), solar and storage financing, home energy, the GoodLeap app, Connecticut Green Bank and a lot more.
Topics covered:
GoodLeap platform and services
GoodLeap platform and services
Treasury Guidance Update
Solar Coaster
IRA = Inflation Reduction Act
Energy Incentives
Domestic Manufacturing & Jobs
ITC = Investment Tax Credit
Residential Credit Expiration
Corporate vs Homeowner Tax Credits
VPPs = Virtual Power Plants
Financial Innovation in Solar
Utility Interconnection Timelines
AI’s Role in the industry
Future of Incentives
Reach out to Daniel Lotano here:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-lotano
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-lotano
GoodLeap: www.goodleap.com
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean
Wednesday Aug 13, 2025
Wednesday Aug 13, 2025
Join host Sean White as he welcomes Stephanie Choi Brookes of Emtel Energy USA to discuss a revolutionary new approach to energy storage. Discover how graphene technology could reshape the future of power and hear stories from the front lines of innovation. Don’t miss this insightful conversation about what’s next in solar and storage!
Topics covered:
Solid State Graphene Based Electrostatic Storage
Emtel Energy USA www.emtelenergyusa.com
Masdar
Capacitor
Super Capacitor
Graphene
ESS = Energy Storage System
Energy Density
LDES = Long Duration Energy Storage
Li-ion battery = Lithium-ion Battery
Battery
Silicon
Diamond
Industrial Diamond
Waste-based graphene
Utility
Duke Energy
Dominion Energy www.dominionenergy.com
Con Edison www.coned.com
EPRI = Electric Power Research Institute www.epri.com
EMWALL
Wall Mounted ESS
C&I Commercial and Industrial
EV = Electric Vehicle
EV Charging
Reach out to Stephanie Choi Brookes Here:
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-choi-brookes
Emtel Energy USA: www.emtelenergyusa.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 Aug 10, 2025
Sunday Aug 10, 2025
In this episode, Sean White talks with Paul Warley, CEO of Ascent Solar Technologies, about the latest advances in solar panels for space. They cover how thin-film solar technology is changing satellite design, why weight and flexibility matter in orbit, and what makes space solar different from panels used on Earth. Paul also shares insights on manufacturing, industry trends, and the future of solar power in space. If you’re interested in solar energy, satellites, or new technology, this episode has something for you.
Topics covered:
Ascent Solar
Mark Mrohs
Space X
Starlink
Project Kuiper
Space Station
Gallium Arsenide
CIGS = Copper Indium Gallium Selenide
Thin Film
Watts per Weight VS Watts per Square meter
Solar in Space
Satellite
LEO = Low Earth Orbit
Crystalline Silicon
ASES Conference = American Solar Energy Society Conference
Geosynchronous Orbit
Hubble Space Telescope
Concentrated Solar
SBSP = Space-Based Solar Power
Vanguard 1
Sputnik
Sesna 150
Solar Cooling in Space
NASDAQ = National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations
NASDAQ: ASTI = Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc.
Moon
Reach out to Paul Warley Here:
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/paul-warley
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean
Friday Aug 08, 2025
Friday Aug 08, 2025
In this episode, recorded at the SNEC Conference in Shanghai, the world’s largest solar and energy storage event, Sean meets with Dr. Stefan Kaufmann, former member of the German Parliament and Hydrogen Commissioner for the German government. Dr. Kaufman is now a consultant in the private sector and co-head of the hydrogen sector of the Clean Tech Business Club. They discussed the power of international collaboration through the Clean Tech Business Club. How hydrogen is transforming the industries: steel, shipping, aviation and more. The challenges and opportunities of transporting and storing hydrogen and why ammonia is the key for global hydrogen logistics.
Topics Covered:
Hydrogen Economy
German Parliament
CleanTech Business Club
Hans Josef-Fell
Green Party = Conservative Party
Tomasz Slusarz
Hydrogen Plants
Hydrogen in Mobility Sector
Green Molecule
Green Hydrogen
Ammonia
Fertilizers
Shipping the sunshine
Compressed hydorgen
Natural Gas Pipeline
Synthetic Aviation Fuel
You can reach Dr. Stefan Kaufmann here:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dr-stefan-kaufmann
Website: 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
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean