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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
Jan 28, 2026
Jan 28, 2026
49 min
Interconnection regulations are quietly blocking solar projects across America. Vaughan Woodruff, distributed energy resources consultant and former VP of Regulatory Reform at IREC, reveals why outdated utility rules are stalling clean energy adoption. Discover how Maine became #2 nationally for solar capacity per capita, why Delaware's community solar program failed spectacularly, and which technical solutions could unlock grid capacity without expensive upgrades. This conversation explores the regulatory maze where only 37 states have formal interconnection standards, each different, many decades old. Learn why smart policy matters as much as smart inverters for achieving our renewable energy future.
Topics Covered
DER = Distributed Energy Resources
Interconnection
ESS = Energy Storage System
EV = Electric Vehicle
Diablo Canyon
Inverter
Heatspring
Utility
Grid
ISO = Independent System Operator
SREC = Solar Renewable Energy Certificate
Renewable Energy Certificates
Market
EquinoxDG www.linkedin.com/company/equinoxdg
IREC = Interstate Renewable Energy Council
CCA = Community Choice Aggregiation
Paul Finn
Balcony Solar
Interconnection Agreement
Guerilla Solar
Home Power Magazine
Podcast with Alfred Ignacio (AI)
Podcast with Khanti Munro
Podcast with Paul Fenn Part 1
Podcast with Paul Fenn Part 2
Reach out to Vaughan Woodruff here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vaughan-woodruff-9a7a0821/
EquinoxDG: www.linkedin.com/company/equinoxdg
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at
Jan 25, 2026
Jan 25, 2026
28 min
Phil Horwitch of AMH Holdings discusses utility-scale solar engineering, covering their work on 1 gigawatt of projects in 2025. Topics include the dramatic shift toward standalone battery storage, the engineering trade-offs of large-format modules (up to 700 watts), tracker systems with bifacial panels, and grading challenges. Phil explains how bigger modules reduce earthwork costs, shares insights on hail protection strategies, and reflects on the solar industry's newfound resilience and maturity in the face of political and market pressures.
Topics Covered
AMH Holdings
Utility Scale Projects
Market
ESS = Energy Storage System
Tracker
Photovoltaic Module Size
Hailstorm
UL Testing
Golf Ball
String Inverters vs Central Inverters
Reach out to Phil Horwitch here:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/phil-horwitch
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at
Jan 21, 2026
Jan 21, 2026
25 min
In this episode, Dr. Laura A. Ward, Ph.D. in electrical engineering, and Sean White explore the practical realities of grid-forming inverters and their role in modernizing power grids. Drawing from her experience in Puerto Rico during Hurricane Maria and her work as a Ph.D. intern on the analysis and modeling team for the PR100 project, Dr. Ward discusses the technical and policy challenges of adopting IEEE 1547-2018 and integrating renewable energy at scale. The conversation covers grid resilience, the importance of updated standards, and the future of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs). Listeners will gain insight into how the next-generation of power electronics technologies are being designed and implemented to create more reliable, sustainable, and resilient energy systems.
Topics Covered
- Grid-Forming Inverter Technology for enabling more integration of renewables
- Dr. Ward’s career and her Ph.D. in electrical engineering under the supervision of Dr. Stephen Bayne at Texas Tech University in Lubbock
- Experience as a Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) intern
- Impact of Hurricane Maria
- Former University of Puerto Rico Teaching Assistant in Mayaguez Campus
- Former Arizona State University (ASU) Research Assistant in Tempe
- Resilience hubs, reliability, and stability studies
- Dr. Ward’s career and her Ph.D. in electrical engineering under the supervision of Dr. Stephen Bayne at Texas Tech University in Lubbock
- Experience as a Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) intern
- Impact of Hurricane Maria
- Former University of Puerto Rico Teaching Assistant in Mayaguez Campus
- Former Arizona State University (ASU) Research Assistant in Tempe
- Resilience hubs, reliability, and stability studies
- EIF Fellow at DOEE adopting and implementing the IEEE Standard 1547-2018 for DC grid modernization
Dr. Ward is an evangelist, technology innovator, and application engineer. Regarding the adoption of standards, she notes that Washington, D.C. has one of the most complex secondary network grids in the country, making the implementation of IEEE 1547-2018 significantly harder than in a suburban radial grid. Dr. Ward provided the technical leadership and engineering solutions to adopt IEEE 1547-2018 in the District of Columbia, specifically overcoming the technical barriers of high-density secondary networks to enable 100% decarbonization goals by 2032 and 15% solar generation by 2041.
Technical Contribution Citation:
"For leadership in supporting the adoption and applying IEEE 1547-2018 to complex urban secondary networks, enabling the transition to high-penetration renewable energy systems." — Dr. Laura A. Ward
"For leadership in supporting the adoption and applying IEEE 1547-2018 to complex urban secondary networks, enabling the transition to high-penetration renewable energy systems." — Dr. Laura A. Ward
Reach out to Dr. Ward here:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/drlaura-ward
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4550-1581
Instagram: stem.laurandre
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at
Jan 18, 2026
Jan 18, 2026
30 min
Join Clean Counts’ leadership as they discuss the real-world impact of renewable energy certificates (RECs) on today’s energy markets. This episode explores how robust verification, evolving market demands, and new attributes like pollinator-friendly certifications are shaping the sector. The conversation details how Clean Counts’ systems operate, the economic and policy context, and the practical implications for renewable energy producers and buyers nationwide.
Topics Covered
Clean Counts www.cleancounts.org
REC = Renewable Energy Certificate
SREC = Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (Solar Energy Certificates Market)
Clean Energy Verification
Utility
Pollinator Friendly SREC
Agrivoltaic
IPA = Illinois Power Authority
Illinois Adjustable Block Program
Voluntary vs. Compliance Markets
Net Metering
Alternative Compliance Payment
Hourly Matching / Time-based RECs
Energy Storage and RECs
Co-benefits (Pollinator, Water Quality, Tribal Lands, Localized Benefits)
Market-based Mechanisms for Clean Energy
MISO = Midcontinent Independent System Operator
Nuclear Certificates / Alternative Energy Certificates
Greenhouse Gas Protocol (Annual vs. Hourly Accounting)
Software Development for Clean Energy Tracking
Third-party Certification and Attribute Tracking
Clean Energy Standards
PPA = Power Purchase Agreement
State-by-State REC/SREC Programs
REC = Renewable Energy Certificate
SREC = Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (Solar Energy Certificates Market)
Clean Energy Verification
Utility
Pollinator Friendly SREC
Agrivoltaic
IPA = Illinois Power Authority
Illinois Adjustable Block Program
Voluntary vs. Compliance Markets
Net Metering
Alternative Compliance Payment
Hourly Matching / Time-based RECs
Energy Storage and RECs
Co-benefits (Pollinator, Water Quality, Tribal Lands, Localized Benefits)
Market-based Mechanisms for Clean Energy
MISO = Midcontinent Independent System Operator
Nuclear Certificates / Alternative Energy Certificates
Greenhouse Gas Protocol (Annual vs. Hourly Accounting)
Software Development for Clean Energy Tracking
Third-party Certification and Attribute Tracking
Clean Energy Standards
PPA = Power Purchase Agreement
State-by-State REC/SREC Programs
Reach out to Ben Gerber & Rob Davis here:
Ben’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-gerber
Ben’s Email: ben@cleancounts.org
Rob’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/robdavis
Rob’s Email: rob@cleancounts.org
Website: www.cleancounts.org
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at
Jan 14, 2026
Jan 14, 2026
22 min
Join Sean White and Aaron Nichols as they turn the world of solar energy upside down with humor, stories, and a fresh take on education. Discover why facts and graphs aren’t enough, and how laughter and creativity can make even the most technical topics memorable. From fake ads to satirical brainstorms, this episode proves that learning about solar can be fun, engaging, and unforgettable. Tune in for a brighter perspective!
Topics Covered
Sitcom = Situation Comedy
Making Boring Stuff Fun
Graphs & Acronyms
Exact Solar
This Week in Solar
Substack www.exactsolar.substack.com
The Modern Mythmaker www.themodernmythmaker.substack.com
Podbean
Colbert Report
Solyndra
Fake Advertisement
Big Oil
Beverly Hillbillies
YouTube Channel Repurposing
Reach out to Aaron Nichols here:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-nichols
Substack: www.exactsolar.substack.com
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at
Jan 11, 2026
Jan 11, 2026
27 min
Join host Sean White as he sits down with Mike Haydon, CEO of The Off-Grid Shop, to explore how Australians are leading the way in solar innovation. Discover how peer to peer energy trading is empowering everyday people to share solar power with neighbors, family, and local businesses. Hear real stories about off-grid living, community microgrids, and the unique challenges and opportunities of building energy independence in Australia. Whether you’re a solar enthusiast or just curious about the future of energy, this episode offers practical insights and inspiring ideas from the front lines of the renewable revolution.
Topics Covered
The Off-Grid Shop www.theoffgridshop.com
Net Metering
Solar in Australia
Cheaper Home Batteries
Solar Market
Off-Grid
Peer to Peer
Utility
Energy Lending
Eco Hamlet
Microgrid
Battery
Generator
Reach out to Mike Hayden here:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mikelhaydon
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at
Jan 7, 2026
Jan 7, 2026
35 min
Sean White is joined by Alfred Ignacio, also known as AI, to discuss the proposed changes in the 2029 National Electrical Code (NEC). They cover the renumbering and restructuring of key articles, such as PV systems and energy storage, moving from familiar chapters to new ones, highlighting significant. The discussion also emphasizes the importance of understanding these new placements for professionals in the field, and humorously explores the reliability and future roles of artificial intelligence in handling NEC content. The episode wraps up with a playful interaction, affirming no AI world domination plans.
Topics covered:
Article 690 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems
Article 690.12 Rapid Shutdown
Article 691 Large-Scale Photovoltaic (PV) Electric Supply Stations
Article 692 Fuel Cell Systems
Article 705 Interconnected Electric Power Production Sources
Article 480 Stationary Standby Batteries
Article 445 Generators
Article 480 Stationary Standby Batteries
Article 694 Wind Electric Systems
Article 706 Energy Storage Systems
Article 710 Stand-Alone Systems
Article 702 Optional Standby Systems
Article 100 Definitions
Article 110 General Requirements for Electrical Installations
Article 220 Branch-Circuit, Feeder, and Service Load Calculations
Article 750 Energy Management Systems
Chapter 2 Wiring and Protection
Chapter 3 Wiring Methods and Materials
Article 310 Conductors for General Wiring
Article 200 Use and Identification of Grounded Conductors
Article 210 Branch Circuits Not Over 1000 Volts ac, 1500 Volts dc, Nominal
Article 215 Feeders
Article 225 Outside Branch Circuits and Feeders
Article 230 Services
Article 240 Overcurrent Protection
Article 300 General Requirements for Wiring Methods and Materials
Article 330 Metal-Clad Cable: Type MC
Article 334 Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cable: Types NM and NMC
Article 338 Service-Entrance Cable: Types SE and USE
Article 342 Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC)
Article 344 Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC)
Article 352 Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride Conduit (PVC)
Article 356 Liquidtight Flexible Nonmetallic Conduit (LFNC)
Article 358 Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT)
Chapter 10 Power Systems
Article 368 Busways
Article 408 Switchboards, Switchgear, and Panelboards
Article 450 Transformers and Transformer Vaults (Including Secondary Ties)
Chapter 11 Temporary and Open Wiring
Chapter 12 Devices and Distribution Equipment
Chapter 13 Ligtng equipment
Chapter 14 Motors and Motor-Driven Machinery
Chapter 15 Electric Heating and Heating Equipment
Chapter 16 Other Equipment
Chapter 17 Equipment Over a Thousand Volts AC, 1500 Volts DC
Chapter 18 Hazardous Locations
Chapter 19 Occupancies
Chapter 20 Installations Associated with Bodies of Water
Chapter 21 Life Safety and Emergency Systems
Chapter 22 Electrified Transport Equipment
Chapter 30 Tables
AI world domination plans
AI world domination plans
For more information and resources, visit www.solarSEAN.com. Interested in advancing your solar career? Get NABCEP certified with Sean’s classes at:
Jan 4, 2026
Jan 4, 2026
37 min
Join host Sean White as he interviews John Lind, Senior Vice President of Aspen Power, for an insightful look into the commercial and industrial solar industry. Discover how financial incentives, not just environmental benefits, are driving businesses to adopt solar energy. The conversation covers the evolution of solar technology, the growing importance of battery storage, and the challenges of navigating tax credits, regulations, and supply chain issues. Learn how Aspen Power adapts to changing markets and why distributed generation is shaping the future of energy. Perfect for anyone interested in the business side of renewable energy and the path to mainstream adoption.
Topics Covered
Aspen Power www.aspenpower.com
Tax Credits
Utility
Fossil Fuel
Saving the Planet VS Saving Money
Independent Power Producer
Standalone Photovoltaic
BBB = Big Beautiful Bill
Car Shading
Carport
EV = Electric Vehicle
PPA = Power Purchase Agreement
CNI = Commercial and Industrial
Tariff
Reach out to John Lind here:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jhlind
Aspen Power: www.aspenpower.com
Email: jlind@aspenpower.com
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at
Dec 31, 2025
Dec 31, 2025
23 min
In this episode, Sean White talks with Tom Yeshurun, the founder and CEO of Civ Robotics. Tom discusses how his company's innovative robots are helping to make solar farm construction faster and more efficient. By providing tools that assist in surveying and marking precise locations for pile installations, Civ Robotics is minimizing the labor-intensive tasks on job sites. They cover the hiring opportunities available at Civ Robotics, the evolution and future of robotics in the construction industry, and the practicalities of deploying and managing autonomous machines in varied global terrains. Tune in to learn about the latest advancements in construction robotics and what the future might hold for solar energy and beyond.
Topics Covered:
Civ = Civil Engineering
Robots for surveying
Piles
Spray beam
Laser beam
Torque tube
Career with Robotics
Open careers in Civ Robotics
Field Engineers
Rental Products/Agreements
KPI = Key Performance Indicator
Made in America
Built for America
GPS Technology
IMU
Intersolar Conference, San Diego
Reach out to Tom Yeshurun here:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tomyeshurun
Website: www.civilrobotics.com/
Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at
Dec 28, 2025
Dec 28, 2025
30 min
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