The Energy Show
Barry Cinnamon hosts a weekly 30-minute talk show covering a wide range of energy-related topics, including technology, economics, policy, and politics that shape how electricity is generated and consumed. The show also offers practical money-saving tips for reducing home and business energy use. Each episode aims to inform listeners about current trends and developments in the energy sector.
Episodes
Solar Service at Scale: John Berger on Pairing AI With People
Solar Is Installed. Now Who Keeps It Running?There are millions of solar panels, batteries, EV chargers and other energy systems installed on homes and businesses around the world.There's just one little problem:Someone has to keep all that stuff working.This week on The Energy Show, Barry Cinnamon sits down with John Berger, founder and CEO of Otovo Energy, to talk about what may be one of the bi
Aurora Solar CEO: Why 2027 Could Be Solar’s Comeback Year
With the 30% residential solar tax credit gone, the industry entered the year expecting installations to fall by as much as 20–30%. But rising electricity rates, cheaper batteries, new financing products and an increasingly unreliable grid are changing the math yet again.This week on The Energy Show, Barry Cinnamon talks with Charlie Herche, CEO of Aurora Solar, about where the residential solar a
Raghu Raps on Rising Sun Opportunities
2025 was a record year for residential solar and batteries.2026 is shaping up to be a record bad one.The 30% homeowner solar tax credit is gone ... is residential solar in serious trouble? Not so fast.This week on The Energy Show, Barry sits down with Raghu Belur, co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Enphase, to talk about what comes next for homeowners, installers and the solar industry.Raghu
No Tax Credit, No Problem. The New Math for Home Solar.
With the 30% residential solar tax credit gone, the effective cost of going solar has jumped dramatically and residential installations are already down roughly 20–25%. For installers that historically relied on cash sales, the drop can be even worse.But before we start writing solar’s obituary, there are a few important plot twists.Electricity rates are still climbing. Blackouts aren’t exactly go
VPP: Your Battery's Side Hustle?
Utilities, finance companies, and software aggregators have suddenly discovered something valuable:Your battery.Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) promise easy money by letting utilities tap into thousands of home batteries during periods of high demand. Sounds great... until you discover who actually makes the biggest profits.In this week's Energy Show, Barry digs into the fine print behind today's VPP
DIY Home Energy Hacks That Slash Electric Bills
Everyone wants lower utility bills. Unfortunately, many homeowners start with expensive projects that deliver disappointing returns.That's because most energy audits focus on generic recommendation not the upgrades that make the biggest difference for your home.This week on The Energy Show, Barry shares the Low Hanging Fruit of home electrification, the affordable improvements that often pay for t
The Good, The Bad & The Battery
If you're considering solar, adding battery storage, or simply preparing for the next outage, this episode could save you thousands of dollars and a lot of frustration.Battery ads make everything look simple: backup power, lower bills, AI-powered energy management, and easy savings.Reality? Not so much.After installing thousands of battery systems over the last 25 years, Barry shares the candid ad
Beach Explains High Electric Rates
Think your electric bill is high because of rooftop solar? That's exactly what AI told us... and AI IS WRONG.This week on The Energy Show, Barry sits down with Tom Beach, Principal Consultant at Crossborder Energy and one of California's leading experts on utility rate design, to expose what's really driving record-high electricity prices.Spoiler: It isn't your neighbor's solar panels.Episode High
AI vs Heat Pump Expert: Who Wins?
Everyone's asking AI for answers these days.• How big should my heat pump be?• Should I get mini-splits?• Will a heat pump save money?• Can AI actually design a comfortable HVAC system?This week Barry decided to find out.He asked AI a series of common homeowner questions about heat pumps and then brought in heat pump design expert Daniel Rares to see how the answers stacked up in the real world.Th
AI is Eating the Grid
AI is hungry. Very hungry.And it's coming for your electricity.Every ChatGPT prompt, AI image, Google search, streaming video, and cloud application runs inside massive data centers that consume enormous amounts of power.But where will that power come from?And who's going to pay for it?In this episode of The Energy Show, Barry explains why utilities, data centers, and consumers are headed for a co
Don’t Make These 4 Energy Investment Mistakes
The energy world just changed.Again.For years solar, batteries, EVs and heat pumps were sold as clean alternatives. Now they're simply the least expensive alternatives.In this episode, Barry Cinnamon explains why economics -- not politics — is driving the next phase of the energy transition, and why fossil fuel interests are fighting harder than ever to slow this transition down.In this episode:•
Is Balcony Solar BS or The Bomb?
Did you know that you can plug solar panels into a WALL outlet!Utility executives are spewing out their morning coffee. Who would have thought a good little solar panel could destroy our wicked trillion dollar business! ????????????Balcony Solar — AKA Plug-In Solar — is coming and is inevitable. Europeans love Balcony Solar. Renters love Balcony Solar. Utilities…they’d rather come down with Ebola.
Mitsubishi Beats Your Heating Bills
Barry’s Heat Pump Promises:1. Your AC will die on the hottest day of the year2. PG&E gas rates will keep going up3. Resistance — to electrification — is futileSo… are heat pumps part of the solution, or just part of the precipitate…or problem?This week on The Energy Show, Barry Cinnamon sits down with Dana Fischer from Mitsubishi Electric to explore the truths about modern heat pump systems —
Here’s Why Solar in Australia is Cheaper than the U.S.
Barry' been bashing his head against the wall for over two decades to reduce solar and battery system costs in the U.S. So on his recent “vacation” to Australia, he did a deep dive into solar costs Down Under.As Jigar, Saul and Birchy have observed, solar and battery system costs in Australia are one fourth the price of comparable systems in the U.S. But the REAL reasons for these high costs are n
Replacing Your Air Conditioner MAY Be Illegal!
That’s right, in many California cities you MUST replace a broken air conditioner condenser with a dual-purpose heat pump.These Reach Codes — also known as AC2HP Requirements — are currently in effect in Los Gatos, Saratoga, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, Menlo Park, Mountain View and Alameda.Barry’s guest on this week’s Energy Show is nationally-known HVAC expert Nate Adams, “T
Why the Heck Are My Electric Bills So High?
In this episode of The Energy Show, Barry Cinnamon talks with Mark Toney, Executive Director of The Utility Reform Network (TURN), about the growing energy affordability crisis in California and across the U.S.Despite increasing costs for homeowners and businesses, utility companies continue to raise rates—while reporting strong profits.So what’s really driving these high electricity bills?This ep
I’m Electrifying! How Do I Upgrade My Solar System?
When you electrify your home – with a heat pump HVAC system, EV charger, induction cooktop or heat pump water heater – your demand for electricity will go up. Duh. Or as Tim Allen would say: “I need more power.”Incentives as part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) help reduce the "upfront" costs of these electrification upgrades. But the only way to reduce the "operating" costs of these new elec
My AC Broke - Is a Heat Pump Cool?
Yes, definitely. Heat pumps are literally and figuratively cool. And without a doubt, the best time to consider installing a heat pump is when your AC (or furnace) dies.Heat pumps do double duty, providing both heating and cooling. They offer significant savings and improved comfort -- which I confirmed first hand after my old outdoor air conditioner compressor died. Replacing both my old AC and g
Energy Uncertainty Is Unnecessary
Since our worldwide economy depends on a steady supply of fossil fuels — oil, gasoline, natural gas, LNG, jet fuel — even the mere threat of disruption can cause a large and long-term increase in energy costs. Especially energy that is generated from burning hydrocarbon molecules, which have to be physically transported in pipelines and tankers. But not so much for energy that is generated from ph
What's up with residential solar?
In this week’s episode of The Energy Show, Barry Cinnamon talks with Sean Gallagher (Senior VP of Policy, SEIA) about the new market reality after recent federal changes. As well as the financing tools, state policies, and grid programs that can help homeowners and installers move forward.In this episode:• How installers are adapting to the end of the residential tax credit with leases, PPAs, and
10 Solar Mistakes Homeowners Make
After more than four decades in the solar industry, Barry Cinnamon breaks down the most common mistakes made by solar installers and homeowners and how to avoid them to ensure long-term performance, savings, and peace of mind. In this episode of The Energy Show, you’ll learn: • The installation mistakes that can cause leaks or system failures • Why some systems are oversized or undersized • How sh
Will a Trillion Trees Stop Global Warming?
In this episode of The Energy Show, Barry Cinnamon breaks down the science, economics, and practicality behind the proposed Trillion Trees Act — and asks the big question: Will it actually make a meaningful difference?Trees absolutely help remove carbon from the atmosphere through natural carbon sequestration. But when you look at the numbers — global CO₂ emissions, land requirements, cost, and ti
Dirty Solar Panels Waste Clean Energy
Consider the poor photons! If your panels are dirty you are causing trillions of premature photonic deaths when they collide with dirt molecules. Please give those photons the chance to knock an electron loose from an eager semi-conductor. Instead of being converted to heat and banished to quantum hell.Save The Photons. Clean Your Solar PanelsAfter just a week, your panels might look slightly dust
Ten Tips For The Best Home Solar and Battery System
Unfortunately, there are a few "quick buck" solar companies that take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners. These ten tips will help you avoid these scam artists -- and get the best solar and battery installation for your home or business.1. Beware of the word “Free”2. Beware of TGTBT pricing and financing3. Don’t sign up on the spot4. Do not trust quotes generated completely online5.
Humans Needed When Batteries Break
This week on The Energy Show, we’re talking about solar + battery systems not just the equipment, but the customer service and troubleshooting that keeps these systems performing year after year.Traditional “solar-only” systems can be wonderfully simple and reliable. But when you add batteries (plus transfer switches, CTs, load management, apps, and firmware), you also add more moving parts and th
Environmental Working Group Fixes Broken U.S. Policies
Rooftop solar, net metering, and clean energy policies are being dismantled across the U.S. From the effective cancellation of the Inflation Reduction Act to broken contracts and financial clawbacks, fossil-fuel interests are pushing hard to regain control of our energy system.This week on The Energy Show, Barry Cinnamon is joined by Bernadette Del Chiaro, Senior Vice President at the Environmenta
Policy is the Power behind Energy
On this week’s episode of The Energy Show, Barry Cinnamon is joined by Carl Guardino, a longtime leader in government affairs and public policy, to explain how smart advocacy, trust, and relationships shape the laws and regulations that impact our energy future.Carl has helped guide policy from every angle — from leading the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, to expanding clean-energy markets at Blo
That Which Does Not Kill Clean Energy Makes It Stronger
Nietzsche must have been referring to clean energy. Not even Nostradamus could have predicted this much turmoil in the energy sector in 2025. Nevertheless, Barry predicts steady clean energy progress due to lower solar, battery and heat pump costs.1) Bad news - expect a record number of clean energy bankruptcies in 20262) AC2HP reach codes for homes will take off3) Utilities will lie every time th
States Fight Back Against Fossilized Energy Policies
AI and data centers are driving unprecedented demand for power. At the same time, federal clean-energy support is being rolled back, leaving households and businesses exposed to higher costs and grid instability.So where does that leave us?In this episode of The Energy Show, Barry Cinnamon is joined by Sachu Constantine, Executive Director of Vote Solar, to break down what’s really happening behin
Jumping Jack Flash Needs No Gas - Just a Heat Pump
In this week’s Energy Show, Barry talks with Panama Bartholomy, Founder and Executive Director of the Building Decarbonization Coalition, about how heat pumps, induction cooktops, better incentive programs, and smart building codes are transforming homes and businesses across the U.S.• Heat pumps are 400% efficient, yes that's thermodynamically possible.• Learn about the new heat pump water heater
AI Is Breaking the Grid — And Your Wallet — Barry’s Simple Solution
On this week's Energy Show we’re tackling one of the biggest challenges in America’s energy future: powering the exploding growth of AI data centers without causing electric rates to skyrocket even more. And without waiting 5-10 years for utilities to build new power plants and long distance transmission lines.Here’s how: instead of building giant power plants hundreds of miles away, we can instal
Gates’ Climate Pivot and Trump’s Climate Denial
Barry exposes political, corporate, and global climate failures — and explains why solar, wind, and batteries remain our only practical way forward.Episode Highlights:• How Donald Trump’s policies are gutting clean-energy investments and reversing progress on solar and wind.• Why corporate giants are abandoning their sustainability promises.• Why the UN Climate Conferences have become dominated by
Gary Lam keeps the Lights On: EV + Generator + Batteries Done Right
This week Barry sits down with Gary Lam, CEO of Franklin WH. A New Jersey native who’s now buildingbatteries in Santa Clara, California, Gary has led Franklin from startup to one of the top-selling whole-home batteries in the U.S.In this episode:• OBBB explained: Why 2026 pricing changes andfinancing shifts.• Franklin’s edge: The A Power 2 battery, new A Power S (battery + inverter), the Hub load-
Climate Action Day: What Really Works to Stop Global Warming
Barry dives into what real “action” means. Using the En-Roads global climate simulator, he breaks down which solutions actually move the needle on global warming and which are just feel-good distractions.Episode Highlights: • How the En-Roads climate simulator models global warming and why we’re still on track for 3.3°C by 2100 • Why expensive “solutions” like fusion, trillion trees, and carbon ca
Mark & Barry Reveal the Dirty Secrets Behind Solar’s Next Big Shake-Up
The OBBB is now law in the U.S. It eliminates the 30% residential solar credit and adds restrictions for commercial systems—including many residential leases/PPAs. That means cash/loan projects effectively get ~30% pricier, while leases/PPAs face domestic content, safe harbor, and FEOC rules that affect equipment and pricing.This week, Barry sits down with Mark (CEO at a top solar + storage perfor
REC’s Secret Sauce: Why Alpha Pure-RX Wins After the Tax Credit Ends
The 30% residential solar credit ends on Jan 1, 2026 but performance still wins. Barry talks with Brian Ghiglia about how REC’s Alpha Pure-RX (HJT, G12, half-cut) squeezes more energy from tight roofs, why hair-thin wiring (no hot-spot solder points) improves longevity, and how installers/homeowners can navigate 2026 with smarter financing and ops.Episode Highlights• REC tech explained: HJT + G12
Cut Costs, Close Faster: Chris Hopper’s 2026 Solar Playbook
The 30% residential tax credit is ending in 2026—and the rules around commercial credits, domestic content, and safe harbor are tightening. What now? Aurora Solar’s CEO & Co-founder Chris Hopper joins Barry to lay out a practical plan for installers and homeowners: cut soft costs with software, speed up project cycles, and choose financing that fits the new reality.What you’ll learnWhy lease/
Top Products from RE+ 2025: Solar Panels, Home Batteries & Balcony Solar
RE+ (formerly Solar Power International) brought together over 40,000 energy enthusiasts in Las Vegas this year. From cutting-edge home batteries to balcony and plug-in solar systems, the industry is buzzing with products that are practical, reliable, and ready for homeowners now.On this week’s Energy Show, Barry Cinnamon shares his Top Product Picks from RE+ 2025 — technologies that check all the
Turmoil for Home Solar Loans, Leases and PPAs
Dan Javan Explains the Mad Scramble for Solar Financing in 2026.The “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB) killed the 30% tax credit for residential solar. With no more residential tax credits as of 1/1/2026, the demand for solar financing will be higher than ever. But the supply of easy financing is constrained by safe harbor headaches, higher interest rates and questions about domestic content.What doe
McCalmont’s EV + Microgrid Musings
In this episode of The Energy Show with Barry Cinnamon, Barry speaks with Tom McCalmont, CEO of McCalmont Engineering and co-founder of Paired Power, an innovative microgrid and EV charging company.Together, they break down how the elimination of the 30% residential solar tax credit and restrictions on commercial projects will reshape solar — and why smart companies must adapt now to survive in 20
How to Avoid the Solar Cliff with Jeff Wolfe
In this episode of The Energy Show with Barry Cinnamon, Barry reconnects with Jeff Wolfe, clean-tech veteran, founder of GroSolar, longtime SEIA board member, and now managing partner at Wolf Yates & Co. Together, they unpack what contractors and homeowners need to know as the 30% residential solar tax credit disappears in 2026.Here’s what you’ll learn:• OBBB 101 – Why cash and loan solar pric
OBBB Fallout: Tom Werner on Surviving the Solar Shake-Up
In this week’s episode of The Energy Show with Barry Cinnamon, we break down how the elimination of the 30% residential solar tax credit and new commercial restrictions are shaking up the entire solar industry.Joining Barry is Tom Werner, former CEO & Chairman of SunPower, one of the most respected leaders in solar. Together they cover:What the OBBB really means for homeowners and contractorsW
EV Batteries + Solar = The New Backup Plan
Enphase co-founder Raghu Belur joins Barry Cinnamon to break down the future of solar + storage in this eye-opening episode of The Energy Show.As tax credits fade and utility rates surge, inverters and batteries are becoming the heart of the home energy system — and Enphase is leading the charge. This episode reveals how Gen 4 and Gen 5 batteries, smarter microinverters, and bidirectional EV charg
Solar + Battery Distributors Throw A Lifeline To Contractors
In this episode of The Energy Show, host Barry Cinnamon welcomes Dan Fadden, co-founder of Greentech Renewables (CED). Dan and Barry discuss the jaw-dropping new reality facing every solar installer and homeowner in America. With the 30% residential tax credit ending 12/31/25 and new commercial financing restrictions kicking in, the entire industry is racing toward a deadline. Only the smartest co
The OBBB and the End of Solar and Battery Tax Credits — Insights From Corey Geiger, COO of Enstall
Welcome to the next episode in our continuing series examining the devastating impact on the solar industry embedded in the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” or OBBB as described in polite terms. We’re interviewing experts in the solar and battery industry throughout the entire value chain. If you’re a homeowner looking for solar, a contractor installing solar and battery systems, or a manufacturer/servic
The OBBB and the End of Solar and Battery Tax Credits — Insights From Jeff Spies at Planet Plansets
Welcome to the next episode in our continuing series examining the devastating impact on the solar industry embedded in the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” or OBBB as described in polite terms. We’re interviewing experts in the solar and battery industry throughout the entire value chain. If you’re a homeowner looking for solar, a contractor installing solar and battery systems, or a manufacturer/servic
Prepping For Higher Electricity Costs
You Are Getting Ripped Off.That’s right. If you’re a California homeowner, your utility is jacking up your electric bills to maximize their profits — and the government is approving these rate increases.PG&E’s profits have gone up three years in a row. Their profits hit a record of $2.5 billion in 2024. All because of steadily increasing electric rates and continued over-investment in expensiv
Surviving the 2026 Solar Storm, with Nico Johnson
Warning: The clean energy forecast for 2026 looks stormy—are you ready to weather it?In part two of our conversation with SunCast host Nico Johnson, we go deep into the chaotic, fast-changing landscape that solar companies are bracing for.You’ve probably heard the rumors: tax credits vanishing, new tariffs incoming, battery costs skyrocketing, and a federal crackdown via FEOC regulations. But this
The SunCast Story, with Nico Johnson
What do the Peace Corps, Trina Solar, and 800+ podcasts have in common? One man: Nico Johnson.This week on The Energy Show, we're bringing you a rare behind-the-scenes conversation with the voice of the solar industry—Nico Johnson, founder of SunCast. If you’ve ever listened to a solar podcast or worked in clean energy, you’ve felt his impact.From climbing rooftops in the early days of residential
Nick Chaset with Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy is shaking up the utility industry—one smart tentacle at a time.Nick Chaset, CEO of Octopus Energy U.S., joins us on this week’s Energy Show episode. Octopus Energy is redefining how customers interact with electricity. From solar and batteries to smart controls and EV chargers, Octopus isn’t just selling power—it’s empowering people to take control of it. Think of them as the energ
Musk and Cinnamon Agree: Don’t Kill the Solar Tax Credits
Do you want to pay 30% more for your solar and battery system next year? Since the 30% tax credit is likely to end on 12/31/25, that’s exactly what’s going to happen.On this week's Energy Show we dive into the clean energy details in the proposed Big Beautiful Bill (BBB) that is currently being negotiated in Congress. For a change, Elon Musk and I are on the same page: killing the solar and batter
Save the 30% Solar Tax Credit - Special Guest: Anya Schoolman
The biggest home solar tax credit is about to be axed by Congress. If you are thinking about solar, or just want to expand your system or even add a battery — this 30% tax credit will save you a lot of money. You will lose out on a tax credit savings of $9,000 on a typical $30k solar system. That’s a lot of dough!Under the current reconciliation bill proposed by Congress, the 30% residential solar
Electrified Homes Are Simply Better Homes - Special Guest: Jeff Aalfs
Ever wonder how you're supposed to navigate electrified homes, green building, sustainability, and energy efficiency when even the words "climate change" feel like a political landmine? Yeah, same here. Turns out, even poor Kermit the Frog isn't safe anymore.On this week’s Energy Show we’re diving headfirst into the complicated world of green buildings. The rules from Title 24 and building codes a
Save Your Photons and Clean Your Solar Panels
Are dirty solar panels secretly robbing you blind?If you’ve ever looked up at your rooftop solar panels and wondered, “Do I really need to clean those?” — this episode is your wake-up call. Whether your system is a year old or just a few months in, there’s a high chance those precious photons aren’t making it through the grime. And yes, that dirt is costing you money.We’re diving headfirst into on
EVs Can Power Homes — So Why Won’t Utilities Let You?
Why is Solar Still So Expensive in the U.S.?
You’d think it’s the cost of panels and batteries—but that’s only half the story. The other half? A tangled web of permits, inspections, engineering headaches, insurance, and paperwork that’s bleeding solar companies dry and keeping prices sky high.We’re joined by the man who’s on a mission to change that: Andrew “Birchy” Birch. You’ll hear why U.S. solar costs are double those in Germany and Aust
Get Your Heat Pump, Solar and Battery Tax Credits While They Last
Thinking about going solar, upgrading to a heat pump, or adding a home battery system? You could be leaving thousands of dollars on the table if you don’t take advantage of the latest tax credits!We’re breaking down everything you need to know to maximize your tax credits for 2024 – and even 2025! Despite all the chaos in DC, these electrification incentives are still alive and well. But the clock
Who Knows Better – AI or Your Heat Pump Salesperson?
AI is getting smarter—answering complex questions in seconds, from heat pump efficiency to system sizing. But can it really outthink a seasoned HVAC expert? We put AI head-to-head with heat pump design consultant Daniel Reres to find out who gives the best advice when replacing an old gas furnace and air conditioner with a state-of-the-art heat pump.Does AI have a clue about your heating load? Doe
Things You Won’t Hear From Solar Sales People
How can you tell when a "solar bro" salesman is lying? When his lips are moving.It may come as a surprise, but I’m sorry to report that not all solar sales people are honest. On this week’s Energy Show we’ll dive into the shadowy side of solar sales that often gets swept under the rug. Inspired by a provocative Wired article: “The Spectacular Burnout of a Solar Panel Salesman,” we explore the high
How Would You Like Your Pizza Delivered: Pipes, Wires, Underground, or From The Sky?
Imagine this: Domino’s delivers your pepperoni pizza from the sky via drone, skipping traffic and landing it piping hot on your doorstep. Wouldn’t you want your energy delivered just as efficiently? Today’s energy delivered to our buildings takes a circuitous route - from pipes, wires or underground. But energy delivery directly from the sky is not only feasible, but surprisingly inexpensive. That
It’s Valentine’s Day And PG&E Loves You
Patti Poppe, PG&E’s CEO, sent a literal love letter to all of her California customers. You can read it here, but allow me to summarize:
Dear PG&E Customers:
If you conserve electricity we will raise your rates. If you use more electricity your bills will go up. Either way we make more money. And it’s not our fault.
With love,
Patti
I couldn’t make this $#!T up if I tried!
California’s energy i
Tips For The Best Home Backup System with Greg Smith - Part 2
Part 2 of our podcast with Greg Smith, author of The Battery Powered Home, goes into the intricate details of designing and installing the ideal home battery system. Some of the questions that Greg answers are: * What are the top mistakes homeowners and contractors make? * How can you ensure your system meets building code restrictions? * How can automatic load shedding and generator input capabil
Tips For The Best Home Backup System with Greg Smith Part 1
Almost every solar system installed in California and Hawaii includes batteries. And for good reason. Daytime electric rates are low, evening rates are extremely high, blackouts are common, and utilities pay almost nothing for excess power you send back to the grid. But it’s not easy to design a battery system that takes into account homeowner power needs throughout the day, specific home wiring r
Electricity Shortages are Utility-Created BS
I have no doubt that we will need more electricity for EVs, building electrification and AI. But across the country — and particularly in California — electricity shortages are being artificially created by utilities as they actively stop competitive sources of power, such as rooftop solar and storage. At the rate our electricity demands are growing we need as much power as we can get from rooftop
2025 Solar, Storage and Electrification Predictions
Demand for solar, storage and electrification is at an all-time high in the U.S. But economic and political uncertainties have clouded up my 2025 crystal ball. Nevertheless, here is what I see going into 2025. 1) No one knows what will happen with IRA tax credits and rebates 2) TPO system demand will increase if residential IRA incentives are reduced. 3) Utilities throughout the U.S. will increasi
Solar Tax Credits: Turbocharged or Trumped?
Did you know the 30% solar tax credit that fueled the industry’s explosive growth was partly funded by a sneaky deal allowing fossil fuel exports—raising gas prices in the process? Or that the long-term stability of these credits helped solar leasing and PPAs thrive? But there’s a storm brewing. With a potential Trump administration set to revisit the 2017 tax cuts, IRA incentives might be the fir
Will Cheap Solar and Batteries Change Clean Tech Investing?
Solar panel costs have declined from $5/watt to $0.25/watt over the last 25 years. Due to the scale and risks involved in solar panel manufacturing, “…making solar panels is a horrible business,” according to Jenny Chase with Bloomberg NEF. And the same result is likely to happen with manufacturing the other key new energy technology: batteries.
What’s bad news for solar and battery manufacturer
Declare Your Energy Independence from Sky High Electric Bills
Utilities are in business to make money. So it’s no surprise that your electric bills will keep going up.
You may not know it, but since 2022 the United States has been energy independent. As a country, we produce more energy (mostly fossil fuels) than we consume. Unfortunately, the benefits of energy independence do not trickle down to homeowners. Fossil fuel companies and utilities keep those p
Businesses Need Batteries Too, But (almost) No One Sells Them
Net metering is history (for now) in California and Hawaii. So almost every homeowner needs batteries with their solar system. But businesses need solar too, and therefore batteries. In fact, because of demand charges on most commercial electric bills, businesses benefit from batteries even more than homes.
But there are almost no reliable, standardized, ready-for-prime-time commercial battery sy
Icicles in Your Shower? Beware!
Think it can’t happen to you? Imagine icicles forming in the shower or condensate water seeping through your ceiling—all thanks to an HVAC system that’s begging for attention.
This week, the “House Whisperer” Nate Adams joins us to expose the hidden perils of skipping HVAC maintenance and how a few proactive tweaks can prevent a winter nightmare (and save your bank account from disaster).
• You
The Energy Show 11-20-24
The first challenge with a home electrification project is determining the actual costs, savings and incentives for each step in the project. Once that’s done, the second challenge is navigating the maze of different electrification contractors (solar, batteries, EV chargers, HVAC, HPWH, insulation, etc.)
Due to the magnitude of potential energy savings, solar and battery contractors are often th
Inside Secrets from a Pioneering Solar Financier
Ever wonder how early investors turned a hippy solar energy industry into a $100+ billion worldwide industry? On this week's episode we sit down with Gerard Reid, co-founder of Alexa Capital. Way back in 2005 he was researching PV technologies in Berlin - that’s when he realized that combining the right financing with rapid cost reductions in the solar industry could be the foundation for some ter
Can Utilities Stop Grid Defection When Local Solar is the Low Cost Leader?
Will the future of energy be driven by massive utility solar farms or millions of local rooftop systems? John Farrell from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance shares his insights on how utility monopolies are strangling local solar efforts -- especially in California -- where monopoly utilities are locking customers into sky-high rates.
The conversation delves into the growing trend of “grid de
Coming Soon To A Roof Near You: Electricity Too Cheap To Meter
Nuclear power will make electricity too cheap to meter,” a prediction made in a 1954 statement from the head of the Atomic Energy Commission. 70 years later I’m predicting that electricity will be almost free, but powered from that fusion generator 93 million miles away. Sounds crazy, but rooftop solar is already generating power for $0.06/kwh — compared to our average rates here in California of
How Leading Installer Renova Recovered From Sunpower’s Bankruptcy - Part 2
In the second part of this week’s episode, we dive deeper with Vince Battaglia, CEO of Renova Energy, as he unpacks the aftermath of SunPower’s shocking collapse.
First, a quick recap of Part 1: Vince shared the inspiring 18-year evolution of Renova Energy. From thriving in the heat of Coachella Valley to expanding into Arizona, he explained Renova’s smart choices in solar and battery tech and th
The Revolution in Home Battery and Solar Electronics - Enphase Interview Part 2
This podcast episode, Segment 2 of our Enphase interview, delves into Module Level Power Electronics (MLPE) and the rise of advanced battery technology, with Enphase at the forefront since 2008. Segment 1, released a few weeks ago, is a good listen — especially for homeowners.
Raghu Belur, co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Enphase, shares insider details on their success, market position, a
The Revolution in Home Battery and Solar Electronics. An Interview with SolarEdge - Part 2
This podcast episode, Segment 2 of our SolarEdge interview, is for my fellow solar installers who crave the inside scoop on industry TLAs such as IRA, VPP, V2G, PCS and NBT. This is the geeky deeper dive on the latest technologies and policy perspectives from SolarEdge. Segment 1, released a few weeks ago, is a great listen for more of a customer perspective.
Today’s podcast, the second SolarEdge
A Solar Installer’s Nightmare: What If Your Main Supplier Goes Bankrupt?
What happens when your largest solar equipment supplier suddenly files for bankruptcy? And worse, they stop paying you for your ongoing projects? This is the nightmare scenario for solar installers everywhere.
As the solar industry faces shifting policies, rising interest rates, and market turbulence, some companies are managing to thrive despite the challenges. One such standout is Renova Energy
Sam Liccardo’s Plan To Slash Our Electricity Costs
Anyone who pays an electric bill in California knows we’re in the midst of an energy crisis. The stark reality is that this crisis is enabled by politicians who lack the will to do something about it. But unlike many politicians, Sam Liccardo took action to lower electric bills when he was the Mayor of San Jose. Now, as candidate for U.S. Congress, Sam plans to tackle this these energy affordabili
Here’s Why California’s Electricity Policy Is Broken
FINALLY, someone who actually understands our crazy-complicated electric bills! His name is Dr. Ahmad Faruqui. I’m delighted to have Ahmad join me on this week’s Energy Show to talk about energy policy -- with a particular focus on why the heck our electric bills keep going up when it’s so inexpensive to generate power with solar and wind.
It helps to have a PhD in economics, as Ahmad has from UC
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