Clean Power Hour

Please take our listener survey.Energy Storage leaders join us for Creating Cost-Competitive Energy Storage Systems - Aug 24, 10 AM Central. ( Link )Today on the Clean Power Hour, how Illinois' Public Utility Commission is speeding the energy transition. In this episode, Tim Montague sits down with Carrie Zalewski, former chairman of the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC).Carrie Zalewski served as a utility regulator and an energy attorney with an engineering background with over 15 years of experience in environmental and energy regulation. She has an extensive background in public utility regulation, environmental policy, and compliance, wholesale power issues, and corporate governance.In this episode, Tim and Carrie delve into the essential functions of the ICC, examining its vital role in overseeing utilities and ensuring a seamless shift to cleaner power sources.Carrie Zalewski sheds light on how the ICC is breaking down barriers and streamlining interconnection processes for solar projects. Tim and Carrie also delve into the dynamic world of electric vehicle infrastructure expansion in Illinois.Join us for an engaging discussion that unveils the driving force behind Illinois' sustainable energy transformation. Key TakeawaysThe role of the ICC in regulating utilities and overseeing the energy transition in IllinoisTools the ICC has to incentivize utilities to support distributed energy resources like rooftop solar and battery storageHow ICC is improving interconnection processes and removing barriers to solar projectsThe efforts to expand electric vehicle infrastructure in IllinoisHow ICC is advocating for clean energy and consumers in regional transmission marketsConnect with Carrie ZalewskiFollow Illinois Commerce Commission on LinkedInIllinois Commerce Commission Support the showConnect with Tim Clean Power Hour Clean Power Hour on YouTubeTim on TwitterTim on LinkedIn Email tim@cleanpowerhour.com Review Clean Power Hour on Apple PodcastsThe Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: CleanPowerHour@gmail.com Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

Please take our listener survey.Stay up to date with the latest solar, wind, and energy storage news and analysis. Join co-hosts Tim Montague, solar & storage expert, and John Weaver, PV Magazine journalist, as they reflect on the latest tools, technologies, and trends driving the energy transition forward. With a strong commitment to decarbonizing the economy and building a safer, healthier future for humanity, this show is a must-watch for any energy professional looking to stay ahead of the game. Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel, rate and review us on Apple or Spotify, and join us live every Thursday at 12 noon EST / 9 AM Pacific. Contact us at tim@cleanpowerhour.com or visit www.CleanPowerHour.com to learn more.This week John Weaver and I discuss :1. Energy Vault completes 25 MW project in China 2. Limitless ocean-based solar power near the equator due to flat oceans - for instance - Indonesia could generate ~35,000 TWh/yr via floating solar = current global electricity generation Energy Storage leaders join us for Creating Cost-Competitive Energy Storage Systems - Aug 24, 10 AM Central.https://events.reutersevents.com/renenwables/cost-competitivesystems?utm_source=clean%20power%20hour%20social%20post%20wb2 Support the showConnect with Tim Clean Power Hour Clean Power Hour on YouTubeTim on TwitterTim on LinkedIn Email tim@cleanpowerhour.com Review Clean Power Hour on Apple PodcastsThe Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: CleanPowerHour@gmail.com Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

Please take our listener survey.Today on the Clean Power Hour, inspiring the next generation of women in energy careers with Erin Twamley educator and author of “Everyday Superheroes: Women in Energy Careers”.Erin Twamley is an award-winning children’s book author and educator (M.Ed.). Through her educational consulting group, STEM Superheroes, Erin leads hands-on encounters for kids and writes publications focused on the topics of science, technology, engineering, or math referred to as STEM. She aims to share the careers, stories, and superpowers of women in STEM to spark interest and build girls’ confidence in STEM.The book, Everyday Superheroes: Women in Energy Careers, highlights 34 real women working in diverse energy careers from solar installers to wind technicians to power plant operators. It covers fossil fuels, nuclear, renewables, and more to showcase the variety of pathways and roles needed to power society.Tim and Erin discuss the importance of engaging youth, especially girls, in energy career paths starting from a young age. They talk about the need to move beyond traditional STEM framing and showcase the variety of skills needed, from tradespeople to designers to problem-solvers. Erin explains how the book features women just entering the industry in new roles, those learning via apprenticeships, and more.This is a great discussion on exciting the next generation of women in energy.Key TakeawaysThe lack of energy awareness most kids have beyond flipping a switchPreparing youth for jobs needed to power the futureWhy do real role models matter more than historical figures in the Clean Energy TransitionThe leaders and laggards in U.S. technical educationThe Need for Diversity in renewable energyConnect with Erin TwamleyStem Superheroes Support the showConnect with Tim Clean Power Hour Clean Power Hour on YouTubeTim on TwitterTim on LinkedIn Email tim@cleanpowerhour.com Review Clean Power Hour on Apple PodcastsThe Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: CleanPowerHour@gmail.com Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

Special guest Sean White, master PV trainer and host of Sean White's Solar and Energy Storage Podcast is joining us LIVE from Boulder Colorado at the ASES Conference (American Solar Energy Society). Please take our listener survey.Stay up to date with the latest solar, wind, and energy storage news and analysis. Join co-hosts Tim Montague, solar & storage expert, and John Weaver, PV Magazine journalist, as they reflect on the latest tools, technologies, and trends driving the energy transition forward. With a strong commitment to decarbonizing the economy and building a safer, healthier future for humanity, this show is a must-watch for any energy professional looking to stay ahead of the game. Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel, rate and review us on Apple or Spotify, and join us live every Thursday at 12 noon EST / 9 AM Pacific. Contact us at tim@cleanpowerhour.com or visit www.CleanPowerHour.com to learn more. Support the showConnect with Tim Clean Power Hour Clean Power Hour on YouTubeTim on TwitterTim on LinkedIn Email tim@cleanpowerhour.com Review Clean Power Hour on Apple PodcastsThe Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: CleanPowerHour@gmail.com Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

Please take our listener survey.Today on the Clean Power Hour making clean energy accessible and affordable for low-to-moderate income families and communities with Andy Posner CEO and Founder, Capital Good Fund.Capital Good Fund is a non-profit financial institution on a mission to provide affordable financing for renewable energy and energy efficiency upgrades to low and moderate-income households. Andy Posner founded Capital Good Fund in February of 2009 while getting his Master of Arts in Environmental Studies at Brown University, where he was studying financing mechanisms for clean energy.In this episode of The Clean Power Hour, we discuss the challenges many families face in accessing clean energy solutions, including the difficulty in utilizing federal tax credits and the high upfront costs. Posner explains Capital Good Fund's innovative financing models, including 0% interest loans and new leasing programs enabled by the Inflation Reduction Act.The conversation covers how state policies like net metering along with federal incentives can transform the economics of rooftop solar. Posner also shares his perspective on the installer shortage, permitting delays, and consumer skepticism as barriers to adoption.Andy shares how his organization, Capital Good Fund, provides financial tools like loans and leases to help underserved populations adopt technologies like solar panels and heat pumps. He explains the various federal and state incentives available, challenges with current policies, and innovative ways nonprofits can utilize tax credits.Key TakeawaysCapital Good Fund's nonprofit model and portfolio of loans to underserved communitiesLayering federal, state, and local incentives to improve solar economicsChallenges securing capital in rising interest rate environmentBarriers to clean energy adoption for Low-Income American families Financing products like long-term, low-interest loansState policy impacts on solar economicsCapital Good FundFollow Capital Good Fund on LinkedInConnect with Andy Posner on Support the showConnect with Tim Clean Power Hour Clean Power Hour on YouTubeTim on TwitterTim on LinkedIn Email tim@cleanpowerhour.com Review Clean Power Hour on Apple PodcastsThe Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: CleanPowerHour@gmail.com Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

Please take our listener survey: https://forms.gle/qoSVnCWCoLi142PBAToday on the Clean Power Hour: Best Practices for Improving Solar Asset Performance. In this episode, Tim Montague is joined by Matt Murphy, COO of Greenbacker Capital, Brian Grenko, VP at VDE Americas, and Dan Leary, Founder & CEO of Denowatts.Brian Grenko focuses on identifying and mitigating technical risks for solar PV and energy storage projects. Matt Murphy excels in optimizing operations, building strong relationships, and driving efficiency. Dan Leary is the CEO and Founder of Denowatts. Denowatts developed the innovative Deno Digital Twin Benchmarking (DTB) technology.In this episode, our esteemed panel of guests will share their insights on setting realistic performance expectations for solar assets. We'll uncover the key factors that put solar project performance at risk and how to optimize performance while considering real-world conditions.Furthermore, the panel explores the common challenges faced by solar asset owners and operators in identifying the root causes of underperformance. Our experts will provide valuable tips on troubleshooting and addressing issues promptly.One of the highlights of this episode is data analytics and its pivotal role in improving solar asset performance. Our guests will explain how data-driven strategies can provide critical intelligence on system health, predictive maintenance, and performance optimization.KeyTakeawaysThe difference between fair market value models and operational models for solar assetsThe need for conservative solar resource assessments that account for climate changeLeveraging data analytics and benchmarking to quickly identify and resolve performance issuesThe extent and causes of solar underperformance in the marketOperational best practices like regular maintenance and equipment upgradesVDE AmericasConnect with Brian Grenko on LinkedInGreenbacker CapitalConnect with Matt Murphy on LinkedInDenowatts Support the showConnect with Tim Clean Power Hour Clean Power Hour on YouTubeTim on TwitterTim on LinkedIn Email tim@cleanpowerhour.com Review Clean Power Hour on Apple PodcastsThe Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: CleanPowerHour@gmail.com Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

It's hot, it's smoky, but the clean energy transition must go on! Please take our listener survey: bit.ly/cphsurvey23Stay up to date with the latest solar, wind, and energy storage news and analysis. Join co-hosts Tim Montague, solar & storage expert, and John Weaver, PV Magazine journalist, as they reflect on the latest tools, technologies, and trends driving the energy transition forward. With a strong commitment to decarbonizing the economy and building a safer, healthier future for humanity, this show is a must-watch for any energy professional looking to stay ahead of the game. Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel, rate and review us on Apple or Spotify, and join us live every Thursday at 12 noon EST / 9 AM Pacific. Contact us at tim@cleanpowerhour.com or visit www.CleanPowerHour.com to learn more.This week John Weaver and I discuss:1. Tesla Range Investigation2. Largest and most powerful wind turbine is now operational 3. 2 GW Meyer Burger solar cell factory in Colorado, hints of more coming4. Solar defends the title as the most popular electricity source in the USA, though there’s nuance. Nuclear power is increasing in popularity. Support the showConnect with Tim Clean Power Hour Clean Power Hour on YouTubeTim on TwitterTim on LinkedIn Email tim@cleanpowerhour.com Review Clean Power Hour on Apple PodcastsThe Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: CleanPowerHour@gmail.com Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

Please take our listener survey: https://forms.gle/qoSVnCWCoLi142PBAToday on the Clean Power Hour, the renewables industry started with solar thermal (hot water), then small wind, and now PV dominates the scene. Northwind Solar is a worker-owned cooperative in Central Wisconsin that has witnessed these transitions so it’s a treat to have such a storied company on the show.  Our guests are Josh Stolzenburg, founder and CEO, of Northwind Solar, and Jordan Kaiser, design consultant and member-owner.Josh Stolzenburg shares the origin story of Northwind and how it transitioned to a worker-owned cooperative structure in 2016. He explains how the cooperative model creates incentives for employees to provide quality work and allows the company to distribute profits more equitably.Jordan joined Northwind in 2013, became a worker-owner a few years later, and now leads the commercial sales division. He discusses his experience joining Northwind and becoming a member-owner. He explains how the cooperative model empowers employees, improves accountability to customers, and makes Northwind more resilient as a business.Josh and Jordan also share insights into how the cooperative distributes profits, brings in outside investments, and provides tax advantages. They also touch on the value of joining a solar cooperative like Amicus to access bulk-purchasing discounts and share knowledge.Key TakeawaysHow and Why in 2015, Josh transitioned Northwind into a worker-owned cooperativeThe Advantages of being a worker-owned cooperativeHow does being a worker-owned cooperative help Northwind recruit and retain dedicated employees?In what ways does Northwind's model set them apart in the solar market?How does the cooperative model distribute profits and bring in investments differently than a traditional company?What role do buying cooperatives like Amicus play in providing collective benefits to solar companies?Connect with Josh Stolzenburg on LinkedInConnect with Jordan Kaiser on LinkedInFollow Northwind Solar Support the showConnect with Tim Clean Power Hour Clean Power Hour on YouTubeTim on TwitterTim on LinkedIn Email tim@cleanpowerhour.com Review Clean Power Hour on Apple PodcastsThe Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: CleanPowerHour@gmail.com Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

Please take our listener survey:  https://forms.gle/qoSVnCWCoLi142PBAThe Clean Power Hour LIVE, your weekly source for solar, wind, and energy storage news and analysis. Join co-hosts Tim Montague, a seasoned renewable energy expert, and John Weaver, a PV Magazine journalist, as they dissect the latest tools, technologies, and trends driving the energy transition forward. With a strong commitment to decarbonizing the economy and building a safer, healthier future for humanity, this show is a must-watch for any energy professional looking to stay ahead of the game. Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel, rate and review us on Apple or Spotify, and join us live every Thursday at 12 noon EST / 9 AM Pacific. Contact us at tim@cleanpowerhour.com or visit www.CleanPowerHour.com to learn more.Today on the Clean Power Hour LIVE we have a special guest: Chris Lettman of CL Green Energy Consulting and we'll be doing a deep dive on #solar module pricing, supply chain, tariffs, and IRA implications. Support the showConnect with Tim Clean Power Hour Clean Power Hour on YouTubeTim on TwitterTim on LinkedIn Email tim@cleanpowerhour.com Review Clean Power Hour on Apple PodcastsThe Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: CleanPowerHour@gmail.com Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

Please take our listener survey: https://forms.gle/qoSVnCWCoLi142PBAIn order for us to reach our decarbonization goals, we need to speed the energy transition. The key to doing that is to streamline the pathway to clean energy incentives and benefits. Today on the Clean Power Hour we are joined by Jeff Coleman, CEO and Co-founder of Eli. Eli believes in unblocking innovation at the scale of the problem by partnering with software startups, contractors, nonprofits, government agencies, incentive program administrators, and lenders to streamline access to incentives and financing for both commercial and residential electrification.Jeff Coleman has an interesting history. He started his journey with Earth Justice in the early 2000s where they won a big court case and got an International court to acknowledge Climate Change as a Human Rights Issue. Five years later he was on the Campaign trail with former president Barack Obama, where he was instrumental in developing the groundbreaking organizing strategy of Barack Obama’s historic presidential campaigns. Fast forward to 2016, he joined GRID Alternatives where he was a leader at the intersection of technology, organizing, and social impact. In 2022, Jeff founded One Billion Machines to start exploring how to help scale residential electrification in the U.S. With the knowledge he had acquired from previous startups he started Eli. In this episode, he joins Tim Montague to talk about his unique journey to the Clean Energy Industry, what Eli is doing, how Eli is revolutionizing how people access clean energy incentives and benefits, how installers and developers can benefit from using Eli, and much more.Discover how Eli acts as a comprehensive resource, providing the latest information and tools to navigate the complex landscape of incentives and financing options available for renewable energy projects.KeyTakeawaysJeff Coleman’s journey to Clean EnergyWhat Eli is and what it does How Eli is revolutionizing how people access clean energy and electrification incentives and benefitsHow installers and developers can benefit from using EliEliConnect with Jeff Coleman Support the showConnect with Tim Clean Power Hour Clean Power Hour on YouTubeTim on TwitterTim on LinkedIn Email tim@cleanpowerhour.com Review Clean Power Hour on Apple PodcastsThe Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: CleanPowerHour@gmail.com Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com