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
Aaron Thurlow, Chief Commercial Officer at Caelux, about the company’s perovskite solar technology. Aaron shared his career journey from working at SunPower during its rise to market dominance to his current role at Caelux, where they are developing double-power-layer solar modules that can increase efficiency by 3% absolute (from 24% to 27%) while providing cost benefits including a 20% reduction in levelized cost of energy for utility-scale projects. They discussed the technical aspects of perovskite technology, including how it captures different parts of the solar spectrum that crystalline silicon cannot, and its potential applications in space, residential, and commercial markets. Aaron emphasized that efficiency remains the single biggest lever for driving down overall system costs and enabling 24/7 solar power through reduced storage requirements, positioning Caelux 's technology as a key enabler for the industry's continued growth and the transition to more distributed and localized manufacturing Topics Covered Caelux Commercial Readiness SunPower Market Launch Power Optimizer Origins Solar Efficiency History Solar Cost Reduction 24/7 Solar Future Localized Manufacturing Perovskite Dick Swanson Solar Glass Thin Film Space Based Solar Triple Junction Cells Silicon Efficiency Limits Energy Storage Integration CapEx = Capital Expenditure BIPV = Building-Integrated Photovoltaics HJT = Heterojunction Technology TopCon = Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact DC = Direct Current NREL = National Renewable Energy Laboratory EV = Electric Vehicle Reach out to Aaron Thurlow here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/aaronthurlow Website: www.caelux.com Email: aaron.thurlow@caelux.com Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean www.solarsean.com/esip
In this episode we have Shawn Shaw, founder and CEO of Camelot Energy Group, discussing energy storage and renewable energy development. Shawn explained how Camelot helps investors, asset owners, and project developers build reliable clean energy projects, highlighting challenges with community resistance to renewable energy installations including over 200 energy storage moratoria across the United States. The conversation covered technical aspects of energy storage safety, with Shawn sharing that commercial and utility-scale batteries experience fires at approximately 0.3% per year, similar to residential house fires, and discussing how safety standards have improved significantly since incidents like the Moss Landing fire. They also explored historical perspectives on energy storage, from medieval mill ponds to modern battery technology, and discussed how energy storage benefits extend beyond renewable energy integration to improving grid reliability regardless of energy source. Shawn mentioned his recent book publication on energy storage systems by the International Code Council and his work training professionals through Heat Spring platform, while both participants agreed to potentially collaborate on future podcast episodes covering the history of energy storage Topics Covered Camelot Energy Group www.camelotenergygroup.com Moss Landing Incident Thermal Runaway History of Energy Camelot Name Origin King Arthur Inspiration Medieval Energy Storage Mill Pond History Genghis Khan Energy Firefighter Training Project Development Investor Decision-Making Clean Energy Mission Big Bang Philosophy Electricity Bill Costs Grid Infrastructure Overbuilding BESS = Battery Energy Storage System AHJ = Authority Having Jurisdiction UL 9540A Reach out to Shawn Shaw here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/shawnshawpe Website: www.camelotenergygroup.com Email: shawn.shaw@camelotenergygroup.com Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean www.solarsean.com/esip
This podcast interview featured Maxim Kosenko, CEO and founder of Axentum, discussing their innovative technology for autonomous solar installation for AI data centers. Maxim explained their system uses flat, zero-degree tilt solar panels with pre-assembled PV modules and battery packs (2- 3 kWh per module) connected in strings to create 0.9-megawatt DC clusters that can be installed by four-person teams in under two hours, enabling installation of a gigawatt-scale project within a month using approximately 12 teams. The system eliminates traditional tracking systems, uses ballasted mounting instead of piles, and includes integrated battery storage and power electronics, resulting in a levelized cost of electricity around $50 per megawatt hour (5 cents per kilowatt hour) and potentially dropping the cost five times lower than current solar options for data centers. Topics Covered Axentum www.axentum.com Autonomous Solar Installation AI Data Centers Megawatts per hour Installation Robot ESS = Energy Storage System Flat Panel Design Integrated Battery Storage Robot Deployment Installation Speed Wind Resistance Design Vegetation Prevention Labor Reduction Gas Turbine Shortage Solar vs Turbines Gigawatt Scale Buildout Power Electronics Embedded Reach out to Maxim Kosenko here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/maxkosenko Website: www.axentum.com Email: m@axentum.com Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean www.solarsean.com/pvip
Arilla Barnes, founder and CEO of Energy IoT Open Source, discussing open-source energy solutions and microgrid technology. Arilla explained how her organization creates turnkey solutions for microgrids using open-source software, firmware, and hardware to enable energy access and control for communities, with a current demonstration lab at Informal Spaces in Oakland featuring a 5.8 kilowatt solar carport, battery storage, and hybrid inverter systems. They discussed challenges with electric vehicle bi-directional charging, regulatory barriers to energy sharing between homes, and the potential for distributed data centers using renewable energy. Arilla shared her work with Linux Foundation Energy projects including LF Hyphae and LF Open Leader, and expressed interest in collaborating on a demonstration project at Sean’s solar training center property Topics Covered Energy IoT Open Source www.eiot.energy IOT = Internet of Things SunSpec Alliance Open Source Open Energy Lab EV = Electric Vehicle Micro-Grid Grid Net-Metering Utility Bidirectional EV Charging Market Open Source Computer Technology Data Center Hydro Pump ESS = Energy Storage System Biofuel Bidirectional EV Charging Linux Peer-to-Peer Energy Trading Virtual Power Plants Energy Asset Ownership Reach out to Arila Barnes here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/arilabarnes Website: www.eiot.energy Email: arila@eiot.energy Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean www.solarsean.com/esipexam
Victoria Stulgis, President of Black Bear Energy, discusses the complexities of deploying solar on commercial real estate portfolios. The conversation covers landlord-tenant split incentives, third-party ownership structures, hosted community solar models, and how policy shapes market opportunity across states like New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Illinois. Black Bear Energy's role as an owner's representative in helping institutional real estate investors navigate and scale renewable energy adoption is also examined. Topics Covered Black Bear Energy www.blackbearenergy.com ESS = Energy Storage System Battery Storage ASES = American Solar Energy Society Real Estate Solar Commercial Solar Landlord Tenant Incentives Hosted Community Solar Solar Policy Impact Portfolio Scale Distributed Solar Net-Metering B-Corps REC = Renewable Energy Certificate SREC = Solar Renewable Energy Certificate Reach out to Victoria Stulgis here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/victoriastulgis Website: www.blackbearenergy.com Email: vstulgis@blackbearenergy.com Black Bear Email: info@blackbearenergy.com Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean www.solarsean.com/pvipexam
Sean Tygrett, Chief Operating Officer of Carbon Enfo, discusses how his company's platform Brytr aggregates Solar Renewable Energy Certificates from small-scale residential and commercial solar producers and tokenizes them on the Cardano blockchain. The conversation covers SREC market mechanics, the $1.4 billion in uncollected voluntary certificates, blockchain-based provenance verification, and an innovative eco-loyalty model that enables corporate buyers to purchase SRECs directly from their own customers. Topics Covered SREC = Solar Renewable Energy Certificate SREC Mechanics API = Application Programming Interface Blockchain Cardano NFT = Non-Fungible Token API Data Collection Producer Aggregation Voluntary SREC Market Corporate Carbon Reduction Eco-Loyalty Model Greenwashing Prevention Brytr Platform Inverter Reach out to Sean Tygrett here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/seantygrett Website: www.carbonenfo.io Email: stygrett@carbonenfo.io Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean www.solarsean.com/esip
Dan Fletcher, Co-Founder and Head of Ecosystems at dcbel, joins Sean White to explore the technical and commercial realities of residential energy management - including what it means to run a true private grid at home. Topics include DC home charging, on-device energy optimization, vehicle-to-grid integration, UL 1741 SB certification, virtual power plants, compatible EV models, and California's Redwoods incentive program. Topics Covered DCBEL www.dcbel.energy Home Energy Station Solar Integration EV = Electric Vehicle Bidirectional EV Charging EV Charging Battery Inverter ESS = Energy Storage System DC Home Charging Energy optimization Solar integration Battery storage Vehicle-to-grid REDWDS program = Responsive, Easy Charging Products with Dynamic Signals Program VGIC = Vehicle-Grid Integration Council UL Listing Utility VPP = Virtual Power Plant Code Data Center Distributed Energy Bitcoin Mining V2G = Vehicle to Grid Podcast with Dan Fletcher | Part 1 Apple podcast YouTube Spotify Pandora Podbean Reach out to Dan Fletcher here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/fletcherdan Website: www.dcbel.energy Email: flora@ink-co.com Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean http://solarsean.com/sfev
President of Blue Water Battery Logistics, LLC.They discussed the company's business of handling surplus and recycling batteries, solar panels, and other energy equipment. Steve explained how Blue Water handles various battery types including LFP (lithium iron phosphate) and NMC (lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide), with recycling values ranging from $2 per pound to 10-20 cents per pound depending on the material and volume. They covered the process of battery recycling, including refurbishing used EV batteries and the challenges with consumer electronic batteries ending up in landfills. Steve also discussed the company's expansion plans, hiring 20 additional employees, and their business model of finding reuse or recycling solutions for surplus energy equipment rather than sending it to landfills. Topics Covered Bluewater www.bluewaterbattery.com Pirates Battery Market Battery recycling, Reusing, Refurbishing, Repowering EV = Electric Vehicle Utility-scale storage V2G = Vehicle to Grid Battery management Solar surplus Transformer rehoming Cost reduction Second-life markets Clean energy supply 170’ sailboat! Reach out to Steve Feinberg here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/steve-feinberg Website: www.bluewaterbattery.com/ Email: sfeinberg@bluewaterbattery.com Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean www.solarsean.com/esip
Plug-in solar legalization, large solar company closures, and the One Big Bogus Bill are examined in this episode. Aaron Nichols and Sean White bring decades of combined industry experience to each topic, covering state-level policy developments, market consolidation, and the potential impact of shifting federal tax credit structures on solar businesses and homeowners. This podcast was stolen from Aaron Nichols. I dare you Aaron, sue me! It’s mine now. I am this week in solar! Topics Covered This week in Solar www.youtube.com/@ThisWeekInSolar Plug-in Solar BBB = Big Beautiful Bill Tax Credit DIY Solar Balcony Solar No Permits (Plug-in Solar) Water Heating Solar Companies Going Bankrupt Solyndra Ray Kurzweil Evolution of Solar The Future Space Based Solar Moon Reach out to Aaron Nichols here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-nichols This week in Solar: www.youtube.com/@ThisWeekInSolar Email: aaron.nichols@exactsolar.com Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean solarsean.com/pva
This podcast episode featured Sean White's interview with Heather Newport, Director of Community Relations at Aileron, a Chicago-based community engagement and public affairs firm that works on renewable energy projects across the United States. Heather discussed the challenges of community opposition to renewable energy projects, particularly battery energy storage facilities, explaining that concerns often stem from misinformation, fear of the unknown technology, and distrust of developers rather than the actual safety of the technology. They explored how Aileron helps developers navigate community relations through early engagement, stakeholder outreach, and relationship building with local officials and residents, emphasizing the importance of listening to community concerns and providing transparent, authentic information about project safety and benefits. Topics Covered Aileron Communications www.aileroninc.com Airplane Aileron Community Engagement in Public Affairs Politics Polarization ESS = Energy Storage System EV = Electric Vehicle Moss Landing Battery Data Center NIMBY = Not in my backyard Erin Brockovich Reach out to Heather Newport here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/heathermonaghan Website: www.aileroninc.com Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean solarsean.com/pvipexam
Dan Fletcher, Co-Founder and Head of Ecosystems at dcbel, discusses Ara - the company's integrated home energy station combining solar, battery storage, bidirectional EV charging, and grid connectivity in a single device designed to give homeowners greater control over their own energy supply. The conversation covers how vehicle-to-home technology works, its role in reducing grid stress during peak hours, virtual power plant integration, and the California Redwoods program. dcbel's approach removes redundant power conversion hardware, improving efficiency and lowering the cost of achieving genuine residential energy independence. Topics Covered DCBEL www.dcbel.energy Decibel Home Energy Solar Integration ESS = Energy Storage System Battery Storage Nissan Leaf EV = Electric Vehicle EV Charging Bidirectional EV Charging Vehicle-to-Home Grid REDWOODS Program Energy Efficiency Residential Energy Power Conversion Distributed Energy Utility VPP = Virtual Power Plant CEC = California Energy Commission Queen’s University Podcast with Dan Fletcher | Part 2 Apple podcast YouTube Spotify Pandora Podbean Reach out to Dan Fletcher here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/fletcherdan Website: www.dcbel.energy Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean http://solarsean.com/sfev
Millions of solar systems installed between 2010 and 2018 are approaching inverter end-of-life, creating a $3 billion repowering market. GoodWe Sales Manager Manny Aponte breaks down what repowering actually involves, why functional panels rarely need replacing, how modern inverters improve system performance, and where energy storage fits into the upgrade conversation. Recorded at the 2026 NABCEP Conference in Milwaukee. Topics Covered NABCEP = North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners Vanguard 1 satellite GoodWe www.goodwe.com Repowering Inverter GE = General Electric White Labeling OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer VPP = Virtual Power Plant ESS = Energy Storage System John Berger Episode Apple podcast YouTube Spotify Pandora Podbean Cesar Barbosa Episode Apple podcast YouTube Spotify Pandora Podbean Reach out to Manny Aponte here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mannyaponte Website: www.goodwe.com Email: mannyaponte@goodwe.com Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean http://solarsean.com/esipexam
Bruce Anderson, CEO of 247Solar, explains how concentrated solar power using air and ceramic pellets can deliver reliable electricity around the clock. Unlike photovoltaic systems, 247Solar heats air to 1,000 degrees Celsius, stores that energy in insulated ceramic pellet silos, and uses a modified turbine to generate power at night. The system pairs with daytime solar PV, requires no exotic materials, and eliminates the need for battery backup. Topics Covered 247Solar www.247solar.com 24 Hours Solar Energy Solar Hot Air 1,800°F/1000°C Air Heat Transfer Solar Thermal Molten Salt ESS = Energy Storage System Turbine Mechanics Environmental Safety Ceramic Pellets Reach out to Bruce Anderson here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bruceanderson Website: www.247solar.com Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean solarsean.com/esipexam
Recorded at the NABCEP conference, solar educator Sean White and Rudy Saporite discuss the InterSolar Solar Games, a competitive installation event where certified teams race to complete a 4 kW rooftop system under timed, judged conditions. They also explore solar education strategies, the carbon lifecycle of renewable energy systems, and the importance of safety and code compliance in professional solar installation. Topics Covered</ br> Solar Nerds</ br> Solar Education Code Trees EV = Electric Vehicle ICE = International Combustion Engines Flat Earth Solar Games InterSolar Rack Learning Curve Battery Reach out to Rudy Saporite here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/rudy-saporite Website: www.ibts.org Email: rsaporite@gmail.com Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean solarsean.com/pva
Eric Partyka, Director of Business Development at Standard Solar, explains how community solar works and why it matters. The conversation covers how renters, low-income households, and small businesses can subscribe to solar energy without rooftop panels, which states have adopted community solar programs and why others have not, and how utility deregulation shaped today's market. Standard Solar operates commercial projects ranging from one to five megawatts across more than twenty states. Topics Covered Standard Solar www.standardsolar.com Standard Oil Oil Community Solar Utility DG = Distributed Generation Fossil Fuel Sean’s trips: Going back to two dimensions Only land owners should vote Trickle down economics Rich people rights Reach out to Eric Partyka here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/eric-partyka Email: eric.partyka@standardsolar.com Website: www.standardsolar.com Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean solarsean.com/pvipexam
Recorded live at the NABCEP 2026 conference, Sean White and Brian Hayden discuss the current state of NABCEP credentials, including updates to the PV Associate, the ESIP (Energy Storage Installation Professional), and the upcoming OMAT (Operation and Maintenance Associate Technician credential. They also cover Spanish language exam availability, the history and growth of HeatSpring as an online renewable energy education platform, and the expanding role of operations and maintenance in the solar industry as installed systems continue to age. Topics Covered HeatSpring www.heatspring.com NABCEP = North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners www.nabcep.org Sean’s Training Impact JTA = Job Task Analysis PV Associate ESIP = Energy Storage Installation Professional Spanish Exams and AI OMAT = Operations & Maintenance Associate Technician HeatSpring Origin Story BPI = Building Performance Institute Building Performance Online to In Person Training Practice Exam PVCMS = PV Commissioning & Maintenance Specialist Reach out to Brian Hayden here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/brianfhayden HeatSpring: www.heatspring.com Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean solarsean.com/40hrpv
David Taylor, Solutions Expert at Anker Innovations, discusses the Anker Solix E10, a modular home energy storage system scalable from 6 to 90 kilowatt hours. The conversation covers solar compatibility, smart panel integration, generator pairing, and time-of-use optimization. Taylor also addresses installation options for both DIY homeowners and licensed electricians, portable power stations, and Anker's broader expansion from mobile charging into the residential energy storage market. Topics Covered Anker Solix www.ankersolix.com Anker Solix E10 Anker Innovations Battery Solar DIY Inverter Off Grid & On Grid EMS = Energy Management System PCS = Power Control System Back Feeding the Grid Ul Listing DC = Direct Current AC = Alternating Current Balcony Solar Plug-in Solar EV = Electric Vehicle EV = Charging PPS = Portable Power Station Reach out to David Taylor here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/david-taylor Website: www.ankersolix.com Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean solarsean.com/esipexam
Gwendoly Espe, Product Manager at Yaskawa Solectria Solar, discusses the technical and commercial advantages of DC-coupled solar-plus-storage systems at utility scale. The conversation covers DC versus AC coupling architecture, energy harvest optimization through clipping recovery, and Yaskawa’s American-manufactured PVS 500 inverter solution. Additional topics include NABCEP-accredited training programs, FEOC compliance, and the growing role of solar storage in powering data centers and supporting grid stability. Topics Covered Yaskawa Solectria Solar www.solectria.com Inverter Converter DC Coupling AC Coupling Energy Yield DC = Direct Current AC = Alternating Current Utility Scale Solar Utility Grid Microgrid Ercot DER = Distributed Energy Resources AI = Artificial Intelligence ESS = Energy Storage System Data Center Recharge with Solectria FEOC = A Foreign Entity of Concern Reach out to Gwendoly Espe here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gwendolyespe Website: www.solectria.com Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean www.solarsean.com/esipexam
Dylan Rup, Director of Marketing at EG4 Electronics, discusses the company's acquisition of Outback Power and plans to continue manufacturing its legacy product line. The conversation also covers EG4's current battery pricing at $260 per kilowatt hour, the upcoming XR 60 all-in-one energy storage system, UL 9540A safety certification, and why technical knowledge matters in solar sales. Topics Covered EG4 www.eg4electronics.com Outback www.outbackpower.com ASES = American Solar Energy Society Solar Marketing Solar Salespeople Inverter Battery ESS = Energy Storage System XR60 UL 9540 UL 9540 A UL Listing Code Podcast with James Showalter Apple Podcast YouTube Spotify Pandora Podbean Reach out to Dylan Rup here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-a-rup Website: www.eg4electronics.com Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean solarsean.com/pvtsexam
Arnold Andrade and Stephan Engel of Engel Electric, a San Antonio-based solar and electrical contracting company, sit down with Sean White at the 2026 NABCEP Conference to discuss microgrid design, energy storage, and hybrid inverter technology. The conversation also covers the rise of DIY solar in Texas and a large-scale off-grid ranch retrofit currently underway, featuring four hybrid inverters and 120 kWh of battery storage. Topics Covered Engel Electric www.engelelectrictx.com Microgrid Grid Off-Grid Utility Candle Power DIY Solar Inverter Tech Support NABCEP = North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners ASES Conference = American Solar Energy Society Conference Batteries ESS = Energy Storage System Retrofitting Educating Customers Reach out to Stephan Engel and Arnold Andrade here: Engel Electric: www.engelelectrictx.com Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean solarsean.com/pvipexam
