Solar Power World

We talk with Stephen Trimble, founder and CEO, and Chase Christie, vice president of business development, both of Arctic Solar Ventures, a young Alaskan solar installation company headquartered in Anchorage. The team works to debunk the myth that solar power can't work in dark, cold Alaska. Read more at: http://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2017/01/contractors-corner-proving-solar-viable-even-darkest-alaskan-communities

In this podcast, we’re focused on the utility market, a market which could use some rebooting in 2017. To learn more about the market and how one manufacturer is adjusting to the needs of the utility sector, we’re speaking with Todd Owen, Director & General Manager of OMCO Solar.

Even though mainstream solar is still a relatively young industry, some solar professionals have had the opportunity to watch the industry grow and change for decades. Solar Power World has launched a monthly “Ask a Vet” podcast series to highlight these individuals who have spent 10 or more years in the market. Through the podcast and excerpts we will share here in each issue, we hope to provide a platform to share the unique perspectives and insight of these industry veterans. In this inaugural podcast, we spoke with Brendan Neagle, COO of Borrego Solar, who has spent 10 years with the company and 15 in solar. Neagle’s journey to solar started with studying American civilization and environmental studies at Brown University, working for a beverage distributor, becoming a school teacher and eventually selling residential solar in response to the California Solar Incentive program, which was paying rebates at $4.50/W. Read more at http://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2017/01/ask-vet-showing-solar-leadershi

SolarEdge's HD-Wave technology has been turning heads since it was released at Solar Power International 2015. This year it won an Intersolar Award, and we also selected to feature it as a top product technology of 2016. Here to tell us more about this innovative technology are SolarEdge's Mike Rogerson, marketing director north America, and Cameron Stewart, technical training manager North America.

Inovateus Solar president TJ Kanczuzewski talks with Solar Power World about the Midwest solar developer's rise to success. Topics include thin-film solar projects, the growth of the Midwest market and Inovateus Solar's partnership with IndyCar driver Stefan Wilson. Read more: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2016/12/contractors-corner-midwest-developer-promotes-solar-national-stage/

Today we're discussing charge controllers with Alan Santos-Buch, Western Region Sales and Marketing Manager of Magnum Energy, a Sensata Technologies brand. Find out how to tell what charge controller is right for your system, why heat dissipation is so important, how the company's PT-100 differs from other option on the market and what other design considerations you should ponder in this podcast.

We spoke with Bryan Whitton, product manager at Darfon America, who explained how the company's G320 solar microinverter allows putting more inverters on a circuit and avoids the need for neutral conductors, along with other advantages for solar contractors.

Full-service provider Nautilus Solar recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, and the company has plans to expand into more regional markets. We talked with CEO Jim Rice about the company's longevity in the solar industry. Read more: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2016/11/contractors-corner-nautilus-solar-uses-10th-birthday-expand-new-markets/

Sunworks has a storied past, but this year the California-based integrator found its niche and is ready to expand. We talked with CEO Jim Nelson about how the company plans to become more dominant.

There’s a lot that remains to be sorted out in the solar financing world, but did you know there’s an organization working to “crack the code” for financing distributed solar? The Solar Energy Finance Association, or SEFA, is based in California and was formed a few year years ago by those from both the solar industry and capital markets and focuses on increasing capital flow to solar, especially in the the rooftop residential and C&I markets. Mary Rottman, president of SEFA gave us some of her insight into today’s solar financing market.

In this Solar Speaks podcast, we learn about the Solar-Log line of monitoring products, which provide integrated monitoring and plant evaluation for projects of any scope. Solar-Log marketing manager Anne Nelson discusses the ROI of Solar-Log products, as well as how they benefit solar installers.

We talk with Mark Stacy, CEO of California's Infinity Energy, about the company's two years in business and how its finding success.

Obtaining solar project financing can be a complex process, and it’s made trickier if you’re not prepared. Here to discuss tips for solar developers when obtaining financing is Open Energy’s CEO and founder Graham Smith.

In this Solar Speaks podcast, NEXTracker co-founder and CTO Alex Au offers insight on what's next for NEXTracker, a global provider of solar tracking solutions. He also discusses how the company pushes innovation and recalls inspiring—and vexing—things he saw at SPI 2016.

Tim Drappi, procurement manager with solar module manufacturer SolarTech Universal, talks about the latest trends in solar panels (PERC, bifacial and more) with Solar Power World at Solar Speaks Live 2016.

Unirac CEO Peter Lorenz discusses why he got into the renewable-energy business and provides advice for contractors on how to use the best equipment, even if it costs a little more, in this Solar Speaks Live video, filmed on the tradeshow floor at Solar Power International 2016.

The Solar Ready Vets program is expertly described by program director Tenley Ann Dalstrom at Solar Speaks Live 2016. The solar job training program recently expanded to more military bases and helps match skilled veterans with nationwide solar installation companies.

Mark Begert has been with Austin-based solar contractor Meridian Solar for almost 10 years. During that time he helped the company move from a residential and commercial solar installer, to an EPC company focusing on the commercial, public and utility-scale markets. During a Solar Speaks Live interview at Solar Power International 2016, Meridian's executive vice president shares his best business practices and why non-profit work is also important to his company.

Kimbis takes on talk that the SEIA board of directors focuses too heavily on utility-scale solar, in this Solar Speaks Live video, filmed on the tradeshow floor at Solar Power International 2016. He also offers insight on the selection of a new SEIA president and how he views the U.S. presidential candidates, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.

David Vorlage, president of Namasté Solar, joined Solar Power World at Solar Speaks Live 2016 only a few months into his new job at the helm of the company. He talks about Namasté's community work and how to run a successful, employee-owned solar business.