Solar Builder Radio
The podcast home for Solar Builder magazine, a go-to resource for solar professionals. We go in-depth on new solar PV systems, products and services (inverters, modules, tracker systems, etc.), and we chat with experts about solar design and installation trends -- from residential and small C&I to large utility-scale solar plants. Here, we connect installers, EPCs and developers right to what’s happening in the marketplace. Solar Builder Radio is the hub for all of Solar Builder’s podcasts, video shows, and articles in audio form. Recurring shows include: | The Pitch | Explore new products in the solar industry with the manufacturers and suppliers | Power Forward! | A solar business discussion series in conjunction with BayWa r.e. | The Buzz | Giving our 2 cents per kW on the hottest solar industry headlines
Listen on:
Episodes
5 days ago
5 days ago
Jeff Spies, president of Planet Plan Sets, is increasingly concerned that the solar and storage industry is facing the biggest safety challenge of its 50-year history. Solar Builder published the article The Lithium Battery MESS in our Q3 2024 magazine, explaining why. This episode of The Buzz is digs deeper into differentiating safe and legal home batteries, and how decisions by California regulators have helped set the market conditions giving rise to this Lithium Battery MESS.
0:10 - Overview of the lithium battery MESS in California
2:15 - How safe are UL 9540 listed batteries?
4:56 – Influx of unlisted batteries & deceptive marketing
9:08 – The Catch-22 of California battery policy and permitting
13:25 – LFP vs. NMC. Is one better than the other?
17:46 – Did the CPUC create this MESS?
19:36 – What are regulators doing to ensure safe battery installations?
21:30 – Can you blame California homeowners for buying unpermitted batteries?
25:39 – Legal cheap batteries vs. illegal cheap batteries
30:39 – Advice for solar installers navigating all of this
35:03 – How to ensure you’re installing a safe and legal energy storage system
Subscribe to Solar Builder: https://solarbuildermag.com/subscribe/
Contact Jeff: https://www.planetplansets.com/
7 days ago
7 days ago
OneEthos is the fintech affiliate of Climate First Bank, which bills itself as the world’s first FDIC-insured digital community bank founded to combat the climate crisis. On the Pitch, Chris Cucci, EVP at Climate First Bank and OneEthos, discusses how they set their solar loan business apart for installers and homeowners with 30 year fixed rate, no dealer fees, and 100% financing for resi and C&I loans.
OneEthos: https://www.oneethos.com
Climate First Bank: https://www.climatefirstbank.com
Solar Builder: https://solarbuildermag.com/subscribe/
0:41 - How does Climate First Bank operate?
1:58 - Solar loan outlook
2:47 - Advantages of OneEthos solar financing for homeowners
3:43 - Advantages for installers (no dealer fees, steady demand)
4:58 - What will they finance? What won't they finance?
5:35 - Solar installer approval process explained 5:58 - Products on AVL?
7:20 - How they can lower payments for low-income customers
9:50 - Climate First emissions reduction & B Corp goals
Friday Oct 25, 2024
Friday Oct 25, 2024
Solar Builder Editor-in-Chief Chris Crowell gets a crash course in third-party ownership (TPO) solar programs from BayWa r.e. Finance Program Manager Joshua Tinaglia.
Questions asked:
0:35 - Why should I consider offering solar systems via leases – aka third-party ownership?
1:48 - Questions to ask of my business before offering TPO?
4:06 - Fundamental differences in leases vs loans, as a business model?
5:49 - Is there more work on the front end?
7:08 - How do I evaluate TPO providers? Fine print to watch for?
11:01 - How does TPO change my cashflow?
12:58 - How does a lease deal change my O&M strategy?
14:24 - What if a TPO customer wants to add a battery?
16:47 - Examples of how financing can sink or save a business?
Links
Learn more about BayWa r.e.'s financing options
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