Nico Johnson takes you into conversations with those at the forefront of Renewable Energy. SunCast gives an inside look into what is happening in renewable energy. From conversations with the biggest Solar Panel manufacturers in the world to the small startups creating the future of renewable energy, such as carbon capture and battery technology breakthroughs. SunCast is dedicated to providing the knowledge, research, tools and expert guidance you need to understand, grow and be ahead of the curve in the fastest-growing markets in the world. Featuring over 800 conversations, Nico has interviewed people from Tesla, SolarCity, Trina Solar, Meyer Burger, Conergy...
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Sep 29, 2026 · 43:58
If robotic automation is becoming inevitable in utility-scale solar, where does that thesis run into the realities of actually building a power plant? That's the question behind…
Sep 24, 2026 · 1:09:21
What does it actually take to build a company someone else eventually wants to buy? For Jason Kaminsky and kWh Analytics, the answer was 11 years, three major pivots, a…
Sep 22, 2026 · 16:42
Data centers need enormous amounts of power, and apparently they need it fast . What if some of the outrageous sums of money they’re willing to spend to get that power went…
Sep 17, 2026 · 1:08:58
Buildings consume an enormous amount of energy. We have plenty of technologies that could make them perform better. So why is the real estate industry often so slow to adopt…
Sep 15, 2026 · 15:23
In Australia, residential solar and storage can be installed for about $2 a watt. In the U.S., a comparable system can cost more than twice that. Why? Barry Cinnamon was curious…
Sep 10, 2026 · 1:18:02
When Charlotte Meerstadt put solar on her Amsterdam home, the numbers made sense. Then Charlotte moved to the U.S. and rented out the apartment. The solar panels kept doing…
Sep 8, 2026 · 13:30
Germany has turned plug-in solar from a fringe idea into a mainstream energy product found in millions of homes. And the biggest lessons for the U.S. aren't really about solar…
Sep 3, 2026 · 1:13:44
The best technology does not always win. Sass Peress has spent nearly four decades learning why. Since entering solar in 1988, he has built companies, introduced new…
Sep 1, 2026 · 54:21
While many solar companies are fighting to stay afloat, Exact Solar is flying. After growing 23% and then 50% in the previous two years, the Pennsylvania installer says it's up…
Aug 27, 2026 · 1:22:18
America needs more power. Data centers are accelerating demand, utilities are planning billions of dollars in new infrastructure, and households will ultimately help pay for much…
Aug 25, 2026 · 58:18
En Latinoamérica, la oportunidad no siempre está donde se anuncia más capacidad, sino donde existe una combinación real de demanda, capital comprometido y capacidad de ejecución.…
Aug 21, 2026 · 55:52
Good companies don't automatically get noticed. And doing good work isn't enough to ensure that customers, investors, journalists, communities, or increasingly AI systems…
Aug 18, 2026 · 19:06
Solar construction has always depended on experienced crews adapting to whatever the jobsite throws at them. But what happens when the industry needs to build more projects than…
Aug 13, 2026 · 1:08:38
Australia has spent years ahead of many markets on the distributed solar adoption curve. Now it is giving the rest of us an early look at what happens when millions of those…
Aug 11, 2026 · 45:10
Utilities used to plan around relatively predictable demand. That assumption is disappearing. In this opening keynote from Intersolar & Energy Storage North America Midwest, Nico…
Aug 6, 2026 · 1:19:42
Pepper Construction has survived the Great Depression, World War II, multiple recessions, and a global pandemic. As the family business approaches its 100th anniversary, its next…
Aug 4, 2026 · 25:55
After building and selling multiple companies, Marc Lopata has learned that the decisions that shape a business are rarely the ones people celebrate. They're the small decisions,…
Jul 30, 2026 · 54:51
We know how to build power. Every day, the clean energy industry builds more of it. But there's another kind of power that's far more difficult to generate—and arguably even more…
Jul 28, 2026 · 27:41
Few people have had a front-row seat to the evolution of the modern solar industry quite like Jeff Spies. Over four decades, Jeff has helped shape the industry as an engineer,…
Jul 23, 2026 · 1:12:55
Plug-in solar has the potential to change far more than how or where we install solar panels. I believe it could fundamentally change who gets to participate in the energy…
Jul 21, 2026 · 18:11
The most expensive mistakes on a solar project usually aren't made during the install. They're made long before anyone arrives on site. Greg Smith has spent nearly two decades…
Jul 16, 2026 · 51:33
David Holmes has spent decades at the intersection of energy and technology, giving him a front-row seat to one of the biggest shifts our industry has ever faced. As Global…
Jul 14, 2026 · 19:27
Battery recycling is about to become one of the most important pieces of the clean energy transition. But before we can build a true circular economy, there's a problem hiding in…
Jul 11, 2026 · 21:32
Heather Reams spends her days at the intersection of clean energy and public policy, helping shape conversations with lawmakers about how the U.S. meets rapidly growing…
Jul 9, 2026 · 1:17:38
One of the most common assumptions in business is that responsibility should be earned only after years of experience. After more than two decades as a Navy F/A-18 fighter pilot…
Jul 7, 2026 · 24:04
A single battery cell can shut down an entire storage plant. It's one of the many operational realities that make battery storage fundamentally different from solar, and one of…
Jul 2, 2026 · 30:57
Last year, solar and storage accounted for more than 80% of all new power generation capacity added in the United States. So why does our industry still behave like the underdog?…
Jun 30, 2026 · 25:42
For decades, the energy industry has treated its biggest challenge as building more power. Sean Kelly thinks that's the wrong question. As CEO and co-founder of Amperon, Sean…
Jun 25, 2026 · 23:53
Everyone agrees we need more distributed energy. The harder question is: who pays for it? That's the question Molly Bauch has been wrestling with. As North American Connected…
Jun 23, 2026 · 55:44
What determines whether a battery project performs safely over its lifetime? According to Kathleen McCaffery and Jeff Zwijack, the answer has as much to do with process,…
Jun 19, 2026 · 36:26
There are 43 years of decisions compressed into this episode. And if you work in energy, utilities, infrastructure, manufacturing, or public policy, it's worth your attention.…
Jun 17, 2026 · 27:20
Leadership transitions reveal what companies value most. When FTC Solar recently tapped Anthony Carroll as the new CEO, they chose someone who has spent more than two decades…
Jun 11, 2026 · 27:40
What if the most compelling case for clean energy isn't climate change, economics, or energy independence? What if it's public health? Former EPA Administrator Michael Regan has…
Jun 9, 2026 · 21:21
Rare earths are having a moment. And if you work anywhere near clean energy, batteries, EVs, data centers, defense, or domestic manufacturing, this conversation should be on your…
Jun 4, 2026 · 21:40
Risk looks different depending on where you're standing. In Episode 936 (Jason Kaminsky & 2026 The Solar Risk Assessment), we explored risk through the lens of data, operations,…
Jun 2, 2026 · 37:41
Solar projects are increasingly being financed and operated as long-life infrastructure assets. That means the industry can no longer rely on assumptions about risk—we need…
May 28, 2026 · 54:55
A solar moratorium nearly shut down Alabama’s emerging solar market before most of the industry even saw it coming. For years, the prevailing assumption has been that clean…
May 26, 2026 · 20:34
Climatetech is entering a different phase. The era of easy capital, oversized narratives, and growth-at-all-costs expectations is giving way to something more demanding:…
May 21, 2026 · 1:00:30
Clean energy has made tremendous progress on technology. Solar is cheaper. Batteries are scaling. Virtual power plants are becoming real grid assets. Electrification is…
May 19, 2026 · 21:13
Battery storage is becoming one of the most complicated sales conversations in residential solar. Installers are now navigating different sizing requirements, shifting homeowner…
May 15, 2026 · 23:01
Electricity demand is rising fast. But New York is asking a different question than most states: What kind of demand is actually worth building for? In this live conversation…
May 12, 2026 · 29:04
AI data centers are changing more than electricity demand. They are changing how the grid itself has to operate. Legacy data centers behaved with relatively flat, predictable…
May 7, 2026 · 1:09:58
The grid is getting more crowded. EVs. Heat pumps. Batteries. Rooftop solar. Flexible demand. What used to be a system built around a few thousand centralized assets is rapidly…
May 5, 2026 · 28:42
Australia is installing solar and batteries for about $2 a watt. In the U.S., it’s closer to $5.50. So why do we still have this huge gap? Barry Cinnamon went to Australia to…
Apr 30, 2026 · 1:04:46
Rebuilding solar manufacturing in the U.S. is not just about capital or policy. It is about making the right bets at the right time. It comes down to timing, experience, and the…
Apr 28, 2026 · 23:23
Are data centers starting to bypass the grid? A growing share of planned projects are pairing with behind-the-meter generation, and the shift has happened quickly. At the same…
Apr 23, 2026 · 25:46
Most people [who have been in the industry awhile] have opinions about SunEdison. This is one of the first times Ahmad Chatila and Jigar Shah have sat down together to compare…
Apr 21, 2026 · 26:05
Dean Solon has always been a pattern matcher. Across projects, conversations, and time in the field, he’s constantly picking up on what’s changing — where pressure is building,…
Apr 18, 2026 · 28:49
You can now plug solar panels into a wall outlet in some states. No permits. No installer or electrician even required? Just… plug it in. So who’s responsible when that system…
Apr 16, 2026 · 1:23:28
What does it actually take to earn trust at the highest levels of utility-scale solar? Tyler Nelson has a perspective few in the industry can claim. As founder of Revamp…
Apr 14, 2026 · 27:20
Most energy professionals believe the data will win. John Szoka did too. After a career in the military and time in the North Carolina legislature, Szoka followed the facts and…
Apr 11, 2026 · 26:36
If it takes more than one meeting to explain what you do, you have a messaging problem. In this live conversation from Intersolar North America, Nico Johnson sits down with…
Apr 9, 2026 · 1:09:48
Nico had the chance to sit down in person with today’s guest — and as you’d expect, that face-to-face conversation brings a level of depth, candor, and nuance you don’t always…
Apr 7, 2026 · 22:35
Every year, the industry says the same thing. “C&I solar is about to take off!” And yet, it never quite scales the way we expect. Could this year finally be the year? In this…
Apr 2, 2026 · 46:58
What do you do when your entire market disappears? That’s not a thought experiment for Michael Bergey . It’s the story of his career. Long before solar dominated rooftops,…
Mar 31, 2026 · 40:35
The residential solar playbook did not just change. It got torn up. If you are still operating like yesterday’s incentives, product assumptions, and sales motions will carry you…
Mar 28, 2026 · 27:46
Long duration energy storage has spent years sitting in the “we’ll need it someday” category. Not anymore. As grid strain grows, data center demand surges, and reliability…
Mar 26, 2026 · 1:00:48
Most conversations about agrivoltaics stay at the surface. Rebekah Pierce didn’t set out to become a voice for solar. She was trying to solve a much simpler problem: How do you…
Mar 24, 2026 · 1:10:40
AI isn’t just increasing demand for electricity - it’s changing how power behaves. In this Tactical Tuesday, Nico Johnson sits down with Jon Parrella of Terraflow Energy to break…
Mar 21, 2026 · 27:23
Russell Gold has spent years explaining the energy transition from the outside. First as one of The Wall Street Journal’s leading energy reporters, and now from inside one of…
Mar 19, 2026 · 1:25:02
Most C&I solar projects don’t fall short because of the solar itself. They struggle because deals aren’t structured correctly, markets are misunderstood, or developers take on…
Mar 17, 2026 · 24:34
Clean energy is winning on cost. Solar and storage are cheaper than ever. Deployment is accelerating. The economics are undeniable. So why does it still feel like the industry is…
Mar 14, 2026 · 29:09
If you want to understand where the energy industry is heading, pay attention to the journalists tracking it every day. Thankfully, we get to sit down with three of the most…
Mar 12, 2026 · 1:16:22
What does serious capital actually look for in the energy transition? In this episode, Nico sits down with Brendan Bell , Co-Founder of Aligned Climate Capital and a former…
Mar 10, 2026 · 29:41
From Davos to data centers, Axios reporter explains the new rules of power. Amy Harder is one of the most widely read and respected reporters covering the intersection of energy,…
Mar 5, 2026 · 1:42:45
For nearly a decade, Abby Hopper served as President and CEO of SEIA, the Solar Energy Industries Association, representing the U.S. solar industry through one of its most…
Mar 3, 2026 · 19:13
Every year, there is a new “crisis” in solar. And yet… the industry keeps growing. With leadership transition underway at the Solar Energy Industries Association, Darren Van’t…
Feb 26, 2026 · 1:00:12
Most energy projects look solid on paper. Fewer stay on track in the field. Brandon Moss sees the difference every day. Energy demand is rising. Load growth is real. Timelines…
Feb 24, 2026 · 18:55
Listen to the full 2.5 hour episode here: https://suncast.media/episodes/900 Most companies don’t fail because of strategy. They fail because standards slip. In this 13-minute…
Feb 21, 2026 · 1:00:59
Battery storage is scaling fast. But scaling portfolios exposes weaknesses most owners never see coming. As projects move from single sites to gigawatt-hour fleets, many IPPs…
Feb 17, 2026 · 14:16
“This is not an offensive play. It’s a defensive play. It’s a must win.” That’s how Sheldon Kimber describes AI for companies like Google. If your business depends on organizing…
Feb 12, 2026 · 2:32:08
T.J. Rodgers has built — and rebuilt — billion-dollar companies across semiconductors, energy, storage, and manufacturing. In this 2.5-hour Episode 900 deep dive, he walks…
Feb 10, 2026 · 36:10
Conference season is back, and if you are heading to Intersolar and Energy Storage North America 2026, this episode is your unfair advantage. Nico Johnson sits down with the…
Feb 5, 2026 · 1:19:48
Modern founders spend years building toward a hopeful exit or liquidity event. Almost no one talks about what comes after the acquisition. In this episode, Nico Johnson sits down…
Feb 3, 2026 · 19:52
Want to grow a billion-dollar business? You need better systems, not just better ideas. Adam James has had a front-row view as Energy Impact Partners has scaled from a $500M fund…
Jan 30, 2026 · 1:03:57
The solar industry scaled faster than almost anyone expected. But in the rush to deploy, one part of the system never fully got built. In this episode, Nico Johnson sits down…
Jan 28, 2026 · 16:08
What goes through Alex Honnold’s mind when he’s thousands of feet off the ground without a rope? After his first-ever Taipei 101 Live Broadcast ascent of one of the world’s…
Jan 23, 2026 · 1:02:34
Clean energy should be easy to finance. The money exists. The technology works. The demand is real. And yet, projects stall. Deals drag. Capital gets stuck. And with the IRA…
Jan 21, 2026 · 29:08
Data centers aren’t the problem. They’re the stress test. As AI-driven demand surges, the grid is being pushed in ways it was never designed for. But instead of asking how to…
Jan 15, 2026 · 25:00
What does a modern energy company actually look like? In this episode, Nick Chaset, CEO of Octopus Energy US , joins Nico Johnson to explore a question that sits at the center of…
Jan 13, 2026 · 17:04
Big things come in small packages. Could something smaller than a deck of cards be instrumental in our ability to meet the needs of the energy transition? In the ever-evolving…
Jan 8, 2026 · 53:26
The power grid isn’t just growing (at unprecedented rates!) It’s becoming more complex, more distributed, and harder to manage. In this episode, Marc Spieler, who leads NVIDIA’s…
Jan 6, 2026 · 29:31
The energy grid is facing a challenge unlike anything we’ve seen before. Think about this: one Virginia co-op has over 20 GW of demand in its queue. That’s more than the energy…
Jan 1, 2026 · 35:02
2025 was a year of hardship for many, yet it was also a crucible for entrepreneurs, developing grit, resilience and perspective. We were able to capture some phenomenal…
Dec 30, 2025 · 58:22
What do a struggling mom in Georgia and a solar installer named Jim have in common? Their stories can change elections and shape public perception of clean energy. In this final…
Dec 24, 2025 · 43:11
🎄 Pull up a chair and pour some eggnog. It’s time for the first-ever SunCast Christmas episode. This special holiday edition brings together the full SunCast leadership…
Dec 22, 2025 · 23:30
Can the city known for oil & gas become the center of clean energy? In this powerhouse episode, we meet Jane Stricker , SVP of Energy Transition at the Greater Houston…
Dec 20, 2025 · 26:14
Solar is finally getting smarter. And faster - thanks to…robots? Recorded live at RE+ 2025, this episode takes you behind the scenes of solar’s most advanced innovations — from…
Dec 18, 2025 · 1:01:42
Most people in solar avoid the uncomfortable conversation: what happens when systems age, warranties expire, components fail, and the original installer is long gone. Cesar…
Dec 16, 2025 · 26:21
The rules of the game have changed. Have you figured out the OB3 playbook? From massive tax credit shifts to permitting bottlenecks and foreign entity restrictions, the so-called…
Dec 11, 2025 · 15:37
AI is pushing the grid to its limits — and transformers are now the critical path for both data centers and renewable projects. Today’s guest, Doug Banty , EVP at Forgent (and…
Dec 9, 2025 · 14:22
What’s your plan when the power goes out? If you think a generator is your only option, think again.Today’s conversation, live from our RE+ PowerUp Live stage, Rachel Stotts of…
Dec 4, 2025 · 18:57
“Speed to Power” is the new race — but can the grid keep up? Hyperscalers, AI, and industrial demand are pushing load growth from flat to vertical. Yet most projects still take…
Dec 2, 2025 · 55:28
This Giving Tuesday, SunCast brings you three powerful stories of how clean energy is transforming communities, saving lives, and unlocking local climate action. Host Nico…
Nov 27, 2025 · 1:01:16
Can getting a solar permit be as fast as ordering takeout? Permitting may be the most boring part of solar, but it's also the biggest bottleneck. That’s what Matthew McAllister…
Nov 25, 2025 · 34:03
America’s about to make a big bet on critical minerals and rare earths. In case you missed it, the DOE just reorganized and announced a major initiative around the refining of…
Nov 20, 2025 · 29:58
In 2008, Fluence installed one of the first lithium-ion battery systems ever connected to the U.S. grid. Back then, the idea of a domestic battery supply chain felt…
Nov 18, 2025 · 39:09
Most solar projects are still built the hard way—treating structure, electrical, and software as separate scopes that have to be stitched together in the field. But the teams…
Nov 13, 2025 · 27:50
Batteries aren’t just supporting the grid anymore, they are defending the grid. Chris Finley, CCO of TruGrid , joins Nico on stage at PowerUp Live to explain how battery storage…
Nov 11, 2025 · 19:42
A Powerwall delivery truck flipped. No fire. No smoke. Seemed safe. They tossed those Powerwalls into a landfill. Four days later—explosion! That incident didn’t just make…
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