Episode Details

All jokes aside…

* Milestone episode (No. 150) and recap of recent studio activity, including filming a documentary segment with Nicolette Jaworski on our Data Center reporting. Her team recently produced a documentary short on another Ohio story.

* We then kick off the episode proper with the return of local super guest Jake Trubiano!

Gold Path Solar

* Performance and visibility impact of the Westwood Fieldhouse and Junction solar installations in Hilliard

* Recognition as 2025-2026 Ohio Installer of the Year and growth in residential solar business

* Sharp shift in demand due to expiration of the 30% residential solar tax credit

* Current installation volume, crew structure, and balancing residential vs. commercial workloads

* Industry contraction, including major company failures, and resulting surge in his own brand’s service/repair work

* Quality control issues in third-party installations (e.g., improper roof attachments/footers)

* Internal business model: profit sharing, family and friends-based workforce, and how operational cohesion

Conditions in the Wider Industry

* Importance of early-stage design coordination to optimize solar placement in new construction.

* Lack of “solar-ready” considerations in most residential builds despite low implementation cost.

* Policy and market tensions: anti-renewable state politics vs. rising electricity prices driving demand.

* Tariffs, domestic manufacturing constraints, and disruption of solar supply chains post-Inflation Reduction Act. Fumbling the ball as China accelerates.

* Future outlook: increased role of battery storage, grid age concerns, and status of net metering in Ohio.

We thank Jake for stopping by and we thank you our listeners!

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