Podcast Episodes

The Interconnection Crisis: Why the Distribution Grid Is Holding Back Clean Energy | Samantha Weaver, CCSA

Season 16 Episode 813

The biggest threat to scaling community solar isn’t cost. It’s interconnection.

Live from the PowerUp Stage at RE+ Northeast, Samantha Weaver of the Coalition for Community Solar Access dives…

Published on 7 months ago

The Real Cost of Tariffs: What’s Stalling U.S. Solar Deployment | Andrew Birch & Kerim Baran

Season 16 Episode 812

You can buy solar panels in many places around the world for around 10 cents-a-watt— so why are Americans still paying an average of about $3.70 for every watt installed?

In this candid and f…

Published on 7 months, 1 week ago

The EV Tsunami Is Here. Are Utilities Ready? With Rachel Bryant | GridX

Season 16 Episode 811

What if the utility bill you barely understand holds the key to stabilizing the grid, accelerating electrification, and saving you money?

Rachel Bryant has spent nearly 20 years navigating th…

Published on 7 months, 1 week ago

Inside Texas’ Renewable Energy Boom—and the Policy Risks Ahead | Doug Lewin & Nico Johnson

Season 16 Episode 810

Texas: where oil and gas once reigned supreme—and now, renewables are rewriting the rules.

In this special live episode recorded at Intersolar & Energy Storage North America 2025, Doug Lewin …

Published on 7 months, 2 weeks ago

Storytelling > Specs: How To Sell Anything Better In 2025

Season 16 Episode 809

“Don’t pitch slap me.”

That’s the line Spenser Meeks uses to describe the all-too-common trap most any professional falls into when presenting information (Usually via presentation decks) — j…

Published on 7 months, 2 weeks ago

Solar Loans Are Broken — Atmos Has The Fix

Season 16 Episode 808

The FinTech Reboot Solar Has Been Waiting For

What happens when local banks finally start playing ball in solar lending? Ravi Mikkelsen is here to tell us.

In this “Where Are They Now” episode…

Published on 7 months, 3 weeks ago

Say Goodbye to 'Virtual Power Plants' — Embrace Demand Flexibility

Season 16 Episode 807

“Virtual power plant” might be trending—but Eversource’s Tilak Subrahmanian says it misses the mark.

In this RE+ Northeast PowerUp Live stage interview, Nico sits down with Tilak for a refres…

Published on 7 months, 3 weeks ago

Inside MIT’s Solutions Factory: Scaling Climate Tech 2.0 | Ben Downing, The Engine

Season 16 Episode 806

What’s blocking our climate tech breakthroughs?

It’s not the tech. It’s the process.

Ben Downing has seen the system from both sides—first as a Massachusetts state senator, then as VP at Nexam…

Published on 8 months ago

Why Energy Storage Is the Linchpin of America’s Clean Energy Future | Joan White, SEIA

Season 16 Episode 805

The U.S. grid is facing its biggest stress test since WWII. The answer? Batteries.

Joan White, Director of Storage & Interconnection Policy at SEIA, joins Nico on the PowerUp Live stage at RE…

Published on 8 months ago

From DOE to IREC: Maria Robinson’s Mission to Modernize Energy Access

Season 16 Episode 804

When Maria Robinson took the helm at the Grid Deployment Office within the US Department of Energy (US DOE), she stepped into one of the most pivotal (and difficult) roles in the clean energ…

Published on 8 months, 1 week ago