Renewable Energy Community Relations with Heather Newport of Aileron Communications

President of Blue Water Battery Logistics, LLC.They discussed the company's business of handling surplus and recycling batteries, solar panels, and other energy equipment. Steve explained how Blue Water handles various battery types including LFP (lithium iron phosphate) and NMC (lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide), with recycling values ranging from $2 per pound to 10-20 cents per pound depending on the material and volume. They covered the process of battery recycling, including refurbishing used EV batteries and the challenges with consumer electronic batteries ending up in landfills. Steve also discussed the company's expansion plans, hiring 20 additional employees, and their business model of finding reuse or recycling solutions for surplus energy equipment rather than sending it to landfills.   Topics Covered Bluewater www.bluewaterbattery.com Pirates Battery Market Battery recycling, Reusing, Refurbishing, Repowering EV = Electric Vehicle Utility-scale storage V2G = Vehicle to Grid Battery management Solar surplus Transformer rehoming Cost reduction Second-life markets Clean energy supply 170’ sailboat! Reach out to Steve Feinberg here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/steve-feinberg Website: www.bluewaterbattery.com/ Email: [email protected]   Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean www.solarsean.com/esip

Plug-in solar legalization, large solar company closures, and the One Big Bogus Bill are examined in this episode. Aaron Nichols and Sean White bring decades of combined industry experience to each topic, covering state-level policy developments, market consolidation, and the potential impact of shifting federal tax credit structures on solar businesses and homeowners.   This podcast was stolen from Aaron Nichols. I dare you Aaron, sue me! It’s mine now. I am this week in solar!   Topics Covered This week in Solar www.youtube.com/@ThisWeekInSolar Plug-in Solar BBB = Big Beautiful Bill Tax Credit DIY Solar Balcony Solar No Permits (Plug-in Solar) Water Heating Solar Companies Going Bankrupt Solyndra Ray Kurzweil Evolution of Solar The Future Space Based Solar Moon   Reach out to Aaron Nichols here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-nichols This week in Solar: www.youtube.com/@ThisWeekInSolar Email: [email protected]   Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean solarsean.com/pva

This podcast episode featured Sean White's interview with Heather Newport, Director of Community Relations at Aileron, a Chicago-based community engagement and public affairs firm that works on renewable energy projects across the United States. Heather discussed the challenges of community opposition to renewable energy projects, particularly battery energy storage facilities, explaining that concerns often stem from misinformation, fear of the unknown technology, and distrust of developers rather than the actual safety of the technology. They explored how Aileron helps developers navigate community relations through early engagement, stakeholder outreach, and relationship building with local officials and residents, emphasizing the importance of listening to community concerns and providing transparent, authentic information about project safety and benefits.   Topics Covered Aileron Communications www.aileroninc.com Airplane Aileron Community Engagement in Public Affairs Politics Polarization ESS = Energy Storage System EV = Electric Vehicle Moss Landing Battery Data Center NIMBY = Not in my backyard Erin Brockovich   Reach out to Heather Newport here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/heathermonaghan Website: www.aileroninc.com   Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean solarsean.com/pvipexam

Dan Fletcher, Co-Founder and Head of Ecosystems at dcbel, discusses Ara - the company's integrated home energy station combining solar, battery storage, bidirectional EV charging, and grid connectivity in a single device designed to give homeowners greater control over their own energy supply. The conversation covers how vehicle-to-home technology works, its role in reducing grid stress during peak hours, virtual power plant integration, and the California Redwoods program. dcbel's approach removes redundant power conversion hardware, improving efficiency and lowering the cost of achieving genuine residential energy independence.   Topics Covered DCBEL www.dcbel.energy Decibel Home Energy Solar Integration ESS = Energy Storage System Battery Storage Nissan Leaf EV = Electric Vehicle EV Charging Bidirectional EV Charging Vehicle-to-Home Grid REDWOODS Program Energy Efficiency Residential Energy Power Conversion Distributed Energy Utility VPP = Virtual Power Plant CEC = California Energy Commission Queen’s University   Reach out to Dan Fletcher here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/fletcherdan Website: www.dcbel.energy   Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean http://solarsean.com/sfev

Millions of solar systems installed between 2010 and 2018 are approaching inverter end-of-life, creating a $3 billion repowering market. GoodWe Sales Manager Manny Aponte breaks down what repowering actually involves, why functional panels rarely need replacing, how modern inverters improve system performance, and where energy storage fits into the upgrade conversation. Recorded at the 2026 NABCEP Conference in Milwaukee.   Topics Covered NABCEP = North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners Vanguard 1 satellite GoodWe www.goodwe.com Repowering Inverter GE = General Electric White Labeling OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer VPP = Virtual Power Plant ESS = Energy Storage System   John Berger Episode Apple podcast YouTube Spotify Pandora Podbean Cesar Barbosa Episode Apple podcast YouTube Spotify Pandora Podbean Reach out to Manny Aponte here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mannyaponte Website: www.goodwe.com Email: [email protected]   Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean http://solarsean.com/esipexam

Bruce Anderson, CEO of 247Solar, explains how concentrated solar power using air and ceramic pellets can deliver reliable electricity around the clock. Unlike photovoltaic systems, 247Solar heats air to 1,000 degrees Celsius, stores that energy in insulated ceramic pellet silos, and uses a modified turbine to generate power at night. The system pairs with daytime solar PV, requires no exotic materials, and eliminates the need for battery backup.   Topics Covered 247Solar www.247solar.com 24 Hours Solar Energy Solar Hot Air 1,800°F/1000°C Air Heat Transfer Solar Thermal  Molten Salt ESS = Energy Storage System Turbine Mechanics Environmental Safety Ceramic Pellets   Reach out to Bruce Anderson here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bruceanderson Website: www.247solar.com   Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean solarsean.com/esipexam

Recorded at the NABCEP conference, solar educator Sean White and Rudy Saporite discuss the InterSolar Solar Games, a competitive installation event where certified teams race to complete a 4 kW rooftop system under timed, judged conditions. They also explore solar education strategies, the carbon lifecycle of renewable energy systems, and the importance of safety and code compliance in professional solar installation.   Topics Covered</ br> Solar Nerds</ br> Solar Education Code Trees EV = Electric Vehicle ICE = International Combustion Engines Flat Earth Solar Games InterSolar Rack Learning Curve Battery   Reach out to Rudy Saporite here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/rudy-saporite Website: www.ibts.org Email: [email protected]   Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean solarsean.com/pva

Eric Partyka, Director of Business Development at Standard Solar, explains how community solar works and why it matters. The conversation covers how renters, low-income households, and small businesses can subscribe to solar energy without rooftop panels, which states have adopted community solar programs and why others have not, and how utility deregulation shaped today's market. Standard Solar operates commercial projects ranging from one to five megawatts across more than twenty states.   Topics Covered Standard Solar www.standardsolar.com Standard Oil Oil Community Solar Utility DG = Distributed Generation Fossil Fuel   Sean’s trips: Going back to two dimensions Only land owners should vote Trickle down economics Rich people rights   Reach out to Eric Partyka here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/eric-partyka Email: [email protected] Website: www.standardsolar.com   Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean solarsean.com/pvipexam

Recorded live at the NABCEP 2026 conference, Sean White and Brian Hayden discuss the current state of NABCEP credentials, including updates to the PV Associate, the ESIP (Energy Storage Installation Professional), and the upcoming OMAT (Operation and Maintenance Associate Technician credential. They also cover Spanish language exam availability, the history and growth of HeatSpring as an online renewable energy education platform, and the expanding role of operations and maintenance in the solar industry as installed systems continue to age.   Topics Covered HeatSpring www.heatspring.com NABCEP = North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners www.nabcep.org Sean’s Training Impact JTA = Job Task Analysis PV Associate ESIP = Energy Storage Installation Professional Spanish Exams and AI OMAT = Operations & Maintenance Associate Technician HeatSpring Origin Story BPI = Building Performance Institute Building Performance Online to In Person Training Practice Exam PVCMS = PV Commissioning & Maintenance Specialist   Reach out to Brian Hayden here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/brianfhayden HeatSpring: www.heatspring.com   Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean solarsean.com/40hrpv

David Taylor, Solutions Expert at Anker Innovations, discusses the Anker Solix E10, a modular home energy storage system scalable from 6 to 90 kilowatt hours. The conversation covers solar compatibility, smart panel integration, generator pairing, and time-of-use optimization. Taylor also addresses installation options for both DIY homeowners and licensed electricians, portable power stations, and Anker's broader expansion from mobile charging into the residential energy storage market.   Topics Covered Anker Solix www.ankersolix.com Anker Solix E10 Anker Innovations Battery Solar DIY Inverter Off Grid & On Grid EMS = Energy Management System PCS = Power Control System Back Feeding the Grid Ul Listing DC = Direct Current AC = Alternating Current Balcony Solar Plug-in Solar EV = Electric Vehicle EV = Charging PPS = Portable Power Station   Reach out to David Taylor here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/david-taylor Website: www.ankersolix.com   Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean solarsean.com/esipexam