895: What Elite Climbing Taught Alex Honnold About Focus, Fear, and Legacy

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 with Suvi Sharma, founder of Solaria and now co-founder and CEO of SolarCycle, to talk about what happens after solar works. Suvi explains why end-of-life planning, repowering, and material recovery are no longer edge cases - they’re becoming core infrastructure challenges for the industry.This conversation goes beyond recycling. It’s about maturity. About what it means for solar to grow up as an industry, and how decisions made twenty years ago are shaping today’s constraints - from glass durability to supply chains to capital planning.Suvi shares why he came out of “retirement” to start another company, how he’s building a system designed for scale, and what developers, operators, and policymakers are still underestimating.If you work anywhere near solar deployment, ownership, or manufacturing, this episode may change how you think about the full lifecycle.You made it this far — hit play.Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - [email protected] with your feedback & recommendations.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

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 tallest buildings, we thought it’d be useful to revisit what we learned from Alex about mental fortitude and his singular admonition to “do the thing”. Curious how Alex channels discomfort into growth? This episode explores the surprisingly grounded mental habits that drive one of the world’s most extreme athletes and how those same frameworks apply to business, energy, and impact.You’ll hear why Alex values silence over self-talk, how he trains for precision, and the personal philosophy that powers both record climbs and energy access projects. In addition, Nico reflects on the nature of preparation for such a mind-bending feat and how it extends to the world of business and clean energy.Expect to learn:🔹 Why muscle memory matters more than motivation at the highest level of performance🔹 How climbing helped Alex master “working backwards” and why it matters for entrepreneurs🔹 How free soloing shapes Alex’s views on risk, focus, and long-term legacy🔹 Why small details matter more than big goalsWhether you’re scaling a company, a building or a granite wall, this episode will sharpen how you think about goals, fear, and execution.Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - [email protected] with your feedback & recommendations.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

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 crumbling under our feet, everyone is right to ask “how will these projects actually get funded?!”So what’s actually broken?In this episode of SunCast, I sit down with Alfred Johnson, CEO and co-founder of Crux, to unpack how clean-energy finance actually works once a project leaves the slide deck — how pricing gets discovered, how risk is evaluated, how trust is established between parties who’ve never worked together, and why so much of the process still depends on manual workflows and bespoke negotiation.Alfred left a senior role at the U.S. Treasury after reading the Inflation Reduction Act and realizing it didn’t just expand incentives - it forced the creation of a brand-new market. One where buyers and sellers had to find each other without reference prices, standardized terms, or a shared operating system to move capital at scale. Crux exists to solve that coordination problem.We talk about:🔹The difference between money being available and money being usable🔹Why trust — not tax credits — becomes the real bottleneck in new markets🔹What breaks first when financing workflows don’t scale with market growth🔹Why standardization matters more than speed in early market formation🔹How Crux decided which parts of the capital stack to tackle first — and why order matteredThis is an episode about much more than tax credits.It’s about why markets fail even when money is available — and how they get rebuilt.If you care about how capital actually moves, why deals slow down, or what it really takes to scale the energy transition, this one’s worth your time.Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - [email protected] with your feedback &amp; recommendations.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo<a...

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 slow data centers down, today’s conversation asks a better question: Is the grid fit enough to handle what’s coming next?In this Tactical Tuesday episode, recorded live with the Smart Electric Power Alliance, we explore grid fitness — a new way of thinking about flexibility, planning, and speed to power.SEPA’s Ann Collier is joined by Tyler Norris and Nelson Abramson to break down what the data actually shows, what’s already working in the field, and what has to change upstream in planning and policy.Expect to learn:🔹 Why data centers expose grid weaknesses rather than cause them🔹 How 0.25% flexibility could unlock 76 GW of capacity🔹 What “planning-grade flexibility” really means🔹 Why batteries and design matter more than demand response🔹 How grid fitness changes interconnection strategyThis episode offers a front-row seat to how utilities, regulators, and hyperscalers can move from cautious conversation to confident execution.Hit play and reimagine what data centers can do.Why are you still reading? Let’s get into it.Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - [email protected] with your feedback &amp; recommendations.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

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 Octopus’s strategy:Is it a utility with great technology—or a technology company operating inside energy?Nick’s career spans California energy policy, years running East Bay Community Energy, and now scaling Octopus in the U.S. He brings an operator’s perspective on what it really takes to build and run energy businesses inside complex regulatory systems.The conversation also digs into Kraken—the software platform Octopus built internally and later spun out into a standalone, highly successful energy tech company. Nick explains why Kraken’s separation clarified Octopus’s identity, unlocked new utility partnerships, and changed how the company thinks about scale.AI enters the conversation not as hype, but as one of several forces reshaping demand, operations, and expectations across the grid.Expect to learn:🔹Why Octopus calls itself a consumer company that sells electricity🔹How Kraken grew from an internal tool into a global energy software business🔹Why partnering with utilities can scale faster than competing with them🔹Why regulatory engagement should be a profit center for energy companies🔹What energy leaders must unlearn to build companies that lastIf you care about how energy companies are actually built—and rebuilt—this episode delivers a clear-eyed look behind the curtain.🎧 Press play.Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - [email protected] with your feedback &amp; recommendations.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

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 landscape of power electronics, one material has been steadily gaining prominence due to its exceptional properties and transformative potential: Silicon Carbide (SiC). This remarkable semiconductor has revolutionized various industries, from automotive to aerospace, with its ability to operate at high temperatures, voltages and frequencies.As data centers and energy infrastructure increasingly need higher-voltage, higher-current devices to meet the demands for AI, this technology will enable the transition to a higher voltage platform while maintaining the high-efficiency requirements for continuously running, power-intensive systems.In today’s conversation, Josh Beck chats with Infineon Technologies’ Daniel Dalpiaz and Navid Riaz to explore the breakthrough hardware enabling the next generation of renewables, energy storage, EV charging, and high-power data centers. Infineon’s silicon carbide devices pack serious voltage into incredibly compact, rugged designs, and have become the “intel-inside” of the clean energy revolution.In this episode, you’ll hear how Infineon’s latest innovation could shrink your cooling system, boost reliability, and push clean energy forward at scale.Expect to learn:🔹 Why shrinking the form factor unlocks new potential for grid-connected renewables🔹 How silicon carbide and gallium nitride are changing power electronics🔹 The surprising sectors driving demand for Infineon’s new tech🔹 What 20x the power cycling capability actually means for reliabilityYou’re about to get a front-row seat to the tiny tech making a massive impact.Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - [email protected] with your feedback &amp; recommendations.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo<a href="https://my.captivate.fm/LinkedIn%20-%20https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

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 global Energy business, explains how AI and accelerated computing already support grid operations, solar and storage forecasting, and infrastructure planning across the energy sector.Nico and Marc explore why electrification and data center growth are reshaping demand patterns, how software-defined infrastructure helps utilities avoid costly missteps, and where AI delivers practical value today. This conversation focuses on real workflows, real constraints, and what energy leaders need to understand as the grid evolves.If you work in solar, storage, utilities, or grid infrastructure, this episode will sharpen how you think about the role of software in clean energy. And regardless what sector, you’ll certainly learn more about how one of the most exciting companies on the planet is enabling a cleaner and more efficient energy future! (P.S. we discuss some FREE tools you probably didn’t know exist…)🎧 Listen now and rethink how we can us ai to shape up our aging infrastructure.Expect to LearnHow NVIDIA supports grid operations beyond hardwareWhere AI already improves solar, storage, and forecastingWhy grid challenges increasingly involve coordination, not capacityWhat software-defined infrastructure means for utilitiesHow energy companies work with NVIDIA todayYou don’t have to be a technologist to benefit from this conversation. Marc makes it clear that AI is not replacing humans in energy, it’s supercharging what’s possible. This one is for the builders who want to stay ahead of the curve.Happy Building, #solarwarriors!Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - [email protected] with your feedback &amp; recommendations.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

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 demand of New York City. As electrification and data center expansion accelerate, public power and electric co-ops are on the front lines of solving this surge.Electric cooperatives and public utilities are facing a wave of electrification, data center load, and manufacturing demand that rivals the size of major cities. That’s what major power providers are up against — but they’re not backing down.This Tactical Tuesday episode is your front-row seat to a high-stakes, high-impact conversation hosted by Sheri Givens, CEO of SEPA. She’s joined by two utility leaders tackling today’s fastest-growing energy challenges while maintaining reliability, affordability, and equity.They deliver on active solutions - from smart customer programs to creative tariff structures and innovative infrastructure partnerships.Expect to learn:🔹 How utilities are planning for multi-gigawatt load growth🔹 What it takes to avoid blackouts during grid stress events🔹 How equity-driven programs are supporting underserved communities🔹 Why customer relationships are the new frontier in grid reliabilityIf you’re in clean energy, this is the episode that explains how the game is changing - and how leaders are rising to meet the moment.Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - [email protected] with your feedback &amp; recommendations.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

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 conversations on the SunCast Podcast, and wanted to highlight a few that stand out for their vision and which also got among the most downloads of the year. In 2025, the clean energy industry was finally thinking like Amazon, building like Ford, and investing like it’s personal. Today’s episode highlights some of the key moments in the SunCast Podcast that illustrated these points through conversations with a powerhouse lineup of leaders who have been influential in bringing attention to the sector in a year where “good news” was hard to come by.In a classic tell-all live interview, Dean Solon breaks down his revolutionary solar logistics model—equal parts fast food and supply chain genius. Jigar Shah returns with an urgent message: the energy transition will stall unless we, as an industry, stop underestimating the role of political power. And Alex Honnold (Oscar-winning extreme rock climber) offers a rare perspective on how personal ambition can align with global progress, and why he believes solar power is a great social justice tool.Expect to learn:🔹 How the Honnold Foundation fuels energy access in the Amazon🔹 The case for solar distribution hubs that run like McDonald’s kitchens🔹 Why scaling solar requires more than just tech—it takes soul🔹 Jigar Shah on what CEOs still get wrong about growth and supportFrom the factory floor to the forest canopy, you’ll hear how big bets, personal values, and systems thinking are driving the next wave of impact.Here’s to a more prosperous year ahead, hopefully with fewer hurdles &amp; headwinds!Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - [email protected] with your feedback &amp; recommendations.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo<a href="https://my.captivate.fm/LinkedIn%20-%20https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

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 episode of 2025, Aaron Nichols returns to SunCast with a mission: rescue storytelling from corporate cliché and remind us why one emotional story is worth a thousand graphs. His viral LinkedIn article Four Rules for Storytelling Corporate America Desperately Needs takes aim at how we confuse content creation with actual narrative power.Aaron and Nico dissect why storytelling in our industry so often falls flat and how to fix it.You’ll walk away with a practical, human-centered playbook for narrative that converts.Expect to learn:🔹 Why “make me care before you make your case” is rule #1 in marketing🔹 Why facts follow emotion, not the other way around🔹 How to build a story stack that scales with your business🔹 Why AI-generated content will never replace a real narrative🔹 The 4 essential story types every clean energy leader should masterThis episode will change how you think about marketing, leadership, and your next LinkedIn post.Get The Story Stack PDFHappy New Year!Let’s get it started right.Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - [email protected] with your feedback &amp; recommendations.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus