705: A Plastic Pollution Solution: How PlantSwitch’s Bioplastics Lead the Way, with CEO Dillon Baxter

How can we meet the growing demands for renewable energy without losing precious agricultural land? Agrivoltaics! It’s one of the most exciting growth sectors in solar energy! This approach leverages solar photovoltaic (PV) systems without losing the property’s agricultural capabilities, thus unlocking fertile and scarce land’s dual-use potential. Few have done as much to proliferate education on this topic as Dan French, Executive Producer of the Solar Farm Summit.  We recently had Dan take over as a stand-in host for Nico, and he invited Mr. Dave Gahl, Executive Director at the Solar and Storage Industries Institute to discuss all that agrivoltaic promises and what barriers still hold this promising vertical back.  French and Gahl provide insights from the field where these practices are helping to stabilize farm revenue, enhance biodiversity, and support renewable energy goals. Expect to learn:Key barriers to wider agrivoltaics adoptionHow The Solar Farm Summit’s case studies help to standardize templates like grazing contracts and insurance agreementsCurrent funding opportunities for agrivoltaics projectsDiscover how agrivoltaics is offering a win-win solution for farmers, energy producers, and the environment. And don’t miss out on the best annual agrivoltaics conference, happening in just a few weeks in Chicago - the www.solarfarmsummit.com!If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 650 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.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

I learned a staggering statistic recently: Almost 90% of solar panels are thrown away when they reach the end of their useful life.  In 2016, The International Renewable Energy Agency projected that 78 million tons of solar waste would be created by 2050. Within that waste sits a goldmine of opportunity: $15 billion in recyclable materials that most of the industry is simply ignoring. One entrepreneur, however, is transferring his e-waste knowledge and experience to this relatively new high-tech waste problem.Adam Saghei (sah-gah-ee), the CEO and founder of We Recycle Solar, has translated his background in reverse logistics and managing e-waste into building one of the largest utility-scale solar recycling operations in the world. Along the way, he discovered that off-the-shelf technology would only get them so far, so, he built the technology required to increase throughput and therefore accelerate recycling capacity. But, it’s still not enough.   WRS has the capacity to process 7,500 modules a day (345,000 lbs) and 69 million pounds in a year, (the weight of 700 Boeing 737 jets). Still, they’ll need FOUR full-scale facilities the size of their Yuma, AZ processing plant to even begin to address the current (not future) waste stream. It is yet to be proven whether we as an industry will embrace the opportunity to recycle. Like all recycling, it requires a higher end-of-life cost for processing. So, the real question is, “what price is acceptable, and who will pay it?”Expect to learn:The complexities and hurdles faced in recycling solar panels.The cost of recycling solar panels vs landfilling them.We Recycle Solar’s “hot knife” method. Strategies for reducing solar waste The latest advancements in solar panel recycling.Curious how you can help reduce solar waste? Listen in and expand your knowledge on end-of-life solar module management.If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 650 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.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

When it comes to certifications and training in the solar industry, one name (or label) stands out and is recognized as the gold standard: NABCEP.&nbsp; The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners is the certifying body for Solar PV and Battery Installers here in North America, and I’ve been told that the NABCEP certification test is as hard as the Professional Engineering (PE) exam! And, one trainer is the top educator for NABCEP (and many other areas of solar) in North America…Nico sat down with Sean White, a leading figure in solar education for more than 16 years, during the recent NABCEP Conference. Sean is also the IREC Trainer of the Year and Trainer of the Decade award winner; suffice to say, Sean's expertise is at another level.&nbsp;Sean’s "Introduction to Solar PV Design, Installation and Code - Self Study" is one of the most popular and reviewed courses in the industry - 11,0000+ students and nearly 2000 positive reviews!Think you’re ready to take the exam? Try Sean’s FREE NABCEP PV Certification Practice Exam!&nbsp;Never heard of Sean?&nbsp; Give today’s episode a listen, and we’re sure you’ll agree that he’s one of the most informative and entertaining educators in the industry today.Expect to learn:How earning a NABCEP PV Associate credential can boost your career&nbsp;Insights into the NABCEP certification process.How to find NABCEP-certified professionals in your areaWhether you're a seasoned solar veteran or new to the field, Sean's insights will equip you with valuable information to advance your solar career. You can find Sean’s courses on HeatSpring.Disclaimer: we may earn an affiliate income if you use any of the links here to pay for a course on Heatspring. Thank you in advance for supporting SunCast by supporting your OWN growth and advancement in this industry. Good luck and let us know how you’re doing!If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 650 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.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:<a href="https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo"...

Mary Powell, CEO of Sunrun, has cast the vision of the leading solar brand in North America as a clean energy lifestyle company. She recently shared with Nico how Sunrun is accelerating the transition and nearing its millionth customer despite the typical electric utilities' “no and slow” culture.Under Powell's leadership, Sunrun installed more than 1 GW of solar in 2023, maintaining its position as the nation's leading residential solar provider. Even more impressive, perhaps, is how Sunrun’s “year of energy storage” netted an unprecedented growth rate of battery attachment to solar projects. They’ve also set a few key milestones in key markets like CA and Puerto Rico for grid services of distributed batteries.As a former utility executive, Nico asserts that Powell is “bilingual”, understanding how to navigate and communicate in both the private sector and Utility environments facilitating the integration of more renewables into the grid. Now, she is proving that distributed energy resources (like rooftop solar) can support grid reliability when networked as virtual power plants (VPPs), and promises we are in the midst of a ‘customer-led revolution’.Expect to learn:Details of the largest virtual power plant (VPP) in the nation.Why “customer obsession” is key to consumer confidence.The role of virtual power plants in creating a resilient grid.How Sunrun achieved a 50% storage attachment rate.Click play to hear directly from the CEO proving that distributed energy resources can support a stronger, more resilient grid.If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 650 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.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

Anti-dumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD) are nothing new; they have plagued US-based solar developers and decision-makers since 2011. These duties, aimed at preventing unfair trade practices, greatly impact pricing and timelines of solar projects and generally seed uncertainty in the marketplace (at the outset, at least).&nbsp; We now have a new round of trade investigations being undertaken by the US Dept. of Commerce. What’s at stake, and who will be most impacted?AD/CVD investigations were initiated 13 years ago to address concerns in the marketplace that Chinese-based solar module manufacturers were unfairly influencing fair market price of solar panels through dumping and government subsidies. On May 15th, 2024, the International Trade Administration (ITA) announced a new investigation into PV cells.&nbsp; This time, however, it goes beyond mainland China and focuses on 4 additional countries of origin — Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia — countries that presently supply about 80% of the US's solar modules. These potential duties, ranging from 50% to 250%, aim to prevent dumping (the sale of foreign goods in the U.S. at significantly lower than U.S. prices) and protect domestic manufacturing. Yet, many are of the opinion that it’s just going to create more market uncertainty and further slow the progress of solar energy deployment.&nbsp;Dan Shreve, VP of Market Intelligence, and Christian Roselund, Senior Policy Analyst at Clean Energy Associates (CEA) are veritable market experts on the topic, so I asked them to help us understand whether the recent AD/CVD investigations are expected to profoundly impact procurement in the coming months and what else this trade case may implicate in the US market looking out into 2025.&nbsp;Expect to learn:A short history of Anti-dumping and countervailing duties.&nbsp;How AD/CVD investigations affect solar imports and project timelines.CEA’S expectations for upcoming tariff rulings, rates, and their impact on future pricing.Dan and Christian offer clear insights to help you navigate these changes. Whether you're a developer, IPP, or decision-maker, this episode will equip you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions in the coming months.&nbsp;Worried AD/CVD will impact your solar projects? Listen in to find out if you’re at risk!If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 650 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.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:<a...

In the solar industry, we’re often building the plane as we fly it, as it were.&nbsp;This is ever-moreso evident in commercial and industrial (C&amp;I) solar, a relatively untapped market with unique challenges. One of the key areas of failure is a lack of funding.&nbsp; And, often, the culprit that leads to failed projects or lack of funding (ie, un-interested buyers) is poor processes.&nbsp; So how do you teach due diligence and standardize processes when it seems we’ve been making them up as you go for so long??&nbsp;Despite it still, at times, feeling like the wild west in solar development, there are numerous industry veterans who have vetted and validated hundreds, even thousands of projects and developed simple checklists, toolkits, and data room best practices to help any developer willing to seek professional guidance.Keith Cronin, Founder &amp; CEO of SunHedge and instructor for HeatSpring, is a pioneer in the U.S. and Pacific Island solar markets. In today's episode, Keith shares his journey from helping shape Hawaii's solar market with Jigar Shah to teaching hundreds of organizations how to fine-tune their own best-practices, financial models and project diligence efforts. Along the way, Keith has helped to build trust in the market and innovative financial models for getting projects across the finish line.&nbsp;Expect to learn:Specific strategies for strong financial models and building trust for your solar project.&nbsp;Tools you can deploy immediately for more accurate assumptions in your models and risk reduction in C&amp;I solar projects, in particular.Keith’s perspective on how we can bring more people in from other industries like oil and gas, real estate, and tech.Careful listeners will learn (and see) how to use Keith’s FREE project screening tool, or gain access to his bestselling course, Solar Executive MBA Training, on Heatspring.&nbsp;Finally, if you’re ready to further develop your own thought leadership or share your expertise, check out Solar Academy, a social knowledge platform for the solar energy industry. If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 650 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.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"...

Ever get annoyed when you order takeout and they give you the obligatory plastic wrapped napkin and plastic cutlery? If you’re like me, you politely decline, but most just take them and dispose of them directly in the waste bin.The world is drowning in plastic waste, and current solutions to a useful alternative aren't cutting it.&nbsp;PlantSwitch, a North Carolina-based startup co-founded by Dillon Baxter, uses agricultural byproducts to create a durable, plastic-like resin. With it, they aim to tackle the world of disposable cutlery. Their products are 100% compostable and decompose naturally, even without the need for commercial composting facilities.If your response to compostable cutlery is an eye-roll because they are neither reliable nor compostable, you’re in good company with Dillon.&nbsp; That’s why when he takes a potential investor out to dinner, he invites them to cut into a thick steak with one of his compostable knives…they usually invest. And with those investments, PlantSwitch is opening a new facility in Sanford, North Carolina, where they can produce 50 million pounds of truly compostable bioplastic resin annually! Until now, there was really nobody providing a wide-scale alternative to single-use plastics; Tune in to hear how PlantSwitch is pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the biodegradable plastics industry.Expect to learn:How traditional plastic recycling is broken.How PlantSwitch uses agricultural waste to create compostable products.The real story behind consumer recycling (it’s more sinister than you might think).Discover how PlantSwitch is transforming the plastic industry. Listen now!If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 650 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.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

If we’re going to address climate change through capitalism, we’ll need about $10 Trillion.&nbsp;The growing climate crisis demands that we take urgent action, but early-stage climate entrepreneurs still face significant barriers in finding the funding to bring their innovations to market.&nbsp;CEO and co-founder of Enduring Planet, Dimitry Gershenson, offers a solution to a critical funding gap climate entrepreneurs face. After building the Energy Access program at Facebook and seeing first-hand how hard it was to get access to this much-needed startup capital, Dimitry has leveraged his experiences and network to create a fintech platform that provides fast, flexible, and founder-friendly working capital to climate-focused startups.Enduring Planet offers non-dilutive capital (funding that doesn’t require a founder to give up equity or ownership) and comprehensive financial advisory services to help climate entrepreneurs navigate funding challenges. By doing so, they enable these startups to accelerate their projects and make significant strides in the fight against climate change.Expect to learn:Practical advice for securing and managing funding in the climate tech space.The unique financial hurdles faced by climate entrepreneurs (and how we can overcome them).How Enduring Planet’s innovative grant advance product works.Why non-dilutive capital is critical for early-stage companies.Dimitry’s story of transitioning from Peace Corps volunteer to climate finance leader.Hit play to find out more about Enduring Planet’s innovative climate finance solutions.If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 650 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.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

Struggling with imposter syndrome? You're not alone.&nbsp;Returning guest (Ep 333, 687) Paula Glover, President of the Alliance to Save Energy, delves into one of the most common emotional challenges faced by leaders and entrepreneurs. Paula gets real about the self-doubt leaders face and the importance of authenticity in leadership. It’s rare to get this kind of honesty in a b2b podcast conversation, and Paula does it with guts and grace.As the head of the Alliance to Save Energy, Paula has been a champion for diversity and inclusion in the energy sector. Her experience shows how crucial personal growth and self-awareness are for effective leadership. The conversation touches on the significance of self-reflection, the power of words, and the responsibility that comes with leadership roles.&nbsp;If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, you’re in good company.&nbsp; Oprah Winfrey, Maya Angelou,Tom Hanks and David Bowie are among the many professional performers, unquestionably successful, who’ve battled the self-talk and emotional rollercoaster of feeling like an imposter.&nbsp;Ready to conquer your own imposter syndrome and lead with confidence? Listen in to hear Paula's empowering stories and actionable advice. If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 650 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.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

He came to America with ten thousand dollars and a dream of making it big. A few years later, he was a legitimate rock star, rocking arenas with Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osborne.&nbsp; So why did this British rocker who achieved the height of music stardom give it all up and start an EV charging business? How did that turn into not 1 but 3 successful exits (his most recent for north of $80M to Enphase) and a fourth energy sector startup sure to find similar outcomes? Rue Phillips, a rockstar turned entrepreneur, has a story unlike any other we’ve told here on SunCast.Rue has always had an interest in electronics, so perhaps it’s a natural that when he hung up his axe he would find a way to leverage the trade skill handed down through his family.&nbsp; But in the 90’s, EV charging and solar energy were hobbyist businesses for most aspiring entrepreneurs. Yet, Rue found himself installing EV charging infrastructure for the Hollywood elite, and parlayed that experience into fixing what he saw breaking in the solar industry, literally.&nbsp;Now, Rue has turned his attention back to addressing the weak link in our Electric Vehicle (EV) dreams, charging. A considerable portion of EV charging infrastructure is unreliable or inoperable. Phillips, once a guitarist for rock legends like Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne, has truly found his rhythm in energy entrepreneurship, founding several successful ventures including True South Renewables and 365 Pronto.His newest venture, SkillFusion, is a digital learning platform that aims to train skilled professionals to address the critical need for reliable EV infrastructure. SkillFusion offers comprehensive training programs to prepare the workforce needed to maintain and repair EV chargers.&nbsp; Phillips and his team aim to help EV charging companies achieve their long-promised 97% uptime guarantee.Expect to learn:Why reliable EV infrastructure will boost the industry's growth.How SkillFusion's training programs are bridging the skills gap in the EV sector.Rue Phillips’ journey from rockstar to renewable energy pioneer.Rue’s strategies for transforming passion into a successful business venture.Discover how SkillFusion is powering the EV revolution, one skilled technician at a time.If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 650 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.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 -...