SnapNrack, a solar mounting and racking manufacturer, is reconsidering the steps to securing solar modules to residential rooftops. Earlier this year, SnapNrack debuted its TopSpeed solar rooftop mounting system, a solution that attaches to solar modules before they reach the roof. Here to discuss the system’s features is Andrew Wickham, Director of Products and Engineering at SnapNrack. This podcast is sponsored by SnapNrack

SnapNrack, a solar mounting and racking manufacturer, is reconsidering the steps to securing solar modules to residential rooftops. Earlier this year, SnapNrack debuted its TopSpeed solar rooftop mounting system, a solution that attaches to solar modules before they reach the roof. Here to discuss the system’s features is Andrew Wickham, Director of Products and Engineering at SnapNrack. This podcast is sponsored by SnapNrack

Solar Spotlight: Designing a new solar mounting system from the ground up

In this episode, BQ Energy talks about how brownfield solar installations have changed over the past decade. Sponsored by Scanifly, Aurora Solar and RE+.

Contractor's Corner: BQ Energy

Solar racking manufacturer Unirac launched its Master Installer Program in 2020 to offer its customers hands-on training with solar racking installation, design and system optimization and troubleshooting. In this episode, we’re joined by Braden Laumbach, program coordinator, and Zak Kushner, installer sales specialist manager, with Unirac, to explore what the company’s customer initiatives like the Master Installer Program have to offer for the solar industry.

Solar Spotlight: Unirac empowers contractors with Master Installer Program

In this episode, Sundance Power Systems talks about getting started in 1995 and how the company has forged an unlikely collaboration with North Carolina's biggest investor-owned utility. Sponsored by Scanifly and WAGO.

Contractor's Corner: Sundance Power Systems

In this episode, Summit Ridge Energy talks about its partnerships to accelerate solar manufacturing and job growth. Sponsored by Scanifly.

Contractor's Corner: Summit Ridge Energy

K2 Systems is a racking company that manufactures installation-friendly solar mounting systems tailored to the needs of customers. Andy Neshat, CEO of K2 Systems US &amp; MX, joins Solar Power World in this podcast to talk about the new K2 Quote solution and the company’s plans to further cut soft costs. Sponsored by K2.

K2 invests in software solutions to simplify solar design and sales

Microinverters are a common component in residential solar projects that are built to handle the wattage of smaller-scale PV arrays. But like solar modules, microinverters are increasing in capacity and can handle larger electrical loads. For example, inverter manufacturer APsystems’ new QT2 microinverter can invert energy from four solar panels at a time, unlike previous models that were installed on single modules. Jason Higginson, head of marketing for APsystems USA, is here to discuss this new breakthrough and the subsequent trend of microinverters entering the commercial and industrial solar market.

Solar Spotlight: It's no myth — microinverters work on commercial solar projects

In this episode, large-scale solar EPC Black &amp; Veatch talks about its long history in construction and embracing technologies of the future. Sponsored by Scanifly.

Contractor's Corner: Black & Veatch

In this month's Contractor's Corner podcast, we learn about a small Arizona installer that invests time and money into global volunteer efforts. Sponsored by Scanifly.

Contractor's Corner: Arizona Energy Pros

A few years on, there is still uncertainty surrounding the solar supply chain. There are likely still modules tied up at shipping ports, and despite Inflation Reduction Act incentives to develop a larger domestic market for solar panels, it will still be some time before we experience it. That is not necessarily the case for solar racking and mounts. Unirac, a manufacturer with more than 20 years in the solar structures space, is geared and ready to tackle commercial solar projects in 2023. We’re joined by Unirac’s commercial business development director, Ted Bleecker, and director of customer solutions, Brandon Carrasco, to discuss what’s ahead for the company in the coming year.

Solar Spotlight: Supporting the structural side of commercial solar

Contractor's Corner is part of the Solar Power World network of podcasts. Solar Power World is the premier media outlet for the U.S. solar market and has the largest solar installer, contractor and developer audience in the industry.  In this podcast series, Solar Power World editors talk with the U.S. solar industry’s biggest newsmakers.

Contractors Corner by Solar Power World

How do you stay on top of knowing your customers' needs? What are their biggest challenges and how can you help? Is talking to them on the job site enough? We spoke with Trent Mostaert, Vice President and general manager of solar at Mortenson Construction to find out how his company conducts a survey to learn more about the needs of its customers.

Mortenson speaks on how to know your solar customers better

Damage from direct and indirect lightning strikes on solar arrays can vary from explosive destruction to less apparent, yet accumulative, effects on sensitive electronics. Jim Grasty, engineering manager for systems and services at Alltec, discusses the threat of lightning strikes on solar arrays and the surprising state of lightning protection at solar farms. After listening, check out the  article about Alltec’s Protection Pyramid for lightning strike protection on the Solar Power World website.

The threat of lightning on solar farms

SolarEdge's HD-Wave technology has been turning heads since it was released at Solar Power International 2015. This year it won an Intersolar Award, and we also selected to feature it as a top product technology of 2016. Here to tell us more about this innovative technology are SolarEdge's Mike Rogerson, marketing director north America, and Cameron Stewart,  technical training manager North America.

Solar Speaks special edition: SolarEdge discusses its HD-Wave inverter technology

Tim Drappi, procurement manager with solar module manufacturer SolarTech Universal, talks about the latest trends in solar panels (PERC, bifacial and more) with Solar Power World at Solar Speaks Live 2016.

What's Trending In Solar Panels

There’s been a lot of talk about centralized “versus” distributed systems, but really the topic may not be so black and white. In fact, there are many variables to consider, which makes system design so important. Ryan LeBlanc (senior application engineer), and Jamie Mordarski (senior manager, O&amp;M North America) discuss those considerations for system architecture in more detail.

Solar Speaks special edition: SMA discusses solar design decisions

Jeff Calabro

Jeff Calabro, senior vice president of business development at Arraycon, offers insight on how ArrayCon was recognized as 2016's Top Solar Construction firm in Solar Power World and the type of equipment used to do such high-quality work, in this Solar Speaks Live video, filmed on the tradeshow floor at Solar Power International 2016.

Jeff Calabro Of Arraycon Discusses The Big Equipment Required To Build Big Solar Projects

Peter Lorenz

Unirac CEO Peter Lorenz discusses why he got into the renewable-energy business and provides advice for contractors on how to use the best equipment, even if it costs a little more, in this Solar Speaks Live video, filmed on the tradeshow floor at Solar Power International 2016.

Unirac CEO Peter Lorenz Offers Insight On The Business Of Solar Mounting

Helge Biernath, president and CEO of solar installer Sunstall, joined Solar Power World at Solar Speaks Live 2016 to discuss the changing market of large-scale, ground-mount solar and how the company adapts to new installation techniques.

Large-Scale Solar Installation Trends

We chat with Stephen Condon of Solar-Log about a Connecticut solar project that uses Solar-Log monitoring systems for measurement and feed-in management. Stephen also tells us the benefits of these monitoring systems for both end users and solar installers.

Solar Speaks: Solar-Log monitoring assists with power curtailment

Bill Brooks

Having trained more than 12,000 installers and inspectors in his 25+ years in solar, Bill Brooks can be called the godfather of solar engineering. However, he chooses to call himself an ambassador for solar technology. Listen to learn more about Bill's journey from the early days of solar in the 70s, to his work with the codes and standards that continue to drive the industry today.

Ask a Solar Vet: Bill Brooks, an ambassador for solar

Hawaiian solar often makes headlines, but no one knows it quite like Dora Nakafuji. As direct of renewable energy planning at Hawaiian Electric Company, Nakafuji and her team have developed utility programs that are being studied and replicated across the country. During a 2016 Solar Speaks Live interview, she shares her perspective on Hawaiian solar and how a utility built on collaboration and understanding how customers use energy is the best for solar.

Creating A New Type Of Utility For Solar

We spoke with Bryan Whitton, product manager at Darfon America, who explained how the company's G320 solar microinverter allows putting more inverters on a circuit and avoids the need for neutral conductors, along with other advantages for solar contractors.

Solar Speaks special edition: What are the advantages of Darfon's G320 solar microinverter?

Solar Power World editors complete their first residential solar installation in Kensington, California. Podcast sponsored by EcoFasten Solar.

Solar Speaks special edition: SPW editors complete a solar installation

Three Top Solar Contractors discuss their business strategy around pricing transparency and how it impacts their solar sales.

#TopSolar18 Special Edition: Know your audience when it comes to pricing transparency

In this edition of Solar Speaks, SunLink CEO Michael Maulick discusses the solar mounting manufacturer’s business strategy going toward 2017, when the solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) may expire or be reduced. Maulick discusses international expansion—including a pair of projects in Honduras—global supply chains and how his experience in the tech industry can apply to solar. He also offers clues about a new SunLink product yet to be unveiled. Learn more about SunLink in this Solar Speaks podcast.

SolarSpeaks: How SunLink is preparing for an ITC sunset

This is one of Kelly's favorite interviews! Join her as she talks with Phil and Nancy Brodhagen, co-owners of Colorado's Peak View Solar. The company has been installing mainly residential solar systems since 2008, but it has seen such a recent uptick in projects that the whole Brodhagen family came on board to help out. We have a frank conversation about U.S. solar panel companies and how batteries are being used in markets outside of California. Read the extended story (and see a picture of a llama, or maybe an alpaca (?), with solar panels):  https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2019/06/contractors-corner-peak-view-solar/

This is one of Kelly's favorite interviews! Join her as she talks with Phil and Nancy Brodhagen, co-owners of Colorado's Peak View Solar. The company has been installing mainly residential solar systems since 2008, but it has seen such a recent uptick in projects that the whole Brodhagen family came on board to help out. We have a frank conversation about U.S. solar panel companies and how batteries are being used in markets outside of California. Read the extended story (and see a picture of a llama, or maybe an alpaca (?), with solar panels): <a href="https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2019/06/contractors-corner-peak-view-solar/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2019/06/contractors-corner-peak-view-solar/</a>

Contractors Corner: Peak View Solar

We talk with Hieu Nguyen, executive director of SouthWest Sun Solar of California, about the company's diversity efforts.

Contractors Corner: SouthWest Sun Solar

Inovateus Solar president TJ Kanczuzewski talks with Solar Power World about the Midwest solar developer's rise to success. Topics include thin-film solar projects, the growth of the Midwest market and Inovateus Solar's partnership with IndyCar driver Stefan Wilson.Read more: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2016/12/contractors-corner-midwest-developer-promotes-solar-national-stage/

Inovateus Solar president TJ Kanczuzewski talks with Solar Power World about the Midwest solar developer's rise to success. Topics include thin-film solar projects, the growth of the Midwest market and Inovateus Solar's partnership with IndyCar driver Stefan Wilson. Read more: <a href="https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2016/12/contractors-corner-midwest-developer-promotes-solar-national-stage/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2016/12/contractors-corner-midwest-developer-promotes-solar-national-stage/</a>

Contractors Corner: Inovateus Solar

You can’t build a solar project if you don’t have the components you need. We talked to Gail Hibbert and Janelle Oltman of Chint Power Systems Americas' customer operations for some tips for choosing a good supplier and successfully ordering solar components.

Solar Speaks special edition: Chint on tips for successful solar component ordering

As we enter a smart-home future one company is looking to streamline the deployment of residential solar and energy storage systems without compromising performance or cost.  Jon Bonanno, chief commercial officer of Empower Micro Systems discusses some of his company’s innovative technology in this area.

Solar Speaks special edition: Empower Micro Systems streamlining solar + storage

The best podcast episodes on non-current politics. Covering topics such as universal basic income, democracy, poverty & justice and more. For anyone interested in learning more about politics that affect that world, not just now, but in the longer term. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Non-Current Politics Podcasts

The best podcasts about ourselves as well as the world through the lense of Science. Specific topics include things about our brain, emotions to biology, physics and more!