Contractor's Corner

What started as being a nice neighbor to a regenerative farm has turned into a whole new way of building and maintaining solar projects for Silicon Ranch.

With close to 1 GW of installed projects, the utility-scale solar developer and owner was seeing the real impact of using herbicides and pesticides to manage vegetation growth. After siting a new project next to one of the larger regenerative ranchers in the Southeast, Silicon Ranch (whose mission is to be a supportive community member) wanted to ensure it wasn't applying chemicals or contributing to soil erosion that may affect the rancher's mission. With some tips from the rancher, Silicon Ranch dove into regenerative land management practices that could improve the land at each of its solar sites.

In this episode of the Contractor's Corner podcast, Solar Power World editor-in-chief Kelly Pickerel talks with Silicon Ranch CEO Reagan Farr about the company's regenerative energy process, and how bringing more native plants and grazing livestock to solar sites can make a big impact on communities.

Silicon Ranch is celebrating 10 years in the solar industry, and so is SPW's Pickerel, so listen in as they talk about the decade-club.

https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2021/04/contractors-corner-silicon-ranch/

Contractors Corner

Contractor's Corner: Silicon Ranch

It's no secret that utilities are having a difficult time in California right now. With wildfires increasing in intensity each year, more utilities are having to shut down power to save their grids. It's pushing even more people to consider solar and storage to create their own microgrids to keep emergency services online.

So it's not especially surprising that the state's investor-owned utilities have cried that age-old claim that solar customers are not paying enough for grid upkeep. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is now considering a monthly charge for solar customers, and solar advocates have joined against this attempt by the utilities to "undermine consumer choice."

It leaves installers like Cosmic Solar in a precarious position. In this episode of the Contractor's Corner podcast, Solar Power World editor-in-chief Kelly Pickerel talks with Cosmic co-owners Bahram and Judith Shadzi about how they are supporting the "Save California Solar" campaign while also diversifying into roofing and maintenance services to ensure the 13-year-old business stays afloat in the worst-case scenario.
https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2021/05/contractors-corner-cosmic-solar

Contractor's Corner: Cosmic Solar

Veregy is a newish energy services company (ESCO) with a much longer history. The company started in 2019 after six regional ESCOs merged to offer energy optimization and performance contracting to commercial clients nationwide. One of those companies was a commercial solar installer out of Arizona, and the new Veregy now focuses on a holistic energy package for customers — with energy efficiency, solar, smart building integration, maintenance services and more.

In this episode of the Contractor's Corner podcast, John Mitman, VP of distributed energy resources for Veregy, describes the joining of knowledge and expertise as a way to better execute on customer goals. Now when K-12 school districts and healthcare institutions want to save money on their utility bills, the Veregy team can create a long-term strategy with multiple phases of energy conservation measures that may include solar arrays.

Read the story: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2021/06/contractors-corner-veregy/

Contractor's Corner: Veregy

Big-name, multi-site contracts can increase a solar installer's standing in the industry, but for SolareAmerica, a partnership with the Wawa convenience store chain only built on the 12-year-old company's legacy.
In this episode of the Contractor's Corner podcast, John Scorsone, president of SolareAmerica, talks about the gas-pump solar canopies and ground-mounts involved in the Wawa project portfolio, and how it has provided the company with a front-seat to the emerging EV charging market as well.

https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2021/07/contractors-corner-solareamerica/

Contractor's Corner: SolareAmerica

Aurora Energy has established a name for itself in the Washington, D.C., area as a risk-taking, ahead-of-the-curve solar installer. The company has evolved over the last three decades and sees its specialty in commercial projects that may need a little custom engineering.

In this episode of the Contractor's Corner podcast Aurora talks about the company's desire to take care of its customers seeking all the financial and environmental benefits that come with installing solar. This has led Aurora Energy to branch out into community solar and take on more unique projects like green roofs.

We also talk tariffs and price increases happening right now.
Find the story: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2021/09/contractors-corner-aurora-energy/

Contractor's Corner: Aurora Energy

Solar Power Array

Solar power is quickly making great leaps in terms of the amount of power it solar cells are able to generate. And National Geographic Emerging Explorer and nanoscientist Xiaolin Zheng is working to broaden solar power's ability to transform our lives. Zheng has created sticky solar cells that adhere to the backs of gadgets and can help "charge the chargers," allowing us to power phones and GPS devices from the woods, for example. She expects these devices to hit the market within a few years.

The Future of Solar Power - Xiaolin Zheng

Illinois lawmakers are considering a series of proposals that could either fuel the continued growth of a new industry or stop it in its tracks. The Chicago based Environmental Law and Policy Center says the state’s renewable energy industry now accounts for about 20,000 jobs. WDCB's Brian O'Keefe spoke with ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner. He says the sector will continue to grow if governments do the right thing.


Wind and Solar Power Employ 20,000 In Illinois

Too much renewable power? A German engineer comes up with a way to store excess renewable energy, take pressure off the grid and ease the way for the adoption of more wind and solar power in a country that's already way ahead of most of the rest of us.

When the grid says 'no' to wind and solar power, this company's technology helps it say 'yes' again

Solar power: Abundant and free - #BCTOWORK - Apr 15

Tesla is famous for its electric cars, and it's now moving into the world of batteries. The company introduced new systems designed to store power from unreliable wind and solar sources, hoping to make a fortune and change the energy market forever.

If Tesla's new solar power batteries are as good as its cars, they could be a game changer

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

More women are entering the solar workforce every day, but some areas of the industry are still underrepresented. According to The Solar Foundation, women only make up 26% of the solar workforce. In a largely mechanical and construction-related field, it is nice to hear of a woman-led solar installation subcontractor out of Georgia: Sunshine Solar.

In this episode of the Contractors Corner podcast, Solar Power World woman and editor-in-chief Kelly Pickerel talks with Emilie O'Leary, CEO of Sunshine Solar, about her experience working in a male-dominated segment. She started the company in 2016 because she knew solar was a space she wanted to be in.

We also have a bonus conversation with senior editor Kelsey Misbrener about Kent State University and women representation in solar.

https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2020/11/contractors-corner-sunshine-solar/

Contractor's Corner: Sunshine 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.

Contractor's Corner: Sunshine Solar

Contractor's Corner by Solar Power World

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