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

Contractor's Corner: Cosmic Solar

It’s the end of an era. After more than 75 interviews over six years, Solar Power World editor-in-chief Kelly Pickerel is passing the Contractor’s Corner podcast torch to managing editor Kelsey Misbrener. And since there is a wide collection of episodes to reflect on, Pickerel has pulled together some of her favorite interviews during her tenure as podcast host. While some themes weave throughout — permitting woes are still annoying — it’s nice to remember the hot-button issues of yesteryear and realize just how far the solar industry has come. 

Interview clips included in today's episode:
https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2019/06/contractors-corner-peak-view-solar/
https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2018/10/contractors-corner-sun-light-and-power/
https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2020/03/contractors-corner-paradise-energy-solutions/
https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2017/01/contractors-corner-proving-solar-viable-even-darkest-alaskan-communities/
https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2020/08/contractors-corner-sunation/

KP misspoke during the last interview clip. She was talking with Scott Maskin at SUNation.

Contractors Corner

Contractor's Corner: Best of 2015-2021

In this month's Contractor's Corner podcast, New Energy Equity talks about the new opportunities the Inflation Reduction Act brings for community solar developers. Sponsored by Soltec and Scanifly.

Contractor's Corner: New Energy Equity

In the past, a fault in a central inverter could mean significant power loss on a solar array. These inverters used in large-scale solar projects convert huge amounts of energy in a single unit. Inverter manufacturer Sungrow is addressing fault issues in central inverters by making their components modular and more approachable for repairs. Today, we’re joined by Daniel Friberg, director of product engineering at Sungrow, to discuss the company’s latest central inverter model and what that will mean for solar array uptime.

Solar Spotlight: Curbing central inverter downtime with modular design

In this episode of the Contractor's Corner podcast, Michigan residential installer Sumpter Solar Services talks about how the long-term ITC will temper the usual December installation rush, how a foundation of solar repair work has helped build a dedicated customer base and more. Sponsored by Scanifly.

Contractor's Corner: Sumpter Solar Services

In this episode of the Contractor’s Corner podcast, community solar customer manager Perch Energy talks about the role software plays in making this solar segment accessible to those who can't install arrays on their rooftops. Sponsored by Scanifly.

Contractor's Corner: Perch Energy

In this month's Contractor's Corner podcast, we learn about the mission of nonprofit Solar One to bring resilient energy backup to at-risk communities. Sponsored by Scanifly.

Contractor's Corner: Solar One

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

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

Contractor's Corner: Black & Veatch

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 & 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

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

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, 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

In this episode, Solar Power of Oklahoma talks about the hurdles of selling solar in an oil & gas state, and the progress the company has made in the past seven years. Sponsored by Scanifly and RE+.

Contractor's Corner: Solar Power of Oklahoma

Photovoltaic solar modules continue to grow in wattage, and that often means increasing their size, too, but that doesn’t always have to be the case. In this episode of Solar Spotlight, Lucas Moura, product marketing manager for international module manufacturer Trina Solar, discusses the significance of the compact yet electrically potent N-type TopCon solar module.

Solar Spotlight: Keeping wattage high and footprint low on PV modules

The inverter is a crucial component on a solar project because it converts the power generated by PV modules into usable electricity. Daniel Friberg, director of product and engineering at inverter manufacturer Sungrow, shares some details on the operations, hardware compatibility and environmental readiness of Sungrow’s SG350 line of string inverters.

Solar Spotlight: Sungrow increases the power of possibilities for string inverters

The administration at Emory University, a private school of higher education from Georgia, set sustainability goals for the university, with plans to eliminate carbon emissions production by 2050. Emory has already installed solar arrays across many buildings on its main campus and is nearing completion of a solar canopy PV project at its Musculoskeletal Institute off-campus. Ben Damiani, chief technology officer at Cherry Street Energy, is here to share some details on the development and technology used in Emory’s latest solar endeavor.

Solar Spotlight: Anatomy of a high-profile solar project

In this episode, Renewable IPP talks about the workforce challenges as the first utility-scale EPC in Alaska and O&M considerations for these far northwestern arrays. Sponsored by Scanifly.

Contractor's Corner: Renewable IPP

With the enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act and its new offerings in tax incentives for solar projects, contractor collaboration and value engineering have become critical components for creating or selling viable solar projects. M Bar C Construction specializes in solar carport installation across a range of applications and building types. Today, we’re joined by M Bar C’s VP of business development, Erik Krivokopich [Krih-vo-cah-pitch], and eastern division manager, Bobby Bonfanti, to discuss what the company offers as a partner to solar project developers and EPC contractors.

Solar Spotlight: Solar canopy project collaboration with a focus on value engineering

Energy storage is becoming a more common feature on residential solar installations so homeowners can tap into the power they’ve generated when they need it — not just when the sun is up. Rex Liu, VP of product management at Generac, a manufacturer of batteries for renewable energy applications, is here to share how solar installers can approach pitching and sizing storage for residential PV projects.

Solar Spotlight: Choosing the right battery storage for homeowners going solar

In this episode, Vibe Solar talks about pivoting the residential business to adapt to California's new NEM 3.0 rate structure. Sponsored by Scanifly.

Contractor's Corner: Vibe Solar

In this episode, Alternative Energy Southeast talks about securing R&D credits for trying new solar tech and the keys to regional solar success. Sponsored by Scanifly and Intersolar North America.

Contractor’s Corner: Alternative Energy Southeast (AES)

Domestic solar is consistently breaking installation records year over year and is slated to keep that pace. Yet, manufacturers and suppliers are still feeling the effects of pandemic supply chain delays. In this episode of Solar Spotlight, Unirac’s new VP of operations and supply chain, Lee Ingram, and former guest and VP of Unirac’s commercial division, Brandon Carrasco, are here to discuss how the manufacturer is keeping a steady supply of racking for its clientele.

Solar Spotlight: Meeting the growing demand for solar racking

The shape of solar mounts is changing, and so too are how they’re attached to rooftops. K2 Systems, a solar racking manufacturer, has integrated a butyl sealant onto a new line of roof mounts. On this episode of Solar Spotlight, Brett Nielsen, VP of products and services at K2, is here to share the rationale behind adopting this sticky new flashing for mounting purposes.

Solar Spotlight: Butyl mounts rooftop solar projects in a flash

Solar racking manufacturer SunModo will soon debut its latest pitched rooftop mount, NanoRack, to the residential market. On this episode of Solar Spotlight, CEO Steve Mumma discusses the system features and installation considerations built into NanoRack.

Solar Spotlight: Integrating the benefits of rail into a rail-less solar mount

As the effects of a changing climate increase in both frequency and severity, the need for technologies that can decarbonize and support electrical infrastructure is paramount. In this episode of Solar Spotlight, Zolaikha Strong, senior director of policy and regulatory affairs at Generac Power Systems, discusses the significance of energy storage in the contexts of grid stability, individual energy resilience and the greater mission of combatting climate change.

Solar Spotlight: Scaling energy storage while facing a climate crisis

Over the last several years, the shape and size of mounts used in residential solar projects have changed to a lower profile attachment that can be installed over the shingle instead of slid underneath like metal flashing sheets. The next obstacle in residential solar design was expanding these top-mounted attachments that could primarily be installed on rafters onto the decking surface of the roof. Ryan Estrada, technical program outreach manager, and Nico Martinez, senior product manager at Unirac, are here to discuss what’s new with solar mounting and, more specifically, the advancement of direct-to-deck attachments.

Solar Spotlight: Solar mounting hits the deck

In this episode, the utility-scale EPC talks about the importance of relationships with manufacturers and hands-on training time for install crews. Sponsored by Scanifly.

Contractor's Corner: Burns & McDonnell

Utility-scale solar projects are consistently breaking capacity records annually, both in individual project size and overall countrywide output. The sheer scale of these acres and sometimes miles long arrays require an unprecedented amount of worktime to construct, and even before a pile is driven into the dirt, project engineers must spend time designing these systems. PVcase, a software as a service company founded by solar engineers, has for the last decade provided design services for utility-scale solar project globally. David Trainavicius, founder and CEO of PVcase, is on this episode of Solar Spotlight to discuss how the platform is helping solar developers automate processes and reduce work hours.

Solar Spotlight: Simplifying and automating large-scale solar design

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.

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