November Monthly Recap

With over 750 episodes we are excited to continue to share conversations with leaders on the frontline of the energy transition.

The growing demand for energy storage has transformed the renewable energy sector, but what are the key steps to successfully executing battery storage projects? TruGrid (formerly SunGrid) specializes in the seamless integration of battery systems into solar projects as an EPC provider. Their proactive approach to integration and planning minimizes risks and streamlines commissioning.

Christopher (Chris) Finley , Chief Commercial Officer of TruGrid, discusses how EPCs can manage the complexities of battery storage integration. What secrets can we glean? Faster commissioning times, for starters. Drawing on 20 years’ experience and gigawatts of renewable projects in 16 countries, Chris and the TruGrid team have certainly addressed most of the hurdles you’ll face.

Expect to learn:

• How software integration helps streamline battery storage projects.
• The common pitfalls developers face in commissioning and how to address them.
• Strategies for EPCs to reduce supply chain risks in battery storage projects.
• Why developers should bring EPCs into the planning phase earlier to maximize project success.

“We are active partners. We may be more of an offensive coach at times, kind of laying out the game plan and making sure it all connects.” - Chris Finley

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"The new Silicon Valley is going to be about energy." 

This shift is evident as solar and battery storage combine, pushing renewable energy to achieve firm reliable power. Primergy Solar’s “Gemini” solar-plus-storage project sets the stage for a new era of 24x7 utility-scale solar power delivery. With nearly 700MW of solar capacity and 1400 MWh of battery storage, Gemini can supply up to 30% of Nevada’s power needs at peak, making solar a reliable, on-demand energy source that competes with traditional baseload power. 

Adam Larner , COO of Primergy Solar , brings decades of expertise as an electrician, founder, and business owner to his work in renewables. Adam has long championed the logic and promise of sustainable energy, pushing projects that redefine industry norms and the potential of solar-plus-storage.

Expect to learn:

• Why battery storage is the key to making solar competitive with fossil fuels as a reliable power source

• Why natural gas is a necessary complement to renewables, providing backup power and stability as solar and battery technologies scale up
• How Gemini's success has become a unifying moment for the solar industry, inspiring collaboration and a shared sense of purpose

“Batteries allow you to dictate when you provide that power, which increases the value, because utilities can predict based on lots of historical data when power needs go up and down.” - Adam Larner

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An experienced EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) partner is the backbone for the successful execution of solar projects, turning ambitious plans into reliable, high-performing projects. Burns & McDonnell , a top 5 EPC for solar & storage, brings over a century of engineering experience and a hands-on approach to large-scale solar and storage projects, balancing self-perform capabilities with trusted subcontractor partnerships. Community engagement and thoughtful project planning are just part of the project success puzzle; they innovate with terrain-following technology to adapt to challenging sites and collaborate early with project owners to address constraints, streamline designs, and ensure project goals are met efficiently. 

Hear from Director of Renewable Sales & Strategy, Adam Bernardi and Senior Electrical Engineer, Grant Reasor as they share insights from their respective roles across the project development cycle.

Expect to learn:

• The techno-economic strategies employed to optimize module selection and meet IRA domestic content requirements, and why it’s not always straightforward.
• The importance of understanding the owner's project goals and pro forma to drive the best technical solutions.
• The significance of comprehensive due diligence and upfront identification of site-specific risks to drive project value.
• How to handle seasonal challenges of performance testing on the frozen tundra of the Upper Midwest

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At RE+ 2024, Resource Labs Network founding member Lisa Ann Pinkerton , host of the Earthlings 2.0, The Podcast , led a discussion with Becca Jones-Albertus , Director of the DOE Solar Energy Technologies Office, to celebrate the 7th year of the American-Made Solar Prize. Since 2019, RE+ has showcased the Solar Prize winners, a competition that accelerates solar innovation by providing startups with resources, expert connections, and market support.

This year’s Grand Prize winners are Fram Energy and Gritt Robotics .

Fram Energy’s platform addresses the landlord-tenant "split incentive," enabling solar access for rental properties. Gritt Robotics leverages AI-powered robots to streamline solar panel installation, improving efficiency and reducing labor demands.

Competitions like the American-Made Solar Prize are essential for the solar industry, helping innovative startups enter the market faster by providing vital resources, expert connections, and support through the American-Made Network.

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With exponential growth year over year, there has never been a more pivotal moment than this for battery energy storage in the renewables market. This momentum is driven by cost declines, supportive policy, and the ability for energy storage to stabilize and optimize renewable energy across the grid. Finally, with batteries, we can eliminate the one thing holding renewables back - intermittency! 

Three industry leaders share their expertise around how storage is reshaping energy resilience, accessibility, and grid reliability.  Moderated by Jacob Weinberg , Senior Communications Manager at SEIA, this conversation features:

• Anne Hoskins , Senior VP of Policy & Market Development-- Energy Technology at Generac
• Kavita Ravi , Senior VP of Operations at BlueWave
• Joan White , Director of Storage and Interconnection Policy at Solar Energy Industries Association

Expect to learn:

• How storage is delivering reliable, resilient energy to underserved communities
• The importance of training in the latest safety codes, including NFPA 855
• How virtual power plants (VPPs) can aggregate resources to strengthen the grid
• The latest on interconnection, value-stacking, and overcoming regulatory barriers
• Which states are leading in storage innovation and what’s next for deployment

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Can someone without a traditional background still make an impact in clean energy? 

Aaron Nichols , the Marketing & Advocacy Specialist at Exact Solar , answers that question with a resounding ‘yes’. His journey into the solar industry was anything but traditional (we don’t want to spoil it, but it began with circus performers in Ecuador). 

Aaron has written and consulted for some of the biggest names in the solar industry (including Nico himself) and been featured in Business Insider. He divides his time at Exact Solar between pushing for more equitable solar policies and creating the most comprehensive free solar educational resource for homeowners on the internet. 

Expect to learn:

• The ‘secret key’ that opened the the door to a clean energy career 
• Why the solar industry is missing out on top talent (and how we fix it) 
• How Aaron went from door-to-door sales to advocating for a more ethical solar industry 
• What the solar industry can do to regain the public’s trust 
• Why ‘save the planet' marketing doesn’t work for everyone

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In the home services industry, many contractors deliver high-quality work but struggle to leverage satisfied customers for growth. Yet, we know that more than 50% of leads come from referrals. The challenge lies in post-sale engagement, as gathering referrals and building a strong reputation often falls to busy sales reps or technicians who quickly move on to the next job. Without a systematic approach to harnessing word-of-mouth marketing, businesses miss the opportunity to turn happy customers into brand ambassadors, relying instead on costly acquisition channels like paid advertising.

Landon Taylor , Founder & CEO of Snoball , addresses this gap with a platform that automates referral management, review generation, and reputation building, helping businesses unlock the full potential of their customer base.

Expect to learn:

• Why most companies struggle to generate steady referrals
• How automation keeps brands top-of-mind for customers
• The key difference between reputation management and reputation marketing
• How Snoball fills the gap left by service reps
• Steps to build a sustainable, word-of-mouth growth strategy

“Our goal is to give the power to the companies that do right by their customers to grow from their happy customers.” - Landon Taylor

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Apprenticeships are the bridge between the clean energy industry's rapid growth and its critical need for a skilled, reliable workforce. Adaptive Construction Solutions (ACS) leads the way with programs creating lasting careers for veterans, underserved communities, and future leaders, while supporting EPCs in solar and battery storage with innovative solutions for compliance and workforce development.

Hear from the ACS team and three of their largest customers:

• Nicholas Morgan , President at Adaptive Construction Solutions
• John Leapheart , Project Director at Adaptive Construction Solutions
• Eric Butticaz, Director of Apprenticeships at SOLV Energy
• Eric Grant , Director of Learning and Development at Blue Ridge Power
• Michael Mulheron on, Director- Strategic Sales & Operations at Aerotek

Expect to learn:

• Why ACS invested $10 million in their Apprenticeship Innovation Center, a hub for collaboration, training, and global knowledge-sharing
• Strategies for successful apprenticeship implementation, including recruitment, training, and evaluation
• How apprenticeships create clear career pathways through structured on-the-job training and classroom instruction.

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Expanding the clean energy workforce requires more than filling roles—it’s about equity, diversity, and creating lasting community benefits. With federal initiatives like Justice 40 driving investments in underserved communities, the focus is on building pathways to high-quality local jobs. Jennifer Szaro , CEO of AESP , and Paul Douglas , President of The JPI Group , share insights on aligning workforce development with community impact. From energy program leadership to workforce innovation and supply diversity, they explore data-driven strategies to ensure clean energy growth benefits everyone.

Expect to Learn:

• The importance of tracking real outcomes to measure program success.
• How mentorship fosters retention and knowledge-sharing within the clean energy sector.
• Strategies for building diversity and equity in workforce programs.
• How to ensure Justice 40 funding creates measurable community benefits.

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Thank you for tuning into this month’s recap! Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast on your favorite platform and share your thoughts with us. Stay tuned for more insightful conversations next month #solarwarriors!"