Sounds of Solar Podcast

EVS, INC
  • 5.0 (14)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Sounds of Solar shines a light on the people and progress powering America's clean energy future. Hosted by engineers at EVS, this podcast features insightful conversations with the innovators, engineers, and changemakers driving the solar, battery storage, and grid transformation. Whether you're deep in the industry or just curious about the future of renewables, Sounds of Solar delivers fresh perspectives and real stories from the front lines of energy.

  1. Ep. 63: Mitigating Risks: Early Civil Decisions Shaping Solar Projects

    MAR 25

    Ep. 63: Mitigating Risks: Early Civil Decisions Shaping Solar Projects

    Civil engineering decisions are made early, often quietly, yet they shape the trajectory of every solar project. In this episode, EVS Director of Civil Engineering Jeremy Schultz breaks down how site constraints, permitting realities, and stormwater design influence risk, cost, and constructability long before construction begins. From navigating inconsistent AHJ requirements to real-world lessons like landlocked basins and early layout tradeoffs, Jeremy shares where projects most often go wrong and how teams can think ahead to avoid it. If you want to understand what truly drives project success before the first pile is set, this conversation offers a grounded, field-tested perspective.

    44 min
  2. Ep. 62: Fast Track Automation - Tools Modernizing Utility-Scale Solar Design

    FEB 18

    Ep. 62: Fast Track Automation - Tools Modernizing Utility-Scale Solar Design

    What happens when solar projects outgrow the workflows built to design them? In this episode of Sounds of Solar, we talk with Clarke DeLisle, Product Development Lead at EVS, about how automation is reshaping utility scale solar engineering. Clarke shares what it looks like when traditional design workflows start to strain under growing project complexity, and how smarter tools can help engineers move faster without losing judgment or rigor. The conversation explores where automation genuinely adds value versus where hype can fall flat, how human expertise still anchors good design, and what skills will matter most as AI becomes part of everyday engineering work. Clarke also reflects on learning in fast-changing industries, taking smart risks, and building better ways of working from the inside out.

    33 min
  3. Ep. 61: Graduated. Now What? Real Talk with Renewables' Emerging Engineers

    JAN 30

    Ep. 61: Graduated. Now What? Real Talk with Renewables' Emerging Engineers

    What really happens after you graduate with an engineering degree? In this episode of Sounds of Solar, emerging engineers in electrical power studies, substations, and civil engineering share candid perspectives on their first years in the renewable energy industry. From imposter syndrome and steep learning curves to mentorship, asking questions, and finding purpose in their work, this conversation explores the realities of moving from classroom theory to real-world engineering. A thoughtful look at early careers, growth, and what it truly means to become an engineer in renewables.

    53 min
  4. Ep. 60: Grid Under Pressure – Reengineering Transmission for a High Demand Future

    JAN 14

    Ep. 60: Grid Under Pressure – Reengineering Transmission for a High Demand Future

    In this episode of Sounds of Solar, we sit down with Ryan Grady, Director of Transmission at EVS, to unpack why the U.S. transmission grid is under unprecedented pressure. As aging infrastructure collides with explosive load growth from data centers, electrification, and renewable energy, transmission has become one of the most critical bottlenecks in the energy transition. Ryan explains how decades old lines are being pushed beyond their original design intent, why reliability and resilience are now central to planning decisions, and what utilities and engineers are doing to adapt. From data center driven demand to emerging design strategies, this conversation explores how transmission is being reshaped to support the grid we will rely on for decades to come.

    30 min
  5. Ep. 59: The Great Alignment: Tales of Tilt, Grade, and Gravity

    12/23/2025

    Ep. 59: The Great Alignment: Tales of Tilt, Grade, and Gravity

    This Sounds of Solar conversation dives into why solar site design is under more pressure than ever and what the industry must do to keep pace. As projects grow larger and timelines tighten, traditional workflows are struggling to keep up with increasing complexity, land constraints, and grid demands. The discussion explores how smarter tools, earlier decision making, and emerging automation are helping teams move faster while reducing risk and rework. From identifying bottlenecks in today's design process to rethinking how engineering supports developers and EPCs, this episode highlights a clear message: speed, accuracy, and adaptability are no longer optional. It is a forward-looking look at how solar engineering is evolving to meet the moment and build better projects from the ground up.

    39 min
  6. Ep. 58: Harvesting Energy: The Future of Agrivoltaics & Dual Purpose Farming

    12/10/2025

    Ep. 58: Harvesting Energy: The Future of Agrivoltaics & Dual Purpose Farming

    Agrivoltaics is having a moment and the Sounds of Solar hosts are here for it. In this lively episode, the team dives into the sunny intersection of farming and solar energy where crops, sheep, shade, and science all share the same field. From tomatoes to berries to goats with attitude, the crew explores how dual use land can boost farm productivity, cool panels, conserve water, and spark new opportunities for growers. They also break down design quirks, policy hurdles, and why this emerging trend is more approachable than it sounds. A fun, friendly intro to a renewable topic worth watching.

    41 min
  7. Ep. 57: Grid Instability, Global Perspectives, and Why BESS Matters Now

    11/25/2025

    Ep. 57: Grid Instability, Global Perspectives, and Why BESS Matters Now

    The hosts of Sounds of Solar dive into the realities of battery energy storage, grounding the conversation in personal stories of growing up with blackouts in Kenya and India. They explore how global grid instability shaped their understanding of energy access, then connect those experiences to today's rapid growth of BESS in the United States. The team breaks down key use cases like frequency regulation and energy arbitrage, reflects on policy trends driving adoption, and highlights why storage has become essential for grid resilience. With a mix of humor, real-world context, and engineering insight, this episode offers an engaging look at why BESS is becoming one of the most important tools in the modern energy transition.

    33 min
  8. Ep. 56: Policy in Motion: How States Keep Energy Growing

    11/11/2025

    Ep. 56: Policy in Motion: How States Keep Energy Growing

    In this episode, the Sounds of Solar team sits down with Sarah Whebbe, Senior Policy and Regulatory Affairs Associate at MnSEIA, for a timely look at Minnesota's evolving clean energy landscape. Sarah breaks down the ripple effects of HR1, from accelerated timelines to the sudden challenges facing residential solar and community-scale developers, while highlighting the bright spots that remain, including strong bipartisan momentum around virtual power plants, agrivoltaics, and battery storage. She shares how Minnesota's 2040 carbon-free goal creates opportunity, why flexible interconnection and state-led innovation matter more than ever, and how community engagement and education will shape the next chapter of grid resilience. Packed with clarity, insight, and optimism, this episode explores where policy meets progress and why every voice in the energy ecosystem counts.

    50 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Sounds of Solar shines a light on the people and progress powering America's clean energy future. Hosted by engineers at EVS, this podcast features insightful conversations with the innovators, engineers, and changemakers driving the solar, battery storage, and grid transformation. Whether you're deep in the industry or just curious about the future of renewables, Sounds of Solar delivers fresh perspectives and real stories from the front lines of energy.

Information

  • Creator
    EVS, INC
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    64
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 EVS, Inc. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Sounds of Solar Podcast