SunCast

Nico Johnson
  • 4.9 (179)
  • NATURAL SCIENCES
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Nico Johnson takes you into conversations with those at the forefront of Renewable Energy. SunCast gives an inside look into what is happening in renewable energy. From conversations with the biggest Solar Panel manufacturers in the world to the small startups creating the future of renewable energy, such as carbon capture and battery technology breakthroughs. SunCast is dedicated to providing the knowledge, research, tools and expert guidance you need to understand, grow and be ahead of the curve in the fastest-growing markets in the world. Featuring over 800 conversations, Nico has interviewed people from Tesla, SolarCity, Trina Solar, Meyer Burger, Conergy, SunEdison, Energy Vault and even the US Government... to name a few. Covering topics such as Solar Power, Wind Energy, Batteries, Electric Vehicles, Carbon Capture, Finance, Hydrogen, and more. You can watch SunCast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SunCastMedia ...or view the full archive of SunCast episodes here: https://www.suncast.media/media/podcast

  1. Is Octopus Energy a Utility or a Tech Company? Nick Chaset Has the Answer

    2D AGO

    Is Octopus Energy a Utility or a Tech Company? Nick Chaset Has the Answer

    What does a modern energy company actually look like? In this episode, Nick Chaset, CEO of Octopus Energy US, joins Nico Johnson to explore a question that sits at the center of Octopus’s strategy: Is it a utility with great technology—or a technology company operating inside energy? Nick’s career spans California energy policy, years running East Bay Community Energy, and now scaling Octopus in the U.S. He brings an operator’s perspective on what it really takes to build and run energy businesses inside complex regulatory systems. The conversation also digs into Kraken—the software platform Octopus built internally and later spun out into a standalone, highly successful energy tech company. Nick explains why Kraken’s separation clarified Octopus’s identity, unlocked new utility partnerships, and changed how the company thinks about scale. AI enters the conversation not as hype, but as one of several forces reshaping demand, operations, and expectations across the grid. Expect to learn: 🔹Why Octopus calls itself a consumer company that sells electricity 🔹How Kraken grew from an internal tool into a global energy software business 🔹Why partnering with utilities can scale faster than competing with them 🔹Why regulatory engagement should be a profit center for energy companies 🔹What energy leaders must unlearn to build companies that last If you care about how energy companies are actually built—and rebuilt—this episode delivers a clear-eyed look behind the curtain. 🎧 Press play. Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations. Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/. Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America! You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors. Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media. Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/ You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on: Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

    1h 15m

  2. 3D AGO

    How Silicon Carbide is Revolutionizing Renewable Energy | with Infineon Technologies’ Daniel Dalpiaz and Navid Riaz

    Big things come in small packages. Could something smaller than a deck of cards be instrumental in our ability to meet the needs of the energy transition? In the ever-evolving landscape of power electronics, one material has been steadily gaining prominence due to its exceptional properties and transformative potential: Silicon Carbide (SiC). This remarkable semiconductor has revolutionized various industries, from automotive to aerospace, with its ability to operate at high temperatures, voltages and frequencies. As data centers and energy infrastructure increasingly need higher-voltage, higher-current devices to meet the demands for AI, this technology will enable the transition to a higher voltage platform while maintaining the high-efficiency requirements for continuously running, power-intensive systems. In today’s conversation, Josh Beck chats with Infineon Technologies’ Daniel Dalpiaz and Navid Riaz to explore the breakthrough hardware enabling the next generation of renewables, energy storage, EV charging, and high-power data centers. Infineon’s silicon carbide devices pack serious voltage into incredibly compact, rugged designs, and have become the “intel-inside” of the clean energy revolution. In this episode, you’ll hear how Infineon’s latest innovation could shrink your cooling system, boost reliability, and push clean energy forward at scale. Expect to learn: 🔹 Why shrinking the form factor unlocks new potential for grid-connected renewables 🔹 How silicon carbide and gallium nitride are changing power electronics 🔹 The surprising sectors driving demand for Infineon’s new tech 🔹 What 20x the power cycling capability actually means for reliability You’re about to get a front-row seat to the tiny tech making a massive impact. Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations. Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/. Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America! You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors. Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media. Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/ You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on: Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo a href="https://my.captivate.fm/LinkedIn%20-%20https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    18 min

  3. JAN 8

    NVIDIA and the Grid: How AI Is Shaping Clean Energy | Marc Spieler

    The power grid isn’t just growing (at unprecedented rates!) It’s becoming more complex, more distributed, and harder to manage. In this episode, Marc Spieler, who leads NVIDIA’s global Energy business, explains how AI and accelerated computing already support grid operations, solar and storage forecasting, and infrastructure planning across the energy sector. Nico and Marc explore why electrification and data center growth are reshaping demand patterns, how software-defined infrastructure helps utilities avoid costly missteps, and where AI delivers practical value today. This conversation focuses on real workflows, real constraints, and what energy leaders need to understand as the grid evolves. If you work in solar, storage, utilities, or grid infrastructure, this episode will sharpen how you think about the role of software in clean energy. And regardless what sector, you’ll certainly learn more about how one of the most exciting companies on the planet is enabling a cleaner and more efficient energy future! (P.S. we discuss some FREE tools you probably didn’t know exist…) 🎧 Listen now and rethink how we can us ai to shape up our aging infrastructure. Expect to LearnHow NVIDIA supports grid operations beyond hardwareWhere AI already improves solar, storage, and forecastingWhy grid challenges increasingly involve coordination, not capacityWhat software-defined infrastructure means for utilitiesHow energy companies work with NVIDIA today You don’t have to be a technologist to benefit from this conversation. Marc makes it clear that AI is not replacing humans in energy, it’s supercharging what’s possible. This one is for the builders who want to stay ahead of the curve. Happy Building, #solarwarriors! Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations. Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/. Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America! You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors. Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media. Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: a href="https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    55 min

  4. JAN 6

    Why Co-ops and Public Utilities Are Winning the Load Growth Race

    The energy grid is facing a challenge unlike anything we’ve seen before. Think about this: one Virginia co-op has over 20 GW of demand in its queue. That’s more than the energy demand of New York City. As electrification and data center expansion accelerate, public power and electric co-ops are on the front lines of solving this surge. Electric cooperatives and public utilities are facing a wave of electrification, data center load, and manufacturing demand that rivals the size of major cities. That’s what major power providers are up against — but they’re not backing down. This Tactical Tuesday episode is your front-row seat to a high-stakes, high-impact conversation hosted by Sheri Givens, CEO of SEPA. She’s joined by two utility leaders tackling today’s fastest-growing energy challenges while maintaining reliability, affordability, and equity. They deliver on active solutions - from smart customer programs to creative tariff structures and innovative infrastructure partnerships. Expect to learn: 🔹 How utilities are planning for multi-gigawatt load growth 🔹 What it takes to avoid blackouts during grid stress events 🔹 How equity-driven programs are supporting underserved communities 🔹 Why customer relationships are the new frontier in grid reliability If you’re in clean energy, this is the episode that explains how the game is changing - and how leaders are rising to meet the moment. Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations. Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/. Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America! You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors. Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media. Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/ You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on: Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

    30 min
  5. 2025 Highlights w/Alex Honnold, Jigar Shah, & Dean Solon

    JAN 1

    2025 Highlights w/Alex Honnold, Jigar Shah, & Dean Solon

    2025 was a year of hardship for many, yet it was also a crucible for entrepreneurs, developing grit, resilience and perspective. We were able to capture some phenomenal conversations on the SunCast Podcast, and wanted to highlight a few that stand out for their vision and which also got among the most downloads of the year. In 2025, the clean energy industry was finally thinking like Amazon, building like Ford, and investing like it’s personal. Today’s episode highlights some of the key moments in the SunCast Podcast that illustrated these points through conversations with a powerhouse lineup of leaders who have been influential in bringing attention to the sector in a year where “good news” was hard to come by. In a classic tell-all live interview, Dean Solon breaks down his revolutionary solar logistics model—equal parts fast food and supply chain genius. Jigar Shah returns with an urgent message: the energy transition will stall unless we, as an industry, stop underestimating the role of political power. And Alex Honnold (Oscar-winning extreme rock climber) offers a rare perspective on how personal ambition can align with global progress, and why he believes solar power is a great social justice tool. Expect to learn: 🔹 How the Honnold Foundation fuels energy access in the Amazon 🔹 The case for solar distribution hubs that run like McDonald’s kitchens 🔹 Why scaling solar requires more than just tech—it takes soul 🔹 Jigar Shah on what CEOs still get wrong about growth and support From the factory floor to the forest canopy, you’ll hear how big bets, personal values, and systems thinking are driving the next wave of impact. Here’s to a more prosperous year ahead, hopefully with fewer hurdles & headwinds! Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations. Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/. Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America! You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors. Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media. Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/ You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on: Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo a href="https://my.captivate.fm/LinkedIn%20-%20https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    35 min
  6. The Four Rules of Storytelling | with Aaron Nichols

    12/30/2025

    The Four Rules of Storytelling | with Aaron Nichols

    What do a struggling mom in Georgia and a solar installer named Jim have in common? Their stories can change elections and shape public perception of clean energy. In this final episode of 2025, Aaron Nichols returns to SunCast with a mission: rescue storytelling from corporate cliché and remind us why one emotional story is worth a thousand graphs. His viral LinkedIn article Four Rules for Storytelling Corporate America Desperately Needs takes aim at how we confuse content creation with actual narrative power. Aaron and Nico dissect why storytelling in our industry so often falls flat and how to fix it. You’ll walk away with a practical, human-centered playbook for narrative that converts. Expect to learn: 🔹 Why “make me care before you make your case” is rule #1 in marketing 🔹 Why facts follow emotion, not the other way around 🔹 How to build a story stack that scales with your business 🔹 Why AI-generated content will never replace a real narrative 🔹 The 4 essential story types every clean energy leader should master This episode will change how you think about marketing, leadership, and your next LinkedIn post. Get The Story Stack PDF Happy New Year! Let’s get it started right. Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations. Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/. Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America! You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors. Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media. Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/ You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on: Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

    57 min

  7. 12/24/2025

    A Very SunCast Christmas: Our Top Moments, Trends & Hopes for 2026

    🎄 Pull up a chair and pour some eggnog. It’s time for the first-ever SunCast Christmas episode. This special holiday edition brings together the full SunCast leadership crew—Nico Johnson, Jeremy Pingul, and (drumroll, please) new team member Josh Beck—for a reflective and lively roundtable you won’t want to miss. What made 2025 so memorable? From Alex Honnold’s surprising passion for solar, to technical deep-dives and industry revelations, this episode is packed with powerful moments and bold predictions. The crew also shares what inspired them most—from tribal nations to Texas renewables. Catch the behind-the-scenes moments, including: 🔹 Which episode took 50+ hours to produce—and why it was worth every second 🔹 Why rooftop solar is finally getting its moment 🔹 How AI and batteries are reshaping base load conversations 🔹 The backstory of a single Zoom call that could shift the industry This isn’t just a recap. It’s a celebration of how far we’ve come—and a toast to the future. Whether you’re a longtime listener or new to the show, this episode offers a heartfelt, hopeful, and honest look at what was a trying but ultimately tremendously fruitful year. We wish you all a Very Merry Christmas, and thank you for tuning in! Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations. Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/. Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America! You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors. Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media. Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/ You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on: Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

    44 min

  8. 12/22/2025

    Houston’s $95 Billion Energy Bet: Jane Stricker on the New Clean Energy Capital

    Can the city known for oil & gas become the center of clean energy? In this powerhouse episode, we meet Jane Stricker, SVP of Energy Transition at the Greater Houston Partnership and Executive Director of HETI (Houston Energy Transition Initiative). Jane shares a front-row view of Houston’s bold strategy to stay the energy capital of the world – not just in oil, but in all forms of energy. Jane breaks down how Houston is scaling clean tech faster than ever before, attracting startups and corporate giants alike, and why over $95 billion has already been invested by local companies into low-carbon technologies. You’ll hear how the city’s industrial infrastructure, diverse workforce, and “speed-to-market” culture are giving it an edge in a global race for clean energy dominance. Expect to learn: 🔹 Why 9 new clean energy factories have launched in Greater Houston 🔹 How “molecules + electrons” define Houston’s unique approach 🔹 The talent pipeline fueling both fossil and renewable energy growth 🔹 The economic case for more energy + fewer emissions If you think Houston’s stuck in the past, think again. Do you believe Houston can keep it’s “Energy Capital of the World” moniker as Clean Energy takes the lead? Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations. Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/. Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America! You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors. Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media. Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/ You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on: Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

    25 min
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Trailer

4.9
out of 5
179 Ratings

About

Nico Johnson takes you into conversations with those at the forefront of Renewable Energy. SunCast gives an inside look into what is happening in renewable energy. From conversations with the biggest Solar Panel manufacturers in the world to the small startups creating the future of renewable energy, such as carbon capture and battery technology breakthroughs. SunCast is dedicated to providing the knowledge, research, tools and expert guidance you need to understand, grow and be ahead of the curve in the fastest-growing markets in the world. Featuring over 800 conversations, Nico has interviewed people from Tesla, SolarCity, Trina Solar, Meyer Burger, Conergy, SunEdison, Energy Vault and even the US Government... to name a few. Covering topics such as Solar Power, Wind Energy, Batteries, Electric Vehicles, Carbon Capture, Finance, Hydrogen, and more. You can watch SunCast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SunCastMedia ...or view the full archive of SunCast episodes here: https://www.suncast.media/media/podcast

Information

  • Creator
    Nico Johnson
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2026
  • Episodes
    901
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © SunCast Media
  • Show Website
    SunCast

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