SunCast

Nico Johnson
  • 4.9 (181)
  • 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. SEIA’s Next Chapter | Darren Van’t Hof on Solar, Storage and Focus for 2026

    16H AGO

    SEIA’s Next Chapter | Darren Van’t Hof on Solar, Storage and Focus for 2026

    Every year, there is a new “crisis” in solar. And yet… the industry keeps growing. With leadership transition underway at the Solar Energy Industries Association, Darren Van’t Hof steps in as Interim President and CEO at a pivotal moment. Policy uncertainty. Permitting bottlenecks. Election year noise. And a projected $25 billion flowing into storage in 2026 alone. So where do we really stand? In this candid conversation recorded live at Intersolar & Energy Storage N.A., Darren shares why solar has already won the cost battle, why storage may be the most durable growth sector in energy, and what must happen politically for the industry to keep accelerating. There are some additional fun bits about the future of SEIA and his role in there as well. ;-) Expect to learn: 🔹 What’s the outlook from the new (Interim) CEO on the heels of SEIA’s latest board meeting 🔹 Why solar is no longer competing on cost and what that changes 🔹 How permitting and regulatory uncertainty are quietly freezing capital 🔹 Why storage could command $25 billion in 2026 alone 🔹 The political engagement strategy SEIA is building to compete dollar for dollar Darren brings two decades of finance and board leadership experience to the conversation. His message is clear. Affordability wins. Economics win. But certainty is everything. Hit play to understand what is noise, what is signal, and how to position your company for the next growth cycle. 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! SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower! 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

    19 min
  2. How the Biggest EPCs Keep Energy Projects on Track | Brandon Moss, Shoals

    5D AGO

    How the Biggest EPCs Keep Energy Projects on Track | Brandon Moss, Shoals

    Most energy projects look solid on paper. Fewer stay on track in the field. Brandon Moss sees the difference every day. Energy demand is rising. Load growth is real. Timelines are tightening. So what actually keeps large energy projects on track? In this conversation, Brandon Moss, CEO of Shoals, shares what he sees from the center of utility-scale deployment. Shoals touches a significant portion of U.S. solar projects, giving Brandon a rare vantage point into how projects are planned, where they slip, and what separates strong operators from the rest. We discuss: What the biggest EPCs are prioritizing right nowWhere early decisions create downstream riskWhy partnership is replacing transactional procurementHow labor constraints are shaping engineering and designWhat “bankable” and “buildable” really mean in today’s marketHow AI and load growth are changing the urgency around delivery Brandon also reflects on the shift from private to public leadership, the responsibility that comes with scaling a business, and why simplicity and execution still win. If you’re building projects, financing them, or planning infrastructure in a volatile policy and trade environment, this episode offers practical insight from someone who sits at the center of it. Hit play and learn from a leader who sees where projects succeed and where they break. 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! SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower! 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 1m

  3. FEB 24

    T.J. Rodgers’ 13-Minute Management Masterclass

    Listen to the full 2.5 hour episode here: https://suncast.media/episodes/900 Most companies don’t fail because of strategy. They fail because standards slip. In this 13-minute vignette, T.J. Rodgers breaks down the management system he’s used across more than 25 acquisitions to build and scale billion-dollar companies — and why discipline, not charisma, determines whether a business survives. Inside: • Why 19 out of 20 decisions in your company are made without you • Why quality must be enforced, not admired • Why speed of correction matters more than avoiding mistakes • What “owner means 100% responsible” actually looks like • How written principles — enforced daily — shape culture This isn’t theory. It’s operational structure from someone who has spent decades building machines that work. If you lead people, run a company, or care about performance, this is worth 13 minutes. Press play; Listen 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! SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower! 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

    19 min
  4. Why Most Grid-Scale Batteries (BESS) Underperform - And How to Fix It Before It Costs Millions

    FEB 21

    Why Most Grid-Scale Batteries (BESS) Underperform - And How to Fix It Before It Costs Millions

    Battery storage is scaling fast. But scaling portfolios exposes weaknesses most owners never see coming. As projects move from single sites to gigawatt-hour fleets, many IPPs discover something uncomfortable: they have dashboards - but not decision-grade visibility. In this Episode, Lennart Hinrichs, EVP and General Manager of the Americas at TWAICE, explains what actually changes once batteries begin operating at scale. We discuss: Why state of charge (SOC) is foundational — but insufficientHow LFP chemistry complicates measurement more than most assumeWhat derating really does to revenue and dispatch confidenceWhy overbuild can mask deeper performance issuesWhat actually causes most battery fires (and what doesn’t)How data transparency reshapes warranty disputes and financial risk This isn’t a founder story. It’s a practical conversation for asset owners, operators, and performance engineers who want fewer surprises over the life of their storage assets. If you operate or finance battery projects, this episode will sharpen how you think about KPIs, safety, and operational confidence. Listen 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! SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower! 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 2m
  5. Google Didn’t Buy Intersect for Solar. Here’s Why. | Sheldon Kimber

    FEB 17

    Google Didn’t Buy Intersect for Solar. Here’s Why. | Sheldon Kimber

    “This is not an offensive play. It’s a defensive play. It’s a must win.” That’s how Sheldon Kimber describes AI for companies like Google. If your business depends on organizing and serving information, AI isn’t optional. It’s existential. And if AI is existential, power becomes strategic. In this conversation — recorded before Google’s acquisition of Intersect Power — Sheldon lays out the durable thesis that led here: The U.S. grid isn’t collapsing. It just can’t scale. Transmission is stalled. Business models are misaligned. Permitting reform won’t arrive in time. So instead of waiting for the grid to be fixed, Intersect built around it. Gigawatt-scale co-location. Wind, solar, batteries. Flexible gas. Control systems designed to act as one asset. The result? A hybrid solution that can deliver four-nines reliability - potentially more reliable than the grid itself. This isn’t about chasing incentives. It’s about building a better product. In this episode: 🔹 Why AI is a defensive must-win moment for hyperscalers 🔹 Why the grid’s structural limits created opportunity 🔹 How hybrid plants can outperform traditional baseload 🔹 Where the real moat lives: optimization and control 🔹 What “win the win” means for clean energy Google didn’t acquire Intersect as a climate statement. It acquired it because reliable, controllable power is now strategic infrastructure. Press play and decide for yourself. 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! SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower! 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

    14 min
  6. T.J. Rodgers’ Billion-Dollar Playbook | Building Companies That Last

    FEB 12

    T.J. Rodgers’ Billion-Dollar Playbook | Building Companies That Last

    T.J. Rodgers has built — and rebuilt — billion-dollar companies across semiconductors, energy, storage, and manufacturing. In this 2.5-hour Episode 900 deep dive, he walks through the operating principles behind that track record — in detail. This isn’t a surface-level conversation. It’s a masterclass in how durable companies are actually constructed. We unpack: 🔹 The mental models he uses to evaluate technologies and markets 🔹 The acquisition and integration process he’s deployed dozens of times 🔹 Why revenue per employee tells the truth — and what most CEOs hide behind 🔹 What “quality is free” really means in practice 🔹 How ownership, incentives, and culture get reinforced — not just talked about 🔹 Why most solar companies fail, and some survive If you’re a founder, operator, investor, or executive building in a hard industry, this episode will challenge how you think about metrics, structure, and leadership. It’s long. It’s dense. And it’s worth your time. This is not a fluffy discussion about climate optimism. It is about discipline. Incentives. Quality. And the brutal honesty of markets. Episode 900 feels like the right moment for a conversation like this. Listen 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! SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower! 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

    2h 33m

  7. FEB 10

    Everything You Need to Know Before Intersolar 2026

    Conference season is back, and if you are heading to Intersolar and Energy Storage North America 2026, this episode is your unfair advantage. Nico Johnson sits down with the people who know the show better than anyone. Event Director Beckie Kier, Solar Games mastermind Shannon Twombly, and Conference Chair Gene Hunt. Together, they break down how to get the most value from your time in San Diego, whether this is your first Intersolar or your tenth. This is more than a show preview, it’s a snapshot of where the clean energy industry stands right now. From the rapid rise of energy storage and domestic manufacturing to the growing importance of grid flexibility, DERs, and ultra long duration batteries, Intersolar 2026 reflects an industry that is evolving fast and learning in real time. You will also hear how the show floor itself reflects the strategy. Solar Games installer competitions, virtual reality activations, mini golf networking, and the always buzzing Hub Stage are all designed to spark real conversations, not just badge scans. Expect to learn: 🔹 How the Intersolar audience is shifting toward integrated solar and storage solutions 🔹 Why energy storage has moved from side topic to center stage 🔹 What Solar Games reveals about installer quality, safety, and best practices 🔹 How state leadership, supply chains, and long duration storage shape the 2026 outlook 👉 Listen or watch now to walk into Intersolar prepared, focused, and ready to make the connections that matter. 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! SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower! 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

    37 min

  8. FEB 5

    What Comes After the Acquisition | Andy Klump

    Modern founders spend years building toward a hopeful exit or liquidity event. Almost no one talks about what comes after the acquisition. In this episode, Nico Johnson sits down with Andy Klump, founder of Clean Energy Associates (CEA), for a thoughtful conversation about leadership after transition. After fifteen years growing CEA and completing a multi-year earn-out, Andy is in a rare season of pause — stepping back from the CEO seat and reflecting on what actually mattered. Rather than revisiting the early days, Andy shares lessons from leading through change, protecting culture during uncertainty, and recalibrating his identity once the nonstop pace slowed. They discuss why communication cadence matters more than vision statements, how internal Net Promoter Score became a tool for listening, and what founders often underestimate about earn-outs and transitions. This episode is for founders and operators who are scaling fast — or quietly wondering what comes next. Press play. You don’t hear conversations like this very often. 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! SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower! 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 21m
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Trailer

4.9
out of 5
181 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
    914
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © SunCast Media
  • Show Website
    SunCast

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