The Energy Show

Barry Cinnamon
  • 4.4 (57)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Every week Barry hosts The Energy Show, a 30 minute informative talk show that covers a broad variety of energy related topics spanning technology, economics, policy, and politics that are shaping the future of how we generate and consume electricity, along with practical money-saving tips on ways to reduce your home and business energy consumption.

  1. Dirty Solar Panels Waste Clean Energy

    3D AGO

    Dirty Solar Panels Waste Clean Energy

    Consider the poor photons! If your panels are dirty you are causing trillions of premature photonic deaths when they collide with dirt molecules. Please give those photons the chance to knock an electron loose from an eager semi-conductor. Instead of being converted to heat and banished to quantum hell. Save The Photons. Clean Your Solar Panels After just a week, your panels might look slightly dusty. But a light coating of dust doesn't significantly block sunlight. However, severe grime, especially on low-tilt panels, can slash your output by over 25%! You can’t save all the photons all the time, but by watching your solar monitoring system you can tell mathematically -- as well as visually -- when your panels should be cleaned. If you have a larger system in an area with high electric rates and a dry climate, the economics of cleaning become more favorable. When it comes to cleaning solar panels there’s lots of bad advice on the internet…and even from manufacturers. On this week’s podcast we address WHEN you should clean your solar panels, as well as HOW. Please tune into the full “Save The Photons” podcast at www.energyshow.biz. And keep these three things in mind: safety, the type of water, and the best cleaning agents. Like, Comment & Subscribe Today!

    23 min
  2. Ten Tips For The Best Home Solar and Battery System

    FEB 4

    Ten Tips For The Best Home Solar and Battery System

    Unfortunately, there are a few "quick buck" solar companies that take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners. These ten tips will help you avoid these scam artists -- and get the best solar and battery installation for your home or business. 1. Beware of the word “Free” 2. Beware of TGTBT pricing and financing 3. Don’t sign up on the spot 4. Do not trust quotes generated completely online 5. Beware of “free maintenance and cleaning” commitments 6. Beware of optimistic system savings 7. Research the company that manufacturers the solar panels you will install 8. Research the company that manufactures battery SYSTEM you will install 9. Understand your backup power strategy 10. Do your own research on applicable incentives, credits and financing options Don’t let a bad deal or poor installation quality ruin your solar investment. Tune into this week's podcast at www.energyshow.biz

    22 min
  3. Humans Needed When Batteries Break

    JAN 28

    Humans Needed When Batteries Break

    This week on The Energy Show, we’re talking about solar + battery systems not just the equipment, but the customer service and troubleshooting that keeps these systems performing year after year. Traditional “solar-only” systems can be wonderfully simple and reliable. But when you add batteries (plus transfer switches, CTs, load management, apps, and firmware), you also add more moving parts and that means it’s helpful to know what’s normal, what’s fixable, and what’s worth upgrading. Barry is joined by the Cinnamon Energy Systems service team Frank Teague, Lucas Cordero, Lily Cinnamon, and Yvette Res for a practical, real-world conversation on what we see in the field and what homeowners can do to stay ahead of issues. In this episode: • Why batteries add complexity (hardware + software + communication) • The truth about warranties (what’s covered and what usually isn’t) • The most common “no production” scenario: it’s often monitoring/communication • Why we often recommend waiting 48-72 hours before assuming the worst • Firmware updates: why they matter and why they can be tricky • Roof leaks, critters, and prevention tips • When older systems (15+ years) may be better replaced than “patched” • Cleaning + shade + winter production: what “normal” looks like seasonally • VPPs + battery calibration cycles: why batteries sometimes discharge unexpectedly Like, Comment & Subscribe Today!

    1 hr
  4. Environmental Working Group Fixes Broken U.S. Policies

    JAN 21

    Environmental Working Group Fixes Broken U.S. Policies

    Rooftop solar, net metering, and clean energy policies are being dismantled across the U.S. From the effective cancellation of the Inflation Reduction Act to broken contracts and financial clawbacks, fossil-fuel interests are pushing hard to regain control of our energy system. This week on The Energy Show, Barry Cinnamon is joined by Bernadette Del Chiaro, Senior Vice President at the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and former Executive Director of CALSSA, for a powerful, no-nonsense conversation about what’s really happening—and how consumers can push back. • Why utilities are attacking rooftop solar and net metering • The truth behind the “cost-shift” myth • EWG’s landmark lawsuit against the California Public Utilities Commission • How bad utility policy drove 17,000+ solar job losses • The rise of balcony solar / plug-in solar and why utilities fear it • Why decentralized energy = cheaper, safer, more reliable power • What California (and the rest of the country) must do next Like, Comment & Subscribe Today!

    52 min
  5. Policy is the Power behind Energy

    JAN 14

    Policy is the Power behind Energy

    On this week’s episode of The Energy Show, Barry Cinnamon is joined by Carl Guardino, a longtime leader in government affairs and public policy, to explain how smart advocacy, trust, and relationships shape the laws and regulations that impact our energy future. Carl has helped guide policy from every angle — from leading the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, to expanding clean-energy markets at Bloom Energy, to bringing high-speed broadband to underserved communities at Tarana Wireless. Barry and Carl explore: • Why good policy takes more than great technology • How businesses can effectively advocate without “pay-to-play” politics • The biggest mistakes companies make when dealing with policymakers • Why broadband is now as essential as electricity and water • How clean energy and telecom can win in challenging political environments Like, Comment & Subscribe Today!

    39 min
  6. That Which Does Not Kill Clean Energy Makes It Stronger

    JAN 8

    That Which Does Not Kill Clean Energy Makes It Stronger

    Nietzsche must have been referring to clean energy. Not even Nostradamus could have predicted this much turmoil in the energy sector in 2025. Nevertheless, Barry predicts steady clean energy progress due to lower solar, battery and heat pump costs. 1) Bad news - expect a record number of clean energy bankruptcies in 2026 2) AC2HP reach codes for homes will take off 3) Utilities will lie every time they say that the data center buildout will not cause electric rates to skyrocket 4) Battery storage costs will continue to decline rapidly 5) Cheap batteries + solar will threaten all other grid energy sources 6) Top tier battery system manufacturers will gain share 7) More rooftop solar MCIs, fewer MLPEs 8) Residential solar financing demand will exceed supply of compliant modules and batteries 9) Plug-in solar hype will eventually crack the utility interconnection monopoly 10) Automakers will fail with V2G but succeed with V2H Tune into this week’s Energy Show for details on these predictions, as well as a translation of this new slew of clean energy acronyms (AC2HP, MCI, MLPE, V2G, V2H, ETC).

    14 min
  7. States Fight Back Against Archaic Energy Policies

    12/17/2025

    States Fight Back Against Archaic Energy Policies

    AI and data centers are driving unprecedented demand for power. At the same time, federal clean-energy support is being rolled back, leaving households and businesses exposed to higher costs and grid instability. So where does that leave us? In this episode of The Energy Show, Barry Cinnamon is joined by Sachu Constantine, Executive Director of Vote Solar, to break down what’s really happening behind the scenes — and why state-level solar and storage policy may be the most powerful lever left to protect affordability, reliability, and clean energy growth. • The growing federal backlash against solar and clean energy • Why electricity prices are rising — and why it’s not going to stop • How AI and data centers are pushing the grid to its breaking point • Why solar + batteries are now the fastest, cheapest grid solution • How Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) can stabilize the grid Please tune in to this week’s Energy Show at www.energyshow.biz to understand how the fight for clean energy has moved to the states as the federal government returns to the expensive and polluting policies of the past. Like, Comment & Subscribe Today!

    15 min
  8. Jumping Jack Flash Needs No Gas - Just a Heat Pump

    12/10/2025

    Jumping Jack Flash Needs No Gas - Just a Heat Pump

    In this week’s Energy Show, Barry talks with Panama Bartholomy, Founder and Executive Director of the Building Decarbonization Coalition, about how heat pumps, induction cooktops, better incentive programs, and smart building codes are transforming homes and businesses across the U.S. • Heat pumps are 400% efficient, yes that's thermodynamically possible. • Learn about the new heat pump water heaters that plug into the wall • Home cooks love induction cooktops • Why many contractors love electrification but hate rebate paperwork • What happens to gas utilities, pipelines, and workers as we electrify Policy changes, tax credits, and rebate programs that actually work If you’ve been wondering whether now is the time to upgrade to a heat pump HVAC, heat pump water heater, or induction cooktop, this episode is a great place to start. Like, Comment & Subscribe Today! #HeatPumps #BuildingDecarbonization #ElectrifyEverything #InductionCooking #AllElectricHome #CleanEnergy #SolarAndHeatPumps #BuildingElectrification #ClimateSolutions #EnergyEfficiency #TheEnergyShow

    50 min
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4.4
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About

Every week Barry hosts The Energy Show, a 30 minute informative talk show that covers a broad variety of energy related topics spanning technology, economics, policy, and politics that are shaping the future of how we generate and consume electricity, along with practical money-saving tips on ways to reduce your home and business energy consumption.

Information

  • Creator
    Barry Cinnamon
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2026
  • Episodes
    98
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 - Barry Cinnamon - The Energy Show
  • Show Website
    The Energy Show

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