The Solar Coaster Podcast

Anna Covert

Welcome to The Solarcoaster Podcast — your ultimate guide to navigating the fast-changing solar industry. Each episode delivers actionable insights, industry best practices, and expert strategies to help solar professionals, entrepreneurs, and business leaders thrive in the renewable energy space. Whether you’re an installer, sales leader, manufacturer, or decision-maker, you’ll learn how to scale your business, optimize lead generation, and stay ahead in an evolving market.

  1. Renewable Energy's New Reality: Share the Risk or Miss the Opportunity | Solar Coaster | EP 41

    4d ago

    Renewable Energy's New Reality: Share the Risk or Miss the Opportunity | Solar Coaster | EP 41

    The renewable energy market has never been hotter—and never been more complicated. As AI data centers, manufacturers, utilities, and Fortune 500 companies race to secure clean power, a surprising reality is emerging: renewable energy isn't limited by demand. It's limited by infrastructure. In this episode of The Solar Coaster, we explore why corporate buyers are being told to move faster than ever before, how interconnection queues are delaying projects for years, why developers now hold the leverage in negotiations, and what happens when trillions of dollars of capital collide with real-world bottlenecks. We discuss: • The AI-driven surge in energy demand • Why renewable power has become a seller's market • The hidden risks inside today's PPAs • Transformer shortages and grid congestion • Community resistance and permitting delays • Why speed without local support can backfire • The future value of clean energy procurement If you're involved in solar, energy storage, utilities, sustainability, or corporate energy purchasing, this conversation offers an important look at where the market is headed next. Subscribe for more conversations on energy, technology, and the future of infrastructure. Sponsored by Sun Energy Today Sun Energy Today is a commercial and residential solar provider serving Arizona and helping homeowners explore ways to produce their own electricity using the state’s abundant sunshine. 🌐 https://sunenergytoday.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/atzael-herrera/ Listen to The Solar Coaster Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/28LLOtNEQj8ZoCZJqVOa7o Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-solar-coaster-podcast/id1832579656 Amazon Music https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/342b84c9-ccb9-4cdb-99cc-ed6254503bfa/the-solar-coaster-podcast iHeart Radio https://iheart.com/podcast/292376116/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@solarcoasterbook

    13 min
  2. The Great Energy Divide: Scarcity, Stability & the End of Oil Volatility | Solar Coaster Podcast | EP 40

    Jun 3

    The Great Energy Divide: Scarcity, Stability & the End of Oil Volatility | Solar Coaster Podcast | EP 40

    ⚠️ AI DISCLOSURE This episode of The Solar Coaster features AI-generated voice narration of Anna Covert and Alex Herrera. All content has been reviewed, approved, and reflects general industry insights and discussion topics. This episode is intended for informational and educational purposes only and does not represent the specific opinions, advice, or guarantees of the individuals or companies mentioned. 🎙️ THE SOLAR COASTER PODCAST Every time oil prices spike... Someone profits. And everyone else pays. In this episode of The Solar Coaster, Anna Covert and Alex Herrera (Owner of Sun Energy Today) explore the growing divide between two energy worlds: One built on scarcity. One built on abundance. From geopolitical conflicts and fragile supply chains... to solar energy, battery storage, and energy independence... This episode reveals why the chaos of oil markets may actually be accelerating the renewable energy transition. Because the future of energy isn't just cleaner. It's more predictable. 🌞 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN ⚡ Why oil markets are inherently volatile ⚡ How solar changes the economics of energy ⚡ Why battery storage is transforming the grid ⚡ The hidden connection between energy and geopolitics ⚡ How solar reduces long-term energy risk ⚡ Why financial innovation matters for energy access ⚡ What the next decade could look like ⚡ This episode of The Solar Coaster is sponsored by Sun Energy Today: 🌐 https://sunenergytoday.com/ 👤 Connect with Atzael Herrera on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/atzael-herrera-84223436 📖 Get the book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSGKKV8X?psc=1&smid=A1Y53T3O3Q25L8&linkCode=sl1&tag=annacovert-20&linkId=1dfad38ae3d56078f509025bc52227db&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

    14 min
  3. The Silent Saboteur: What Can Kill a Solar System Over Time | Solar Coaster | EP 39

    May 27

    The Silent Saboteur: What Can Kill a Solar System Over Time | Solar Coaster | EP 39

    ⚠️ AI DISCLOSURE This episode of The Solar Coaster features AI-generated voice narration of Anna Covert and Alex Herrera. All content has been reviewed, approved, and reflects general industry insights and discussion topics. This episode is intended for informational and educational purposes only and does not represent the specific opinions, advice, or guarantees of the individuals or companies mentioned. 🎙️ THE SOLAR COASTER PODCAST We’ve been sold a story about solar. Install it. Forget it. Thirty years of performance. But what happens over those thirty years? In this episode of The Solar Coaster, Anna Covert and Alex Herrera (Owner of Sun Energy Today) break down the hidden risks that can quietly impact solar systems over time. From corrosion and environmental wear… to long-term material degradation and system stress… This episode explores the “silent saboteur” behind solar performance. Because solar isn’t just about day one. It’s about every day after that. 🌞 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: Why solar is a long-term system, not a one-time install The hidden risks of corrosion and environmental exposure How materials degrade over time What impacts system longevity Why quality installation matters more than ever What homeowners should understand about long-term performance ⚡ This episode of The Solar Coaster is sponsored by Sun Energy Today: 🌐 https://sunenergytoday.com/ 👤 Connect with Atzael Herrera https://linkedin.com/in/atzael-herrera-84223436

    16 min
  4. The Solar Paradox: Why Steel Matters More Than Sunlight | The Solar Coaster | EP 38

    May 20

    The Solar Paradox: Why Steel Matters More Than Sunlight | The Solar Coaster | EP 38

    ⚠️ AI DISCLOSURE This episode of The Solar Coaster features AI-generated voice narration of Anna Covert and Alex Herrera. All content has been reviewed, approved, and reflects general industry insights and discussion topics. This episode is intended for informational and educational purposes only and does not represent the specific opinions, advice, or guarantees of the individuals or companies mentioned. 🎙️ THE SOLAR COASTER PODCAST We’ve been told solar is unlimited. Endless sunlight. Infinite energy. But what if that’s not true? What if the real limitation isn’t the sun… It’s everything else? In this episode of The Solar Coaster, Anna Covert and Alex Herrera (Owner of Sun Energy Today) break down the “solar paradox”—why the biggest constraint on clean energy isn’t generation… It’s infrastructure. From steel shortages and transformer bottlenecks… to grid limitations, permitting delays, and supply chain realities… This episode reveals what’s actually slowing down the energy transition. Because the future of solar isn’t just about sunlight. It’s about what we can build to support it. 🌞 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: Why solar isn’t limited by sunlight The role of steel, transformers, and infrastructure What’s really slowing down solar deployment How supply chains impact clean energy growth Why grid capacity is the real constraint What needs to change to unlock the next decade ⚡ This episode of The Solar Coaster is sponsored by Sun Energy Today: 🌐 https://sunenergytoday.com/ 👤 Connect with Atzael Herrera https://linkedin.com/in/atzael-herrera-84223436 📖 GET THE BOOK: The Solar Coaster https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSGKKV8X?psc=1&smid=A1Y53T3O3Q25L8&linkCode=sl1&tag=annacovert-20&linkId=1dfad38ae3d56078f509025bc52227db&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl ✨ CONNECT WITH THE SOLAR COASTER 🎧 Listen on All Platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/28LLOtNEQj8ZoCZJqVOa7o Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-solar-coaster-podcast/id1832579656 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/342b84c9-ccb9-4cdb-99cc-ed6254503bfa/the-solar-coaster-podcast iHeart Radio: https://iheart.com/podcast/292376116/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@solarcoasterbook 🌐 Follow Us on Social: Facebook: https://facebook.com/solarcoasterbook Instagram: http://instagram.com/thesolarcoasterbook LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-solar-coaster-book/

    14 min
  5. The Invisible Architects | Solar Coaster Podcast | EP 37

    May 13

    The Invisible Architects | Solar Coaster Podcast | EP 37

    ⚠️ AI DISCLOSURE This episode of The Solar Coaster features AI-generated voice narration of Anna Covert and Alex Herrera. All content has been reviewed, approved, and reflects general industry insights and discussion topics. This episode is intended for informational and educational purposes only and does not represent the specific opinions, advice, or guarantees of the individuals or companies mentioned. 🎙️ THE SOLAR COASTER PODCAST We’ve been sold a story about solar. Panels. Savings. Clean energy. But that’s not the full picture. Because behind every solar system… There’s someone actually building it. In this episode of The Solar Coaster, Anna Covert and Alex Herrera (Owner of Sun Energy Today) break down the role of electrical contractors—the invisible workforce powering the green energy transition. From labor shortages and training gaps… to infrastructure challenges and real-world installation complexity… This episode highlights the people who are actually making solar possible. Because without them… There is no transition. 🌞 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: Why electricians are critical to the solar industry The labor shortage impacting clean energy growth What it really takes to install solar systems Why infrastructure—not panels—is the real bottleneck How the workforce is shaping the future of energy ⚡ This episode of The Solar Coaster is sponsored by Sun Energy Today: 🌐 https://sunenergytoday.com/ 👤 Connect with Atzael Herrera https://linkedin.com/in/atzael-herrera-84223436 📖 GET THE BOOK: The Solar Coaster https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSGKKV8X?psc=1&smid=A1Y53T3O3Q25L8&linkCode=sl1&tag=annacovert-20&linkId=1dfad38ae3d56078f509025bc52227db&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl ✨ CONNECT WITH THE SOLAR COASTER 🎧 Listen on All Platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/28LLOtNEQj8ZoCZJqVOa7o Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-solar-coaster-podcast/id1832579656 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/342b84c9-ccb9-4cdb-99cc-ed6254503bfa/the-solar-coaster-podcast iHeart Radio: https://iheart.com/podcast/292376116/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@solarcoasterbook 🌐 Follow Us on Social: Facebook: https://facebook.com/solarcoasterbook Instagram: http://instagram.com/thesolarcoasterbook LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-solar-coaster-book/

    14 min
  6. The Real Solar Boom of 2026 (No One Is Talking About This) | The Solar Coaster | EP 36

    May 6

    The Real Solar Boom of 2026 (No One Is Talking About This) | The Solar Coaster | EP 36

    ⚠️ AI DISCLOSURE This episode of The Solar Coaster features AI-generated voice narration of Anna Covert and Alex Herrera. All content has been reviewed, approved, and reflects general industry insights and discussion topics. This episode is intended for informational and educational purposes only and does not represent the specific opinions, advice, or guarantees of the individuals or companies mentioned. 🎙️ THE SOLAR COASTER PODCAST The headlines say one thing. But the reality on the ground tells a very different story. In this episode of The Solar Coaster, Anna Covert and Alex Herrera (Owner of Sun Energy Today) go beyond the press releases to uncover what’s really happening in the American solar industry in 2026. Because while some companies are shutting down… Something much bigger is quietly accelerating. From shifts in project scale and financing… to changes in who is actually building the future of energy… to the hidden forces driving real growth behind the scenes… This episode breaks down the truth about where solar is actually headed. 🌞 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: Why the real solar boom isn’t being reported What’s actually driving growth in 2026 How the industry is shifting behind the scenes Why headlines don’t match reality What developers are seeing on the ground Where the biggest opportunities are moving ⚡ This episode of The Solar Coaster is sponsored by Sun Energy Today: 🌐 https://sunenergytoday.com/ 👤 Connect with Atzael Herrera https://linkedin.com/in/atzael-herrera-84223436 📖 GET THE BOOK: The Solar Coaster https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSGKKV8X?psc=1&smid=A1Y53T3O3Q25L8&linkCode=sl1&tag=annacovert-20&linkId=1dfad38ae3d56078f509025bc52227db&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl ✨ CONNECT WITH THE SOLAR COASTER 🎧 Listen on All Platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/28LLOtNEQj8ZoCZJqVOa7o Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-solar-coaster-podcast/id1832579656 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/342b84c9-ccb9-4cdb-99cc-ed6254503bfa/the-solar-coaster-podcast iHeart Radio: https://iheart.com/podcast/292376116/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@solarcoasterbook 🌐 Follow Us on Social: Facebook: https://facebook.com/solarcoasterbook Instagram: http://instagram.com/thesolarcoasterbook LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-solar-coaster-book/

    16 min
  7. The Messy Middle of Commercial Solar in 2026 | The Solar Coaster Podcast | EP 35

    Apr 29

    The Messy Middle of Commercial Solar in 2026 | The Solar Coaster Podcast | EP 35

    ⚠️ AI DISCLOSURE This episode of The Solar Coaster features AI-generated voice narration of Anna Covert and Alex Herrera. All content has been reviewed, approved, and reflects general industry insights and discussion topics. This episode is intended for informational and educational purposes only and does not represent the specific opinions, advice, or guarantees of the individuals or companies mentioned. 🎙️ THE SOLAR COASTER PODCAST Commercial solar is entering its most dangerous—and most profitable—phase yet. The easy wins are gone. Now it’s about precision. In this episode of The Solar Coaster, Anna Covert and Alex Herrera (Owner of Sun Energy Today) break down what the industry is calling the “messy middle”—the painful but necessary transition from subsidized, experimental projects to true grid infrastructure. From battery storage becoming the primary asset… to fire code surprises, tax equity shifts, and eighteen-month supply chain nightmares… This episode reveals why the C&I solar market is being completely redefined. Because the future of solar isn’t just panels. It’s discipline. And precision is no longer optional. 🌞 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: - Why battery storage is becoming more valuable than solar panels - What the “messy middle” means for C&I developers - How fire code changes are killing profitable projects - Why tax equity may be losing importance - The hidden soft costs destroying project margins - Why storage supply chains are still chaotic - How precision became the new survival skill in solar ⚡ This episode of The Solar Coaster is sponsored by Sun Energy Today: 🌐 https://sunenergytoday.com/ 👤 Connect with Atzael Herrera on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/atzael-herrera-84223436

    10 min
  8. Why Clean Energy Could End Energy Wars | Solar Coaster | EP 34

    Apr 22

    Why Clean Energy Could End Energy Wars | Solar Coaster | EP 34

    ⚠️ AI DISCLOSURE This episode of The Solar Coaster features AI-generated voice narration of Anna Covert and Alex Herrera. All content has been reviewed, approved, and reflects general industry insights and discussion topics. This episode is intended for informational and educational purposes only and does not represent the specific opinions, advice, or guarantees of the individuals or companies mentioned. 🎙️ THE SOLAR COASTER PODCAST We’ve been sold a story about solar. Clean. Sustainable. Good for the planet. But what if solar is actually something much bigger? What if renewable energy is becoming the single most important national security strategy of the twenty-first century? In this episode of The Solar Coaster, Anna Covert and Alex Herrera (Owner of Sun Energy Today) break down the Electrotech Revolution—and why solar, storage, batteries, and smart grids are no longer climate initiatives… They are strategic infrastructure. From energy independence and economic sovereignty… to grid resilience and the future of global conflict… This episode explores how renewable energy could fundamentally change geopolitics itself. Because when energy belongs to everyone… Power changes. 🌞 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: - Why solar is becoming national security infrastructure - How renewable energy reduces geopolitical vulnerability - Why “Electrotech” is bigger than just solar panels - The hidden reason governments are racing toward energy independence - How renewables are already cheaper than fossil fuels - Why grid bottlenecks—not technology—are the real problem - How clean energy could reshape the future of global conflict ⚡ This episode of The Solar Coaster is sponsored by Sun Energy Today: 🌐 https://sunenergytoday.com/ 👤 Connect with Atzael Herrera on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/atzael-herrera-84223436 📖 GET THE BOOK: The Solar Coaster https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSGKKV8X?psc=1&smid=A1Y53T3O3Q25L8&linkCode=sl1&tag=annacovert-20&linkId=1dfad38ae3d56078f509025bc52227db&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl Listen to The Solar Coaster Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/28LLOtNEQj8ZoCZJqVOa7o Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-solar-coaster-podcast/id1832579656 Amazon Music https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/342b84c9-ccb9-4cdb-99cc-ed6254503bfa/the-solar-coaster-podcast iHeart Radio https://iheart.com/podcast/292376116/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@solarcoasterbook

    15 min
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About

Welcome to The Solarcoaster Podcast — your ultimate guide to navigating the fast-changing solar industry. Each episode delivers actionable insights, industry best practices, and expert strategies to help solar professionals, entrepreneurs, and business leaders thrive in the renewable energy space. Whether you’re an installer, sales leader, manufacturer, or decision-maker, you’ll learn how to scale your business, optimize lead generation, and stay ahead in an evolving market.

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