Today’s episode of the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague welcomes back Chris Lettman, US Sales Director for Imperial Star Solar, to dive deep into the world of domestic content in solar panel manufacturing. As the US approaches 50 gigawatts of solar panel manufacturing capacity, Chris brings his 16+ years of industry experience to clarify the often misunderstood requirements for domestic content qualification.

Chris explains the critical distinction between modules assembled in the US versus those that truly qualify for the 10% ITC domestic content adder, which requires US-manufactured solar cells. With only about 5 gigawatts of the current 50 gigawatts of panel manufacturing capacity using domestically produced cells, Chris cautions developers and EPCs to thoroughly vet manufacturers' claims about domestic content eligibility.

The conversation explores Imperial Star Solar's 2-gigawatt manufacturing facility in Houston, Texas, their partnership with Suniva for solar cells, and their commitment to transparency regarding domestic content verification. Chris shares insights from his recent experience at the Solar and Wind Finance Conference in Phoenix, noting the growing brand recognition of Imperial Star in the US market.

Tim and Chris also discuss the broader implications of reshoring solar manufacturing, including job creation, tax revenue, and supply chain security. They address how the current political climate affects the solar manufacturing renaissance spurred by the Inflation Reduction Act, emphasizing the importance of continued good industrial policy to support American manufacturing.

Whether you're a solar developer navigating ITC requirements, an EPC looking to source domestically manufactured panels, or simply interested in the future of American clean energy manufacturing, this episode offers valuable insights you won't want to miss. Listen now to understand the complexities and opportunities in US solar panel manufacturing.

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Chris Lettman

Imperial Star Solar

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The Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: CleanPowerHour@gmail.com

Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/

The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

Today on the Clean Power Hour, recorded at Intersolar San Diego, host Tim Montague sits down with McKay Johnson of Helix Electric and Kelly Shamblen of CPS America to discuss the current state of the commercial and industrial solar market. Despite the industry's unpredictable nature—often called the "solar coaster"—both guests express optimism about continued growth in the clean energy transition.

McKay Johnson highlights how permitting challenges in Southern California create obstacles for project implementation, noting that other states offer a smoother process for getting solar projects "into the ground and built." The conversation reveals a significant shift in the storage market, with Johnson explaining how Helix Electric has moved from primarily PV-only installations to seeing dramatic growth in hybrid systems and standalone battery storage projects over the past 18 months.

The discussion also explores how NEM 3 (Net Energy Metering 3) has created tailwinds for storage adoption, changing project characteristics even while overall development pace remains strong. Johnson shares insights into why Helix Electric consistently chooses CPS America for power electronics, citing product quality, continuous innovation, and exceptional customer service as key factors in their long-standing partnership.

Kelly Shamblen offers perspective on Southern California's role as a hotbed for C&I (Commercial and Industrial) projects, particularly highlighting school districts, municipalities, and retrofit opportunities as growth areas. The episode concludes with both guests emphasizing the value of industry trade shows like Intersolar for discovering innovations and the importance of strong, loyal partnerships in navigating the evolving solar landscape.

Listen to this episode to gain valuable insights into market trends, technological developments, and successful business relationships that are helping speed the energy transition in Southern California and beyond.

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McKay Johnson

Helix Electric

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The Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: CleanPowerHour@gmail.com

Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/

The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

Today on the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague sits down with Carlos Abad, the newly appointed head of Latin American markets for CPS America. Recorded at Intersolar San Diego, this conversation offers insights into the growing solar and energy storage markets across Latin America, with a particular focus on Mexico's promising 7-8 gigawatt solar market potential for 2025.

Carlos shares his journey from being an architect caught in the 2008 recession to becoming a solar industry leader. Starting with a self-built solar trailer for a farmers market in Miami to working with companies like Sun Electronics, Tesla, and now returning to CPS America, his career path demonstrates the evolving opportunities in renewable energy. The discussion provides a comprehensive overview of Latin American markets, including Mexico, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, and others, highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities in each region.

This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in international solar markets, energy storage integration, and the future of renewable energy in Latin America. Carlos' expertise in both technical installation (as a NABCEP certified professional) and market strategy offers valuable perspectives for industry professionals and enthusiasts alike.

Episode Highlights:

• Carlos Abad's journey from architecture to solar, including his first off-grid system design and NABCEP certification
• Mexico's renewable energy outlook under new leadership with projected 7-8GW solar market and 700-900 MWh storage market for 2025
• Overview of key Latin American solar markets, including Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Panama, and Colombia
• Discussion of Puerto Rico's energy transformation following Hurricane Maria and current utility restructuring
• Insights into CPS America's product strategy for Latin America, focusing on 250/600V and 350/800V inverters
• The growing importance of integrated solar and energy storage solutions

Listen now to gain valuable insights into one of renewable energy's most dynamic and promising regions from an industry veteran with over 15 years of experience in sustainable energy solutions.

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Carlos Abad

CPS America

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Connect with Tim

Clean Power Hour
Clean Power Hour on YouTube
Tim on Twitter
Tim on LinkedIn

Email tim@cleanpowerhour.com

Review Clean Power Hour on Apple Podcasts

The Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: CleanPowerHour@gmail.com

Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/

The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com