What’s blocking our climate tech breakthroughs?

It’s not the tech. It’s the process.

Ben Downing has seen the system from both sides—first as a Massachusetts state senator, then as VP at Nexamp scaling solar across the country. Now, as Chief Growth Officer at The Engine, MIT’s accelerator for “tough tech,” he’s helping commercialize game-changing innovations that can decarbonize the toughest sectors—steel, cement, transmission, and beyond.

But it’s not just about the science. It’s about fixing the systems—permitting, infrastructure, policy—that stall progress. In this episode, Ben shares why real-world deployment is the biggest hurdle… and how The Engine is building what he calls a “Solutions Factory” to overcome it.

Expect to learn:

⚡ Why product-market fit is the #1 blind spot for climate tech founders

⚡ How startups like Sublime and Commonwealth Fusion are scaling real impact

⚡ Why Massachusetts might be the best place to pilot manufacturing

⚡ How to rebuild broken processes that stall startup success

Ben’s optimism is infectious—and it’s backed by hard-won insight from the frontlines of policy and innovation. If you’ve ever wondered why brilliant climate ideas stall out and how to course-correct, press play and take notes.

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.

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

The U.S. grid is facing its biggest stress test since WWII. The answer? Batteries.

Joan White, Director of Storage & Interconnection Policy at SEIA, joins Nico on the PowerUp Live stage at RE+ Northeast to unpack the audacious 700 GWh storage deployment target laid out in SEIA’s latest white paper. That’s a 50% increase over the “business as usual” trajectory—and Joan believes it’s not just possible, but necessary.

As AI data centers, EV adoption, and manufacturing supercharge national energy demand, the grid must evolve. Energy storage isn’t a luxury anymore—it’s a requirement. Joan walks us through the policy levers, market dynamics, and cost curves shaping this once-in-a-generation energy transformation.

🔹 Why SEIA is pushing for 700 GWh of storage (and how we get there)

🔹 The invisible hand of tariffs and trade cases reshaping the battery market

🔹 The threat of repealing the ITC—and how states are stepping up

🔹 How storage can finally retire fossil peaker plants and replace standby fees

Joan doesn’t just know the policy—she’s writing the playbook. Whether you’re a policymaker, developer, or just curious about what’s next for the grid, this one’s a must-listen.

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.

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

When Maria Robinson took the helm at the Grid Deployment Office within the US Department of Energy (US DOE), she stepped into one of the most pivotal (and difficult) roles in the clean energy transition.

Now that she’s no longer a government employee, Maria reveals what really happens inside DOE decision-making rooms, why the grid is far more fragile than most realize, and how her new role as CEO of IREC is helping shift the power back to the people.

From wildfire response to data center load growth and interconnection bottlenecks, Maria clearly understands what is driving (or stifling) our energy transition —you don’t want to miss this conversation.

🔌 Why our grid is more outdated than you think

🔥 The inside story of DOE’s wildfire response efforts

📊 What solar pros need to know about FERC (and why they’re not paying attention)

🧩 How IREC is taking on the hard problems utilities don’t want to face

Tune-in, and after you’ve had a listen, consider sharing this with someone to help us spread the word!

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.

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

Residential solar may still be a long way from recovery —but the commercial and industrial (C&I) solar market is heating up. In this power-packed episode recorded live at RE+ Northeast, Nico sits down with John Carroll of SolarEdge to explore why the commercial market could be the biggest growth driver in clean energy this year.

From training installers to navigating the evolving incentive quagmire, John unpacks the forces reshaping the C&I landscape in 2025..

📜 The IRA’s surprising ripple effects on project development and jobs

⚙️ Top challenges facing new C&I installers—and how to overcome them

🔌 How module-level power electronics are changing the economics of scale

🏭🇺🇸 Why SolarEdge is doubling down on U.S. manufacturing and domestic content

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.

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

Microgrids are essential to the clean energy future—but they’re still too complex, slow, and unbankable. That’s the problem Adib Naslé set out to solve. With Xendee, he’s built a platform that makes distributed energy systems faster to plan, easier to finance, and smarter to operate.

Nico digs into how Adib and his team turned 20 years of national lab research into a commercial product now used by governments, fleet operators, developers and data centers. If you want to understand where AI, microgrids, and electrification converge—this is the episode for you.

🔹 The 3 biggest choke points in microgrid adoption

🔹 Why software, not hardware, is the key to energy independence

🔹 How Xendee is supporting Neom, Fiji, and Travel Centers of America

🔹 The power of dynamic forecasting and rolling 72-hour optimization

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.

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

At a time when uncertainty looms for many clean energy companies, Encore Renewable Energy just secured a $389 million financing deal that proves the big money’s still looking for good bets to be made. Chad Farrell walks us through their recent landmark deal with Brookfield and what it signals for the broader renewables industry.

From raising capital the slow, scrappy way to winning major infrastructure funding, this episode is packed with insights for anyone navigating the shift from developer to independent power producer. And it also is a strong signal from the capital markets that distributed generation has solid support.

🔹 The novel financing structure that lets Encore Renewable Energy move at industry-scale speed

🔹 How solar’s economic case is winning over skeptics—across party lines

🔹 What Encore Renewable Energy’s growth path says about capital market trends

🔹 Why community engagement is key to unlocking project velocity

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.

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

800 episodes. 1 unforgettable conversation. For the first time in years, Nico Johnson becomes the guest on his own show, interviewed by friend and fellow podcaster, Lisa Ann Pinkerton. What follows is a raw and powerful exploration of the highs, lows, and turning points behind SunCast’s success. Whether you’re building a brand, running a business, or just love clean energy—this episode has something for you.

🔹 How vulnerability built SunCast’s loyal following

🔹 Why podcasting is a secret weapon for industry influence

🔹 Failures that almost killed the show

🔹 What clean energy needs most in the next 5 years

Hope you like this one. It’s 9+ Years in the making!

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.

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

Live from the Hub Stage at Intersolar 2025, Nico gathers a powerhouse podcaster panel to dig into what’s really going on in the solar & battery sectors. Sean White (Solar Sean), Chris Crowell (Solar Builder), and Joe Ordia (Solar Surge) don’t hold back as they swap stories and product insights live from the show floor, and discuss the tough realities facing the solar sector presently.

It’s equal parts geek-out, gut check, and group therapy. Don’t miss this behind-the-scenes take from media voices walking the solar beat daily.

🔹 Candid takes on layoffs, slow budgets & where growth is hiding

🔹 The comeback of module-level battery storage with a twist

🔹 Why solar permitting (still) might be our biggest bottleneck

🔹 How repowering could be the next big business opportunity

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.

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