Watts Up

Marie and Conner tap into resident GRNE Solar expert, Travis Kepler on what it takes to design, engineer, install and maintain an off-grid solar array. 

From the Show: 

Co-Founder and CEO, Nikhil Vadhavkar of Raptor Maps joins us to discuss their innovative software. With the power of drones, Raptor Maps takes the care of solar assets to the skies. Their sophisticated software utilizes technology to help identify and monitor solar assets while providing users historical data to proactively identify potential issues. 

From the Show: 

Dustyn Thompson of the Sierra Club - Delaware Chapter joins this episode to discuss work that went into SB2 which overhauled the prior regulations of community solar within the state of Delaware. 

From the Show: 

Sierra Club, Delaware Chapter: https://www.sierraclub.org/delaware

Find a Sierra Club Near You: https://www.sierraclub.org/

Delaware updates community solar rules to eliminate barriers: www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2021/09/delaware-updates-community-solar-rules-to-eliminate-barriers/

This episode is sponsored by Illinois State University - Renewable Energy Major To learn more, visit: tec.illinoisstate.edu/renewable-energy

Conner and Ryan speak with Chris Sterns, National Sales Director from Cascade Eco Minerals. Learn about CEM's process in recycling solar modules. 

From the Show: 

 During this week's Watts In the News, Conner & Ryan explore the plethora of battery technology news being released. 

From the Show: 

Engadget: www.engadget.com/what-if-your-next-electric-cars-body-was-also-its-battery-130013774.html

Energy Storage News: https://www.energy-storage.news/news/mining-and-raw-material-sourcing-in-us-could-scale-up-as-battery-demand-gro

Glen Brand, Solar United Neighbors and John Farrell, Institute for Local Self-Reliance, join Marie and Ryan to discuss their initiative, 30 Million Solar Homes. 

We're back on the mics to share our research and knowledge about EV's. In this episode we talk EV history, mechanics, and the future. 

From the Show:

Who Killed the Electric Car: www.amazon.com/Who-Killed-Electric-Martin-Sheen/dp/B07FZCD56S

The History of the Electric Car: https://www.energy.gov/articles/history-electric-car

On the newest episode of Watts in the News, Ryan and Conner chat about the hot topics trending in the EV's. 

Articles from the Show:

From energy v. power to kilowatts to kilowatt hours - Ryan, Conner, and Marie explain how to read your electricity bill. 

We are joined by very special guest, Jennifer Maynard. We chat with Jennifer about regenerative farming which encourages techniques that promote healing the soil. Jennifer shares the benefits regenerative farming has on the farmland, consumers, and nutrition. 

From the Show:

In this episode we talk Watts in the News: Food Shed Co-Op, Plenty, and Sustainability in Asia. 

Why Wouldn't You?

The Watts Up crew is joined by Michael Parr the Executive Director of Ultra Low-Carbon Solar Alliance.  During the conversation hear from Michael about the game-changing outlook The Alliance is challenging manufacturers to establish which results in massive carbon reduction in the creation of solar modules. 

From the show:

Ultra Low-Carbon Solar Alliance: www.ultralowcarbonsolar.org
Special Shout-Out to Tiger Comm, www.tigercomm.us, for connecting us

Marie, Ryan, and Conner are joined by Mike Casey of Tigercomm. During this episode, we discuss everything from marketing, sales, and the landscape of the clean energy economy. 

From the Show:

Tigercomm - https://www.tigercomm.us/
PV Magazine - https://www.pv-magazine.com/
Planet of the Humans- https://planetofthehumans.com/
Seth Godin - https://www.sethgodin.com/

Conner joins Marie and Ryan as they shoot the breeze about the science behind wind turbines. Ryan kicks off the episode teaching us about the science of wind then Conner and Marie get into the history and anatomy of wind turbines. 

From the show:

Marie and Ryan are joined by Conner during this week’s Watts in the News. This week features articles about the Red Gate Woods in southwest Chicago, Rebuilding Puerto Rico, and Internet Hijinx.

From the Show:

Red Gate Woods: https://fpdcc.com/places/locations/red-gate-woods/

Puerto Rico Grid: https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/regulators-in-puerto-rico-approve-solar-and-storage-above-utilitys-resource-plan&sa=D&source=hangouts&ust=1600452246297000&usg=AFQjCNENhcgd1dw7Sa46XVZvm5oW4lq9yQ

Silk Leaf: https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/green-living/silk-leaf-first-biological-leaf-055343/

Marie and Ryan are joined by fellow colleagues Eric Gronwick and Conner Allen for Part II of the roundtable discussion about Governor Pritzker's 8-Principles for a Clean & Renewable Illinois Economy.

The Watts Up usuals, Marie and Ryan, are joined by fellow colleagues Eric Gronwick and Andrew Frum. On August 20, Governor Pritzker’s office released the “Putting Consumers & Climate First, Governor Pritzker’s Eight Principles for a Clean & Renewable Illinois Economy.” During Part I of this II-part series, we will be covering Principle's 1-4. 

Up Next Week: Part II of the Roundtable Discussion covering Principle's 5-8. 

Marie and Ryan talk with 16-year solar industry veteran Cameron Stewart. Cameron is the Storage Application Engineer for the SolarEdge Energy Hub with Prism Technology. During this episode, we pick Cameron’s brain about the inverter gamechanger. We talk about how the Energy Hub works, how a system is designed, and how Cameron has seen the industry change throughout his career. 

From the Show:

During this Watts in the News episode, Marie and Ryan discuss the concept of nixing plastic rings for a biodegradable option, renewable energy goals, and other ideas in the name of sustainability and renewable energy.

From the Show:

· No confirmation about the plastic rings patent.

Since 2009, SunSpec Alliance has been spearheading the global education and compliance standards for developers, manufacturers, and service providers of the solar industry. Marie and Ryan are pleased to be joined by Tom Tansy, Chairman of SunSpec Alliance. We discuss various codes, mandates, and narrow focus on the Rapid Shutdown Alliance Standard that ensures the safety and further proofing for solar assets during this episode.

We're back to bring you another Watts in the News (WITN). 

First up, we dive into the newest proposed bill the Moving Forward Act which extends the ITC plus much more to help the momentum of renewable energy across the nation. Then we get into hot news topics of proposed solar mandates for new homes across 10-states and the high cost of electricity in Texas. 

Links from the Show:

Ryan and Marie bore into the topic of geothermal energy... get it? They cover everything from the geothermal technologies, innovations, cost, and more during this episode of Watts Up.

Marie and Ryan are back on video talking about Watts in the News. Marie goes the outdoor route by sharing environmentally friendly pest control options for your home and garden. Ryan shares the incredible impact of switching to a green cement option.

We hope everyone is staying home and staying safe. During this Earth Day episode, Ryan and Marie bring you Watts in the News. We cover, big corporation recycling, diamond batteries, bugs, and innovations to reduce plastic waste. 

Ryan and Marie are pleased to be joined by Matthias Schaepers, Global Sustainability Manager at SMA America. When it comes to corporate social responsibility, SMA America has the process to success down to a science. Their KPI's for CSR run throughout the global company making the objectives a core value of each department. 

Before we speak with Matthias, we explore Watts in the News. First talking about other companies that are praised for their CSR and then get into Coca Cola's unconventional sustainability model. 

From the show:

Ryan and Marie are beyond excited to present Part I of this two-part interview with leaders at SMA America. SMA is one of the largest inverter manufacturers around the globe and has a hand in many different areas that support solar and renewable energy technologies.

In this episode, Director of Marketing, Brad Dore of SMA, joins us to share about the company and the Energy Management Systems they have to offer. From being an inverter powerhouse to batteries to EV chargers - SMA continues to be record-breakers in the industry and has a lot more to come.

Marie and Ryan kick off another episode with ‘Watts In The News’, touching on the subject of new solar technologies and the accessibility of EV charging services for long road trips. Then hear as they speak with Clayton Bartczak, Sustainability Team Leader, from Colorado based, sustainability consulting company Ambient Energy.  Clayton reviews the steps buildings can make to implement energy management systems and in turn promote productivity with energy solutions. Clayton also shares his thoughts on how you can develop energy management strategies within your home, business, or community.

From the Show:

Marie and Ryan are back on the mics for Season 2. During this short teaser, hear about where we've been and what we have planned for 2020. 

To submit your show ideas and suggestions email: marie@grnesolar.com or ryan@grnesolar.com

We are joined by Lee Webster and Ed Bixby the Presidents of Green Burial Council, which is an organization that provides advisory leadership on the practices of sustainable burial.  Part I, we speak with Lee to get a history and overview of the methods used. During Part II, we talk with Ed, who takes us through the practices of a burial and what can be expected.

From the Show:

Marie and Ryan are joined by Paul Mitchell, Executive Director of Energy Systems Network. Paul shares with us the advancements of sustainability in Indiana through the Rapid Transit Bus Line, an Affordable Housing Project, The Moving Forward collaboration, and provides his take on micro-mobility for the city of Indianapolis.

Marie and Ryan speak with by Tom Peacock-Nazil, co-founder and CEO of the organization, Seven Clean Seas. Our discussion with Tom covers the plastic crisis, beach clean-ups, an innovation to offset your plastic use, and the #trashtag.

Stay tuned after the interview to hear the conversation with a Reddit famous family about their participation in the #trashtag!

Ryan and Marie are joined by Heather Itzla founder of Wisdom Supply Co, which sources and sells sustainable office and school supplies. Hear from Heather about the plastic crisis, how to look at supplies differently, and hear her unique story on becoming a B-Corporation. 

James Ellsmoor, Director at Solar Head of State and Founder & CEO for Island Innovation joins us to discuss the actions islands are taking to promote renewable energy.

Eric Peterman and Kendall Ludwig call in LIVE from the 2019 Solar Power International conference. First up, is an interview with Evelyn Fisher, Head of Growth at Span.  Span is a  new technology to digitize your electric service panel for better synergy with your storage and energy system. Then, Marie and Ryan speak with Eric and Kendall to chat about what they are seeing and learning at the conference.

From the show: 

TEXT ‘DefendtheITC’ at 52886 to submit appeal letters to your representatives. 

Ryan talks with policy experts, Sarah Wochos of Borrego Solar and Amy Heart of SunRun. Sarah and Amy share their knowledge on Illinois policy- where it stands now, the RPS goals of the state, and the actions being taken for the future. 

After speaking with Sarah and Amy, Ryan speaks with GRNE Solar, CEO, Eric Peterman on his take of Illinois Policy. 

Ryan is joined by Eric Pasi of IPS Solar and John Kinch from Michigan Energy Options to discuss the development of community solar projects. From procuring land to gaining subscribers, Eric and John share their experiences. 

Football is BACK! We are celebrating the start of the new NFL season by sharing what makes five NFL Stadiums sustainable. Ryan and Marie are joined by GRNE Solar's Director of Operations, Ed Howey in this bonus episode. 

Why is it we are seeing solar popping up across the state and Midwest? During this episode GRNE Solar's Eric Peterman, Ryan Suchsland, and The Power Bureau and former Illinois Power Agency Director, Mark Pruitt discuss the current status of Illinois solar and what they foresee moving forward. 

As sustainability and energy topics hit the news, we will be releasing bonus episodes to provide you with the details. In this episode Marie, Ryan, and Conner share insight on the fires happening in the Amazon.

Upcoming Episodes
Status of Solar in Illinois with Mark Pruitt of The Power Bureau and Eric Peterman of GRNE Solar
Sustainable Stadiums with Ed Howey, GRNE Solar
Community Solar with Eric Pasi of IPS Solar and John Kinch of Michigan Energy Options
Island Sustainability with James Ellsmoor of Island Innovation and Solar Head of State
Gaining Community Buy-In with Mariah Lynne of Good Steward Consulting
It Takes Multiple Bites... Illinois Policy with Amy Heart of SunRun and Sarah Wochos of Borrego Solar

 Join hosts Marie Burgquist, Ryan Suchsland, and Conner Allen as they discuss the renewable energy incentives. This episode is part two of a two part series which provides you with a high-level overview of solar systems, keywords, and incentives.