Clean Power Hour

Energy storage is not a green technology. It's grid infrastructure. That reframe from Shawn Shaw, CEO of Camelot Energy Group and author of "Energy Storage Systems," challenges how we talk about batteries in the energy transition. With 22 years in solar and storage and 1.2 GWh of projects commissioned in late 2025, Shaw brings practical insight into why storage matters for grid operators regardless of your views on renewables. China installed 65 GWh of storage in December 2025 alone. The US installed 40-50 GWh for the entire year. This conversation explains why that gap matters. Key Discussion Points Why energy storage is a grid resource like transformers and substations, not just a companion to renewables. Loads are more dynamic than ever, and batteries provide the controllability grid operators need. How storage transforms predictable renewables into dispatchable assets. A 100kW solar project might earn only 10kW capacity credit alone, but pairing it with batteries captures significantly more value. The real data on battery safety: Commercial and utility-scale systems catch fire at 0.3% per year, the same rate as residential homes. NFPA 855 2026 now requires active ventilation and separate fire and explosion testing. Hot storage markets in 2026: Massachusetts 83E procurement, New York's index storage credit, Illinois CRGA legislation, and why Texas requires nodal-level analysis to avoid 50% revenue swings. Why utility interconnection delays are pushing developers toward microgrids. Google acquired Intersect Power for $4.75 billion to self-develop solar and storage near data centers. FEOC compliance economics: Chinese DC blocks at $100-125/kWh vs Tesla at $300-500/kWh. Developers may want FEOC free but the economics of built in America may drive business as usual for BESS procurement. The devil is in the details!  This episode offers a clear-eyed view of where the industry stands and what it takes to move faster. Connect with Shawn Shaw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnshawpe/ Website: https://www.camelotenergygroup.com/ Support the show 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

#EP328 Federal funding for tribal clean energy projects has been rescinded. Tribes that invested millions in solar and microgrid projects now face stalled construction, lost jobs, and broken promises. David Harper, CEO of Huurav, is stepping in with bridge loans to keep these projects alive. David Harper is a tribal member from the Colorado River Indian Tribes on the Arizona-California border. He started his solar career fighting developers who disturbed sacred artifacts and human remains on tribal lands. Today, he runs Huurav, a company providing bridge financing for the 575 federally recognized tribes across the United States. His sister company, 7 Skyline, provides electrical engineering consulting to 80-90 tribes nationwide. Episode Highlights: The 2021 Infrastructure Bill allocated $10-15 billion for tribal energy projects. Much of that funding has been clawed back. Tribes that invested their own money now have stalled projects with no path to completion. Huurav provides 2-6 year bridge loans that allow tribes to continue construction while securing permanent financing. Capital stacking allows multiple funders (CDFIs, philanthropy, financial institutions, etc) to share risk on larger projects. Case study: Guidiville Rancheria in Mendocino County received a $1M bridge loan for a 500kW solar plus 1.5MW battery storage microgrid serving 44 homes. Huurav has 22 projects in its pipeline with more tribes requesting support. Tribal communities often suffer brownouts and blackouts because they sit at the end of utility lines. Microgrids offer energy independence. David Harper's story captures what happens when federal promises disappear overnight. Tribes that did everything right, completed feasibility studies, hired workers, and approved scopes of work, are left holding the bill.  Huurav fills that gap with bridge loans sized to what tribes can pay back. This model builds credit history, creates jobs, and moves the 22 projects in their pipeline toward completion. Connect with David Harper LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-harper-ab6b762b5/ Huurav: https://www.huurav.com/ 7Skyline: https://www.7skyline.com/ Support the show 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

In this week's Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague and co-host John Weaver examine the widening gap between China and the United States in clean energy deployment. The hosts analyze new data from Stanford Professor Mark Jacobson showing China is on track for a clean economy by 2050, while the US lags a century behind. They discuss record battery installations, solar manufacturing shifts, and what these trends mean for energy independence and economic competitiveness. Episode Highlights: China projected to reach a clean economy by 2050, US not until 2148 at current pace (PV Magazine) China installed 65 gigawatt hours of battery storage in December alone, exceeding the US total for the entire 2025 (Benchmark) Longi joins push to reduce silver content in solar panel production to cut costs by 10-20 percent (Bloomberg) US solar panel manufacturing reaches 65 gigawatts annual capacity in 2025 (Bloomberg) Discussion of Dan Wang's book "Breakneck" exploring why China builds infrastructure faster than the US Analysis of energy independence as a national security strategy in the context of global oil conflicts First Solar, Qcells, Heliene, and other domestic manufacturers lead US solar production growth The data shows China moving at unprecedented speed in clean energy deployment, while the US faces a critical choice about accelerating its transition. Energy independence through solar, wind, and storage is both an economic opportunity and a national security imperative. Share your thoughts on how the US can close this gap in the comments below. Support the show 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

#EP327 What if we could remove a trillion tons of CO2 from the atmosphere for $2 billion a year? Peter Fiekowsky, author of "Climate Restoration" and founder of the Foundation for Climate Restoration, returns to The Clean Power Hour with a solution most people have never heard of: localized ocean iron fertilization. An astrophysicist and semiconductor entrepreneur by training, Peter has spent over a decade researching methods to restore atmospheric CO2 to pre-industrial levels of 300 ppm. His work has taken him from the Vatican to the White House, and he now leads a growing movement to fund and deploy this proven natural process. KEY DISCUSSION POINTS: Why the energy transition alone will not prevent 450 ppm by 2050 Localized ocean iron fertilization targets only 1% of the ocean using downwelling eddies The Mt. Pinatubo volcanic eruption in 1991 caused global CO2 to flatline for two years Total cost: $1-2 billion per year (one penny per American per day) This approach removes 1,000 to 10,000 times more carbon than traditional ocean fertilization methods Robotic ships could distribute iron pellets without crew costs The Foundation's "million sponsor" campaign aims to demonstrate public demand for climate restoration The wind, solar, and battery industries are doing essential work to eliminate 50 gigatons of annual emissions. That fight must continue. But stopping the bleeding is not the same as healing the wound. Peter Fiekowsky's research shows that nature has already solved this problem dozens of times through the Ice Age cycle. The question is whether humanity will choose to replicate what works. For the cost of a penny a day per American, we have the option to return atmospheric CO2 to safe levels within 25 years. The technology exists. The funding is achievable. The only missing ingredient is the collective decision to do it. Join the Movement: Be one of the million sponsors helping to restore CO2 to safe levels by 2050.  Donate now: https://foundationforclimaterestoration.org/donate/ Connect with Peter Fiekowsky  Website: www.peterfiekowsky.com/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/pfiekowsky/ Support the show 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

#EP326 Happy Holidays! Today on the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague breaks down his top 5 episodes of 2025, featuring conversations that shaped how we think about solar, storage, virtual power plants, microgrids, and AI. From Jigar Shah's call for the industry to become a political force to Spark AI's permitting breakthroughs, these episodes capture where clean energy is headed. Key Episodes Covered: Episode 304 - Jigar Shah 85% of new grid capacity will be solar, wind, and batteries Fossil fuels outspend clean energy 10:1 on political lobbying VPPs could shift 20% of peak load by 2030 20% of Americans struggle to afford their electricity bills Episode 274 - Ryan Mayfield and Jayson Smith  CPS America's Gonzo containerized battery (125-256 kWh) 20-millisecond switchover for grid-forming capability Daisy chain up to 12 units for megawatt-scale deployments 60% of CPS workforce dedicated to service Episode 307 - Peter Kelly-Detwiler  1,500 MW of data center load disconnected in Virginia incident PJM capacity prices jumped from $30 to $329 per MW-day California VPPs dispatched 535 MW from 100,000 homes Brooklyn-Queens demand management: $150M vs $1.2B infrastructure upgrade Episode 310 - Jeff St. John (Canary Media)  93% of new U.S. grid additions were solar, batteries, and wind Texas ERCOT grid now 50% solar, wind, and batteries California VPPs show 2:1 cost-benefit ratio Texas allocated $1.8B for microgrids after Winter Storm Uri Episode 322 - Julia Wu and Anuj Saigal (Spark AI)  Platform compresses 4-10 hours of research to seconds Standard Solar reduced acquisition diligence from months to one week Three core use cases: site selection, regulatory monitoring, acquisition due diligence Bonus: Episode 296 - Mark Palmer (Conductor Solar) Most listened to and shared episode on Spotify Covers PPAs, project finance, and tax credit swapping Discusses tariffs, supply chain pressures, and state policy importance Support the show 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

Home battery storage sits at less than 1% market penetration in America. The solar industry spent years focused on small urban systems while whole-home backup solutions remained out of reach for most homeowners.  Tim Montague sits down with James Showalter, founder and CEO of EG4 Electronics, to discuss whole-home backup solutions that provide true energy independence. James shares his journey from installing off-grid systems at age 15 to building one of America's fastest-growing solar and battery companies.  EG4 Electronics is a premier solar manufacturer based in Texas, dedicated to delivering high-quality, affordable, and reliable energy solutions. EG4 is committed to empowering homes and businesses with energy independence. KEY DISCUSSION POINTS: Battery storage adoption remains below 1% of American homes, with James predicting a majority will have batteries in his lifetime, as costs decline and whole-home solutions become viable across broader geographic markets Industry concentration on small urban residential systems left whole-home backup opportunities underserved in suburban and rural markets  EG4's product strategy offers installers a choice between different battery configurations, letting them select the right solution for each customer's needs and budget constraints Whole home backup requires different economics than partial backup systems popular in dense urban areas, driving EG4's focus on affordability and power capacity for homes with higher energy loads Partnership approach with LG Energy Solutions provides one path for installers needing domestic content compliance, while maintaining imported options for projects where upfront cost determines feasibility The residential battery market hasn't scratched the surface. Current adoption sits below 1%. The solar industry concentrated on one narrow segment while whole-home storage opportunities in broader markets went largely unaddressed. EG4's approach focuses on those overlooked opportunities. Connect with James Showalter, EG4  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-showalter-9a0599156/ Website: https://eg4electronics.com/ Support the show 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

Microgrids offer utilities eight distinct value stacks (or streams), yet most still treat them as experimental pilots. Today on the Clean Power Hour, we reveal how microgrids are strategic network assets that deliver value every single day, not just when the grid fails.  Martin Szczepanik is Director of Energy and Resources at Baringa, a global energy consultancy. He brings 11 years of utility strategy experience, including work with SolarCity, major West Coast utilities, and renewable energy developers. Baringa recently released a white paper called "From Pilots to Portfolios: Scaling the Rollout of Utility Microgrids." Key Discussion Points: • The complete microgrid value stack: resilience, distribution capacity deferral, transmission capacity deferral, ancillary services, energy arbitrage, generation capacity deferral, avoided emissions, and avoided public safety power shutoffs (PSPS) • Why resilience differs from reliability: climate-driven extreme weather events versus age and condition-driven outages • How billion-dollar natural disasters increased from once every 90 days in the 1980s to once every 19 days today, which necessitates the increased need for microgrids • Distribution and transmission capacity deferral: using microgrids to avoid $5-10 million infrastructure upgrades • Energy arbitrage opportunities: charging batteries when solar floods the grid, discharging during peak demand • FERC 2222 enabling distributed energy resources to participate in wholesale markets and earn revenue • California wildfires and PSPS (Public Safety Power Shutoffs) events: how microgrids reduce the cost of de-energizing lines • Why utilities need to assess microgrids in distribution planning instead of defaulting to substations and reconductoring Connect with Martin Szczepanik, Baringa  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/martinszczepanik/ Website: www.baringa.com/en/about/regions/north-america/microgrids/ Whitepaper: www.baringa.com/en/insights/digitising-the-energy-system/scaling-microgrids/ Support the show 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

Building clean energy projects faster starts with better tools. Maryssa Barron, Founder and CEO of BuildQ, joins Tim Montague to discuss how AI transforms energy project development.  Maryssa Barron is the founder and CEO of BuildQ, the enterprise AI platform purpose-built for clean energy project teams to accelerate development, financing, and asset management. She brings cross-disciplinary expertise in renewable energy, project finance, and law, with experience spanning the full project lifecycle.  Before founding BuildQ, Maryssa advised Fortune 50 companies and leading developers on renewable energy procurement at Edison Energy and LevelTen Energy. She also served as Chief Operating Officer of a global solar company, where she oversaw project development, financing, and operations across international markets.  Key Highlights: How BuildQ reduces project analysis time from 3 weeks to 3 days Why one developer uses BuildQ instead of hiring 15 new employees AI frameworks that analyze interconnection queues and permitting data The role of human expertise in AI-assisted energy development How law firms and conservative industries are adopting AI tools China's 10X infrastructure buildout advantage and U.S. national security implications Behind-the-meter solutions and data center co-location trends Early adoption benefits in the energy sector The energy sector needs speed and scale. AI tools like BuildQ make both possible. Connect with Maryssa Barron, BuildQ  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/maryssa-barron/ Website: buildq.ai Support the show 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

This week on Clean Power Hour Live, Tim Montague and John Weaver break down the biggest solar and storage headlines shaping the industry right now. The US reached 40 gigawatts of grid storage in 2025, beating the 35 gigawatt goal set in 2017. But supply chains are struggling to keep up. 100 amp-hour battery cells are sold out through 2026 as demand surges across residential, commercial, and utility projects. John discusses his company's expansion into Illinois, where new legislation adds 873 megawatts of solar and 3 gigawatts of storage over the next few years. The state is also unlocking VPP programs, giving distributed batteries a bigger role in grid operations. Episode Highlights: US grid storage installations reached 40 gigawatts in 2025, exceeding the 35 gigawatt goal set in 2017 (Energy Storage Association via Canary Media) Illinois passes new legislation adding 873 megawatts of solar and 3 gigawatts of storage, enabling VPP programs  Battery cell shortage intensifies as 100 amp hour cells sell out through 2026 due to demand across residential and utility sectors (PV Magazine) Electric freight vehicles and delivery trucks show explosive growth in China, with EVs approaching 50% of all vehicle sales (John Hanger via Blue Sky) Natural gas prices spike above $5, expected to drive electricity rate increases in 2026 through utility cost recapture mechanisms (Bloomberg) US extends tariff exclusions for solar manufacturing equipment, including silicon growth furnaces and wire saws (PV Magazine) The discussion explores why battery adoption creates a flywheel effect for solar installations, how state incentives are driving developer interest, and what supply chain pressures mean for project timelines in 2026. Support the show 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

#EP322  Today on the Clean Power Hour, we dive into one of the biggest bottlenecks strangling the clean energy transition: the slow, messy world of zoning, permitting, and early-stage development. Our guests are Julia Wu and Anuj Saigal, co-founders of Spark AI, a Y Combinator-backed platform that has ingested and summarized nearly every zoning code, ordinance, and permitting pathway in the United States. Julia Wu is CEO and co-founder of Spark AI. She's a software engineer who cut her teeth at Microsoft, Apple (working on Siri), and Brex before founding Spark. Her background spans AI, natural language processing, and financial technology. Anuj Saigal is the co-founder of Spark AI and a veteran of the energy sector since 2010. He worked at the Department of Energy Loan Programs Office during the Obama administration, then moved through SunEdison, EVgo, and Natto (a video AI telematics company). Anuj has been a developer of utility-scale and distributed generation projects and understands the pain points of permitting and interconnection firsthand. Key Discussion Points: Spark AI uses large language models to aggregate zoning regulations, permitting requirements, local sentiment, and news articles for every jurisdiction in America Three core use cases: early-stage greenfield site selection, monitoring projects in development for regulatory changes, and rapid acquisition due diligence Standard Solar (Brookfield-owned) reduced acquisition diligence from months to one week, cutting time by 75% Dynamic Energy accelerated site screening while improving community sentiment risk assessment UGE used Spark to assess a massive portfolio acquisition, determining which parcels had viable zoning paths The platform is LLM-neutral, easily swapping between OpenAI, Anthropic, DeepSeek, and other models to optimize for accuracy and speed Unlike off-the-shelf AI tools, Spark delivers consistency, accuracy, and citations developers need for trust-but-verify workflows Connect with Anuj and Julia  Julia Wu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wu-julia/ Anuj Saigal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anujsaigal/ Spark AI Website: https://www.sparkhq.ai/ Support the show 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

Today on the Clean Power Hour, we explore energy storage as a service for some of the toughest markets in the country. Tim Montague sits down with Christian Farivar, founder of Karh, to discuss how his company is tackling grid congestion, load pockets, and resilience challenges in Urban Areas like New York City with next-generation battery technology designed for a 30-year asset life. Christian brings a unique background to energy storage. After a successful career in the music industry working with artists like Bon Jovi and Kanye West, he pivoted to engineering and energy, eventually earning a degree from Harvard University. His journey led him to found Karh around 2020, right when FERC Order 2222 opened doors for distributed energy resources to participate in wholesale markets. Key Discussion Points: The challenge of deploying large-scale energy storage in dense urban environments like New York City Why load pockets in major cities need localized battery solutions to relieve transmission constraints How Karh is developing chemistry-agnostic battery systems with 30-year asset life expectations The economics of energy storage: achieving unit economics of $45-50 per megawatt-hour Running 12X more profitably than existing battery systems through advanced AI optimization Plans for a 90 megawatt-hour test project in NYC by 2027, scaling to 350+ megawatt-hour systems Integration with EV charging, frequency regulation, and distributed energy resources Why building electrification and edge AI data centers create massive demand spikes that require nearby capacity If you're building a battery that lasts 30 years in the world's toughest energy market, you're not just solving today's problems. You're building infrastructure for the next generation grid. Connect with Christian Farivar  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianfarivar/?originalSubdomain=ca Website: https://karh.energy/#home Support the show 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

#320 Today on the Clean Power Hour, Brandon Wagoner, Vice President of Strategy at Middle Tennessee Electric, explains how the second largest cooperative in America manages explosive EV adoption, deploys 32 megawatts of battery storage, and builds 113 megawatts of solar arrays while keeping rates low. His secret weapon: load factor optimization. Middle Tennessee Electric (MTE) serves 350,000 meters south and east of Nashville and leads Tennessee utilities in electric vehicle adoption. As the largest co-op in the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) service territory, MTE operates through strategic partnerships rather than vertical integration, working directly with TVA to solve generation and distribution challenges together. Key Discussion Points: • Load factor optimization as the primary metric for grid infrastructure decisions and rate management • 32 megawatts of two-hour battery storage deployment scheduled for Q1 2026 across their service territory • 3.25 MW tracking solar array operational, with 110 MW TVA solar project launching in 2028 • Night Flex rate program incentivizing EV charging during six six-hour overnight windows • Community solar programs serving renters and members without rooftop installation options • Pro Solar advisory team provides trusted third-party guidance for members evaluating solar developers • Strategic approach to serving diverse demographics from high-income first adopters to conservative rural members • Co-op structure enables focus on member service rather than shareholder profits • Partnership model with TVA replaces traditional utility customer relationship • Programmatic rebates, including $50 EV charger installation incentives Connect with Brandon Wagoner Website: https://mte.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/midtnelectric/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-brandon-wagoner-pe-2822146/ Support the show 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

On this week’s Clean Power Hour Live, Tim and John discuss Illinois legislation bringing 3 gigawatts of battery storage to IL, the public health impacts of solar tariffs, and global energy storage market trends that are reshaping the grid. Episode Highlights: CATL signs 200 gigawatt hour energy storage deal with Beijing HyperStrong, representing nearly 60% of projected annual global capacity (Bloomberg) New research shows solar tariffs killed an estimated 105 Americans in 2022 alone by preventing installation of 10.5 GW of solar capacity (PV Magazine) Wind farms increase local property values by 3% and improve school funding with $800 more per pupil, according to Australian study (Renew Economy) Germany deploys innovative curbside EV chargers built directly into sidewalk curbs consumers (Reddit) Australia considers policy requiring utilities to offer three hours of free midday electricity due to solar overgeneration Global grid storage projected to reach 340 gigawatt hours in 2025, representing 20% of total battery market growth (Commercial Solar Guy) This episode covers the accelerating clean energy transition across multiple continents, from policy wins in Illinois to infrastructure innovations in Germany and market dynamics in Australia. The data shows renewable energy saves lives, creates economic value for communities, and continues to scale globally despite policy headwinds. Support the show 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

#319  The modern power grid faces an existential challenge: integrating massive amounts of renewable energy while keeping the lights on. Sean Kelly, CEO and Founder of Amperon, explains how artificial intelligence and machine learning are replacing outdated forecasting methods to predict energy supply and demand with precision. This conversation explores battery optimization, demand response programs, and why traditional grid models no longer work in a world of extreme weather and distributed generation. Sean Kelly leads Amperon, a company providing AI-driven energy forecasting platforms for grid operators, battery owners, and energy traders. With nearly 20 years of experience in energy trading and risk management, Kelly has worked for major energy firms such as Tenaska, Lehman, EDF, and E.ON, where he led significant trading desk developments and transitions, including bringing nuclear power plants into new markets.  Key Discussion Points: Traditional forecasting models look backward. AI models look forward and learn in real time, adapting to grid changes as they happen. Battery storage is exploding. ERCOT expects 40% more storage in the next 5 years. Texas batteries run 1-2 hours, California runs 4-hour batteries, and companies like Form Energy are developing 100+ hour systems. The critical hours are 6pm to 9pm. When solar goes down at sunset and wind drops simultaneously, batteries become essential. Amperon's platform tells operators exactly when to charge and discharge for maximum profit. The grid needs 6 terawatt hours of energy storage but we're only one-tenth of the way there. Developers should build all projects battery-ready or include storage today. Demand response works like insurance. Grid operators pay large customers to reduce load during peak times. Penalties are severe for non-compliance, ensuring the system works when needed. Forecasting is no longer optional. Sean calls it "the operating system of the modern grid." Historical averages won't keep the lights on anymore. Data centers and large industrial loads play a critical role in grid flexibility, backing down from 20 megawatts to 10 megawatts when grid operators need relief. Connect with Sean Kelly  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-kelly-0792626/ Support the show 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

Peter Asmus, microgrid expert and author of the upcoming book "Alaska Microgrid Innovators," breaks down the current state of microgrids and battery storage. He explains why Alaska leads in microgrid innovation and what the rest of the U.S. needs to learn from remote communities. Peter Asmus brings over 15 years of experience covering the microgrid sector. He has authored five books on energy and provides consulting through his website https://www.peterasmus.com/. His latest work focuses on Alaska's pioneering role in developing community-scale microgrids for remote, off-grid locations. Key Discussion Points • Alaska leads microgrid innovation due to remote communities, high diesel costs, and military installations needing reliable power • Data centers now drive microgrid growth because utilities cannot provide power fast enough for AI infrastructure • Microgrid controllers have advanced significantly with AI integration, allowing different manufacturers' equipment to work together • Energy as a service models eliminate upfront costs. Peter's solar and battery system reduced his utility bill to under $10 per year • Community microgrids require utility involvement and experimentation with different ownership models rather than a one-size-fits-all approach • Open standards prevent vendor lock-in. The industry moved away from proprietary systems like early Apple iPhone models • Technology exists today for large-scale microgrid deployment. The main challenge is calculating the economic value of resilience • Utility costs in the U.S. increased 30% over the last three years, making distributed energy more economically competitive Alaska shows us the future of microgrids. The lessons from remote communities apply everywhere resilience matters. Connect with Peter Asmus  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pathfindercommunications/ Website: https://www.peterasmus.com/ Support the show 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

#EP317 The solar industry faces a defining moment in Q4 2025. While regulatory challenges create uncertainty, well-capitalized players treat this period as a buying opportunity. Daniel Dus, CEO and founder of Cleantech Industry Resources (CIR), breaks down the market dynamics and explains how his company's global expertise positions it to thrive during industry consolidation. Daniel Dus founded CIR to provide development, construction, and operations services for solar and battery storage projects. His team of 140 professionals across three offices in India and the United States brings proven experience from building some of the world's largest solar installations, including work with Adani Green Energy as it scaled from startup to 16 gigawatts in operation. Key Discussion Points: The current solar market has split into thirds: one-third undercapitalized and struggling, one-third in wait-and-see mode, and one-third aggressively acquiring projects with strong capital backing - creating opportunities for companies like CIR that can execute complex transactions. CIR serves 150 clients across the solar value chain, providing everything from interconnection studies and permit-ready planset packages to full EPC services, with particular expertise in rescuing distressed projects and navigating complex utility requirements. CIR's competitive advantage comes from its India-based technical teams, who have worked on massive international projects, bringing world-class expertise at competitive rates to US developers who struggle with margin compression. Solar Fight Night, Dus's passion project since 2008, has raised nearly $2 million for clean energy nonprofits through 24+ events. The 2025 event at Las Vegas's Zouk Nightclub drew over 3,300 attendees, the largest crowd in the event's history. Tim Montague is an affiliate of CIR and welcomes developers and EPCs to contact him for more information about working with CIR. [Book here: https://calendly.com/tim-montague/30min] Connect with Daniel Dus, CIR  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/danielrdus Website: cleantechindustryresources.com Solar Fight Night: www.solarfightnight.org/ Support the show 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

In the latest Clean Power Hour Live, Tim Montague and John Weaver discuss major developments in clean energy markets. Learn about the world's largest solar plus storage project breaking ground in Abu Dhabi, how silver prices are transforming solar panel economics, and why residential batteries are creating a feedback loop that drives more solar installations. Tim shares insights from his recent visit to the TenneSEIA market, where LightWave Solar and other installers are building community-scale projects and expanding into battery storage. Episode Highlights: Silver prices exceeded $50 per ounce, making older solar panels worth $30 or more for recyclers and adding $7 to $15 in material costs to new modules (Link) Masdar breaks ground on 5.2GW solar with 19GWh storage in Abu Dhabi, delivering 1GW of baseload power around the clock starting in 2027 (PV Tech) Australia's residential battery installations tripled after new energy storage incentives launched, requiring VPP compatibility (Link) Tennessee Valley Authority (TenneSEIA) market shows growth in utility-scale solar through Silicon Ranch and community solar projects, with Light Wave Solar leading residential installations since 2006 FlexGen announces hybrid OS software platform to manage both batteries and solar assets, expanding to 25GWh of battery capacity under management (PV Magazine) Residential battery demand creates a shortage of smaller 100Ah cells as manufacturers shift to larger utility-scale formats (PV Magazine) The clean energy sector shows strong momentum across multiple fronts. Large-scale storage projects like Masdar's 5.2GW plant demonstrate the path to 24/7 solar baseload power. Meanwhile, residential battery incentives in markets like Australia prove how energy storage dri Support the show 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

#316 Rebekah Pierce runs a regenerative sheep farm in upstate New York and has cracked the code on making solar farms work for agriculture. Her new book "Agri Energy" reveals how combining solar panels with farming creates a win for developers, farmers, and rural communities. The land use math is stunning. The US dedicates 30 million acres to growing corn for ethanol fuel. Solar panels are 100 times more efficient at converting land into energy. We need just 1% of US land (23 million acres) to supply all our electricity with solar alone. Converting those ethanol acres to dual-use solar could power 100% of electricity needs AND a nationwide EV fleet. Rebekah Pierce is the author of "Agri Energy" (Island Press, November 2025) and owner of JR Pierce Family Farm in Clinton County, New York. She started with backyard chickens in 2015 and now grazes sheep across half a dozen solar projects in three counties. She writes about regenerative agriculture, solar grazing, and the intersection of farming and renewable energy. Key Discussion Points: Why corn-to-ethanol uses massive land area with terrible efficiency (100 to 200x worse than solar) How solar grazing cuts O&M costs for developers while creating farmer income The real threat to farmland: urbanization takes far more land than solar ever will 100,000 farms lost between 2011-2018 as average farmer age hits 58 Technical requirements: water access, secure fencing, interior paddocks for rotational grazing Topsoil loss: one pound per bushel of corn produced Resources: American Solar Grazing Association (ASGA) and REFA (Renewable Energy Farmers of America) The book covers far more than sheep and solar. Rebekah researched all the ways agriculture and renewables intersect, from wind farms to battery storage to elevated tracking systems for larger livestock. Connect with Rebekah Pierce  Website: www.jrpiercefamilyfarm.com/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/rebekah-pierce-writer/ Book: "Agri Energy" available November 2025 on Amazon and Island Press https://islandpress.org/books/agri-energy#desc Support the show 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

In this week's Clean Power Hour live, Tim Montague and co-host John Weaver were joined by Wes Hersche, Director of Enterprise Sustainability at Prologis, to explore how the world's largest logistics real estate company is transforming 1.3 billion square feet of rooftop space into clean energy assets. They discuss Prologis' ambitious push toward their first gigawatt of solar, innovative approaches to enterprise sustainability including microgrids and geothermal solutions, and how on-site generation remains compelling despite regulatory headwinds. Episode highlights: Prologis is nearing their first gigawatt of on-site solar installations across their 1.3 billion square feet of logistics real estate in 20 countries The company is targeting 2 gigawatts of solar by 2030 while expanding into battery storage, EV charging infrastructure, and microgrids for major clients like Amazon and Walmart Community solar developments are being explored as a way to serve customers who can't install on-site solar due to structural or operational constraints Geothermal solutions including deep geothermal (4,000-15,000 feet) and ground-source heat pumps from companies like Bedrock Energy are being evaluated for heating and cooling optimization Their EV depot project in Torrance, CA, serves as a model for freight electrification, enabling 96 trucks to charge concurrently, supported by 18 MWh of backup storage. (Source: Prologis) With their "power as a platform" approach, Prologis is not just installing solar panels on warehouse rooftops; they're creating comprehensive energy ecosystems that include battery storage, EV charging, microgrids, and emerging technologies like geothermal and non-combustive generators.  Wes Hersche's insights reveal that despite industry headwinds and regulatory uncertainty, the fundamental economics of on-site generation remain compelling for enterprise customers pursuing sustainability goals.  Connect with Wes Hersche LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/herche/ Website: www.prologis.com/ Support the show 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

The American grid faces a triple threat: climate disasters, explosive AI data center growth, and mass electrification. Paul Gerke, Content Director for Renewables at Clarion Events and host of Factor This podcast, breaks down how batteries, microgrids, and smart grid technology provide the path forward for grid resilience and reliability. Paul leads content strategy for Factor This, the rebranded home of three legacy energy publications: Renewable Energy World, Power Grid International, and Hydro Review. He covers utility innovation, grid modernization, and clean energy deployment through both written journalism and weekly podcasting. Key Discussion Points: The three forces stressing the grid: climate shocks, electrification of everything, and AI data centers driving 30-fold load growth Why the regulated utility monopoly model must transform to meet modern challenges How microgrids and battery storage deliver critical resilience during extreme weather events Texas ERCOT success story: 50% clean-powered, handling record heat without blackouts Air conditioning will drive more load growth than data centers over the next 30 years Blue Oval Initiative: Ford is building 120 GWh of domestic battery manufacturing capacity State-level leadership: California, New York, Illinois, and Massachusetts are driving grid innovation Clean energy economics: 90% of new generation is renewables, winning on cost without subsidies Political power gap: Clean energy invests 1/20th of what fossil fuels spend on political influence The grid transformation is already underway. Utilities that break down silos and adopt batteries, microgrids, and smart technology will lead. Those that resist will fall behind as extreme weather, soaring demand, and economic reality force change. You can find Paul Gerke here.  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulrgerke/ Factor This B2: https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/podcasts/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB8XYCq2Wah9nfI7olK6If7DPUZADfYnZ Support the show 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