New Battery Storage Systems
The 16th annual Solar Power International show was held this October in Salt Lake City. It’s been quite a growth story since the first...
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Nov 22, 20192 min read
What's a Watt - Energy & Power Explained
On this week’s The Energy Show, we’re talking about energy — duh. And power. Not just because we’re short on both energy and power. But...
Nov 15, 20192 min read
How Do I Interpret My PG&E Electric Bill?
Hold onto your seats because this is going to be the most exciting Energy Show I’ve ever done. This week we are talking about … DRUMROLL...
Nov 8, 20192 min read
A Power Shutoff Is Scheduled - How Does My Solar and Battery Work?
Almost everyone in California is aware of the Public Safety Power Shutoff Program — when the utility turns off power to customers in...
Nov 1, 20192 min read
Distributing Solar and Storage Equipment
In addition to installing solar equipment, solar contractors also install a variety of electrical equipment: wiring, junction boxes,...
Oct 24, 20192 min read
Extreme Climate Change Has Already Arrived
As I record this radio show the temperature in San Jose is already over 100 degrees. So this week’s show is not just about the future...
Oct 17, 20191 min read
Economics of Fossil Fuels
From time immemorial, the fuels that have powered human development have been governed by economics. The cheaper and more available fuels...
Oct 12, 20191 min read
Corporate Cultures in the Solar Industry
Where do solar panels, batteries and inverters come from? No, they don’t come from the solar store. They come from distributors who order...
Oct 3, 20191 min read
Environmental Entrepreneurs - Bob Keefe
Entrepreneurs are the job engine in the United States. Many of the companies founded by today’s entrepreneurs have products or services...
Sep 19, 20192 min read
DOE Continues Solar & Storage Progress
In today’s accelerated and politicized news cycle it is easy to confuse White House pronouncements with the policies that government...
Sep 17, 20192 min read
Reducing Peak Demand Charges
Unless you have rooftop solar, you’re probably incredibly unhappy about rising electric bills. This misery is even worse for commercial...
Aug 27, 20192 min read
Solar Investment Tax Credit
30% of the costs of a solar or battery storage system are paid for with the Solar Investment Tax credit. The Solar Investment Tax Credit...
Aug 18, 20192 min read
Living With Public Safety Power Shutoffs
PG&E, our local utility in Silicon Valley, caused a number of wildfires -- including the recent Camp fire that destroyed the town of...
Aug 12, 20191 min read
2020 Solar Policy Hindsight with Adam Browning
The United States is a representative democracy. Citizens vote for politicians who, theoretically, advocate for their needs: things like...
Aug 8, 20192 min read
Hidden Barriers to Building Electrification
Studies show that electrifying our transportation and building sectors are the fastest ways to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These...
Aug 1, 20192 min read
Electrifying Buildings with Jeff Byron
California was the first state to set aggressive goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Senate bill 32, AKA Cap and Trade, will reduce...
Jul 28, 20191 min read
Politics of Energy and the Environment
With one notable exception, all of the presidential candidates have positions on climate change – AKA Global Warming. President Trump’s...
Jul 17, 20192 min read
Public Safety Power Shutoff Programs
California utility companies recently announced their Public Safety Power Shutoff programs across the state. Bloomberg News said...
Jul 10, 20192 min read
Electric Panel Upgrade - With Sue Kateley
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions we need to electrify all of our buildings. New electric appliances — such as heat pumps and induction...
Jun 27, 20192 min read
Lose the Gas Furnace, Install a Heat Pump
Natural gas furnaces for heating are the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases generated by homes and offices. Until recently, these...
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