The solar industry faces unprecedented challenges as Congress advances budget reconciliation legislation targeting clean energy incentives. In this episode, hosts Tim Montague and John Weaver discuss survival strategies, market adaptations, and breakthrough developments amid policy uncertainty.

🚨 MAJOR POLICY DEVELOPMENTS
Budget Reconciliation Bill Impact

• Residential solar tax credits under threat - House passes bill targeting clean energy incentives
• SEIA projects massive industry impact: 330,000 jobs lost, 331 factories closed, $286 billion in investments erased
• Mosaic's struggle: Major solar lease company reportedly facing financial difficulties [SEIA analysis and industry reports]

🔋 CALIFORNIA BREAKING RECORDS

Solar & Storage Milestones

• Solar output record: California hits 21+ GW peak solar generation
• Growth trajectory: Current pace could reach 30 GW storage in 5 years vs. 2045 target [PV Magazine]

🤖 TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION

Solar Installation Automation

• Rosendin's robot system: Dual-robot setup with carrier and lifting units for panel installation
• Efficiency gains: Two-person teams per row with continuous pallet feeding capability

[Rosendin automation announcement]

🚗 EV CHARGING EXPANSION

Waffle House Partnership

• BP strategic relationship: British oil giant bringing DC fast charging to Waffle House locations [Electrek]

📊 PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Massachusetts Residential Installation

• Pricing achievement: Under $3/watt for residential systems without premium components
• Visual appeal: Red house installation showcasing professional workmanship [Commercial Solar Guy]

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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, host Tim Montague sits down with Jake Rozmaryn, the visionary founder of the Midwest Solar Expo, to discuss the game-changing acquisition by Intersolar and what it means for America's heartland energy transition.

For over a decade, Jake has been building bridges between coastal clean energy expertise and emerging Midwest markets. What started as a small Minnesota gathering has evolved into a powerhouse regional event that draws nearly 1,000 attendees annually. Now, with Intersolar's global platform behind it, the Midwest Solar Expo is poised to accelerate clean energy adoption across Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Missouri, and beyond.

Key Discussion Points:

• The strategic rationale behind Intersolar's acquisition of the Midwest Solar Expo
• How the event evolved from Minnesota's Twin Cities to Chicago's central location
• The critical role of community solar in Midwest market development
• Why utility engagement (like ComEd and Exelon's participation) is essential for industry growth
• The explosive intersection of AI, data centers, and clean energy demand
• Virtual power plants and their growing importance in grid modernization
• Storage integration as the "peanut butter and jelly" of modern energy solutions

Jake shares candid insights about the challenges facing the industry in today's political climate and why bringing the community together for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and unified advocacy has never been more important.

Whether you're a solar installer, community solar developer, utility professional, or clean energy investor, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on regional market dynamics and the future of distributed generation in America's heartland.

Don't miss the Midwest Solar Expo, June 9-11 in Chicago! Learn more at midwestsolarexpo.com

Featured Speakers Preview: Norm Taff (Generac), Doug Scott (Illinois Commerce Commission), Dean Solon (Create Energy), and executives from Exelon and ComEd.

#CleanEnergy #Solar #Storage #MidwestSolar #CommunityEnergyTransition #RenewableEnergy

Connect With Jake Rozmaryn

Jake Rozmaryn

Midwest Solar Expo

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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

Over 40% of Americans live in multi-family buildings with little to no access to the benefits of rooftop solar – until now. Today on the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague speaks with Aliya Bagewadi, US Director of Strategic Partnerships at Allume Energy, about their revolutionary SolShare technology.

Aliya explains how SolShare solves the historic "split incentive" problem that has prevented multi-family buildings from adopting solar. This innovative hardware physically shares electricity from a single rooftop solar system to multiple apartment meters, allowing both building owners and tenants to benefit. While residents save up to 40% on their energy bills (significantly more than typical community solar offerings), building owners can create new revenue streams through solar amenity fees, improve tenant satisfaction, increase occupancy rates, and enhance property values.

The conversation covers how SolShare works with solar plus storage solutions, enabling a single battery system to serve multiple meters and enhance building resilience during outages. Aliya also discusses how SolShare is creating new opportunities for solar installers to enter the previously challenging multi-family market, particularly in states with strong energy equity goals.

The episode reveals how this technology is unlocking significant funding for low-income multi-family solar installations in programs like Illinois Solar for All, where SolShare's software can ensure and document that 50% of solar benefits flow directly to residents.

Tune in to learn how this Australian-born technology is tackling energy equity challenges across the United States and opening new markets for solar installers in Illinois, Florida, Mississippi, Utah, and Washington DC.

Connect with Aliya Bagewadi

Aliya Bagewadi

Allume Energy

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