Today on the Clean Power Hour, we sit down with the leadership team of Windfree Solar - a minority-owned, equity eligible contractor that's proving diversity isn't just good for society, it's good for business. CEO Eric Heineman, Head of O&M Cynthia Myers, and Chief Marketing Officer Steve Larosiliere share how they've built a thriving solar company by focusing on underserved communities in Chicago and Cook County.

Discover how Cynthia went from growing up in foster care to becoming one of Illinois' first female solar installers and a licensed electrician. Learn why Eric believes diversity is their competitive advantage, and how Steve is helping scale their mission-driven approach to solar development.

We dive deep into Illinois' groundbreaking Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), exploring programs like Solar for All and Illinois Shines that are creating pathways for people from disadvantaged backgrounds to enter the clean energy workforce. The team discusses the challenges and opportunities of working in environmental justice communities, and why they've made it their specialty to go where other solar companies won't.

This episode also touches on the broader transformation happening in the solar industry - from a predominantly white, male sector to one that's actively embracing diversity and inclusion.

Key Topics Covered:

• Equity-eligible contractor status and what it means
• Breaking gender and racial barriers in solar installation
• Working in underserved communities and environmental justice areas
• Building diverse teams for competitive advantage
• Community solar development strategies

If you'd like to support Cynthia Myers during this challenging time as she navigates her partner's immigration case, please consider contributing to her GoFundMe campaign - every bit of support helps.

Connect with WindFree

Eric Heineman

Cynthia Myers

Steve Larosiliere

Windfree

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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

What if farmers could double their income from the same land while fighting climate change?

Today on the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague sits down with two pioneering leaders who are revolutionizing how we think about solar energy and agriculture. Helge Biernath, CEO of Sunzaun (and Sunstall, the mechanical installation company), and Ian Skor, CEO of Sandbox Solar, share groundbreaking insights into vertical solar technology and its game-changing applications in agrivoltaics.

Discover how vertical solar panels are transforming farming:

• Learn why upright solar panels running north-south are perfect for agricultural integration
• Understand how farmers can maintain 80-90% of their crop production while generating clean energy
• Explore real-world applications from Colorado State University's research facilities
• See how this technology helps with water conservation, worker protection, and climate resilience

Key insights covered:

• Why vertical solar uses only 10-20% of farmland while preserving agricultural operations
• How this technology works with commodity crops like alfalfa and corn
• The economic benefits for both farmers and solar developers
• Challenges with current modeling tools and breakthrough solutions like Spade
• Success stories from California's Central Valley to Colorado's research farms

Whether you're a farmer looking to diversify income, a solar developer seeking new opportunities, or simply curious about sustainable agriculture, this episode reveals practical solutions that are starting to be implemented across the United States.

Don't miss the upcoming panel discussion on July 15th featuring these experts and others! Check cleanpowerhour.com/events for details.

Hit play to discover how vertical solar is creating win-win solutions for clean energy and sustainable agriculture!

Connect with Guests

Sandbox Solar

Ian Skor

Helge Biernath

Sunzaun

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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

Are you ready for the biggest shift happening in utility-scale solar right now?

The transition from central to string inverters is revolutionizing how we build and operate massive solar farms across America. In this eye-opening episode, Luke Schlichte, Utility Sales Representative at CPS America (Chint Power Systems), breaks down why this technological shift is happening and what it means for the future of utility solar.

Luke reveals the stark reality of underperformance plaguing utility-scale solar in the US, where some 200MW projects have experienced as low as 14% uptime after their first year. The culprit? Central inverters creating catastrophic single points of failure that can take entire megawatt blocks offline for weeks or even months at a time.

Key topics covered in this episode:

• Why string inverters eliminate catastrophic downtime risks
• The financial impact of inverter choice on long-term asset performance
• How CPS's 350kW string inverter (the world's most powerful) is changing the game
• Distributed vs. skidded design approaches for utility solar
• Maintenance and servicing advantages that save time and money
• Why specialized technician shortages make string inverters essential
• Real-world case studies of projects switching from central to string

Luke explains how modern high-power string inverters like CPS's 350kW unit offer the modularity benefits of string technology while matching the economics of central inverters. With features like 15 MPPTs per inverter and full power output up to 45°C, these aren't your typical rooftop string inverters.

Whether you're an asset owner, EPC contractor, or anyone involved in utility-scale solar development, this episode provides crucial insights into technology choices that can make or break project profitability. Luke shares how CPS's unique approach of studying returned inverters in their labs drives continuous innovation and why they view themselves as partners for the entire project lifecycle.

Connect with Luke Schlichte

LinkedIn: Luke Schlichte

Website: CPS America

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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

In this episode of Clean Power Hour Live, hosts Tim Montague and John Weaver tackle the elephant in the room - policy uncertainty - while making a compelling case for why now might be the best time to double down on solar. Fresh from the Midwest Solar Expo in Chicago and the ACORE Financial Forum in NYC, they share insights from industry heavyweights who are aggressively pursuing projects despite potential ITC changes. Here is what we discussed:

Industry Outlook & Market Confidence

• Solar industry resilience despite policy uncertainty - Both hosts express optimism that the solar transition will continue despite potential ITC changes, with John noting strong confidence from major industry players at the ACORE Financial Forum in NYC (PV Magazine)

Policy & Legislative Updates

• Texas anti-solar bills defeated - Multiple bills that would have restricted solar deployment in Texas failed to progress in the state House of Representatives (PV Magazine)

Market Data & Economics

• Residential electricity price increases - EIA data shows average 13% increase across US, with some regions seeing up to 26% increases, potentially offsetting reduced solar incentives (Energy Information Administration)
• Solar curtailment in California - 2024 saw 3.4 million MWh curtailed (up 29%), but represents only ~1% of total energy generation (PV Magazine)

Technology & Manufacturing News

• Perovskite efficiency record - New record of 829 watts achieved for utility-scale perovskite modules (PV Tech)

Be sure to connect with us at RE+ Vegas, Solar Farm Summit, and other industry events!

Shop at our recently launched merch store too…swag to make your clean energy dreams come true. Thanks for following us!

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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

Are rural communities really losing out to solar farms? The data tells a completely different story.

Today on the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague sits down with Ethan Loomis, Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Strategic Economic Research (SER), to unpack the real economic impact of utility-scale wind, solar, and battery projects on rural America.

What you'll discover in this episode:

The Economic Layer Cake: Ethan breaks down the three levels of economic impact from renewable projects - direct jobs (construction and O&M), indirect benefits (local supply chain), and induced effects (hotels, restaurants, gas stations benefiting from workforce influx).

Mind-Blowing Tax Revenue Numbers: Illinois alone has generated over $483 million in property tax revenue from wind and solar projects since 2003, with McLean County receiving $78 million and school districts seeing $1-2 million annually in additional funding.

The Farmland Myth Busted: Learn why the "paving over the breadbasket" argument doesn't hold water - most projects use less than 1% of county farmland, and solar is 10x more energy-efficient than corn ethanol (which uses 45% of U.S. corn production).

Real-World Case Studies: SER has analyzed over 500 projects across 38 states, providing concrete data on how these projects transform rural economies without significantly impacting agricultural production.

Community Engagement Strategies: Practical advice for developers on navigating NIMBY opposition and building genuine community support through transparent economic analysis.

The Rural Reality Check: Why struggling rural communities with declining populations and automated farming are finding renewable energy projects to be economic lifelines.

📅 Don't Miss: Learn about SER's annual Illinois Renewable Energy Conference (September 30-October 1 in Normal, IL) with early bird pricing ending June 30th.

Visit strategiceconomic.com to explore their library of publicly available economic impact reports.

Connect With Ethan Loomis

LinkedIn: Ethan Loomis

Website: Strategic Economic Research

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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, Tim Montague sits down with Carl Moose, partner at Greenlight Energy Solutions, to explore how businesses and homeowners in the Midwest are transforming their biggest liability, their roof, into a profitable energy asset.

Carl, a former banker turned solar developer, reveals why Illinois has become one of the top 10 distributed generation markets in the US, despite not being known as a traditional "solar state." He breaks down the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) that created a 10-year runway of healthy renewable energy credits, making solar financially compelling for residential, commercial, and community solar projects.

Key insights you'll discover:

• Why 50% of roofs need reconditioning before solar installation and how to overcome this major obstacle
• The "airline fuel futures" strategy for locking in energy costs with solar
• How space-age satellite technology is trickling down to make rooftop solar more efficient than ever
• The three-part business case: turning liabilities into assets, fixing variable expenses, and leveraging federal/state incentives
• Why net metering changes are driving the storage opportunity in Illinois
• Real-world ROI scenarios showing 4-5 year payback periods with 15+ years of additional savings

Carl also shares the evolution of Greenlight Energy Solutions, from a traditional construction company to a full-service solar EPC, and explains their "BMW not Chevrolet" approach to quality components and installation.

Whether you're a facility owner looking to reduce operating costs, a solar professional seeking market insights, or simply curious about the energy transition happening in America's heartland, this episode delivers actionable intelligence on one of the country's hottest solar markets.

Connect with Carl Moose

LinkedIn: Carl Moose

Email: carl@greenlightenergy.solar

Website: Greenlink Energy Solutions

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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

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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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