A young FBI agent named Leah Marx arrives in Los Angeles and receives a tip in 2010 about brutal conditions at Men’s Central Jail downtown. Such complaints have gone nowhere for years, since they pit the allegations of inmates against the word of jail deputies. But she finds informants, including a wily bank robber, Anthony Brown, who is facing life in prison and is willing to help. She reflects on a family tragedy that informs her perspective and fuels her sense of mission. Meanwhile, an ambitious young jailer named James Sexton works his way through the ranks, trying to overcome his image as a “brass baby,” the son of a prominent law officer, while navigating a complicated agency where loyalty is a prime value. That jail was notorious for violence and neglect, and outside investigations had rarely gained traction. By entering Men’s Central Jail, the FBI was challenging a department that had long resisted oversight. The series is reported and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Chris Goffard, best known for his work on Dirty John. Topics in this episode include: Operation Pandora’s Box, Anthony Brown informant, James Sexton, Los Angeles County Jail scandal, FBI investigation, Sheriff Lee Baca.…
What Solar Installers Need To Know is a podcast for solar leaders who are building something big. If you’re a founder, executive, or manager running a $10–$100M solar installation company with a team of 50–250 people, this show is for you. We dive into the real challenges around project management, marketing, operations, financing, and scaling your business—without the fluff. The higher you climb, the harder it is to find others who really get what you’re going through. That’s why each episode features honest conversations with people who’ve been there—sharing what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what they’re still figuring out. No hype. Just practical insights for solar pros who want to keep growing.
What Solar Installers Need To Know is a podcast for solar leaders who are building something big. If you’re a founder, executive, or manager running a $10–$100M solar installation company with a team of 50–250 people, this show is for you. We dive into the real challenges around project management, marketing, operations, financing, and scaling your business—without the fluff. The higher you climb, the harder it is to find others who really get what you’re going through. That’s why each episode features honest conversations with people who’ve been there—sharing what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what they’re still figuring out. No hype. Just practical insights for solar pros who want to keep growing.
Ravi Mikkelsen doesn’t mince words. If you're still treating financing like an afterthought, you're leaving megawatts (and money) on the table. In this episode, he dives into how smarter tools, lower soft costs, and real customer trust can transform solar sales from clunky to scalable. He's also throwing a $2-a-watt taco party to rally installers around doing things better...because fixing solar finance shouldn’t be boring.…
Micah, Solar States' Founder, keeps it real in this episode, diving into what’s working and what’s not in the solar world right now. He talks about why a strong management team is non-negotiable, how leasing can hurt (or help) your customer relationships, and where energy management tech is headed. If you're in the trenches of growing a solar company, Micah’s got hard-earned advice on avoiding common pitfalls and protecting your brand reputation every step of the way!…
In this episode, Joe Marhamati sits down with Jonathan Proffitt, ABB’s Sales & Development Leader for Residential Energy Management (aka, the electrification whisperer). They get real about what it takes to stay competitive as a solar installer today. From batteries to smart meters, from supplier relationships to utility red tape—John shares how diversifying your offering isn’t optional if you want to scale. They also dive into ABB’s evolving toolkit for installers, what financing solutions are actually working on the ground, and how we finally start tackling soft costs if we’re serious about hitting 100% solar penetration. If you’ve ever wrestled with utility coordination or wondered how to future-proof your business, this one's for you.…
Khanti Munro has been in solar long enough to see the tech and the culture change big time. In this episode, he and Joe Marhamati talk through everything from training the next generation to game-changers like meter socket adapters and vehicle-to-grid. At the core of it all? A strong case for keeping the customer front and center while pushing the industry to level up.…
Amanda Bybee, CEO of Amicus O&M, is on a mission to bust the myth that solar is “set it and forget it.” In this episode, she dives into why O&M is not just essential for system health—but also a serious revenue opportunity if you treat it right. From technician training to proactive maintenance plans and warranty know-how, Amanda lays out exactly how installers can turn maintenance into a competitive advantage.…
Brian Hayden, CEO of HeatSpring, has been in the game long enough to know what works and what doesn’t. In this episode, he shares why training isn’t optional, how to turn customer service into your competitive edge, and why the best solar companies are already thinking 10 years ahead. From virtual reality in the classroom to real trust in the field, Brian paints a picture of where clean energy is headed—and how to keep up.…
Brian Villari knows solar insurance inside and out—and in this episode, he breaks down what you actually need to protect your business. From general liability to workers' comp, he unpacks the fine print, clears up claims-made vs. occurrence policies, and makes a solid case for why safety culture matters. If you’re scaling, merging, or just trying to avoid surprise claims, this one’s packed with real talk and cost-saving tips.…
Vincent Battaglia, CEO of Renova Energy, drops some serious wisdom in this episode—talking about why long-term customer relationships are the real secret in solar. He dives into how AI and tech can streamline operations, but reminds us it all still comes down to people. If you’re navigating growing pains, chasing innovation, or just want to avoid the mistakes others already made, this episode is for you.…
Mo, Good Faith Energy's CEO, doesn’t hold back in this episode—he gets real about what it takes to run a solar company the right way. From ethical sales and rock-solid installs to actually supporting customers after the panels go up, he shares hard-earned lessons on doing things with integrity. If you've ever wrestled with misaligned teams, marketing headaches, or just want a no-BS look at how to grow with heart—this one's for you.…
Riley Cate and Eric Haskell ditched their corporate gigs to start SageBrush Energy—and in this episode, they share what it’s really like to build a solar company rooted in trust, community, and quality installs. From navigating policy shifts in Nevada to launching their own financing arm (SageBrush Financial), they break down the real challenges local installers face and why diverse financing is non-negotiable.…
Mike Cornell, Chief Instigation Officer at Arch Solar, brings the heat in this episode—talking growth, grit, and how they’re gunning for $100M by 2033. He dives into everything from building a rock-solid ops structure to the real work behind attracting more women into solar, plus a few hard lessons learned along the way. Oh, and if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to meet Elon Musk, run O&M like a pro, or use driver-facing cameras to lower insurance costs—Mike’s got stories for days!…
Aaron Nichols didn’t take the usual path into solar—unless running into circus performers in Ecuador is more common than we think. In this episode, he breaks down why good marketing isn’t about quick wins, but about storytelling, community, and staying human. If you're still treating LinkedIn like a digital resume, Aaron's take might just change how you show up.…
Heather Albarano has spent years in solar HR, and she’s got the stories (and scars) to prove it. In this episode, she gets real about hiring mistakes, messy handbooks, and why effective meetings are underrated. If you think HR is just paperwork and policies, this episode might change your mind.
Chris Koczaja from Lightwave Solar has seen it all—and in this episode, he breaks down what’s changing in solar and how smart companies are staying ahead. From moving into commercial work to taking O&M seriously, he makes a strong case for diversifying your model and keeping your team sharp by managing time better. Oh, and if you're not thinking about storage yet? You will be after this.…
Benoy Thanjan has been in solar for 20+ years, and in this episode, he sits down with Joe Marhamati to talk about everything from community solar to why interconnection is still such a pain. They dig into how project financing has changed, the underrated power of renewable energy credits, and what tariffs are doing to the industry. If you're into energy independence, battery tech, or how blockchain and vehicle-to-grid might change the game—this one's got it all.…
Scaling a solar company is hard. We get it, so we made a podcast. Real conversations about real problems— from people in the field. 🎙️ What Solar Installers Need To Know Launching April 15 @ 5AM EST.
مرحبًا بك في مشغل أف ام!
يقوم برنامج مشغل أف أم بمسح الويب للحصول على بودكاست عالية الجودة لتستمتع بها الآن. إنه أفضل تطبيق بودكاست ويعمل على أجهزة اندرويد والأيفون والويب. قم بالتسجيل لمزامنة الاشتراكات عبر الأجهزة.