Today on the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague talks with Aaron Gabelnick, Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Technology Officer at Array Technologies, about the evolving landscape of solar tracking systems and how they're reducing the cost of renewable energy.

Aaron explains how he transitioned from working in traditional energy to join Array Technologies, drawn by the company's mission of "generating energy with integrity for a sustainable world." He details Array's innovative approach to solar tracking, including their unique passive stow mechanism that allows solar arrays to automatically position themselves safely during high winds while maximizing energy production.

The conversation explores how single-axis trackers have revolutionized utility-scale solar by increasing energy yield up to 25% compared to fixed-tilt systems. Aaron breaks down the "3 L's" (land, labor, and latitude) that determine when trackers make economic sense, and explains why trackers have captured 96% of the utility-scale solar market in the United States.

Tim and Aaron also discuss Array's approach to severe weather resilience, with Aaron announcing Array's new 77-degree hail stow technology designed to protect solar panels during increasingly common extreme hail events. The episode touches on Array's investment in Swap Robotics for automating panel installation, with alpha sites expected to deploy robotic panel placement by Q4 2025.

Despite current political uncertainties affecting renewable incentives, Aaron shares his optimistic long-term outlook for solar, citing how even oil-rich Middle Eastern countries are investing heavily in massive solar projects as evidence that solar's cost advantages are undeniable.

Listen to this episode to gain insights into the technical innovations driving cost reductions in solar energy and how leading manufacturers are addressing critical challenges like severe weather events and installation efficiency.

Connect with Aaron Gabelnick

LinkedIn: Aaron Gabelnick

Website: Array Technologies

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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 welcomes back Evan Upshur from CPS America for a discussion on the latest innovations in solar inverter technology. Evan shares why CPS America continues to be a leader in the solar industry with their reliable, versatile products and exceptional customer service.

Evan emphasizes the importance of versatility in their product line, particularly highlighting their 100kW 480V inverter and new 200kW model with a centralized wire box. These solutions are especially valuable for the rapidly growing community solar market, where seamless integration with utility-provided 480V transformers eliminates redundancy and simplifies installation. The conversation explores how CPS's research and development team focuses on refining proven technology while incorporating innovations that make solar systems more efficient and easier to build.

Beyond just hardware, Evan discusses how CPS America's commitment to customer service, readily available UL-listed products, and efficient supply chain have contributed to their success. With expanding capabilities including AC combiners, medium voltage transformers, and energy storage solutions, CPS now offers comprehensive DC to AC conversion for both energy storage and PV applications.

Whether you're a solar developer, installer, or industry professional, this episode provides valuable insights into what makes CPS America a trusted partner for solar projects of all sizes. Tune in to learn how versatility in design and application is driving the next generation of solar technology.

Connect with Evan Upshur

Evan Upshur

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

Today on the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague speaks with Jordan Harris, CEO of Yotta Energy, about their unique approach to commercial rooftop solar battery storage. Harris introduces Yotta Energy's latest innovation – the Yotta Block – a modular building block-type battery product that installs directly in line with solar panels, similar to microinverters. The battery becomes the ballast block. This distributed energy storage solution reduces soft costs associated with traditional battery installations, making it ideal for the small to mid-sized commercial and industrial (C&I) market.

Harris details Yotta's innovative three-phase thermal management system that maintains batteries in optimal operating conditions while serving as a safety mechanism, minimizing thermal runaway concerns. The company utilizes safer LFP battery chemistry and a design architecture that provides natural standoff between units, addressing key safety considerations for rooftop deployment. We also cover how Yotta's solution potentially streamlines system design and permitting to installation and ongoing maintenance.

Before joining Yotta Energy, Harris deployed over $1 billion in the solar and battery storage value chains, giving him deep insight into the challenges facing the C&I market. His expertise positioned him perfectly to recognize Yotta's potential to unlock this critical sector of the renewable energy transition.

Listen to this episode to discover how Yotta Energy's module-level approach to energy storage could conveniently augment commercial solar installations and improve project economics through reduced soft costs and streamlined deployment.

Connect with Jordan

LinkedIn: Jordan Harris

Website: Yotta Energy

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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, host Tim Montague sits down with David Florenz from CPS America at Intersolar San Diego to explore the future of grid-scale battery storage and utility-scale solar solutions.

David shares his journey from residential solar to utility-scale projects and reveals why CPS's innovative modular battery design is changing the game for project owners and operators. Learn how their distributed architecture offers superior resiliency compared to traditional centralized systems, allowing for easier maintenance and minimal downtime when issues arise.

Key highlights from this episode:

• CPS's unique modular approach to grid-scale storage with 200 kW power conversion systems
• How distributed architecture improves project resiliency and simplifies operations & maintenance
• The advantages of CPS's integrated manufacturing approach (everything but the cell)
• Current market trends in grid-scale storage across California, Hawaii, and Texas
• Retrofitting opportunities for existing solar farms
• CPS's new 125 kW / 261 kWh C&I energy storage solution

Perfect for utility-scale developers, IPPs, project owners, and anyone interested in the future of renewable energy storage. David explains why modular design matters and how it impacts long-term project economics.

Press play to discover how CPS is shaping the future of grid-scale energy storage and learn about their comprehensive approach to solar + storage integration.

Connect with David Florenz:

LinkedIn: David Florenz

Email: david.florenz@chintpower.com

Website: CPS America

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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

Join Tim Montague and John Weaver for this bi-weekly Solar & Storage News LIVE, where they dive deep into the latest developments shaping the solar industry. In this April 18, 2025, episode, our hosts explore critical industry updates from policy battles to technological breakthroughs that could reshape the future of renewable energy.

The discussion evolves into a broader conversation about America's position in the global renewable energy race, particularly in relation to China's aggressive advancement in solar, battery, and EV technologies.

Key Topics Covered:

• IRA Update: Bipartisan support grows with legislators stating opposition to wholesale repeal
• Oxford PV Breakthrough: The company signs a landmark perovskite silicon tandem patent licensing agreement with Trina Solar
• Global Solar Milestone: Solar power surpasses 10% of global electricity consumption in 2024
• Silver Prices Impact: 21% increase in silver prices affects solar manufacturing costs and innovations
• China vs. US: Analysis of technology leadership in renewable energy and the importance of collaboration
• Safety Alert: Discussion on workplace safety following a tragic wind turbine accident
• Project Updates: Real-world challenges including foundation issues in carport installations
• Copper Theft: Law enforcement tackles organized copper theft targeting solar plants in Spain

Subscribe to Clean Power Hour for bi-weekly updates on solar, battery, and wind energy news, and join the conversation about building a sustainable energy future.

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Connect with Tim

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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’s episode of the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague welcomes back Chris Lettman, US Sales Director for Imperial Star Solar, to dive deep into the world of domestic content in solar panel manufacturing. As the US approaches 50 gigawatts of solar panel manufacturing capacity, Chris brings his 16+ years of industry experience to clarify the often misunderstood requirements for domestic content qualification.

Chris explains the critical distinction between modules assembled in the US versus those that truly qualify for the 10% ITC domestic content adder, which requires US-manufactured solar cells. With only about 5 gigawatts of the current 50 gigawatts of panel manufacturing capacity using domestically produced cells, Chris cautions developers and EPCs to thoroughly vet manufacturers' claims about domestic content eligibility.

The conversation explores Imperial Star Solar's 2-gigawatt manufacturing facility in Houston, Texas, their partnership with Suniva for solar cells, and their commitment to transparency regarding domestic content verification. Chris shares insights from his recent experience at the Solar and Wind Finance Conference in Phoenix, noting the growing brand recognition of Imperial Star in the US market.

Tim and Chris also discuss the broader implications of reshoring solar manufacturing, including job creation, tax revenue, and supply chain security. They address how the current political climate affects the solar manufacturing renaissance spurred by the Inflation Reduction Act, emphasizing the importance of continued good industrial policy to support American manufacturing.

Whether you're a solar developer navigating ITC requirements, an EPC looking to source domestically manufactured panels, or simply interested in the future of American clean energy manufacturing, this episode offers valuable insights you won't want to miss. Listen now to understand the complexities and opportunities in US solar panel manufacturing.

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Chris Lettman

Imperial Star Solar

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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, recorded at Intersolar San Diego, host Tim Montague sits down with McKay Johnson of Helix Electric and Kelly Shamblen of CPS America to discuss the current state of the commercial and industrial solar market. Despite the industry's unpredictable nature—often called the "solar coaster"—both guests express optimism about continued growth in the clean energy transition.

McKay Johnson highlights how permitting challenges in Southern California create obstacles for project implementation, noting that other states offer a smoother process for getting solar projects "into the ground and built." The conversation reveals a significant shift in the storage market, with Johnson explaining how Helix Electric has moved from primarily PV-only installations to seeing dramatic growth in hybrid systems and standalone battery storage projects over the past 18 months.

The discussion also explores how NEM 3 (Net Energy Metering 3) has created tailwinds for storage adoption, changing project characteristics even while overall development pace remains strong. Johnson shares insights into why Helix Electric consistently chooses CPS America for power electronics, citing product quality, continuous innovation, and exceptional customer service as key factors in their long-standing partnership.

Kelly Shamblen offers perspective on Southern California's role as a hotbed for C&I (Commercial and Industrial) projects, particularly highlighting school districts, municipalities, and retrofit opportunities as growth areas. The episode concludes with both guests emphasizing the value of industry trade shows like Intersolar for discovering innovations and the importance of strong, loyal partnerships in navigating the evolving solar landscape.

Listen to this episode to gain valuable insights into market trends, technological developments, and successful business relationships that are helping speed the energy transition in Southern California and beyond.

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McKay Johnson

Helix Electric

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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, Tim Montague sits down with Carlos Abad, the newly appointed head of Latin American markets for CPS America. Recorded at Intersolar San Diego, this conversation offers insights into the growing solar and energy storage markets across Latin America, with a particular focus on Mexico's promising 7-8 gigawatt solar market potential for 2025.

Carlos shares his journey from being an architect caught in the 2008 recession to becoming a solar industry leader. Starting with a self-built solar trailer for a farmers market in Miami to working with companies like Sun Electronics, Tesla, and now returning to CPS America, his career path demonstrates the evolving opportunities in renewable energy. The discussion provides a comprehensive overview of Latin American markets, including Mexico, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, and others, highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities in each region.

This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in international solar markets, energy storage integration, and the future of renewable energy in Latin America. Carlos' expertise in both technical installation (as a NABCEP certified professional) and market strategy offers valuable perspectives for industry professionals and enthusiasts alike.

Episode Highlights:

• Carlos Abad's journey from architecture to solar, including his first off-grid system design and NABCEP certification
• Mexico's renewable energy outlook under new leadership with projected 7-8GW solar market and 700-900 MWh storage market for 2025
• Overview of key Latin American solar markets, including Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Panama, and Colombia
• Discussion of Puerto Rico's energy transformation following Hurricane Maria and current utility restructuring
• Insights into CPS America's product strategy for Latin America, focusing on 250/600V and 350/800V inverters
• The growing importance of integrated solar and energy storage solutions

Listen now to gain valuable insights into one of renewable energy's most dynamic and promising regions from an industry veteran with over 15 years of experience in sustainable energy solutions.

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Carlos Abad

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