The Sounds of Solar Podcast

Dive into the growth of solar engineering teams in this latest episode of Sounds of Solar!  Hosts Christoph Bruhn and Prahalad Shivshankaran sit down with Raj Pawar, Director of Solar PV and Battery Storage at EVS, to explore how the company grew its solar department from 12 to 36 team members while maintaining top-tier quality and fostering a strong company culture.  Raj shares his leadership strategies, including the importance of decentralized decision-making, building a leadership pipeline, and the role of standardized processes in sustaining rapid growth. Whether you’re a solar industry veteran or a newcomer, this episode offers valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of scaling in a competitive industry.

Dive into the nitty-gritty of substations with Colin Paarmann, EVS Inc.'s substation manager, as we explore how civil and electrical engineering collide to power renewable energy projects across the nation. From collector substations to the art of stepping up voltage, this discussion blends high-level technical insight with a dash of humor.

In this episode of the Sounds of Solar, the boys explore what sustainable living could look like if money weren’t an obstacle. From community solar options to the latest in EV technology, they discuss the complexities of making greener choices and how policy, technology, and personal finances shape the way we approach sustainability.  Must hear moments include how cost barriers impact our choices for solar and EVs, the practicalities of community solar for renters and homeowners, and small sustainable actions that add up, from composting to cloth bags.

Could Minnesota be the unexpected leader propelling the next wave of renewable energy and tech innovation? Join hosts Chris, Russell, and Prahalad, live from MnSEIA’s Gateway to Solar Conference, as they sit down with Minnesota Representative Patty Acomb to explore how groundbreaking policies are transforming Minnesota into a renewable energy powerhouse and attracting major tech companies. Discover how initiatives like the 100% Clean Energy by 2040 mandate, the establishment of the State Competitiveness Fund, and innovative permitting reforms are accelerating solar adoption and drawing hyperscale data centers from tech giants like Meta, Google, and Amazon to the North Star State.

Recording LIVE from the expo floor of MnSEIA's Gateway to Solar conference, the Sounds of Solar podcast hosts speak with MnSEIA Executive Director Logan O'Grady and Bernadette Del Chairo from California Solar & Storage Assoc. (CALSSA) as they 'pull back the curtain' around distributed solar energy, net metering, and the work and lessons learned between California and Minnesota agencies.