The Marcor Studios Podcast

Episode 30 | Panels, Powerwalls & Peak Rates: Where Residential Solar Is Headed Next Featuring David G. Schieren of Marcor Solar [Audio]

Solar is no longer just about panels on a roof. It is about performance, storage, expansion, and making the numbers work in a post-tax-credit market.   In this episode, I sit down with David G. Schieren, Solar Exchange Principal at Marcor Solar, to discuss where the solar industry is heading in 2026 and why battery storage is becoming one of the most important topics for homeowners on Long Island. We break down the shift following tax credits, the growing role of batteries, and why energy systems now have to deliver value not just to homeowners but to the grid itself. 🎙️🔋   We discuss why batteries are still widely misunderstood, including the fact that they can be installed without solar and still create real economic value. David explains how battery systems can help homeowners store energy at lower overnight rates, reduce purchases during peak pricing hours, and even earn money during grid events through local utility programs. The conversation also covers backup power, why batteries are becoming a serious alternative to generators, and how shifting household energy use is prompting many homeowners to rethink the size and function of their current systems.   We also get into one of the biggest opportunities in today’s market: reassessing existing solar systems. From second-generation homeowners and system expansions to inverter upgrades and independent diagnostics, this episode highlights why solar should be treated like a long-term asset that needs analysis, transparency, and the right strategy to keep performing.   Welcome to Episode 30 of Marcor Studios. Because the best energy decisions are the ones backed by facts, performance, and numbers.   Connect with us on social! 💬 Instagram | @MarcorConstruction 📲 Facebook | Marcor Construction 🎬 TikTok | Marcor Construction 🌐 Website | www.marcorny.com   💌 Want to collaborate or be a guest on the podcast? Email us at marketing@marcorinstalls.com   #Marcor #MarcorStudios #MarcorSolar #GinaFarese #DavidSchieren #SolarExchange #BatteryStorage #LongIslandSolar #EnergyStorage #SolarExpansion #SolarEducation #CleanEnergy #HomeEnergy #BackupPower #SolarIndustry

Episode 29 | Power, Performance & Proactive Solutions: The Solar Maintenance Reality Featuring Greg Sachs of Solar Exchange & James Callindes of Marcor Solar [Audio]

Solar was sold as “set it and forget it.” The reality? It’s a power plant on your roof.   In this episode, I sit down with James Callindes, Solar Maintenance Manager at Marcor Solar, and Greg Sachs of Solar Exchange to break down the truth about solar monitoring and maintenance for both residential and commercial systems. From panel cleaning and critter guards to electrical inspections and production monitoring, we explain why solar systems require ongoing attention to protect the investment homeowners and property owners have made. 🎙️☀️   We talk about the most common issues we see in the field: squirrels nesting under arrays, wiring loosened by thermal expansion, snow and ice affecting production, and homeowners unknowingly running systems that have been partially offline for months. Monitoring apps help, but they don’t tell the whole story. That’s why proactive monitoring, inspections, and maintenance programs are essential to make sure your system is producing what it was designed to.   We also dive into the commercial side of solar, where downtime can mean thousands of dollars lost in a single day. From walking large rooftop arrays and checking conduit expansion to thermal imaging and electrical torque inspections, proper maintenance can prevent catastrophic failures and protect large-scale solar investments.   Welcome to Episode 29 of Marcor Studios. Because solar works best when someone’s watching it.   Connect with us on social! 💬 Instagram | @MarcorConstruction 📲 Facebook | Marcor Construction 🎬 TikTok | Marcor Construction 🌐 Website | www.marcorny.com   💌 Want to collaborate or be a guest on the podcast? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at marketing@marcorinstalls.com.   #Marcor #MarcorStudios #MarcorSolar #SolarMaintenance #SolarMonitoring #SolarSolutions #SolarService #EnergyMonitoring #SolarEducation #CommercialSolar #ResidentialSolar #SolarInvestment

Episode 28 | Pink, Performance & Proven Protection: Why Marcor Trusts Owens Corning Featuring Eric Thorne of Owens Corning [Audio]

Not all shingles are created equal. And not all manufacturers stand behind what they sell.   In this episode, I sit down with Eric Thorne, Area Sales Manager at Owens Corning, to break down why Marcor “bleeds pink” and why Owens Corning continues to lead the roofing industry nationally. From vertical integration at their Kearny, New Jersey, plant to manufacturing their own asphalt through Trumbull Asphalt, Eric explains how Owens Corning controls the entire process from fiberglass mat to finished shingle. 🎙️🏠   We dive into what truly separates Owens Corning from other manufacturers: people, product, and process. We talk about the Platinum and Preferred Contractor programs, the strict background and insurance requirements, and why Owens Corning is the only manufacturer that performs random on-site workmanship inspections to protect homeowners. If you’re selling extended warranties without inspections, you’re just checking a box. Owens Corning backs it up.   We also get technical. SureNail® Technology. Triple-layer fastening. Glue-to-glue sealing. Wind ratings up to 130 MPH. Copper granules for algae resistance. Five consecutive 70-degree days for seal activation. This is the stuff most homeowners never hear about, but it’s what determines whether your roof performs in a storm or fails in one.   Welcome to Episode 28 of Marcor Studios. Because the difference is in the details you don’t see.   Connect with Owens Corning: 💬 Instagram  | @weareowenscorning 📲 Facebook | Owens Corning 🎬 YouTube | @OwensCorning 🌐 Website | www.owenscorning.com   Connect with us on social! 💬 Instagram | @MarcorConstruction 📲 Facebook | Marcor Construction 🎬 TikTok | Marcor Construction 🌐 Website | www.marcorny.com   💌 Want to collaborate or be a guest on the podcast? Email us at marketing@marcorinstalls.com.   #Marcor #MarcorStudios #OwensCorning #BleedPink #SureNailTechnology #RoofingInnovation #PlatinumContractor #RoofingStandards #WindWarranty #AlgaeResistance #LongIslandRoofing #RoofingEducation #RoofingStandards

Episode 27 | Energy, Equity & Exposure: Why Solar Roof Check Changes the Game Featuring Carrie Cappello of Marcor Solar [Audio]

From open houses to closing tables, solar is showing up in more real estate deals than ever, and most buyers have no idea what they’re actually inheriting.   In this episode, I sit down with Carrie Cappello, VP of Solar Services at Marcor Solar, to officially introduce our newest division: Solar Roof Check. With nearly 10% of homes across Long Island and the five boroughs now equipped with solar, realtors, lenders, attorneys, and homeowners are navigating a new layer of complexity. Solar Roof Check was built to bring clarity to that process. 🎙️☀️   We break down what the service includes: a 20-point roof inspection, a full solar system evaluation, production diagnostics, warranty review, loan and lease transfer analysis, and documentation that helps buyers understand exactly what they’re purchasing. Is the system owned, leased, or financed? Are tax credits paid back? Are warranties transferable? Is the roof structurally sound beneath the panels? These are the questions that can make or break a deal.   We also discuss the hidden issues we see every day on the service side: solar installed over three or four roofing layers, architectural shingles improperly overlaid, reused attachments that will eventually leak, and insurance carriers canceling policies because they weren’t notified of panels on the roof. Solar Roof Check exists to prevent last-minute negotiations, seller concessions, and costly surprises after closing.   Welcome to Episode 27 of Marcor Studios. Because solar should be an asset, not a liability.   Connect with us on social! 💬 Instagram | @MarcorConstruction 📲 Facebook | Marcor Construction 🎬 TikTok | Marcor Construction 🌐 Website | www.marcorny.com   💌 Want to collaborate or be a guest on the podcast? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at marketing@marcorinstalls.com.   #Marcor #MarcorStudios #MarcorSolar #SolarRoofCheck #SolarInspection #RoofIntegrity #SolarAsset #RealEstateStrategy #SolarTransparency #HomeBuyingTips #SolarEducation #LongIslandBusiness

Episode 26 | Solar, Service & Second Chances: Inside Marcor’s Solar Service Division Featuring Carrie Cappello of Marcor Solar [Audio]

Solar isn’t “set it and forget it.” And in 2026, a lot of Long Island homeowners are learning that the hard way.   In this episode, I sit down with Carrie Cappello, Vice President of Solar Services at Marcor Solar, to break down the real-world side of solar ownership that nobody talks about enough: orphan systems, service gaps, and what happens when the company that installed your panels disappears. Carrie explains why Marcor has become the “foster mom” of solar on Long Island, stepping in to handle 30 to 50 service calls every week for homeowners who don’t know where to turn. 🎙️☀️   We get into the most common issues we see with second-generation solar homeowners, why a system designed for the previous owner may not match your family’s usage today, and how small lifestyle changes like adding an EV, a hot tub, dehumidifiers, or work-from-home habits can quietly spike your bill. Carrie also walks through the biggest risks homeowners face when the wrong contractor touches a system, including licensing and insurance exposure, warranty problems, and lease or loan consequences if the proper steps aren’t followed. We also cover PSEG time-of-use, why there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, and the simple weekly habit that can save you months of lost production.   Welcome to Episode 26 of Marcor Studios. Because solar works best when it’s understood, monitored, and serviced the right way.   Connect with us on social! 💬 Instagram | @MarcorConstruction 📲 Facebook | Marcor Construction 🎬 TikTok | Marcor Construction 🌐 Website | www.marcorny.com   💌 Want to collaborate or be a guest on the podcast? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at marketing@marcorinstalls.com.   #Marcor #MarcorStudios #MarcorConstruction #MarcorSolar #GinaFarese #CarrieCappello #SolarService #SolarMaintenance #OrphanSystems #LongIslandSolar #SolarMonitoring #HomeEnergy