Best Barry Cinnamon Podcasts (2025)

1
The SunCast Story, with Nico Johnson 39:10

Play Pause

11d ago39:10

39:10

What do the Peace Corps, Trina Solar, and 800+ podcasts have in common? One man: Nico Johnson. This week on The Energy Show, we're bringing you a rare behind-the-scenes conversation with the voice of the solar industry—Nico Johnson, founder of SunCast. If you’ve ever listened to a solar podcast or worked in clean energy, you’ve felt his impact. Fro…

1
Nick Chaset with Octopus Energy 32:09

18d ago32:09

32:09

Octopus Energy is shaking up the utility industry—one smart tentacle at a time. Nick Chaset, CEO of Octopus Energy U.S., joins us on this week’s Energy Show episode. Octopus Energy is redefining how customers interact with electricity. From solar and batteries to smart controls and EV chargers, Octopus isn’t just selling power—it’s empowering peopl…

1
Musk and Cinnamon Agree: Don’t Kill the Solar Tax Credits 11:51

25d ago11:51

11:51

Do you want to pay 30% more for your solar and battery system next year? Since the 30% tax credit is likely to end on 12/31/25, that’s exactly what’s going to happen. On this week's Energy Show we dive into the clean energy details in the proposed Big Beautiful Bill (BBB) that is currently being negotiated in Congress. For a change, Elon Musk and I…

1
Save the 30% Solar Tax Credit - Special Guest: Anya Schoolman 25:01

2M ago25:01

25:01

The biggest home solar tax credit is about to be axed by Congress. If you are thinking about solar, or just want to expand your system or even add a battery — this 30% tax credit will save you a lot of money. You will lose out on a tax credit savings of $9,000 on a typical $30k solar system. That’s a lot of dough! Under the current reconciliation b…

1
Electrified Homes Are Simply Better Homes - Special Guest: Jeff Aalfs 25:28

2M ago25:28

25:28

Ever wonder how you're supposed to navigate electrified homes, green building, sustainability, and energy efficiency when even the words "climate change" feel like a political landmine? Yeah, same here. Turns out, even poor Kermit the Frog isn't safe anymore. On this week’s Energy Show we’re diving headfirst into the complicated world of green buil…

1
Save Your Photons and Clean Your Solar Panels 24:58

2M ago24:58

24:58

Are dirty solar panels secretly robbing you blind? If you’ve ever looked up at your rooftop solar panels and wondered, “Do I really need to clean those?” — this episode is your wake-up call. Whether your system is a year old or just a few months in, there’s a high chance those precious photons aren’t making it through the grime. And yes, that dirt …

1
EVs Can Power Homes — So Why Won’t Utilities Let You? 20:54

3M ago20:54

20:54

By Barry Cinnamon

1
Why is Solar Still So Expensive in the U.S.? 32:58

3M ago32:58

32:58

You’d think it’s the cost of panels and batteries—but that’s only half the story. The other half? A tangled web of permits, inspections, engineering headaches, insurance, and paperwork that’s bleeding solar companies dry and keeping prices sky high. We’re joined by the man who’s on a mission to change that: Andrew “Birchy” Birch. You’ll hear why U.…

1
Get Your Heat Pump, Solar and Battery Tax Credits While They Last 15:51

4M ago15:51

15:51

Thinking about going solar, upgrading to a heat pump, or adding a home battery system? You could be leaving thousands of dollars on the table if you don’t take advantage of the latest tax credits! We’re breaking down everything you need to know to maximize your tax credits for 2024 – and even 2025! Despite all the chaos in DC, these electrification…

1
Who Knows Better – AI or Your Heat Pump Salesperson? 17:45

4M ago17:45

17:45

AI is getting smarter—answering complex questions in seconds, from heat pump efficiency to system sizing. But can it really outthink a seasoned HVAC expert? We put AI head-to-head with heat pump design consultant Daniel Reres to find out who gives the best advice when replacing an old gas furnace and air conditioner with a state-of-the-art heat pum…

1
Things You Won’t Hear From Solar Sales People 45:52

4M ago45:52

45:52

How can you tell when a "solar bro" salesman is lying? When his lips are moving. It may come as a surprise, but I’m sorry to report that not all solar sales people are honest. On this week’s Energy Show we’ll dive into the shadowy side of solar sales that often gets swept under the rug. Inspired by a provocative Wired article: “The Spectacular Burn…

1
How Would You Like Your Pizza Delivered: Pipes, Wires, Underground, or From The Sky? 19:58

5M ago19:58

19:58

Imagine this: Domino’s delivers your pepperoni pizza from the sky via drone, skipping traffic and landing it piping hot on your doorstep. Wouldn’t you want your energy delivered just as efficiently? Today’s energy delivered to our buildings takes a circuitous route - from pipes, wires or underground. But energy delivery directly from the sky is not…

1
It’s Valentine’s Day And PG&E Loves You 32:16

5M ago32:16

32:16

Patti Poppe, PG&E’s CEO, sent a literal love letter to all of her California customers. You can read it here (https://www.pge.com/en/newsroom/currents/customer-service/pg-e-s-progress-on-the-things-you-care-about-the-most-.html), but allow me to summarize: Dear PG&E Customers: If you conserve electricity we will raise your rates. If you use more el…

1
Tips For The Best Home Backup System with Greg Smith - Part 2 36:15

5M ago36:15

36:15

Part 2 of our podcast with Greg Smith, author of The Battery Powered Home, goes into the intricate details of designing and installing the ideal home battery system. Some of the questions that Greg answers are: * What are the top mistakes homeowners and contractors make? * How can you ensure your system meets building code restrictions? * How can a…

1
Tips For The Best Home Backup System with Greg Smith Part 1 31:03

5M ago31:03

31:03

Almost every solar system installed in California and Hawaii includes batteries. And for good reason. Daytime electric rates are low, evening rates are extremely high, blackouts are common, and utilities pay almost nothing for excess power you send back to the grid. But it’s not easy to design a battery system that takes into account homeowner powe…

1
Electricity Shortages are Utility-Created BS 27:34

6M ago27:34

27:34

I have no doubt that we will need more electricity for EVs, building electrification and AI. But across the country — and particularly in California — electricity shortages are being artificially created by utilities as they actively stop competitive sources of power, such as rooftop solar and storage. At the rate our electricity demands are growin…

1
2025 Solar, Storage and Electrification Predictions 24:40

6M ago24:40

24:40

Demand for solar, storage and electrification is at an all-time high in the U.S. But economic and political uncertainties have clouded up my 2025 crystal ball. Nevertheless, here is what I see going into 2025. 1) No one knows what will happen with IRA tax credits and rebates 2) TPO system demand will increase if residential IRA incentives are reduc…

1
Solar Tax Credits: Turbocharged or Trumped? 29:51

6M ago29:51

29:51

Did you know the 30% solar tax credit that fueled the industry’s explosive growth was partly funded by a sneaky deal allowing fossil fuel exports—raising gas prices in the process? Or that the long-term stability of these credits helped solar leasing and PPAs thrive? But there’s a storm brewing. With a potential Trump administration set to revisit …

1
Will Cheap Solar and Batteries Change Clean Tech Investing? 38:58

6M ago38:58

38:58

Solar panel costs have declined from $5/watt to $0.25/watt over the last 25 years. Due to the scale and risks involved in solar panel manufacturing, “…making solar panels is a horrible business,” according to Jenny Chase with Bloomberg NEF. And the same result is likely to happen with manufacturing the other key new energy technology: batteries.Wha…

1
Declare Your Energy Independence from Sky High Electric Bills 23:15

6M ago23:15

23:15

Utilities are in business to make money. So it’s no surprise that your electric bills will keep going up.You may not know it, but since 2022 the United States has been energy independent. As a country, we produce more energy (mostly fossil fuels) than we consume. Unfortunately, the benefits of energy independence do not trickle down to homeowners. …

1
Businesses Need Batteries Too, But (almost) No One Sells Them 28:23

7M ago28:23

28:23

Net metering is history (for now) in California and Hawaii. So almost every homeowner needs batteries with their solar system. But businesses need solar too, and therefore batteries. In fact, because of demand charges on most commercial electric bills, businesses benefit from batteries even more than homes.But there are almost no reliable, standard…

1
Icicles in Your Shower? Beware! 33:46

7M ago33:46

33:46

Think it can’t happen to you? Imagine icicles forming in the shower or condensate water seeping through your ceiling—all thanks to an HVAC system that’s begging for attention. This week, the “House Whisperer” Nate Adams joins us to expose the hidden perils of skipping HVAC maintenance and how a few proactive tweaks can prevent a winter nightmare (a…

1
The Energy Show 11-20-24 38:05

8M ago38:05

38:05

The first challenge with a home electrification project is determining the actual costs, savings and incentives for each step in the project. Once that’s done, the second challenge is navigating the maze of different electrification contractors (solar, batteries, EV chargers, HVAC, HPWH, insulation, etc.)Due to the magnitude of potential energy sav…

1
Inside Secrets from a Pioneering Solar Financier 32:05

8M ago32:05

32:05

Ever wonder how early investors turned a hippy solar energy industry into a $100+ billion worldwide industry? On this week's episode we sit down with Gerard Reid, co-founder of Alexa Capital. Way back in 2005 he was researching PV technologies in Berlin - that’s when he realized that combining the right financing with rapid cost reductions in the s…

1
Can Utilities Stop Grid Defection When Local Solar is the Low Cost Leader? 31:27

8M ago31:27

31:27

Will the future of energy be driven by massive utility solar farms or millions of local rooftop systems? John Farrell from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance shares his insights on how utility monopolies are strangling local solar efforts -- especially in California -- where monopoly utilities are locking customers into sky-high rates.The conver…

1
Coming Soon To A Roof Near You: Electricity Too Cheap To Meter 20:49

8M ago20:49

20:49

Nuclear power will make electricity too cheap to meter,” a prediction made in a 1954 statement from the head of the Atomic Energy Commission. 70 years later I’m predicting that electricity will be almost free, but powered from that fusion generator 93 million miles away. Sounds crazy, but rooftop solar is already generating power for $0.06/kwh — co…

1
How Leading Installer Renova Recovered From Sunpower’s Bankruptcy - Part 2 37:30

9M ago37:30

37:30

In the second part of this week’s episode, we dive deeper with Vince Battaglia, CEO of Renova Energy, as he unpacks the aftermath of SunPower’s shocking collapse.First, a quick recap of Part 1: Vince shared the inspiring 18-year evolution of Renova Energy. From thriving in the heat of Coachella Valley to expanding into Arizona, he explained Renova’…

1
The Revolution in Home Battery and Solar Electronics - Enphase Interview Part 2 23:58

9M ago23:58

23:58

This podcast episode, Segment 2 of our Enphase interview, delves into Module Level Power Electronics (MLPE) and the rise of advanced battery technology, with Enphase at the forefront since 2008. Segment 1, released a few weeks ago, is a good listen — especially for homeowners.Raghu Belur, co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Enphase, shares insi…

1
The Revolution in Home Battery and Solar Electronics. An Interview with SolarEdge - Part 2 28:23

9M ago28:23

28:23

This podcast episode, Segment 2 of our SolarEdge interview, is for my fellow solar installers who crave the inside scoop on industry TLAs such as IRA, VPP, V2G, PCS and NBT. This is the geeky deeper dive on the latest technologies and policy perspectives from SolarEdge. Segment 1, released a few weeks ago, is a great listen for more of a customer p…

1
A Solar Installer’s Nightmare: What If Your Main Supplier Goes Bankrupt? 30:25

9M ago30:25

30:25

What happens when your largest solar equipment supplier suddenly files for bankruptcy? And worse, they stop paying you for your ongoing projects? This is the nightmare scenario for solar installers everywhere.As the solar industry faces shifting policies, rising interest rates, and market turbulence, some companies are managing to thrive despite th…

1
Sam Liccardo’s Plan To Slash Our Electricity Costs 28:53

9M ago28:53

28:53

Anyone who pays an electric bill in California knows we’re in the midst of an energy crisis. The stark reality is that this crisis is enabled by politicians who lack the will to do something about it. But unlike many politicians, Sam Liccardo took action to lower electric bills when he was the Mayor of San Jose. Now, as candidate for U.S. Congress,…

1
Here’s Why California’s Electricity Policy Is Broken 33:45

10M ago33:45

33:45

FINALLY, someone who actually understands our crazy-complicated electric bills! His name is Dr. Ahmad Faruqui. I’m delighted to have Ahmad join me on this week’s Energy Show to talk about energy policy -- with a particular focus on why the heck our electric bills keep going up when it’s so inexpensive to generate power with solar and wind.It helps …

1
Ten Tips For The Best Home Solar and Battery System 21:55

10M ago21:55

21:55

Unfortunately, there are a few "quick buck" solar companies that take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners. These ten tips will help you avoid these scam artists -- and get the best solar and battery installation for your home or business.1. Beware of the word “Free”2. Beware of TGTBT pricing and financing3. Don’t sign up on the spot4. Do not trust…

1
Bernadette Del Chiaro - The Brains Behind California’s Solar Defenses 30:18

10M ago30:18

30:18

California’s clean energy future is on a collision course with profit-oriented monopoly utilities. From the Governor’s office to the California Public Utilities Commission to the Legislature, policies are being implemented that are leading to skyrocketing electric rates and record utility profits — while at the same time crushing California's rooft…

1
The Revolution in Home Battery and Solar Electronics - An Interview with FranklinWH 39:41

11M ago39:41

39:41

I bet you didn’t know that the “WH” in FranklinWH stands for "Whole Home." The Jersey Boys from Franklin designed their battery system from the ground up to help people back up their whole home without adding extra batteries or expensive load shedding subpanels. This capability has made Franklin one of the best selling battery systems on the market…

1
SunPower – Requiem for a Solar Leader 17:35

11M ago17:35

17:35

“SunPower” and “bankruptcy” are two words I never thought I’d see in the same sentence. But we should temper our schadenfreude. The solar industry owes SunPower and their employees tremendous gratitude. Without a doubt, our industry would be much smaller without SunPower’s early and determined leadership.So rather than dance on their potential grav…

1
The Revolution in Home Battery and Solar Electronics - Enphase Interview Part 1 35:18

11M ago35:18

35:18

Who would have thunk that you could put a 240 volt split phase inverter on the back of every solar panel? The gurus at Enphase and Akeena did, and I've been a fan ever since their first prototypes in 2008. In fact, I still have Enphase M-190 microinverters on my San Francisco home. Time for an upgrade? Probably!Our special guest is Raghu Belur, co-…

1
The Revolution in Home Battery & Solar Electronics - SolarEdge Interview Prt 1 26:06

12M ago26:06

26:06

You don’t have to be a Boomer to remember the days of simple DC wire connections to string inverters. For the most part, these times are long gone. Since 2010, module-level power electronics (MLPE) have taken over — and now, with batteries and advanced load control, solar systems have evolved into the energy focal point for homes.This Energy Show p…

1
My AC Broke - Is a Heat Pump Cool? 14:52

1y ago14:52

14:52

Yes, definitely. Heat pumps are literally and figuratively cool. And without a doubt, the best time to consider installing a heat pump is when your AC (or furnace) dies.Heat pumps do double duty, providing both heating and cooling. They offer significant savings and improved comfort -- which I confirmed first hand after my old outdoor air condition…

1
Save the Photons 23:06

1y ago23:06

23:06

Consider the poor photons! If your panels are dirty you are causing trillions of premature photonic deaths when they collide with dirt molecules. Please give those photons the chance to knock an electron loose from an eager semi-conductor. Instead of being converted to heat and banished to quantum hell.Save The Photons. Clean Your Solar PanelsAfter…

1
5 Reasons Not To Install A Heat Pump 25:47

1y ago25:47

25:47

Are you sick of all the heat pump hype? Skeptical about why you should buy one right away? Don’t mind paying huge bills to your utility for methane (natural gas)? Even heat pump enthusiasts like us agree with you — they are definitely NOT for everyone.Here are five reasons why heat pumps may not be the right thing for your house:1. You don’t believ…

1
Limits of Growth in the Clean Energy Industry with Jon Semingson 23:21

1y ago23:21

23:21

This week's Energy Show dives into the tumultuous landscape of the clean energy industry, painting a picture of contrasting fortunes akin to the classic “Tale of Two Cities.” On one hand, we witness a surge in demand for clean energy, driven by improving economics, lower equipment costs, and rising electric rates, alongside enticing incentives. Yet…

1
Elon Musk Is Right About The SuperCharger Business 24:13

1y ago24:13

24:13

I read an avalanche of media criticism when Elon Musk fired his entire SuperCharger team a few weeks ago. In spite of all the whining, it was a good business decision for Tesla.Here’s why: expanding and running a fast charging network is a lousy business.Installation costs are high, permitting and construction delays are extensive, and revenues fro…

1
40+ Successful Years in Solar and Storage 27:12

1y ago27:12

27:12

10 years in the solar and storage industry qualifies most industry veterans as a solar old timer. But there is one person who stands out as a beacon of leadership, longevity and success. Ed Murray has been heating water molecules (solar thermal), converting photons to electrons (solar PV) and saving customers money since 1978.That’s 322 dog years!E…

1
Earth Day … So What? 25:57

1y ago25:57

25:57

It’s not a flippant comment or a classic jazz solo — but an existential question about the devastating trend our civilization is on due to climate change.The history of Earth Day shows how the worldwide environmental movement has evolved from concerns about in-your-face air and water pollution … to a focus on the invisible hazard of rising CO2 emis…

1
Seismic Changes in the Solar and Storage Industry - Part 2 25:27

1y ago25:27

25:27

Welcome back to Part 2 of our interview with Scott Sullivan, my friend and one of the best networked executives in the industry. Earthquake excitement has diminished in the New Jersey area, but seismic changes in solar continue around the country. In Part 1 we discussed what happens in the solar and storage industry — really every industry — when c…

1
Seismic Changes in the Solar & Storage Industry 32:52

1y ago32:52

32:52

Seismic changes in the solar and storage industry? Who would have thought that our friends in New Jersey would relate so viscerally? Their recent 4.8 magnitude quake in early April literally extended this metaphor across the country.Metaphors aside, the solar and storage industry is changing faster now than I have ever seen:* Electric rates are soa…

1
Installing Solar In The Big City 31:44

1+ y ago31:44

31:44

March isn't just about shamrocks and leprechauns; it's also Women's History Month, highlighting the incredible contributions of women in various fields. But have you ever wondered about their role in the energy transition? In general, women are just as involved as men — not just in solar, but also in batteries, hydrogen, policy-making, electrificat…

1
Questions to Ask Before Installing Solar 45:40

1+ y ago45:40

45:40

The Learning Curve for understanding home batteries and solar systems is steep. Your battery system education will require mastering at least twice as much jargon, TLAs (that’s Three Letter Acronyms), specifications and industry gossip than ordinary solar systems. So if you don’t want to get bamboozled by an aggressive salesperson, this week’s podc…

1
What To Do When Your Solar Installer Goes Out of Business 32:43

1+ y ago32:43

32:43

The Utility Empire is striking back. As a result, the rooftop solar industry is experiencing its first decline in growth ever. In California alone the end of Net Metering has resulted in an 80% drop in rooftop installations and 17,000 job losses among passionate Rebel solar installers. Utilities in other states are following California’s lead, leve…