Mark & Barry Reveal the Dirty Secrets Behind Solar’s Next Big Shake-Up
The OBBB is now law in the U.S. It eliminates the 30% residential solar credit and adds restrictions for commercial systems—including many residential leases/PPAs. That means cash/loan projects effectively get ~30% pricier, while leases/PPAs face domestic content, safe harbor, and FEOC rules that affect equipment and pricing.This week, Barry sits down with Mark (CEO at a top solar + storage performance-assurance company) to unpack what contractors and homeowners should do—this year and in 2026.In this episode:• Installers: how to shift to lease/PPA workflows, manage cash flow, use approved vendor lists, avoid CT/mapping pitfalls, and budget for real O&M• Homeowners: when buying now still makes sense, how to pick bankable gear and a service-capable installer, and what to expect from lease/PPA in 2026 • Maintenance truths: why batteries raise the bar, how cleaning/soiling impact output, and what reliable fleets do differently#Solar #EnergyStorage #OBBB #CleanEnergy #LeaseVsPPA #HomeBatteries #SolarInstallers #DomesticContent #FEOC #SafeHarbor #TheEnergyShow
--------
46:37
--------
46:37
REC’s Secret Sauce: Why Alpha Pure-RX Wins After the Tax Credit Ends
The 30% residential solar credit ends on Jan 1, 2026 but performance still wins. Barry talks with Brian Ghiglia about how REC’s Alpha Pure-RX (HJT, G12, half-cut) squeezes more energy from tight roofs, why hair-thin wiring (no hot-spot solder points) improves longevity, and how installers/homeowners can navigate 2026 with smarter financing and ops.Episode Highlights• REC tech explained: HJT + G12 (210mm) + half-cut architecture; cooler operation & yield• Degradation: ~0.24%/yr → ~92% output at 25 years (long-tail production matters)• Installer tactics: distributor partnerships, CAC reduction, credit-union loans, prepaid leases, AI in lead-to-install• Homeowner checklist: vet tech, warranties, installer health, and supply-chain exposureLike, Comment & Subscribe Today!
--------
40:28
--------
40:28
Cut Costs, Close Faster: Chris Hopper’s 2026 Solar Playbook
The 30% residential tax credit is ending in 2026—and the rules around commercial credits, domestic content, and safe harbor are tightening. What now? Aurora Solar’s CEO & Co-founder Chris Hopper joins Barry to lay out a practical plan for installers and homeowners: cut soft costs with software, speed up project cycles, and choose financing that fits the new reality.What you’ll learnWhy lease/PPA will surge in 2026—and how to prepareHow project velocity (lead→cash) beats panel price cutsAurora’s latest: instant plan sets, financing integrations, and smarter battery modelingThe new homeowner decision tree: buy now vs. lease laterHow to sell on accuracy & trust (not just lowest price)Like, Comment & Subscribe Today!
--------
39:52
--------
39:52
Top Products from RE+ 2025: Solar Panels, Home Batteries & Balcony Solar
RE+ (formerly Solar Power International) brought together over 40,000 energy enthusiasts in Las Vegas this year. From cutting-edge home batteries to balcony and plug-in solar systems, the industry is buzzing with products that are practical, reliable, and ready for homeowners now.On this week’s Energy Show, Barry Cinnamon shares his Top Product Picks from RE+ 2025 — technologies that check all the boxes: affordability, reliability, ease of installation, and real benefits for your home or business.You’ll learn:• Why solar panel costs have dropped by 150x over the past 25 years• The truth about solar panel quality, warranties, and manufacturer stability• Which home battery systems (Tesla, Enphase, Franklin) are market leaders in reliability• The rise of balcony & plug-in solar systems — and why they’re booming in Europe and coming soon to U.S. homes• Practical advice on how to choose solar and battery systems that will last decadesIf you couldn’t attend RE+ 2025 in Vegas, this episode brings the show floor straight to your ears.Don’t miss Barry’s expert take on the products that matter most for today’s homeowners and tomorrow’s clean-energy future.
--------
36:38
--------
36:38
Turmoil for Home Solar Loans, Leases and PPAs
Dan Javan Explains the Mad Scramble for Solar Financing in 2026.The “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB) killed the 30% tax credit for residential solar. With no more residential tax credits as of 1/1/2026, the demand for solar financing will be higher than ever. But the supply of easy financing is constrained by safe harbor headaches, higher interest rates and questions about domestic content.What does this mean?Solar loans, credit unions and cash purchases will be 30% more expensive in 2026Leases and PPAs using the commercial tax credit structure can still get the 30% credit, but added financing and project complexity can eat up half of the incentive or moreSince the supply of financing is limited, installers looking to switch to leases and PPAs may have to work with unproven finance providersHow slow-paying solar financing companies can kill a solar installer’s businessTo help make sense of this, Barry sits down with Dan Javan, former CEO of Suntuity and one of the smartest voices in solar finance. Together, they break down the mad scramble that manufacturers, finance companies and installers are going through as they get ready to finance the future demand for residential solar and battery systems.
Every week Barry hosts The Energy Show, a 30 minute informative talk show that covers a broad variety of energy related topics spanning technology, economics, policy, and politics that are shaping the future of how we generate and consume electricity, along with practical money-saving tips on ways to reduce your home and business energy consumption.
New Zealand