Podcast appearances and mentions of Jigar Shah

There are 43 years of decisions compressed into this episode.And if you work in energy, utilities, infrastructure, manufacturing, or public policy, it's worth your attention.Tom Fanning spent four decades at Southern Company, including 13 years as CEO, helping guide one of the largest and most influential power companies in the United States through extraordinary change. Along the way, he oversaw everything from international development and grid modernization to cyber security and the completion of Vogtle, the first new commercial nuclear plant built in America in more than 30 years.In this special Energy Empire x SunCast collaboration, Jigar Shah and Nico Johnson sit down with Tom to explore what it actually takes to build large-scale infrastructure in America.If you heard this conversation first on Energy Empire, we're excited to bring it to the SunCast audience as well.The conversation begins with Vogtle, but quickly expands into a broader discussion about leadership, national competitiveness, energy markets, workforce development, cyber security, and the future of the electric grid.Tom shares why he believes "vision and courage" remain the most important ingredients in building transformational projects, why organized electricity markets struggle to support long-duration infrastructure investments, and why America needs a coherent national energy strategy if it hopes to meet growing demand from AI, manufacturing, and electrification.Expect to learn:

What if the most compelling case for clean energy isn't climate change, economics, or energy independence?What if it's public health?Former EPA Administrator Michael Regan has spent his career connecting pollution, environmental protection, and energy policy to the everyday health of American communities. In this special collaboration between SunCast and Energy Empire, Nico Johnson and Jigar Shah sit down with Regan to explore why he viewed the EPA as a public health agency first, and what today's clean energy leaders can learn from communities demanding a greater voice in decisions that affect their lives.From North Carolina's landmark coal ash settlement to EPA's Journey to Justice initiative, Regan shares how listening to communities reshaped the way he approached enforcement, regulation, and environmental protection. The conversation also tackles one of the industry's most pressing challenges: how to build the infrastructure America needs while maintaining public trust amid rising concerns over affordability, data centers, and rapid load growth.For developers, investors, policymakers, and industry leaders, this episode offers a timely reminder that successful energy transitions depend not only on technology and capital, but on people.Expect to learn:

This week on the podcast, Jackie and Peter are joined by Marcus Rocque, Vice President of Research at the ARC Energy Research Institute. This episode focuses on how the oil and gas shock from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is reshaping the outlook for clean energy, including how governments are rationing oil and gas use through policies such as work-from-home measures and lower speed limits. There is already evidence of increasing sales of alternatives, including EVs, heat pumps, and electric cookstoves. The shortage, however, is also expected to increase demand for coal as an alternative in countries like India and China, which have abundant domestic resources that provide energy security. The podcast discusses whether this could change long-term demand for oil and gas and the implications for Canada. They also consider some of the latest news in Canada, including last week's visit to Ottawa by IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol, and reports that the federal government is proposing to reverse the order of environmental approvals, allowing cabinet to green-light projects prior to the completion of technical assessments and approvals, along with implementing a maximum one-year review period. Finally, Premier Danielle Smith also traveled to Ottawa last week and left with a confident message about the delivery of the MOU.Content referenced in this podcast:Globe and Mail, “Canada should accelerate new energy infrastructure as market shifts, IEA chief says” (May 4, 2026) Latitude Media, Jigar Shah, “This isn't demand destruction. It's rationing.”  (April 24, 2026) Premier Danielle Smith's post on X regarding her positive meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney on the MOU agreement (May 8, 2026) FT, Spencer Dale, “Why the Iran war might not spur a faster transition to low carbon energy” (May 4, 2026) Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/ Check us out on social media: X (Twitter): @arcenergyinstLinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research Institute Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas PodcastApple PodcastsAmazon MusicSpotify 

Recorded live at the US Leaders Forum in Washington, D.C., this special episode of 50 Shades of Green dives into one of the biggest questions shaping climate action today: can the “abundance” narrative unlock real progress—or is it just another buzzword?Featuring a live debate moderated by The Spectator's Ben Clerkin, this episode brings together leaders from across politics, business, and climate advocacy to challenge conventional thinking on clean energy, economic growth, and government's role in driving change. The conversation explores why we already have the technology to cut emissions at scale, what's holding deployment back, and whether politics—not innovation—is the biggest barrier to progress.From rising energy demand and affordability concerns to bipartisan frustration over slow permitting and grid constraints, panelists make the case that climate change is no longer just an environmental issue—it's an economic one that requires urgent, systemic action.Featured panelists include:Jigar Shah, Managing Partner, MultiplierCraig Segall, Senior Advisor, Federation of American ScientistsHeather Reams, President and CEO, Citizens for Responsible Energy SolutionsBob Keefe, Executive Director, E2Expect bold takes, real disagreement, and a clear takeaway: the solutions exist—but the world needs to move from talking to doing.Subscribe to The Spectator here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Jigar Shah, co-founder of Multiplier and former DOE Loan Program Office Director, and Navneet Trivedi, co-founder of Vrinda, as they discuss Vermont's path to a sustainable future. Explore the transition from pilot programs to full-scale electrification during this global energy crisis. Learn why financing solutions and battery storage are critical for Burlington residents, including renters. Our experts break down how local innovation can stabilize energy rates and increase grid resiliency. Discover how we can move beyond fossil fuels today.

Most people [who have been in the industry awhile] have opinions about SunEdison.This is one of the first times Ahmad Chatila and Jigar Shah have sat down together to compare notes on how it actually played out.Both were inside it.Both made the bets.Both saw things others didn't.In this conversation, the two leaders who helped build one of solar's most ambitious companies sit down to examine how it actually worked and why it did not hold.They walk through the operating logic that made SunEdison so competitive. Using semiconductor-style cost modeling to see price declines before the market. Making audacious bets on equipment inputs. Structuring deals that looked aggressive at the time but consistently won.Ahmad explains how lessons from silicon manufacturing shaped that thinking and created a real edge.But they also get clear on what ultimately determined the outcome.The strategy worked.The cost curve was real.The execution was there.What broke was the financial architecture behind it.A capital structure that depended on continuous demand.A global footprint that introduced currency and market friction.And a model that moved faster than investors were willing to follow.In this live conversation, Ahmad Chatila joins Jigar Shah and Nico Johnson for a candid look at the decisions, convictions, and missteps that helped shape one of the most consequential chapters in clean energy history.This is not a sanitized founder story. It is a rare, honest reflection on what worked, what failed, and why the hardest problem in clean energy may still be capital formation, not technology.You will hear how Ahmad anticipated solar cost declines years ahead of the market, why he determined that owning the PPA mattered more than owning construction, and how TerraForm Global became the critical fault line in SunEdison's collapse.The conversation also reaches far beyond the past, into the future of India, currency risk, and the global financing models that still need to be built if clean energy is going to scale where it is needed most.It's one of the most fascinating conversations Nico has had the opportunity to co-lead (and eaves-drop on!)Solar may be cheap, but capital still decides what gets built.If you're trying to scale projects, raise money, or understand where deals actually break, this is worth your time.Press play and decide what you would have done differently.Are there other technologies you've scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast?Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations.If you want to connect with today's guest, you'll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today's guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

In this episode, I welcome back my old friend Jigar Shah to discuss the current hullabaloo around explosive electricity demand from new data centers. We dig into why its stupid for tech companies to build their own behind-the-meter natural gas plants, how this approach is wrecking equipment and destabilizing the grid, and a better, smarter, faster path forward. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.volts.wtf/subscribe

Most energy professionals believe the data will win.John Szoka did too.After a career in the military and time in the North Carolina legislature, Szoka followed the facts and became a clean energy advocate. But what he learned next is what matters.Data might change your mind.It doesn't change most people's.In this special conversation, **Jigar Shah and I co-host a discussion with Szoka on how decisions actually get made in energy—from state legislatures to local communities—and why storytelling, trust, and timing often matter more than the numbers.This is the first episode in a set of conversations we recorded live at the UNC Cleantech Summit. Additional interviews from this series will be released across both SunCast and Jigar's Energy Empire podcast—including a conversation with Tom Fanning (CEO, Southern Co) also dropping this week.To hear the full set, you'll want to follow both shows.You can find Energy Empire here: https://www.energyempire.fm/episodesKey takeaways from John:

As the impact from the war in Iran grinds on, Americans are feeling it at the gas station. Evangelists for clean energy say the oil shock is an opportunity to embrace the transition to renewable power like wind and solar. With energy prices on the rise, Horizons moderator William Brangham explores if Americans are open to a new way of powering our world with Bill McKibben and Jigar Shah. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

As the impact from the war in Iran grinds on, Americans are feeling it at the gas station. Evangelists for clean energy say the oil shock is an opportunity to embrace the transition to renewable power like wind and solar. With energy prices on the rise, Horizons moderator William Brangham explores if Americans are open to a new way of powering our world with Bill McKibben and Jigar Shah. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

“Entrepreneurs want to help. Just call on us.” So says clean energy entrepreneur Jigar Shah, who is imploring New York State lawmakers to recognize the danger of the energy crisis. Shah held a prominent position in the Biden administration and is now working to convince Governor Hochul and the legislature to act urgently. The worldwide energy crisis, exacerbated by the war in Iran, has only intensified the situation. Shah and his colleagues join us to talk about the specific actions that the state could take this month – actions that Shah says would reduce energy bills for people who are already struggling. Our guests: Jigar Shah, co-managing partner of Multiplier Suzanne Hunt, vice president of policy at Generate Upcycle Marguerite Wells, executive director of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York This conversation is part of WXXI's celebration of Earth Month. To learn more, please click here.---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.---Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter. Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.---Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.

In this episode, our host and Head of Research, Thilan Wickramasinghe, discusses how the ongoing oil shock and rising geopolitical tensions are reshaping market dynamics, with no clear resolution in sight. The focus turns to identifying opportunities across sectors as energy prices remain elevated.CEO of MIB Securities India, Jigar Shah, joins to explore how higher oil prices are accelerating energy security strategies and the transition towards EVs. We then turn to Malaysian banks, where stress tests suggest resilience despite elevated oil prices, supported by strong balance sheets and stable dividend outlooks.Finally, Head of Client Engagement, Alex Furber, shares his views on S&P 500, market volatility and how CFD strategies can complement investor portfolios in the current environment.

As political support for clean energy has waxed and waned over the past twenty years, so has the government's financial backing. In the 2010s, critics pointed to the failed solar startup Solyndra, which the Department of Energy had backed to the tune of half a billion dollars, as a poster child of wasteful spending.  But under President Biden, in addition to major clean energy incentives passed in the Inflation Reduction Act, the DOE's Loan Programs Office borrowing authority grew ten-fold. Now, under a second Trump administration, the tide turned again. The loan office, and clean energy spending, have scaled back significantly. So how has federal support of nascent clean energy technologies evolved? What could be done today to lower energy costs while boosting the reliability of the electric grid? Where is domestic manufacturing headed and how does that impact both energy and national security? And what could be done today to lower energy costs while boosting the reliability of the electric grid?  Today on the show, Jason Bordoff speaks with Jigar Shah to discuss the current state of clean energy investing and innovation. Jigar is the co-managing partner at the clean tech advisory firm Multiplier and co-hosts the Open Circuit podcast. He directed the DOE's Loan Programs Office during the Biden administration. Before that, he co-founded and was the president of the investment firm Generate Capital. Early in his career he co-founded the solar service company SunEdison. Credits: Hosted by Jason Bordoff and Bill Loveless. Produced by Mary Catherine O'Connor, Caroline Pitman, and Kyu Lee. Engineering by Gregory Vilfranc.

2025 was a year of hardship for many, yet it was also a crucible for entrepreneurs, developing grit, resilience and perspective. We were able to capture some phenomenal conversations on the SunCast Podcast, and wanted to highlight a few that stand out for their vision and which also got among the most downloads of the year. In 2025, the clean energy industry was finally thinking like Amazon, building like Ford, and investing like it's personal. Today's episode highlights some of the key moments in the SunCast Podcast that illustrated these points through conversations with a powerhouse lineup of leaders who have been influential in bringing attention to the sector in a year where “good news” was hard to come by.In a classic tell-all live interview, Dean Solon breaks down his revolutionary solar logistics model—equal parts fast food and supply chain genius. Jigar Shah returns with an urgent message: the energy transition will stall unless we, as an industry, stop underestimating the role of political power. And Alex Honnold (Oscar-winning extreme rock climber) offers a rare perspective on how personal ambition can align with global progress, and why he believes solar power is a great social justice tool.Expect to learn:

The Wake-Up Call We Can't IgnoreClean energy isn't losing the economics game—it's losing the political one.Jigar Shah returns to SunCast live at RE+ 2025 with an urgent message: the energy transition will stall unless we, as an industry, stop underestimating the role of political power. The economics are there. The technology is there. What's missing? Unity, speed, and ground-level influence.This isn't just another policy chat—Jigar breaks down:

Straight from Day 1 at RE+ 2025, this replay of the PowerUp Live Morning Show and Daily Round Up brings you a fast-moving mix of leaders shaping the clean energy transition—from domestic steel to EVs, hydrogen, DG, big-grid storage, and much more.Nico Johnson, Lisa Ann Pinkerton and Sylvia Martinez welcome leaders, influencers and clean tech podcasters onto the stage. Here is who you can expect to hear from in this episode, straight from Day 1 at RE+ 2025:Jigar Shah - MultiplierEthan Ehlers - NextWave Energy MonitoringChanel Parson - Southern California EdisonGary Kessinger - Attala SteelDaily Round UpBen Kuisle - Burns & McDonnellKevin Lin - TeraHiveDerek Mast - Derek the solarboiNick Sangermano - GP Power PartnersRyan Harty - HondaFor more conversations like this, be sure to come visit us at the PowerUp Live Stage this week at RE+ in Las Vegas!Get your Solar Fight Night tickets before they're gone: https://tinyurl.com/522wf8v3Also check out Renewables UnWind Las Vegas: https://tinyurl.com/2ea2c6k3And don't forget about the pickleball games: https://tinyurl.com/p9h5nv42If you want to connect with today's guest, you'll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today's guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Heading to Las Vegas for RE+ 2025? This episode is your ultimate field guide.We've got the inside scoop from SunCast host Nico Johnson and some of the industry leaders shaping this year's event—from Abby Hopper's optimistic industry outlook to Jigar Shah's no-nonsense advice for finding your tribe in the midst of uncertainty. You'll also hear from RE+ content architect Kathy Schott, social media guide Derek Mast, sales pro Ethan Ehlers, and Daily Morning Show co-host Lisa Ann Pinkerton as they break down how to navigate the largest clean energy show in North America.This episode will help you make the most of your time on—and off—the show floor whether a first-time visitor or a returning veteran.Expect to Learn:

The solar industry faces a wake-up call. Despite becoming the dominant source of new electricity generation globally, clean energy companies spend 20 times less on political power than oil and gas while investing double their capital expenditure.In this episode, Jigar Shah, former Director of the DOE Loan Programs Office and clean energy pioneer, delivers hard truths about what the industry must do to survive and thrive. JIgar argues that the recent OBBB exposed critical political fragilities and that the time for staying under the radar is over.He discusses the distributed capacity procurement (DCP) model pioneered in Minnesota that's becoming a template for utilities nationwide. This approach allows utilities to strategically deploy batteries where needed most, reducing interconnection times from 3 years to 6 months while solving grid constraints.Key topics covered:Why 85% of new grid capacity will still be solar, wind, and batteries despite policy changesThe massive political spending gap between clean energy and fossil fuelsHow virtual power plants could shift 20% of peak load by 2030The Minnesota DCP model and why it's spreading to other statesWhy retrofitting batteries to existing solar systems could reduce electricity rates by 20%The urgent need for industry pride and community engagementHow one in six American households now struggle with electricity billsJigar challenges the industry to move beyond random customer acquisition to strategic grid planning partnerships with utilities. He emphasizes that as solar becomes the dominant energy, it bears responsibility for the entire system's success.This conversation reveals why political power building and utility collaboration are essential for solar's next growth phase. Shah provides actionable strategies for industry professionals to engage politically and operationally at state and local levels.Press play to hear why Shah believes the clean energy industry must fundamentally change its approach to succeed in this new era. Support the showConnect with Tim Clean Power Hour Clean Power Hour on YouTubeTim on TwitterTim on LinkedIn Email tim@cleanpowerhour.com Review Clean Power Hour on Apple PodcastsThe 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

"You're not in the solar industry anymore."That bold declaration from Jigar Shah at RE+ 2023 sparked debate, shifted mindsets—and now, two years later, is being realized.Nico Johnson recently revisited the discussion with Jigar for a current-day check-in before diving into the full, original conversation that started it all. As the then-Director of the DOE Loan Programs Office, Jigar laid out a compelling case: the future for solar installers is not solar at all. It's storage, VPPs, and full-blown grid integration.If you think you're just in solar, you're falling behind. This episode lays out why storage, grid services, and demand response are becoming the real business of clean energy—and what you need to do now to stay relevant. Jigar explains why the business model is evolving faster than most realize—and how those who embrace the shifts afoot stand to win big.Expect to learn:

In this episode, recorded live back in May, I'm joined by the one and only Jigar Shah to discuss Washington state climate policy and post-IRA policy in general. Jigar argues that to build political durability, the climate movement must shift its focus from shiny tech to solving everyday cost-of-living problems and that smart finance is the real key to scaling the energy transition for everyone. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.volts.wtf/subscribe

Former US Department of Energy Loan Programs Office director Jigar Shah on the opportunities for Australia, Clean Energy Summit digests the supersized CIS, and Kane Thornton breaks from the peloton.

Plus: Energy analysts call US-EU deal 'pie in the sky' ... EPA targets endangerment finding ... PJM looks for answers ... Electricity output and prices hit record highsSign up for the Renewable Energy SmartBrief

On July 7th, Gerard and Laurent were invited to appear on the U.S. podcast Open Circuit, alongside Jigar Shah, Katherine Hamilton, and Stephen Lacey. It was an emotional reunion—Jigar and Katherine were part of the original Energy Gang, the very show that inspired us to create our own.We had a rich, two-part conversation. The first part revisited the Spanish blackouts, a topic we had already explored in Episode 185. The second part delved into Europe's energy security and the evolving dynamic between “Petrostates” and “Electrostates”—the main focus of this episode.Twenty years ago, Europe and the U.S. shared a broadly aligned energy landscape. But the rise of American energy dominance has since driven a wedge between the two, contributing to today's political fractures across the Atlantic.Together, the five of us explored the implications of this growing misalignment—and where we might go from here. It was a passionate and thought-provoking discussion.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act cuts almost $500 billion in US clean-energy spending, just as the country was starting to get serious about its climate goals. Some say the country is acting like a petrostate, waging war against clean energy. Others are more sanguine and believe that the US will stay the course in the long term. This week on Zero, Akshat Rathi is joined by Jigar Shah, a clean energy expert and former head of the Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office, to make sense of the bill’s impacts, and whether it’s as bad for climate as it seems. Explore more: Trump’s Tax Bill: A Guide to the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Congress Passed - Bloomberg Who Won and Lost in Trump’s Tax Bill Jigar Shah to Start Firm Advising Green Startups After DOE Run - Bloomberg Mont Blanc Mountain Climbing Under Threat Amid Global Warming - Bloomberg Zero is a production of Bloomberg Green. Our producer is Oscar Boyd. Special thanks to: Jessica Beck, Eleanor Harrison-Dengate, Sommer Saadi, Mohsis Andam and Siobhan Wagner. Thoughts or suggestions? Email us at zeropod@bloomberg.net. For more coverage of climate change and solutions, visit https://www.bloomberg.com/green.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Should Big Tech fret Interior Department's slow roll of wind and solar? ... Jigar Shah compares renewables now to fracking of the early 2000s ... Amazon's carbon emissions cllimb ... VPPs save the day in heat waves ... GOP districts come to grips with project cancellationsSign up for the Renewable Energy SmartBrief

Could populist sentiment actually accelerate clean energy adoption by fueling energy independence desires?Jigar Shah, widely considered a pioneer of the modern clean energy revolution, joins the Age of Adoption podcast to share his remarkable journey from mechanical engineer to industry transformer. As the former Director of the DOE's Loan Programs Office, Shah expanded loan authority from $40 billion to $400 billion, announcing 53 deals totaling $107 billion in committed project investment. His leadership helped boost US clean energy investment from $111 billion in 2020 to $236 billion in 2023. "I think it's deployment, right? And I think innovation actually follows deployment," Shah explains, outlining his deploy-first philosophy that has guided his career from revolutionizing solar financing at SunEdison to his current work at Multiplier.In this compelling conversation, Shah addresses the intersection of populism and clean energy adoption, arguing that market forces will ultimately prevail over political headwinds. He reveals seeing unprecedented rooftop solar adoption and notes that "the folks who are closing financings are solar, not natural gas plants." Now focused on ensuring clean energy entrepreneurs "get paid" through his advisory firm Multiplier, Shah tackles the critical challenge of retention in the industry. Why does this matter? As Shah puts it: "I want them to stay in our industry because I think it's essential to tackling the climate problem." What obstacles are preventing companies from scaling successful pilots into fleet-wide deployments? How can the clean energy movement maintain momentum despite political uncertainty?Jigar Shah is widely considered one of the pioneers of the modern clean energy revolution. As the founder of SunEdison, he revolutionized the solar industry by inventing the power purchase agreement model, allowing customers to adopt solar without upfront costs. Shah most recently served as Director of the Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office, where he expanded loan authority from $40 billion to $400 billion and announced 53 deals totaling $107 billion in committed project investment. His leadership helped boost US clean energy investment from $111 billion in 2020 to $236 billion in 2023. Now founder of Multiplier, an advisory firm focused on helping clean energy entrepreneurs achieve successful exits, Shah continues his mission to deploy clean energy solutions at scale while ensuring the industry retains its top talent.In This Episode: (00:00) Introduction and Jigar Shah's revolutionary clean energy journey(04:25) Career origins from wind turbines to BP Solar foundation(08:16) SunEdison power purchase agreements and Carbon War Room years(10:57) DOE Loan Programs Office expansion and current Multiplier work(17:47) Deploy first philosophy and ensuring entrepreneurs get paid(21:01) Closing thoughts on industry collaboration and future focusShare with someone who would enjoy this topic, like and subscribe to hear all of our future episodes, send us your comments and guest suggestions!About the show: The Age of Adoption podcast explores the monumental transition from a period of climate tech research and innovation – an Age of Innovation – to today's world in which companies across the economy are furiously adopting climate solutions - the Age of Adoption. Listen as our host, Keith Zakheim, CEO of Antenna Group, talks with experts from across the climate, energy, health, and real estate sectors to discuss what the transition means for business and society, and how corporates and startups can rise above competitors to lead in this new age. Access more curated content on the subject by visiting, www.ageofadoption.com.This podcast is brought to you by Antenna Group, an award-winning integrated marketing, public relations, public affairs and digital agency that partners with the world's most exciting and disruptive companies across cleantech, mobility, real estate, healthcare, and emerging B2B tech sectors. Our clients are transformational and distinguished corporations, startups, investors, and nonprofits that are at the bleeding edge of the Age of Adoption. Visit antennagroup.com to learn more.Resources:Jigar Shah LinkedInWatt it Takes PodcastAntenna GroupAge of Adoption WebsiteKeith Zakheim LinkedIn

​In this episode of Flanigan's Eco-Logic, Ted interviews Susan Gladwin. She's just finished a 2.5 year role in the U.S. Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office (LPO). The office, under the leadership of Jigar Shah, had an amplified mandate to foster innovative companies launching energy innovations. The Inflation Reduction Act boosted the LPO's budget from $40 billion to $400 billion making it the world's largest green bank.Jigar Shar brought Susan and other professionals to Washington to help with the LPO's surge of activity, what they all knew was a moment in time. Susan's role at the LPO was in supporting loans for Clean Energy Title 17 projects... focusing on virtual power plants. The key was helping companies on a "bridge to bankability," helping promising firms with solid technologies in their execution of business plans to scale up and seek conventional financing.Since leaving the LPO, Susan has been on assignment with Planetary Boundaries, a UK-based organization with leading, global sustainability professionals that has established nine principles/indicators of planetary well-being. Alas, there are still many red-light indicators, but a framework has been established that is helping countries in their policies and practices.In this episode, Susan shares aspects of her career and what motivates her: She was educated in science and information technology, worked for Apple on the launch of I-Tunes, and she developed AutoDesk's clean energy design integration. She's now moved up from Washington and is working globally, keen on applying her aspiration of accelerating the adoption of clean energy through capital and creativity. 

You don't meet many people like Jigar Shah.He's one of the rare leaders who has shaped the clean energy transition from every angle — as a founder, as an investor, and most recently, as a government leader. If you know Jigar, you already know the headlines: He founded SunEdison, led Richard Branson's Carbon War Room, co-hosted the Energy Gang podcast, co-founded Generate Capital, and most recently, ran the Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office, better known as LPO. If you don't know Jigar, but you're listening to this, chances are you've felt his impact. In 2024, Time Magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.And fun fact, he's also the very first guest to return to Watt It Takes for a second episode.For more than two decades, Jigar has been behind the scenes — and sometimes out front — helping scale the technologies and financing models that define today's energy economy. But this episode isn't about Jigar's résumé; it's about what it was like for him to join and lead LPO, what he learned in his four years in government, and what he's carrying forward in this next chapter of his career. SponsorsThis season of Watt It Takes is brought to you by our lead sponsor, HSBC Innovation Banking who is proud to bank some of the most exciting companies pioneering the technologies of tomorrow.With specialist financing support, deep understanding of the challenges, and a global network across more than 50 markets, they help clients scale breakthrough innovations, and take them to the world.So, if you're looking for early-stage funding, or well on your way to FOAK, follow the link below to learn how HSBC Innovation Banking can help on the next stage of your journey.https://www.business.us.hsbc.com/en/innovation-banking-powerhouse-innovationAbout Powerhouse Innovation and Powerhouse Ventures Powerhouse Innovation is a leading consulting firm connecting top-tier corporations and investors, including corporate innovation teams, CVCs, and pensions with cutting-edge technologies and startups that meet their specific criteria for engagement. Powerhouse Ventures backs entrepreneurs building the digital infrastructure for rapid decarbonization. To hear more stories of founders building our energy abundant future, hit the “subscribe” button and leave us a review.

Jacob Sandry is the CEO and co-founder of Euclid Power, a platform for renewable energy project development, financing, and operations—with AI-enabled services layered on top. MCJ is proud to be an investor in Euclid, having joined the company's seed round in mid-2022.Jacob has worked in renewable power his entire career, starting at Generate Capital right out of college, where he worked under Jigar Shah. He then spent several years on the investment team at Goldman Sachs' Renewable Power Group before having the a-ha moment that led to Euclid—and left to start it with a couple of his fellow Goldman teammates.Jacob and Cody discuss how he's seen the renewables industry evolve over the past decade, his theory of change, the insights that led to founding Euclid, and the company's current product and traction. We also touch on his thoughts on AI, power demand curves, and more. As we see it, Jacob is riding two massive waves with Euclid: the inexorable growth of solar and storage, and the curve-bending potential of AI and workflow automation.In this episode, we cover: [1:59] Jacob's early career and background[3:34] Working with Jigar Shah at Generate Capital[8:26] Time on the Goldman Sachs Renewable Power team[9:24] The origin story of Euclid Power[15:23] Challenges in building renewable energy projects[19:15] From internal Goldman tools to the Euclid platform[20:29] Client spotlight: UBS[21:57] Transitioning from project development to a software company[26:07] The role of AI in Euclid's platform[31:49] Business growth and market traction[33:35] Building Euclid as a multiplayer platform[37:10] Balancing software automation with hands-on services[40:41] Current limitations of AI and automation[42:50] Jacob's outlook on the future of renewable energy[46:05] Powering data centers and emerging demand[47:30] Where Euclid is looking for help[48:18] The meaning behind the name “Euclid”Episode recorded on April 25, 2025 (Published on May 5, 2025) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Jigar Shah served as Director of the Loan Programs Office (LPO) at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) from March 2021 to January 2025, where he oversaw a $400B budget. Prior, Shah was co-founder and President at Generate Capital, where he focused on helping entrepreneurs accelerate decarbonization solutions through the use of low-cost infrastructure-as-a service financing. Generate has raised over $10 billion, investing in 50+ technology and development partnerships with more than 2,000 assets globally.Prior to Generate Capital, Shah founded SunEdison, a company that pioneered “pay as you save” solar financing (i.e., PPAs).After SunEdison, Shah served as the founding CEO of the Carbon War Room, a global non-profit founded by Sir Richard Branson to help entrepreneurs address climate change.--Here are six topics we covered in the podcast:1. Post-LPO ResetAfter managing $107B in deals at DOE's Loan Programs Office, Jigar Shah hit pause and rebranded as a “podcaster.” He's taking time to reflect before diving into the next chapter.2. Climate VC Is BrokenShah says the 100x-return VC model doesn't fit climate tech's reality. He pushes for an “East Coast” model: aim for 18% IRR, win 7 of 10 bets, and skip the moonshots.3. Evergreen Capital > 2-and-20At Generate Capital, Shah turned down big checks to build an evergreen structure that aligns with long-term climate infrastructure. It's less lucrative for managers, but way better for founders.4. FOAK Risk, ExplainedHe breaks project finance into five risks: tech, feedstock, offtake, construction, and ops. LPO, unlike most investors, can stomach execution risk, like 12 methane pyrolysis reactors, not just one.5. Think Like a DeveloperClean tech needs dev capital like real estate: risky early bets, then stable returns once built. It's not “risk-free”—just “risk-you-can-understand.”6. Deep Tech's Fatal FlawToo many founders chase giant, low-margin markets. Shah says to start with high-margin niches (like InventWood selling to data centers) and then scale.--

As the presidential inauguration loomed on the horizon in January this year, the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Loan Programs Office (LPO) published a “year-in-review” article, highlighting accomplishments from 2024 and looking ahead to the future. It noted that the previous four years had been the most productive in the LPO's history. “Under the Biden-Harris Administration, the Office has announced 53 deals totaling approximately $107.57 billion in committed project investment––approximately $46.95 billion for 28 active conditional commitments and approximately $60.62 billion for 25 closed loans and loan guarantees,” it said. Much of the funding for these investments came through the passing of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The LPO reported that U.S. clean energy investment more than doubled from $111 billion in 2020 to $236 billion in 2023, creating more than 400,000 clean energy jobs. The private sector notably led the way, enabled by U.S. government policy and partnerships. “There were 55 deals that we got across the finish line,” Jigar Shah, director of the LPO from March 2021 to January 2025, said as a guest on The POWER Podcast, while noting there were possibly 200 more projects that were nearly supported. “They needed to do more work on their end to improve their business,” he explained. That might have meant they needed to de-risk their feedstock agreement or their off-take agreement, for example, or get better quality contractors to do the construction of their project. “It was a lot of education work,” Shah said, “but I'm really proud of that work, because I think a lot of those companies, regardless of whether they used our office or not, were better for the interactions that they had with us.” A Framework for Success When asked about doling out funds, Shah viewed the term somewhat negatively. “As somebody who's been an investor in my career, you don't dole out money, because that's how you lose money,” he explained. “What you do is you create a framework. And you tell people, ‘Hey, if you meet this framework, then we've got a loan for you, and if you don't meet this framework, then we don't have a loan for you.” Shah noted that the vast majority of the 400 to 500 companies that the LPO worked closely with during his tenure didn't quite meet the framework. Still, most of those that did have progressed smoothly. “Everything that started construction is still under construction, and so, they're all going to be completed,” said Shah. “I think all in all, the thesis worked. Certainly, there are many people who had a hard time raising equity or had a hard time getting to the finish line and final investment decision, but for those folks who got to final investment decision and started construction, I think they're doing very well.” Notable Projects When asked which projects he was most excited about, Shah said, “All of them are equally exciting to me. I mean, that's the beauty of the work I do.” He did, however, go on to mention several that stood out to him. Specifically, he pointed to the Wabash, Montana Renewables, EVgo, and Holtec Palisades projects, which were all supported under the LPO's Title 17 Clean Energy Financing Program, as particularly noteworthy. Perhaps the most important of the projects Shah mentioned from a power industry perspective, was the Holtec Palisades endeavor. Valued at $1.52 billion, the loan guarantee will allow upgrading and repowering of the Palisades nuclear plant in Covert, Michigan, a first in U.S. history, which has spurred others to bring retired nuclear plants back online. “[It's] super exciting to see our first nuclear plant being restarted, and as a result, the Constellation folks have decided to restart a nuclear reactor in Pennsylvania, and NextEra has decided to restart a nuclear reactor in Iowa. So, it's great to have that catalytic impact,” said Shah.

On the next Probably True Solar Stories, we're going rogue for a midseason bonus episode! Instead of the strange and wonderful fictional solar stories that we usually tell, we're going to share some strange and wonderful REALLY True Solar Stories from actual solar workers and solar industry leaders.There are around 279,000 solar industry workers today. And about 40,000 of those came to the RE+ conference in Anaheim, California in September 2024. And about 100 of those attendees came to my annual Social Views & Brews Happy Hour that I host with the support of the generous and beautiful people who run RE+.  After a few beers, I gave people three prompts to boost their REALLY True Solar Story memories. In alphabetical order, you'll hear stories from:Gwen BrownTom CheneyIan HoffbeckNico JohnsonPeter KellyRyan MayfieldSpenser MeeksJigar Shaw and Jeff Wolfe (told together)Greg SmithJeff SpiesSean WhiteJim WoodBen ZientaraAfter all those stories, I'll tell you my personal story about the solar mentor that I'll always remember and appreciate. You can also watch this episode on the Probably True Solar YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/DSqi-MQinAEI hope you enjoy these REALLY true solar stories. If you've never heard our fictional solar stories, explore the last three seasons at ProbablyTrueSolar.com or on your favorite podcast app. Season Four is coming up this summer!True Solar TakeawaysIREC stands for the Interstate Renewable Energy CouncilNABCEP stands for the The North American Board of Certified Energy PractitionersListen to Nico Johnson's Suncast podcast here or on your favorite podcast streaming service.Listen to Jigar Shah, Katherine Hamilton, and Stephen Lacey on the Open Circuit podcast.Brands mentioned in people's stories were Aurora Solar, Trina Solar, and SEG Solar, Planet Plan Sets, and Solar Reviews.Solar publications mentioned in this episode included PV Tech, Solar Power World, and Renewable Energy World (aka Factor This).----- Visit ProbablyTrueSolar.com to sign up for the newsletter to learn about new episodes and live solar storytelling events. Support the show by visiting the merch store and buying a tee shirt! Learn how sponsors can be a part of Probably True Solar Stories and tell their own creative stories. Follow @SolarFred and/or @ProbTrueSolar on Twitter to discuss episodes Don't forget to: Subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast streaming service Rate Review, and Share!

Jigar Shah, a trailblazer in clean energy finance, shares his insights on scaling sustainable technology and aligning capital with long-term impact. Drawing from his experience as the founder of SunEdison and leader of the U.S. Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office, Jigar discusses the challenges of commercializing clean energy solutions and the role of strategic … Read More Read More

How can the U.S. government bridge the gap between clean energy innovation and large-scale deployment? Will the Trump administration accelerate progress or put up roadblocks for clean tech? And how can the U.S. stay competitive with China, which already holds a commanding lead in the sector? Jigar Shah joins Cleaning Up fresh from his four-year tenure as Director of the U.S. Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office (LPO). Appointed in 2021, Shah transformed the once-obscure office into a clean-tech commercialization powerhouse, committing more than $100 billion in loans to U.S.-based companies. But with a new administration implementing sweeping cuts to the federal workforce, is all his work at risk? Or will market forces and the very real risk of blackouts keep clean energy innovation moving forward?In this conversation with Michael Liebreich, Shah shares how he turned the LPO into a driving force for clean technology deployment, and what lessons can be learned by policymakers, investors and entrepreneurs. He also offers a candid assessment of the opportunities and challenges across key sectors—from advanced nuclear to sustainable aviation fuels. Leadership Circle Cleaning Up is supported by the Leadership Circle, and its founding members: Actis, Alcazar Energy, Division Kempner, EcoPragma Capital, EDP of Portugal, Eurelectric, the Gilardini Foundation, KKR, National Grid, Octopus Energy, Quadrature Climate Foundation, SDCL and Wärtsilä. For more information on the Leadership Circle, please visit https://www.cleaningup.live. Links and more DoE Liftoff Reports: https://liftoff.energy.gov Episode 9 with Jigar Shah: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJhhinSeh9IEpisode 193, Mike Headroom's AI Audioblog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwZ2iNh133A

Jigar Shah spent the last few years shaping the future of clean energy finance as the Director of the Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office. He approved billions in investments that helped scale solar, storage, nuclear, and emerging technologies. With that position coming to a close with the change in administration,what's next for him? And what lessons can he share from funding some of the industry's biggest breakthroughs?Before leading the DOE's loan office, Jigar built and financed some of the most transformative clean energy companies. He co-founded SunEdison, pioneered the solar-as-a-service model, and helped scale renewable infrastructure at Generate Capital. Now, he's focused on helping entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of financing, deployment, and market adoption to accelerate clean energy growth. He's also launched a new podcast, Open Circuit, getting the former “Energy Gang” together again with Katherine Hamilton and Stephen Lacey. It's certain to attract a large audience once again as they break down the deals, policies, and strategies shaping the clean energy transition. Expect to learn:The biggest funding mistakes startup CEOs makeWhich technologies surprised Jigar the most at DOEWhy clean energy already dominates the gridHow local relationships—not venture capital—unlock massive opportunitiesWhy Jigar rarely talks about climate when selling energy solutionsWhat do you hope Jigar does next? If you want to connect with today's guest, you'll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today's guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

This week, we're featuring an episode of Open Circuit, a new show from Latitude Media that reunites Jigar Shah, Katherine Hamilton, and Stephen Lacey. Many listeners may remember them from The Energy Gang, a show they co-hosted for eight years. They are back together, co-hosting a weekly roundtable that will cover the latest news – to explain what's really accelerating the energy transition, from technological leaps and supply chain shifts, to market upheavals and policy uncertainty. If you like what you hear, go to your podcast app and subscribe to Open Circuit. You can also hear every episode and read transcripts at Latitudemedia.com. We'll be back with a normal episode of The Green Blueprint next week.

Jigar Shah has had a lengthy career as an energy industry entrepreneur and strategic thinker. He founded Sun Edison and helped to create a new model for deploying solar power systems. He was part of the Carbon War Room and then founded Generate Capital to provide loans to proven technologies that had not yet achieved...

Catch up on California's energy issues as Tim Echols speaks with experts

Today, POLITICO Energy host Josh Siegel sits down for an extended interview with Jigar Shah, the former director of the Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office under the Biden administration where he oversaw billions of dollars in government loans to America's energy sector. Siegel and Shah discuss Biden's clean energy legacy, the second Trump administration, the future of government financing, DOGE and more. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is a POLITICO audio host-producer. Annie Rees is the managing producer for audio at POLITICO. Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO.  Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This special episode compiles insights from some of the most influential voices in the solar and clean energy sector. Introducing a fun new “5 in 5” segment to SunCast, Nico asks industry leaders to answer five key questions (in 5 minutes) reflecting on the year that has gone and the future ahead.Each offers fresh perspectives on the industry's most pressing challenges and bold predictions for 2025.Hear from:Abby Hopper, President and CEO, Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)Jon Bonanno, Managing Partner, FactorRyan Wartena, CEO and Founder, Southern Beams BuildsJulia Pyper, Vice President of Public Affairs, GoodLeapBryan Wagner, President & GM, Chint Power Systems AmericasAmy Heart, Senior Vice President of Policy, SunrunJigar Shah, Director, Loan Programs Office, U.S. Department of EnergyIf you want to connect with today's guest, you'll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today's guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalusMentioned in this episode:CPS July 2024 V2

In 2022, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, ushering in, by some estimates, nearly half a trillion dollars of investment in green energy and manufacturing. But what will happen to this huge investment as Donald Trump enters office?Jigar Shah is one of the best people to answer this question. As the director of the Loan Programs Office at the Department of Energy, he has spent his career finding new ways to finance green infrastructure. And he's more optimistic than you might expect about the road ahead.In this conversation, guest host Robinson Meyer, a contributing writer for New York Times Opinion and the founding executive editor of Heatmap News, asks Shah for a progress check on decarbonization. They discuss what has changed about the economics and financing of clean energy; what has worked well in the green energy transition, as well as the trade-offs it has entailed; and what may or may not change as Trump enters office.Book Recommendations:Fooled by Randomness by Nassim Nicholas TalebWhat If We Get It Right? by Ayana Elizabeth JohnsonRomney by McKay CoppinsThoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at ezrakleinshow@nytimes.com.You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of “The Ezra Klein Show” at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast. Book recommendations from all our guests are listed at https://www.nytimes.com/article/ezra-klein-show-book-recs.This episode of “The Ezra Klein Show” was produced by Rollin Hu [Who]. Fact-checking by Michelle Harris, with Mary Marge Locker and Kate Sinclair. Mixing by Isaac Jones, with Efim Shapiro and Aman Sahota. Our supervising editor is Claire Gordon. The show's production team also includes Elias Isquith, Kristin Lin and Jack McCordick. Original music by Pat McCusker. Audience strategy by Kristina Samulewski and Shannon Busta. The executive producer of New York Times Opinion Audio is Annie-Rose Strasser. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Jigar Shah, Director of the Loan Programs Office (LPO) at the U.S. Department of Energy, joins me to discuss his office's latest Pathways to Commercial Liftoff report on nuclear energy. We touch on the state of the American nuclear industry, its surge of policy and private sector support, and outstanding obstacles to tripling nuclear capacity in the United States. In addition to emphasizing the need for standardization in reactor designs and a unified communications strategy from the nuclear industry, Jigar sets the record straight on what the LPO can and, importantly, cannot do for the sector. While the LPO offers extensive support in the form of loans and high-quality information, it is up to industry to lead the charge. In his words, “we can't want this more than industry.” Read more on Substack: https://www.decouple.media/

Many of our regular listener energy nerds are aware that the U.S. Department of Energy Loan Programs Office (LPO), under the leadership if Secretary Granholm and Jigar Shah, has evolved from a near-dormant entity with just one loan in the previous administration to committing over $31 billion to projects across critical clean energy sectors like hydrogen, storage, solar, EVs, Carbon sequestration and more. With an expanded pipeline of 209 applications requesting $281.1 billion in financing, the LPO is driving innovation and growth in the clean energy sector, and we're even seeing a veritable rebirth of the Nuclear industry here with Vogle 3 & 4 coming online as well as the Palisades plant in Michigan coming out of retirement!Jigar Shah, as Director of the LPO, has engaged 6,500+ organizations, ensuring the energy transition is private-sector led and government-enabled. And the sheer numbers in the results are eye-opening. In particular, the support for the nearshoring of our critical manufacturing infrastructure.Expect to learn:How utilities can utilize virtual power plants (VPPs) and grid modernization to effectively manage growing energy loads.The evolving partnership between utilities and the solar industryThe importance of reshoring energy technology manufacturing for U.S. energy independenceHow the LPO is unlocking the renewable potential of tribal lands and creating broad-based wealthThe critical role of geothermal and nuclear energy in replacing coal plants with clean, firm powerCatch this and other impactful conversations recorded live at the PowerUp Live Podcast Stage in Anaheim. Watch now at www.suncast.live!If you want to connect with today's guest, you'll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today's guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalusMentioned in this episode:CPS July 2024 V2

Some news: this will be our final installment of The Carbon Copy. But don't go anywhere! Later this fall, the feed will be transformed into a new show that will profile the people architecting the clean energy economy. We promise it will be a valuable part of your media diet. For our last episode, we brought back some old friends: Jigar Shah, director of the DOE's loan programs office, and Katherine Hamilton, chair of 38 North.  Jigar, Katherine, and Stephen dissect some of the biggest storylines of the year in clean energy business and policy. They'll tackle AI energy demand, grid constraints, geothermal, nuclear, the demise of California's rooftop solar industry, and America's green bank. Which trends are overrated, which ones are underrated, and what does it all mean for mass deployment?  The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund will provide $27 billion for clean energy projects nationwide, potentially mobilizing up to $150 billion in public and private capital. Join Latitude Media and Banyan Infrastructure on July 18th for an in-depth discussion on how we can deploy these billions with the highest impact. Register for free here.  Make sure to listen to our new podcast, Political Climate – an insider's view on the most pressing policy questions in energy and climate. Tune in every other Friday for the latest takes from hosts Julia Pyper, Emily Domenech, and Brandon Hurlbut. Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

In the solar industry, we're often building the plane as we fly it, as it were. This is ever-moreso evident in commercial and industrial (C&I) solar, a relatively untapped market with unique challenges. One of the key areas of failure is a lack of funding. And, often, the culprit that leads to failed projects or lack of funding (ie, un-interested buyers) is poor processes. So how do you teach due diligence and standardize processes when it seems we've been making them up as you go for so long?? Despite it still, at times, feeling like the wild west in solar development, there are numerous industry veterans who have vetted and validated hundreds, even thousands of projects and developed simple checklists, toolkits, and data room best practices to help any developer willing to seek professional guidance.Keith Cronin, Founder & CEO of SunHedge and instructor for HeatSpring, is a pioneer in the U.S. and Pacific Island solar markets. In today's episode, Keith shares his journey from helping shape Hawaii's solar market with Jigar Shah to teaching hundreds of organizations how to fine-tune their own best-practices, financial models and project diligence efforts. Along the way, Keith has helped to build trust in the market and innovative financial models for getting projects across the finish line. Expect to learn:Specific strategies for strong financial models and building trust for your solar project. Tools you can deploy immediately for more accurate assumptions in your models and risk reduction in C&I solar projects, in particular.Keith's perspective on how we can bring more people in from other industries like oil and gas, real estate, and tech.Careful listeners will learn (and see) how to use Keith's FREE project screening tool, or gain access to his bestselling course, Solar Executive MBA Training, on Heatspring. Finally, if you're ready to further develop your own thought leadership or share your expertise, check out Solar Academy, a social knowledge platform for the solar energy industry. If you want to connect with today's guest, you'll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today's guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 650 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling:

The U.S. rooftop solar market has tanked. Residential applications in California, the largest market in the country, plunged 82% from May through November 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. Contractors are going bankrupt. The big culprits are high interest rates and California's subsidy cuts. But there are some bright spots. Battery attachment rates in California have surged. So what will it take to revive the U.S. rooftop solar market? In this episode, Shayle talks to Jigar Shah, director of the Loans Programs Office at the U.S. Department of Energy. Jigar argues that the rooftop solar industry should reinvent itself, relying on batteries and virtual power plants (VPPs). He also argues that regulations should focus on system-level dispatchability.  Shayle and Jigar cover topics like: The pros and cons of California's latest regulations, new energy metering or NEM 3.0 Learning from the mistakes of California's Self-Generation Incentive Program (S-GIP) The role of VPPs and rooftop solar in meeting accelerating load growth Incentivizing system-level dispatchability  How VPPs complicate the sales pitch for rooftop solar How VPPs could help utilities increase the utilization of infrastructure How to make VPPs more reliable Recommended Resources: U.S. Department of Energy: Virtual Power Plants Commercial Liftoff Latitude Media: Defining the rules of DER aggregation Latitude Media: Unpacking the software layer of VPP deployment CalMatters: What's happened since California cut home solar payments? Demand has plunged 80%  The Wall Street Journal: The Home-Solar Boom Gets a ‘Gut Punch' Catalyst is supported by Origami Solar. Join Latitude Media's Stephen Lacey and Origami's CEO Gregg Patterson for a live Frontier Forum on May 30th at 1 pm Eastern to discuss Origami's new research on how recycled steel can help reinvigorate the U.S. solar industry. Register for free on Latitude's events page.

The Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office has a grandstand view of the energy transition. Where is it going next?Jigar Shah, one of the originators of the Energy Gang, now runs the Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office, playing a key role in advancing clean energy projects. By helping to bridge the gap between R&D and large-scale deployment, it encourages private sector investment and supports the administration's work to achieve its net zero goals.Jigar was appointed Director of the LPO in March 2021 with a brief to “to rev those engines back up” after a quiet period under the Trump administration. He returns to the Energy Gang to discuss the progress he has made so far, and the goals he is working towards in the future. In particular, he talks about the hot topic of the moment in energy: how to meet increased demand for electricity driven by data centers for AI, new factories, and electric vehicles.Much of the new load being added to the electricity system will not be flexible. Data centers mostly need to be available 24/7. So how is the grid going to manage these growing demands? Host Ed Crooks is also joined by Amy Myers-Jaffe, Director of NYU's Energy, Climate Justice & Sustainability Lab, to discuss Jigar's views on the solutions to these challenges.Topics covered include Virtual Power Plants, enhanced geothermal and advanced nuclear. Those latter two are among the handful of sources of energy that we usually think about when we are discussing “clean firm power”. Geothermal in particular is generating a lot of buzz lately. What will it take to get it deployed at scale? Is it pulling ahead of advanced nuclear in the race to commerciality and large-scale deployment?The Energy Gang will be recording live from the Global Energy Transition event in June in New York. To secure a discounted ticket, use the ENERGYGANG500 discount code. Visit https://events.reutersevents.com/energy-transition/global-energy-transition-new-york to book.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nuclear power contributes to nearly 20 percent of the electricity generated in America, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Enormous growth has occurred since the signing of the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022, which allocated more money towards climate, and green energy subsidies than any piece of legislation in American history. But a lot of work still remains. Jigar Shah is director of the Department of Energy Loan Programs Office, a role in which he oversees investing and scaling carbon free energy. Before this position, he was a clean tech investor. He joins WITHpod to discuss recent inflection points, the future of nuclear, the importance of remembering that “big things” can be done and why he's more hopeful now about the space more than ever.

How many veterans look back on their years of service to their country and asked themselves, "was it worth it?" Was a barbarian-majority army Rome's final straw before their collapse(in the west)? The Roman veteran warriors were mistreated and abandoned much like ours are today. Alana Freedman of FreeBeacon exposes federal official Jigar Shah's gatekeeping of federal loans for his personal enrichment. State senator Eric Adams tells parents where to look for drugs in the childrens' rooms.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite a long period of relative stagnation, nuclear power has remained the quiet backbone of the United States’ clean energy supply for decades. Now, the Joe Biden administration wants more from the sector as the country hustles to meet ambitious emissions goals. Jigar Shah, the director of the Energy Department’s Loan Programs Office, said nuclear energy will only become more critical as demand for electricity surges over the next 20 years. On the show today, Shah makes us smart about how much the country relies on nuclear energy. We’ll also discuss lessons learned from building the first nuclear reactor from scratch in decades, and how the industry plans to win over Americans who are concerned about safety and toxic waste. Then, we’ll get into the high stakes of today’s vote for speaker of the House of Representatives. And Elon Musk's satellite internet company Starlink is part of geopolitical conversation yet again, this time in Israel. Later, we’ll hear from a teacher about the expectations that educators pay for classroom supplies themselves. And this week's answer to the Make Me Smart question comes from Kai Bird, co-author of “American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer.” Here’s everything we talked about today: “Nuclear power is having a resurgence” from Axios “Utilities Want to Convert Coal Plants to Nuclear; Skeptics Abound” from The Wall Street Journal “New Georgia reactor shows benefits and costs of nuclear power” from Marketplace “Study identifies reasons for soaring nuclear plant cost overruns in the U.S.” from MIT News “Advanced Nuclear – Pathways to Commercial Liftoff” from The Department of Energy “NRC Certifies First U.S. Small Modular Reactor Design” from The Department of Energy “Playbook: Jim Jordan's day of reckoning” from Politico “Google, Amazon, Apple could see antitrust bills put on hold if Jim Jordan is House speaker” from CNBC “Israel Latest: Musk's Starlink Approached as Biden Readies Trip” from Bloomberg We want to hear your answer to the Make Me Smart question. You can reach us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.