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About the Episode:

James Nagel and David Penalva, co-founders of SolarGrade by HelioVolta, dive into one of the lingering challenges of the solar energy industry, the scarcity of comprehensive data on solar project performance. Their innovative solution, SolarGrade, is a software tool designed to automate field reporting and create a "SolarFax," akin to a Carfax for solar projects. This discussion highlights the importance of early customer feedback, the balance between cost efficiency and quality in solar projects, and the critical role of data in predictive maintenance. The episode underscores the need to empower the dedicated teams behind solar energy systems, using machine learning to accelerate solution deployment and improve project development.  And of course their entrepreneurial journey is shared against the backdrop of their personal adventures, passion for the great outdoors, and deep work history solving exactly these kinds of problems for some of the largest developers in the world.

American Made Solar Prize winners, James Nagel and David Penalva, co-founded HelioVolta to focus on creating products SolarGrade.  They’ve converted their extensive experience in solar project development and data analysis into robust software aimed at providing a measurable long-term value of solar projects.  Finally, software is automating field reporting and creating a centralized database, called SolarFax.  By integrating detailed project data, SolarGrade aims to improve predictive maintenance, enhance performance insights, and ultimately, support the reliable and cost-effective deployment of solar energy. And, like Carfax, it may prove incredibly useful in the valuation and resale of these assets someday.

Helpful RESOURCES:

Connect with James Nagel:

• LinkedIn | email

Connect with David Penalva:

• LinkedIn | email

Check out HelioVolta/SolarGrade:

• Website | LinkedIn | YouTube

Other Resources:

Check out Episode 527 Announcement of American Made Solar Prize Winners, James Nagel & David Penalva

HelioVolta Awarded DOE Grant for SolarFax (solargrade.io)

Key Takeaways:

1. Importance of Comprehensive Field Data: Collecting and analyzing detailed field data on solar project performance, maintenance, and quality over time is a critical-but-overlooked aspect of asset performance. This data is essential for optimizing solar project reliability, making informed investment decisions, and ensuring the long-term asset value of solar energy infrastructure.
2. Balancing Cost Efficiency with Quality and Safety: There is a delicate balance between minimizing up front costs and maintaining high standards of quality and safety in building solar projects. Cutting corners to reduce expenses (before OR after the project is built) can lead to serious issues such as fires, and potential lawsuits, damaging brand and industry reputation.
3. Quality Assurance is a Transferable Skill: Leveraging their core competencies in data collection and analysis has opened up opportunities for expansion into energy storage. Predictive maintenance and performance insights are valuable for all clean energy assets, not just solar energy plants.

NOTEWORTHY QUOTE:

“We’re trying to create the Carfax for solar or what we call it solarfax. You think about it, you wouldn’t buy a car just based on the mileage of the car, you probably walk around the car, you want to see maintenance records, you want to see how the car looks like on the outside, the inside.”

— David Penalva

“By being really mindful and working with all of our clients, taking a really constructive approach and never dictating issues, but always having a conversation. So that as conflicts arise as they will, you’re coming at it from a point of empathy, or like wanting to get to common ground, that’s profitable for everyone.”

— James Nagel

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ABOUT THE HOST OF SUNCAST:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, consistently rated a top solar podcast in the clean energy sector. The content of the show is geared towards listeners looking for insights on where the markets are headed, how to position themselves or their companies, and what today's market leaders do to stay ahead of the pack.

Nico is an Investor, Executive Coach, and 16-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.

You can connect with Nico Johnson on Twitter, LinkedIn or email.

If you’ve been second-guessing your work decisions or maybe trying to reconsider how you "fit" in the renewable energy industry -> grab 20 minutes on Nico's calendar and discuss whether having him as Your personal coach might be the right next step.