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CleanTech Talk — Tesla, Solar, Battery, Climate, AI, EV, & Other Tech News & Analysis

CleanTech Talk — Tesla, Solar, Battery, Climate, AI, EV, & Other Tech News & Analysis

By CleanTechnica

CleanTechnica CEO Zach Shahan interviews cleantech leaders, top researchers, and investment experts in the fields of electric vehicles (EV), batteries and mining, solar energy, climate change, artificial intelligence (AI), and more.
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The Tesla & EV Battery Cost Revolution

CleanTech Talk — Tesla, Solar, Battery, Climate, AI, EV, & Other Tech News & AnalysisFeb 25, 2020

00:00
01:01:25
16 Years in the Cleantech Revolution

16 Years in the Cleantech Revolution

CleanTechnica's Zach Shahan, Scott Cooney, and Derek Markham talk about how much has changed in the cleantech revolution in the past 16 years, from solar power to electric vehicles to biodiesel.

Mar 18, 202401:01:15
Electrifying Government Fleets — Police, Charging Stations, Etc.

Electrifying Government Fleets — Police, Charging Stations, Etc.

KJ Gimbel, founder and CEO of Xcelerate Auto, talks with CleanTechnica about the benefits and obstacles to electrifying government fleets, including police fleets. This is a true deep dive into the culture and process in public sector fleet management and leasing.

Feb 25, 202449:42
The Changing US Solar Industry — IRA, Net Metering, & More

The Changing US Solar Industry — IRA, Net Metering, & More

We recently spoke with Carina Brockl, Chief Revenue Officer at Aurora Solar, about the effect the Inflation Reduction Act is having on the US solar industry. On a less positive note, she also talked about "Net Energy Meting 3.0" in California and high interest rates. She talked about trends in the solar industry and effectively making solar sales. There's much more, too. Listen to the whole podcast!

Feb 23, 202440:01
EV Myths, Confusion, & Reality

EV Myths, Confusion, & Reality

CleanTechnica talks with Milad Davoodi, COO of Xcelerate Auto, about EV myths, real-world EV charging needs, road trips and towing with EVs, EV battery life and replacement, and extended warranties for EVs. Listen in for a lot of fun anecdotes as well as great information!

Feb 19, 202458:54
From Cloud to Carbon: Revolutionizing Product Development with PTC Arena, ProGlove, Yook

From Cloud to Carbon: Revolutionizing Product Development with PTC Arena, ProGlove, Yook

In this episode, CleanTechnica's Zach Shahan talks with Markus Fleckenstein, Director of Solution Consulting for Arena, a PTC Business; Varena Junge, co-founder of Yook; and Tim Klenner, Supply Chain Manager. They discuss the integration between Arena's cloud-based Product Lifecycle Management with ProGlove's solutions and leveraging Yook's carbon footprint analysis platform to optimize product development, contributing to a more environmentally conscious and carbon-efficient approach.

Feb 12, 202446:20
Resilience in Face of Climate Crisis, & COP28 Highlights

Resilience in Face of Climate Crisis, & COP28 Highlights

Aimée Christensen, Founder and CEO of Christensen Global, talks with CleanTechnica's Scott Cooney about climate crisis, resilience, and highlights from the recent COP28 conference.


Aimée Christensen brokered the first ever bilateral agreement on climate change between the US and another nation (Costa Rica, in 1994), and has helped build the sustainability platforms for, among others, the United Nations, Microsoft, Google, and Virgin, where she helped Sir Richard Branson develop the Carbon War Room.

Feb 05, 202439:41
​​Charging Systems for Off-Road EVs and Why It Matters to All of US
Jan 29, 202443:08
How Software will Transform and Accelerate Supply Chain Decarbonization

How Software will Transform and Accelerate Supply Chain Decarbonization

For many organizations, Scope 3 emissions not only make up the highest amount of their total emissions footprint but are also the most difficult to address. According to Deloitte's Sustainability Action Report, 86% of companies reported challenges just MEASURING it, let alone ACTING on reducing it. Join Dave Rimkus, Associate Director of Supply Chain Renewables at Schneider Electric; Vishnu Nair, Head of Operations for Zeigo Activate; and CleanTechnica's Jo Borras as they unpack why Scope 3 is so complicated, and what to do about it.

Jan 23, 202429:52
EVs Are Heading Off Road

EVs Are Heading Off Road

Building upon the first podcast with Volvo CE, this episode will take a deeper dive into electric construction equipment. Much of the talk around EVs has applied to on-road use, but off-road vehicles are a significant contributor to global warming too. In fact, the buildings and construction sectors combined account for 38% of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide. Electric construction equipment is starting to be used globally as a way to address this issue. Dr. Ray Gallant will share the current landscape of the technology and what advancements are on the horizon, what fleets need to know about switching to electric machines, why it’s important to start reducing off-road emissions now, and how electric machines are opening up new opportunities for companies. He'll also touch on why this matters to all audiences, even those not in the

Jan 21, 202446:44
A Broader Look at EVs with Volvo Group

A Broader Look at EVs with Volvo Group

Meeting the targets needed to avoid the worst effects of global warming is going to take an integrated and comprehensive effort. When it comes to EVs, that means we need to focus on more than just electric cars. Other vehicles, including construction equipment, are part of the solution. This podcast will touch on the trends that are changing the world — urbanization, sustainability, political instability, technology — and where Volvo Group is headed to help address these: connectivity, automation and electromobility, with a focus on emobility. It will also introduce the topic of electric construction equipment (early use cases and the potential) which will be expanded on in the second podcast.

Jan 15, 202444:21
Increasing Access to Renewable Energy Through Software

Increasing Access to Renewable Energy Through Software

To reach net zero, corporations need to power their operations with renewable energy. What solutions are available to achieve this? A combination of expert advice and software can accelerate the clean energy transition. Katie Mills, Head of Zeigo Power, and Meghan McIntyre, Senior Energy Analyst & Business Strategy Lead at Zeigo Power, join Zach Shahan, CleanTechnica CEO, for a wide-ranging conversation that covers everything from the best practice for how companies should approach decarbonizing their business operations, to how corporations secure contracts with clean energy projects, and, finally, where they see the PPA industry going.

Jan 12, 202437:07
Going Solar in 2024: Market Insights for Homeowners

Going Solar in 2024: Market Insights for Homeowners

This episode explores the dynamic landscape of the home solar market. We dive into the current challenges, including a downturn in publicly traded solar stocks and shifting demands in major markets like California. Despite these hurdles, there's a noticeable shift towards solar and battery systems. Looking ahead, we anticipate significant trends such as the rise of micro-grids and a spike in demand due to environmental concerns and advancements in solar technology. We also discuss the “15-cent rule” and its implications for solar adoption.

We examine incentives for homeowners, including federal tax credits and state-level initiatives, particularly the burgeoning solar storage market set for growth in 2024. Innovations in solar products, such as efficient solar panels, and energy storage.

The episode further addresses how solar products enhance energy security, offering homeowners a dependable power source and reducing grid dependence. We also discuss the projected growth of the US solar market, which is expected to surpass hydropower in 2024.

We also tackle the barriers preventing widespread solar adoption among homeowners, such as financing options, misinformation, and regulatory variability, and how these are being gradually overcome. This analysis offers insights into the evolving solar landscape, its challenges, opportunities, and future outlook.

Marcus Joo, Cofounder of EnergyPal, talks with CleanTechnica Founder Scott Cooney about these matters in this podcast interview.


Looking into solar for your home? Get a free quote at: https://energypal.com/cleantech

Jan 06, 202443:03
Building Communities & Decarbonizing Enterprises with Software

Building Communities & Decarbonizing Enterprises with Software

Decarbonization is today’s challenge for everyone. When it comes to making serious inroads in reducing emissions, there are leaders, there are laggards, and there’s everyone in between. Join Ian Lawrence, Zeigo Network Manager, and Zach Shahan, CleanTechnica CEO, as they discuss the need for corporate leaders to build connections and learn about decarbonization tactics to make real progress. Discover how software can empower action through education, connections, and actionable opportunities.

Dec 30, 202342:14
How to Talk to Climate Denier "Uncle Phil" During Holiday Dinner

How to Talk to Climate Denier "Uncle Phil" During Holiday Dinner

Visiting family members who don't believe in climate science for the holidays? Here are some tips on how to talk to them at the big family dinner table.

Dec 23, 202311:09
Best Selling eBikes in USA and Our Holiday Wishbook!

Best Selling eBikes in USA and Our Holiday Wishbook!

Cristy Hatter, VP of Brand at Lectric eBikes, sits down with CleanTechnica's Scott Cooney to talk about the best selling eBikes in the USA and CleanTechnica's 2023 Holiday Wishbook. Fun fact: after Tesla's top selling Model Y and Model 3, Lectric eBikes are the 3rd best selling EVs in the USA! Learn more in the full podcast.

Dec 21, 202327:56
Advancing EV Charging at CharIN & ACM

Advancing EV Charging at CharIN & ACM

The Charging Interface Initiative Inc. (CharIN Inc.) and the American Center for Mobility (ACM) have teamed up to advance electric vehicle fast charging and interoperability. Erika Myers, Executive Director at CharIN North America, and Reuben Sarkar, CEO of ACM, talk with CleanTechnica CEO Zach Shahan about EV fast charging.

Dec 19, 202338:16
Making the Case for Enterprise Decarbonization Software

Making the Case for Enterprise Decarbonization Software

Laura Eve, VP, SaaS Sustainability Solutions for Zeigo, a suite of decarbonization software solutions, talks with CleanTechnica's Jo Borras about the corporate decarbonization imperative. 42% of Fortune 500 companies have set a major climate milestone for 2030, or have achieved one already (up 11% from last year). But what does decarbonization actually entail, why is it so hard, and how can software help businesses achieve their goals?

Dec 15, 202333:03
Land Of Sky — Electric Bus Drag Racing & Stimulating Electric Car Adoption In North Carolina
Nov 28, 202337:44
Electricians Without Borders — Interviewing Tania Chauvin

Electricians Without Borders — Interviewing Tania Chauvin

Electriciens sans frontières (Electricians Without Borders or EWB) is a French international aid nonprofit organisation, which has impacted the lives of millions of people over the last 30 years in more than 40 countries. Targeting the most isolated and vulnerable, it improves their access to safe, sustainable, and clean energy and water, for public services (education, health) and income-generating activities. As a result of winning the 2020 Zayed Sustainability Prize in the Energy category, EWB has been able to extend clean energy access to 23,000 rural, low-income Madagascar residents and beyond. In this episode, CleanTechnica CEO Zach Shahan interviews Tania Chauvin, Senior Project Manager, Electriciens Sans Frontières.

Nov 19, 202333:41
How Better Testing Can Stop Grid-Scale Battery Fires

How Better Testing Can Stop Grid-Scale Battery Fires

Fires happen. Battery fires happen. Mishaal SyedNaveed, Fire Protection Engineer at Wartsila, and Noah Ryder, Managing Partner at the Fire & Risk Alliance, discuss how to do more to prevent fires at grid-scale battery storage facilities.

Nov 06, 202340:20
RecycLiCo CEO Zarko Meseldzija Explains Why Black Mass Is The New Black Gold

RecycLiCo CEO Zarko Meseldzija Explains Why Black Mass Is The New Black Gold

In this episode of CleanTech Talk, Jo Borras explores the secret sauce behind RecycLiCo’s patented black mass recycling technology with CEO Zarko Meseldzija, who highlights the importance of efficiency, circularity, and urban mining.

Oct 26, 202348:44
Can Your “DER” Unlock Our Clean Energy Future?

Can Your “DER” Unlock Our Clean Energy Future?

Today’s energy grid needs more flexibility to balance supply and demand as traditional “peaking” generators retire, electrification expands, and extreme weather events multiply. While virtual power plants have been providing value to the grid for years, their potential value only continues to increase as the number of distributed energy resources (DERs) grows. Mike Smith, CEO at CPower, sat down to discuss how CPower helps customers optimize their DERs, meeting the demands of our energy grid while rewarding customers for reducing their energy use. Learn how Virtual Power Plants ensure that no DER value is left behind as we collectively work towards a clean energy future.

solarrenewablesrenewable energy

Oct 17, 202329:15
How To Triple Renewable Energy Globally By 2030

How To Triple Renewable Energy Globally By 2030

Bruce Douglas, CEO of the Global Renewables Alliance, talks with CleanTechnica's Scott Cooney about how to triple renewable energy capacity globally by 2030.

Oct 13, 202311:17
The Importance of Long-Duration Energy Storage

The Importance of Long-Duration Energy Storage

Julia Souder, Executive Director of the Long Duration Energy Storage Council and Chair of the Global Renewables Alliance, talks with CleanTechnica about the importance and diversity of long-duration energy storage — and much more.

Oct 12, 202312:29
Tripling Renewable Energy by 2030

Tripling Renewable Energy by 2030

CleanTechnica's Scott Cooney talks with Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), about a new goal to nearly triple renewable energy capacity worldwide by 2030, including where it originated.

Oct 10, 202314:37
Skanska Uses Largest Electric Excavator In World

Skanska Uses Largest Electric Excavator In World

Skanska is deploying the largest zero-emission, electric excavator in the world over in Los Angeles. Listen to Mason Ford, Director of Sustainability and Equipment Services Skanska USA Civil, discussing the special electric vehicle with CleanTechnica CEO Zach Shahan.

Oct 03, 202321:10
What To Know About UL Certification For eBikes

What To Know About UL Certification For eBikes

Get the details about the state of UL certification and safety within the eBike industry from David Duecker, CEO of Denago eBikes. Dave will share information about UL2271 and UL2849 tests and what they mean for consumers and bicycle retailers. We’ll also cover safety and charging tips that apply to all e-mobility devices.

Sep 25, 202334:46
Iontra Inc: "Thinking Outside the Battery" to Dramatically Improve Performance

Iontra Inc: "Thinking Outside the Battery" to Dramatically Improve Performance

Jeff Granato, President, CEO, & Co-Founder of Iontra Inc, Daniel Konopka, Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer of Iontra Inc, and CleanTechnica CEO Zach Shahan step into the world of charge control optimization to discuss how Iontra is delivering dramatic battery performance improvements without requiring battery cell and pack redesign, and creating a more sustainable and secure battery supply chain.

Sep 21, 202301:05:32
Siemens Foundation: $30 Million For Inclusive EV Workforce Development

Siemens Foundation: $30 Million For Inclusive EV Workforce Development

Siemens Foundation CEO David Etzwiler talks with CleanTechnica CEO Zach Shahan about the foundation's new $30 million initiative in the US "to drive inclusive workforce development in the electric vehicle charging sector," the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and more.

Sep 13, 202338:13
Community Solar Benefits & Growth

Community Solar Benefits & Growth

What is community solar? Why is community solar truly unique and growing in popularity? How much can community solar grow? Ben Frank, Senior Director of National Sales—Commercial & Industrial at SolarEdge Technologies, and Stuart Flanagan, Principal at Newport Renewables, talk with CleanTechnica CEO Zach Shahan about these matters.

Aug 27, 202348:27
Geopolitical EV Battery Metal Issues & the Inflation Reduction Act

Geopolitical EV Battery Metal Issues & the Inflation Reduction Act

What is happening globally in EV battery mineral mining? How is the US Inflation Reduction Act affecting the market? Will McDonough, co-founder and CEO of EMG Advisors, talks with CleanTechnica CEO Zach Shahan about this matter as it relates to EV batteries. They also talk copper, copper, copper.

Aug 21, 202358:10
Popularizing Solar Through "Probably True Solar Stories"

Popularizing Solar Through "Probably True Solar Stories"

CleanTechnica CEO Zach Shahan talks with UnThink Solar Founder Tor Valenza about his fun new-ish podcast "Probably True Solar Stories" as well as communicating the benefits of solar power for the past 13–14 years.

Aug 18, 202347:48
Direct Air Capture Is Ridiculous & Counterproductive — Mark Z. Jacobson

Direct Air Capture Is Ridiculous & Counterproductive — Mark Z. Jacobson

Mark Z. Jacobson, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University and director of its Atmosphere/Energy Program, explains why "direct air capture" is a ridiculous waste of money and even counterproductive when it comes to cutting CO2 emissions.

Aug 16, 202349:03
Tesla Sales In 2023, 2024, & 2030

Tesla Sales In 2023, 2024, & 2030

CleanTechnica's Zach Shahan and Paul Fosse discuss Tesla demand and sales in 2023, 2024, and up through 2030. They discuss dropping the price of the Model 3 and Model Y, the long awaited "Model 2"/"Model C," the Tesla Cybertruck, model variety, mass-market adoption trends and questions, and much more.

Aug 14, 202359:40
Batteries, Batteries, Batteries — Diving Into EV Revolution & Batteries with Roger Atkins

Batteries, Batteries, Batteries — Diving Into EV Revolution & Batteries with Roger Atkins

Roger Atkins, CEO and founder of Electric Vehicles Outlook, dives deep into EV batteries and the EV revolution with CleanTechnica CEO Zach Shahan. They talk lithium supplies, batteries chemistries, Chinese vs. US vs. European battery & EV policies, and much more!

Jul 31, 202301:07:24
Advancing the EV Revolution at ABB E-Mobility

Advancing the EV Revolution at ABB E-Mobility

CleanTechnica CEO Zach Shahan talks Luz Karime Sanchez Mina, Field Service Engineer at ABB E-Mobility, and Pam Langley, Service Account Manager — Transit at ABB E-Mobility, about advancing the EV revolution, life at ABB E-Mobility, and being women in male-heavy tech sectors.

Jul 21, 202349:55
Lithium-Sulfur Battery Breakthrough from Zeta Energy?

Lithium-Sulfur Battery Breakthrough from Zeta Energy?

Michael Liedtke, Chief Commercial Officer at Zeta Energy, talks to CleanTechnica about the company's lithium-sulfur battery breakthrough and the potential and plans for large-scale lithium-sulfur battery commercialization.

Jul 14, 202351:54
Polaris' Electric Ranger Gets Real as Deliveries Begin

Polaris' Electric Ranger Gets Real as Deliveries Begin

Polaris wowed the powersports world with its high-performance, ultra-capable electric Ranger last summer, promising utility customers more of — well, everything that a gas version could deliver. Now, it's finally on its way to customers, and Polaris head of EVs is here to talk us through it.

Jul 03, 202332:16
EV Charging in the USA in the NEVI Era

EV Charging in the USA in the NEVI Era

Lance Sabo, Senior Vice President of Service & Support for ABB E-Mobility in the Americas, talks with CleanTechnica about the US EV charging market, maintenance & service of EV charging stations, and the big new NEVI program.

Jun 13, 202338:29
Electrifying 3-Wheelers with Smart Tech & Battery Swapping

Electrifying 3-Wheelers with Smart Tech & Battery Swapping

RACEnergy cofounders Gauthum Maheswaran and Arun Sreyas talk with CleanTechnica about their innovative battery swapping technology for 3-wheelers (tuk-tuks) and why this is truly a promising path forward for the industry.

Jun 01, 202338:34
Silicon-Anode Battery Progress at Amprius

Silicon-Anode Battery Progress at Amprius

Amprius CTO Constantin Ionel Stefan talks with CleanTechnica about progress with silicon-anode batteries, the future of EV batteries, and more. In particular, we discuss increasing energy density for silicon-anode batteries, scaling up the technology, Amprius battery use in electric vehicles such as long-flying drones.

May 23, 202337:34
U.S. Incentives for Commercial Electric Trucks & Buses

U.S. Incentives for Commercial Electric Trucks & Buses

CleanTechnica's Jo Borras sits down with Joe Annotti, Vice President and Partner at GNA, to talk about the many federal and state government incentives helping to accelerate the shift towards zero-emissions commercial fleets. GNA has already helped secure over $1 billion in grants for America's truck and bus fleets, and they're just getting started!

May 12, 202331:25
Former Tesla Battery Expert Leading Lyten Into New Lithium-Sulfur Battery Era

Former Tesla Battery Expert Leading Lyten Into New Lithium-Sulfur Battery Era

Celina Mikolajczak worked with Tesla for more than 6 years as a top battery engineer and manager. She's also spent time at Panasonic, Uber, and Quantumscape. Now she's Chief Battery Technology Officer at Lyten, and she's excited about bringing lithium-sulfur batteries into a new era, one in which they'll be critical to electric flight, electric heavy-duty trucking, and more. She got CleanTechnica CEO Zach Shahan extremely excited about this field, as well.


May 02, 202334:51
"The Most Portable Ebike in the World"

"The Most Portable Ebike in the World"

We sit down with JackRabbit CEO Jason Kenagy to talk about the unique micromobility niche filled by this micro-ebike, what we mean by accessible mobility, safety, and how much is really enough. (Then Jason puts 5 e-bikes in his Tesla.)

Apr 26, 202346:23
Solar PV Power & Farming — Trends in Agrivoltaics

Solar PV Power & Farming — Trends in Agrivoltaics

Ben Frank of SolarEdge and Lewis Butler of GRNE talk with CleanTechnica CEO Zach Shahan about agrivoltaics — trends in the art and science of combining solar PV power with farming. This is a truly fascinating episode. Tune in!

Apr 18, 202339:12
Investing Thoughtfully In The EV & Cleantech Mineral Boom

Investing Thoughtfully In The EV & Cleantech Mineral Boom

Will McDonough, co-founder and CEO of EMG Advisors, talks with CleanTechnica CEO Zach Shahan about investing in the minerals critical to EV batteries and the EV revolution. Tune in to get an insight into one clear approach to investing in the future!

Apr 14, 202344:38
Designing the Future at Italdesign

Designing the Future at Italdesign

The legendary Italdesign's Laura De Martini recently sat down with CleanTechnica's Jo Borras to discuss Italdesign's Climb-E autonomous transportation urban concept, how robotaxis will make cars more like living rooms, and blurring the line between living space and mobility.

Apr 09, 202322:03
Kanthal SVP Talks Electrifying Industrial Heat for Steel, Cement, & More — Part 2

Kanthal SVP Talks Electrifying Industrial Heat for Steel, Cement, & More — Part 2

Part 2 of: The CleanTech Talk guest today is Dilip Chandrasekaran, SVP of Swedish firm Kanthal, recently promoted to head of business development for the global steel segment and previously head of R&D and technology for several years. He’s been in industrial heat in steel and other segments for years since his materials sciences PhD. Kanthal works globally to assist firms to electrify industrial heat, and Dilip knows the problems and the opportunities.

Mar 28, 202343:40
Kanthal SVP Talks Electrifying Industrial Heat for Steel, Cement, & More — Part 1

Kanthal SVP Talks Electrifying Industrial Heat for Steel, Cement, & More — Part 1

The CleanTech Talk guest today is Dilip Chandrasekaran, SVP of Swedish firm Kanthal, recently promoted to head of business development for the global steel segment and previously head of R&D and technology for several years. He’s been in industrial heat in steel and other segments for years since his materials sciences PhD. Kanthal works globally to assist firms to electrify industrial heat, and Dilip knows the problems and the opportunities.

Mar 27, 202336:31
Farms Are Going Electric & Autonomous and Hylio’s 14’ Diameter Crop Sprayers Are Leading the Way

Farms Are Going Electric & Autonomous and Hylio’s 14’ Diameter Crop Sprayers Are Leading the Way

Part 2 of: Arthur Erickson is the founder and CEO of Hylio. A Texas native, he took his aerospace degree and moved into drone technology heavily. Potentially 15% of America’s farms have agricultural drones already as spotters or sprayers, and Hylio is big in the sprayer side already, delivering a product which is competing with DJI and John Deere very well. The conversation covered precision agriculture, radical energy efficiency and reduced carbon emissions, the competition, and the huge opportunities in agtech. Have a listen.

Mar 20, 202346:39