Shows
Off the Grid, On the RecordAgrivoltaics Isn’t a Trend — It’s the Future of Solar Farming | Iain Ward, Founder of SolAgFrom cranberry bogs to clean power—this episode is a deep dive into how agrivoltaics could change the solar industry forever.Yarek Matacz sits down with Iain Ward, founder of Solar Agricultural Services (SolAg), to explore how thoughtful solar development can preserve farmland, support farmers, and push the renewable revolution forward. They discuss soil health, developer responsibility, and how projects can be designed to benefit both people and the planet.If you care about sustainability, land stewardship, or where your energy comes from—this one’s a must-listen.🎧 Subscribe for more: http://www.youtube.c...2025-07-1827 min
Off the Grid, On the RecordShawn Young | The Truth About 6-Figure Solar Sales — And Why Most Reps Still Go BrokeIs the solar industry built on hype… or hard work? In this no-filter episode of Off the Grid on the Record, we sit down with Shawn Young — a true solar warrior who’s led teams, knocked doors, built businesses, and weathered every storm this industry could throw at him.If you're in solar sales (or thinking about it), this is the real talk you need.Shawn pulls back the curtain on:Why most new reps burn outHow to build a solar team that actually performsWhat’s really coming for solar in 2025The mindset that separate...2025-07-1536 min
Off the Grid, On the RecordMr. Sunshine on Greedy Sales Reps, Broken Promises & Fixing Solar from the Inside OutGuest: Michael Janzen, aka Mr. Sunshine — industry veteran, consumer advocate, and founder of Mr. Sunshine SavesTopics Covered: 00:00 – Intro: Who is Mr. Sunshine? 02:00 – From wannabe rockstar to solar disruptor 04:00 – Why most reps are trained wrong 06:00 – Shutting down 50+ shady solar companies 08:30 – How policy changes impact real homeowners 10:00 – Net metering myths and the future of incentives 13:00 – What 90% of reps never tell their clients 17:00 – The #1 red flag in a solar pitch 19:30 – How his free book is helping homeowners get smarter 22:00 – Why walking away from a deal is sometimes the best sale 25:00 – Redline models, commissions, and how reps really get paid 28:00 – The difference between sel...2025-07-1525 min
Off the Grid, On the RecordFrom Solar Hustle to Nuclear Playbooks: How Adil Malik is Reinventing Energy DealsEpisode Title: From Solar Hustle to Nuclear Playbooks: How Adeel Malik is Reinventing Energy DealsGuest: Adeel Malik – Vice President, IntelliSun Host: Yarek Matacz – Off the Grid on the RecordDescription: What does it take to go from knocking doors to winning government contracts? In this raw and revealing episode, Adeel Malik, VP at IntelliSun, breaks down the real behind-the-scenes challenges of growing a solar company in today’s volatile energy market.He opens up about:The “solar coaster” of growth, cashflow, and opsWhy customer education & trust is the only moatStrategic pivots into batte...2025-07-1133 min
Off the Grid, On the RecordThe Master Electrician Who’s Cleaning Up the Solar Industry | Bill Clinton, EcoGen ServicesWhat happens when you install solar panels the wrong way? Bill Clinton (not that one), VP of Operations at EcoGen Services, has seen it all—from catastrophic fires to near-grid failures.In this episode of Off The Grid On The Record, Bill shares:The solar wiring mistake that burned a home to the groundWhy most solar companies shouldn't be touching electrical workThe "generator vs. solar" nightmare scenarioHow EcoGen wins business without marketing—and why their 5-star reviews keep coming👉 This is a must-listen for anyone in solar, home improvement, or just trying to understand what actuall...2025-07-1026 min
Off the Grid, On the RecordFrom Cigars to Solar: How Peter Roth Accidentally Built a Call Center MachinePeter Roth started in cigars. Now he runs a lead gen machine that fuels solar companies in 30+ states—and he's just getting started.In this episode, we talk:The psychology behind effective cold outreachWhy most solar lead gen models are broken by designThe real reason Facebook ads don’t work (especially for solar)What makes a high-performance sales system scalableThis isn’t your average founder story. Peter’s building the engine behind the clean energy transition—and proving that the most valuable part of your business isn’t the panels… it’s the pipeline.Brought to...2025-07-0435 min
Off the Grid, On the RecordDaniel Wier: From Tech Exec to Solar Ethicist | Off-Grid Leadership & Local ImpactWhat do Fortune 500 call centers, paintball, and 20MW solar installs have in common?Daniel Wier.In this episode of Off the Grid on the Record, I sit down with Daniel Wier, founder and CEO of Commonwealth Solar, to unpack how a Kentucky-based installer is reshaping the clean energy conversation with ethics, transparency, and a whole lot of grit.We dive into:Daniel’s journey from high-paid tech roles to off-grid solarWhy most solar companies fail their customers (and what to do instead)His unique apprenticeship model and local-first hiring strategyNavigating rapid business gr...2025-07-0339 min
Off the Grid, On the RecordNobody Talks About This Solar Problem (But It’s Costing Millions)Solar panels don’t clean themselves — and neglect is killing system performance. But nobody talks about it.In this episode of Off the Grid, On the Record, Yarek sits down with Paul West, founder of Peak Solar Pro, to explore the other half of the solar industry: maintenance, prevention, and keeping systems alive.We cover:✅ The unexpected causes of performance loss (bird waste, oil soot, mold) ✅ Why maintenance is the most overlooked part of clean energy ✅ How Paul scaled across New England with robotic tech + new safety gear ✅ What he’s building next for the solar...2025-06-3029 min
Off the Grid, On the RecordHow This Aussie Developer Is Solving the Housing Crisis (While Still Turning a Profit)From laboring on job sites to managing multimillion-dollar projects, Ryan Van Der Woude has done it all. But in 2021, he walked away from traditional property development to create Futureland — a firm committed to sustainable, solar-ready, community-driven housing across Australia.In this episode of Off the Grid, On the Record, we dive into:What most developers get wrong about sustainabilityWhy Australia’s outdated planning systems are slowing progressHow to build homes that LAST — not just sellThe truth behind affordable housing, build-to-rent, and market scalabilityWhat Canada and Australia can learn from each other’s energy policiesThis is a cra...2025-06-3031 min
Off the Grid, On the RecordSolar Industry Insider Exposes What Most Sales Reps Won’t Tell YouCorey McDonald isn’t here to sell you solar. He’s here to protect you from it.With over two decades in the industry — from building the first utility-scale solar farms in Missouri to advising federal energy policy — Corey has seen the good, the bad, and the brutally dishonest. Now, through MC Solar Consultants, he’s working directly with homeowners, schools, and businesses to cut through the noise and avoid predatory pitches.In this episode of Off the Grid on the Record, we dive into:His founding story: from snowstorm to solar farmWhat solar sales reps...2025-06-2732 min
Off the Grid, On the RecordHe Was Managing 19 Energy Projects—Then Built the AI That Solved the NightmareWhen Bryan Villano was managing nearly 20 renewable projects, he hit a wall: contract overload. That wall turned into his startup, Contract Power—an AI-powered SaaS tool built for the energy sector’s most ignored pain point: documents.In this episode of Off the Grid, On the Record, we dive into:The exact moment that made Bryan say “I need to build this”Why general-purpose AI fails energy companiesHow Contract Power’s ClauseSense tool redefines compliance trackingWhat makes it industry-first, not just “AI-enhanced”Why missing a single sentence nearly killed a $300M dealWhat AI agents and SaaS 2.0 will mean for...2025-06-2629 min
Off the Grid, On the RecordFrom Crisis to Clarity: How Carol Ann Wentworth Built a 94% Retention Search Firm with Zero FluffWhat if hiring wasn’t about checking boxes—but matching energy?In this episode of Off the Grid, On the Record, we sit down with Carol Ann Wentworth, the founder of Wentworth Executive Recruiting and author of A Mindful Career. With 25+ years of experience and a 94% retention rate, Carol Ann is on a mission to humanize hiring—especially in clean energy, construction, and mission-driven tech.She breaks down:The difference between a job and a real career pathWhy most executive searches fail (and how hers don’t)How to hire mindfully—even under pressureHer journey fr...2025-06-2540 min
Off the Grid, On the RecordHe Turned Tap Water Into a 7-Figure Sustainability BusinessBruce Plant is the co-founder of Wallop Water — a hydration company turning heads in the global events and construction industries by eliminating plastic bottles entirely. In this episode, we dive into how a side hustle born from festival waste became a scalable, IoT-powered solution delivering chilled, branded, and solar-powered water stations to events from Melbourne to Mandalay Bay.🚨 You’ll learn:How data-backed hydration is transforming how we run eventsWhy sustainability managers are obsessed with Bruce’s reporting toolsThe wild truth behind where your “single-use” water bottle ends upWhat happens when you combine real infrastructure with media, brandi...2025-06-2529 min
Off the Grid, On the RecordQuit His 6-Figure Job. Built a Solar Empire. Here's the Playbook.Lee Faisal didn’t just start a solar company—he rewired how clean energy is sold, delivered, and trusted in Australia. As the founder of Amazon Energy, Lee took his background at a multinational panel manufacturer and flipped the playbook—focusing on face-to-face installs, transparent pricing, and long-term client relationships in a time when everyone else chased quick wins.In this no-BS episode, we cover:How Lee scaled with 90% referral businessThe overlooked power of in-person installsAustralia's battery storage boom (hint: huge federal + state rebates)The ROI story every commercial customer needs to hearHow Amazon Energy is preppi...2025-06-2525 min
Off the Grid, On the RecordHow Luke Makar Is Building a No-BS Solar Brand in America’s Toughest MarketHe was set to become a lawyer. Now he’s building one of the most trusted solar companies in Florida.Luke Makar, founder of Aspire Solar, joins me to talk about what it really takes to launch a solar company in one of the most volatile markets in North America. No shortcuts. No bloated sales decks. Just clarity, honesty, and a relentless focus on delivering quality.In this episode:The mindset shift from chasing money to building meaningWhy Florida homeowners are demanding battery storage now more than everHow Aspire’s no-nonsense quoting process is earn...2025-06-2536 min
Off the Grid, On the RecordFrom Teacher to Policy Disruptor: How Michelle Knox Built Wind Solar USA From ScratchMichelle Knox, founder of Wind Solar USA, shares how a single question over drinks sparked a 16-year journey into clean energy—and led her to take on utility monopolies, author a statewide Solar Bill of Rights, and build a customer-first solar company in rural Illinois.In this episode:Building a solar business with NO ads and 100% education-driven growthCreating 27-page solar proposals that sell themselvesHow she helped write and advocate for game-changing state legislationFighting—and winning—against massive energy providers in courtLessons on courage, conviction, and finding purpose through serviceThis is what happens when values meet e...2025-06-1933 min
Off the Grid, On the RecordThe $300M Clean Energy Bottleneck Nobody Talks About | Monroe JettBefore a single solar panel gets installed or a battery storage site breaks ground, there's one critical factor that can quietly kill the entire deal: title work.In this episode of Off the Grid, On the Record, Yarek sits down with Monroe Jett — real estate veteran and founder of Title Leader — to unpack the title and land rights challenges slowing down utility-scale energy development. From managing 6,000+ searches a year with spreadsheets to building a national solution now used by top firms like NextEra, Monroe breaks down why title matters, where projects fail, and how he fixed it.2025-06-1939 min
Off the Grid, On the RecordHow a 4-Person Team Built a $200M Clean Energy Pipeline (And Why Sub-5MW Projects Are the Future)This is how you scale renewable energy with zero fluff. Shane Bartel runs Climate Capital — a 4-person team managing a $200M pipeline of solar + battery projects across Australia. No hype. Just ruthless execution. In this episode, he breaks down:Why 2025-06-1928 min
Off the Grid, On the RecordNo Gimmicks. No Pressure. How This Solar Company Built Trust and 7-Figure Word-of-Mouth — Freddy PetkusHow do you scale a solar company without cold calls, pressure tactics, or generic pitches? Freddy Petkus figured it out — and built Critical Mass Solar into one of New England’s most trusted local solar providers.In this episode, we go behind the scenes with Freddy to understand how his no-BS, education-first philosophy changed the game in a crowded, skeptical market. You’ll learn how he wins residential and commercial jobs through trust, shows up for every install, and avoids all the stuff that gives solar a bad name.🎯 Topics Covered:Why Freddy ditched sales scr...2025-06-1931 min
Off the Grid, On the RecordHow This Roofer Hit 7 Figures & Took Over a Local Market with Solar Shingles – Dakota Weddle (Big Lick Roofing)How This Roofer Hit 7 Figures & Took Over a Local Market with Solar Shingles – Dakota Weddle (Big Lick Roofing)📌 YouTube Description (and Podcast Show Notes)Most roofing companies play it safe. Dakota Weddle did the opposite.In this episode of Off the Grid, On the Record, Yarek Matacz sits down with the founder of Big Lick Roofing — a Virginia-based company that’s quietly dominating its market and flipping the traditional roofing game on its head.What started as a solo mission has turned into a 7-figure brand by doing three things differently:Install...2025-06-1833 min
Off the Grid, On the RecordSolar Isn’t the Problem—Marketing Is: Nathan Zale on Breaking Through the NoiseSolar companies don’t fail because the tech isn’t good — they fail because the message doesn’t land. In this episode of Off the Grid, On the Record, Yarek sits down with Nathan Zale, founder of Zale Media and OutScale.com, to unpack how small solar businesses can overcome the biggest growth killer: bad marketing.From using AI voice tech and CRM automations to smart content strategies and scalable video campaigns, this conversation is packed with tactical advice and real-world insight. If you’ve ever felt burned by a marketing agency or lost in a crowded market, th...2025-06-1835 min
Off the Grid, On the RecordSolar on RV? How Monument Solar Is Powering the Off-Grid RV Movement | Off the Grid, On the RecordToday on Off the Grid, On the Record, we’re diving into a corner of clean energy that’s growing fast but often overlooked — solar for RVs and off-grid adventurers.Our guest, Kenson, is the founder of Monument Solar — a Utah-based company designing high-performance solar systems for full-time travelers and remote workers. With systems delivering over 5,000W of power, integrated Victron electronics, and a unique 5/5/5 service model, they’re helping customers break free from shore power for good.🔍 What we cover:The backstory: how full-time RV travel led to product innovationWhy bifacial panels + tilt-adjustable racks are a g...2025-06-1839 min
Off the Grid, On the RecordElastic Energy: Tree Sap, Soccer Balls & the Future of Battery Storage | Samuel BendekIn this episode of Off the Grid, On the Record, host Yarek Matacz chats with Samuel Bendek, co-founder and CEO of Elastic Energy, a revolutionary cleantech startup using tree sap to rethink how we store energy.Samuel shares how growing up in Colombia, bouncing soccer balls at 15, sparked an idea that eventually became a patented elastic energy storage system. Unlike lithium-ion batteries, Elastic’s system is non-toxic, long-lasting, fire-safe, and completely regenerative—with no mining required.We explore:The inspiration and material science behind elastic batteriesHow Elastic compares to traditional battery chemistriesThe regulatory challenges of b...2025-06-1825 min
Off the Grid, On the RecordOff-Grid Power, On-Point Leadership: Inside Australia's Top Caravan InnovatorWhat does it take to build smarter caravans and a stronger trades culture? In this episode of Off the Grid, On the Record, we sit down with Jacqueline Bold, founder of Bold Trailer & Caravan Repair Centre, to talk:The rise of off-grid solar and battery setups in caravansWhy one-size-fits-all doesn’t work for mobile solarThe overlooked power of leadership and diversity in tradesHow Australian innovation is outpacing regulationsAnd what’s next in Bluetooth, braking systems & energy techFrom solar blankets to battery storage to team-building from the ground up — this isn’t just RV talk, it’s a blueprin...2025-06-1838 min
Off the Grid, On the Record | With Yarek Matacz from JPM MediaHow Song of Solarmen Is Bringing Solar to the People Who Need It Most | Off the Grid PodcastIn today’s episode of Off the Grid on the Record, I’m joined by Mike Belliveau, founder and CEO of Song of Solarmen, to talk about what it really looks like to run a values-first solar company — one that doesn’t cut corners, doesn’t chase volume, and doesn’t leave people behind.Mike opens up about how he built a fast-growing solar company grounded in service and trust — including how they’re helping families with poor credit access solar, and why churches, rural communities, and small businesses are at the center of their expansion plans.We dive int...2025-06-1426 min
Off the Grid, On the Record | With Yarek Matacz from JPM MediaThe Real Bottlenecks in EV Charging (And How to Solve Them) – with Sergej Marojevic of Q-ChargeIn this episode of Off the Grid on the Record, host Yarek Matacz is joined by Sergej Marojevic, founder and CEO of Q-Charge, one of the most hands-on operators in the EV charging space.Sergej doesn’t just talk about EV infrastructure—he’s built it from the ground up. From city red tape and cable theft to wireless charging, white-labeled hardware, and smart financing strategies, this conversation dives deep into the real challenges (and opportunities) facing EV adoption today.Whether you're a developer, fleet operator, or just curious about where EV charging is headed, this o...2025-06-1433 min
Off the Grid, On the Record | With Yarek Matacz from JPM MediaPlug & Play Solar: How Solvari is Rewiring Residential Installations with Samuel TruthseekerOff the Grid on the Record – Episode: Plug & Play Solar with Samuel TruthseekerWhat if you could install a residential solar system in just one hour?In this episode, Yarek Matacz speaks with Samuel Truthseeker, founder and CEO of Solvari, to explore how his team is simplifying solar from the roof down. With a patented, all-in-one plug-and-play panel system, Solvari is tackling the industry's biggest hurdles: labor shortages, soft costs, and operational complexity.Samuel brings 20+ years of solar hardware experience to the table, and walks us through how Solvari’s single SKU system redu...2025-06-1438 min
Off the Grid, On the Record | With Yarek Matacz from JPM MediaMaking Solar Simple: How Hey Solar is Helping Canadians Save Money and Power Up Their HomesIn this episode of Off the Grid, On the Record, host Yarek Matacz sits down with David Hampson, founder of Hey Solar, to break down how Canadian homeowners and businesses can save on energy bills, boost property value, and access solar incentives—without the headache.David shares his journey from global solar consultant to local solar advocate, and explains how Hey Solar is making customized clean energy solutions more accessible across Ontario. From federal loans and rebates to real estate value boosts and the evolution of solar tech, we explore what’s working, what’s changing, and what C...2025-06-1240 min
Off the Grid, On the Record | With Yarek Matacz from JPM MediaSmall Homes, Big Vision: Jesse Russell on Building Smarter, Simpler Communities with Hiatus HomesIn this episode of Off the Grid, On the Record, host Yarek Matacz sits down with Jesse Russell, founder of Hiatus Homes and managing partner at Hiatus Capital Fund, to explore the movement behind small, sustainable housing—and how intentional design and policy reform can radically transform the way we live.Based in Bend, Oregon, Jesse has grown Hiatus from a backyard tiny house project into one of the country’s most innovative small home developers. But this conversation isn’t just about home size—it’s about urban infill, state policy shifts, creative financing, and a vision for...2025-06-1132 min
Off the Grid, On the Record | With Yarek Matacz from JPM MediaSolar Isn’t Enough: Ron Kamen on Policy, Heat Pumps, and What’s Really Holding Back the Clean Energy TransitionIn this powerful episode of Off the Grid, On the Record, host Yarek Matacz sits down with Ron Kamen, founder and CEO of EarthKind Energy Consulting, to pull back the curtain on the real bottlenecks behind small solar’s slow growth—and why tech isn’t the problem.With decades of experience in policy, program development, and large-scale project consulting, Ron explains how local permitting, outdated regulation, and fragmented energy strategies are still holding back otherwise capable developers and communities.From New York’s billion-dollar NY-Sun program to performance-based incentives and community coalitions, this episode is a mas...2025-06-1140 min
Off the Grid, On the Record | With Yarek Matacz from JPM MediaThe Future Is Elevated: Andrew J. Cary on SNAAP’s Vision for Autonomous, Accessible TransitWhat if urban transportation wasn’t just improved — but completely reinvented? In this episode of Off the Grid, On the Record, host Yarek Matacz dives deep with Andrew J. Cary, co-founder and front-facing voice of SNAAP Transportation, to uncover how this woman-owned startup is building the world’s first personalized, elevated monorail system — one that’s decentralized, autonomous, and actually affordable.Born out of Atlanta traffic frustration and garage tinkering over 30 years ago, SNAAP is now standing up test pods, raising strategic investment, and building a mobility system that’s not Uber, not a bus, and definitely not mass tra...2025-06-1139 min
Off the Grid, On the Record | With Yarek Matacz from JPM MediaFrom Rooftops to Grid Relief: Jordan Westphal on Building Dynamic Solar from the Ground UpIn this episode of Off the Grid, On the Record, host Yarek Matacz talks with Jordan Westphal, founder of Dynamic Solar, about building a boots-on-the-ground solar company that’s bridging residential and commercial solar—without the fluff.From getting his start in roofing at age 16 to now leading a solar business operating across nine U.S. states, Jordan shares the story behind Dynamic Solar’s rapid growth, his thoughts on how tax incentives are changing the game, and how he's navigating everything from weather-related installs to multi-state commercial projects.⚡ What you'll learn in this episode:Why ro...2025-06-1128 min
Off the Grid, On the Record | With Yarek Matacz from JPM MediaThe Quiet Shift in Solar: How Lumina Energy is Democratizing Clean Power with David N. JonesWhat if solar wasn’t just about panels on rooftops—but a full-blown community-powered, decentralized energy economy? In this episode of Off the Grid, On the Record, host Yarek Matacz talks with David N. Jones, founder and CEO of Lumina Energy, about how small businesses and municipalities are quietly reshaping the clean energy landscape from the ground up.From virtual power plants to AI-powered micro data centers, Lumina is building energy ecosystems where residents, businesses, and entire cities can trade, store, and vote on how power is used—all without needing to own the infrastructure.🌐 In this e...2025-06-1123 min
Off the Grid, On the Record | With Yarek Matacz from JPM MediaGlass with Purpose: John Carpenter on Rethinking Materials, Light, and Design for Human-Centered ArchitectureIn this episode of Off the Grid, On the Record, host Yarek Matacz sits down with John Carpenter, President of Clearstream Architectural, to explore how next-generation glass technologies are reshaping the buildings we live and work in—from the inside out.With two decades of innovation behind him, John shares how his team collaborates with architects, designers, and engineers to create architectural glass solutions that go far beyond aesthetics. Whether it’s reducing absenteeism in office buildings, improving safety in public spaces, or enhancing energy performance in ultra-modern construction, Clearstream is pushing glass to do more—psychologically, functi...2025-06-1128 min
Off the Grid, On the Record | With Yarek Matacz from JPM MediaSolar on Wheels: How Gizmo Power is Reimagining Access to Clean Energy with Antonia Ginsberg-KlemmtWhat if you could own solar without owning your roof? In this episode of Off the Grid, On the Record, host Yarek Matacz talks with Antonia Ginsberg-Klemmt, mechanical engineer and founder of Gizmo Power, about how her team is flipping solar accessibility on its head—literally.Their flagship product, the MEGA (Mobile Electricity Generating Appliance), is a plug-in solar EV charging carport on wheels—a modular, collapsible, renter-friendly power solution designed to bring solar to driveways, curbside parking, and underserved communities. From starting the project as a college idea during the pandemic to speaking at international plug-in sola...2025-06-1134 min
Off the Grid, On the Record | With Yarek Matacz from JPM Media"Rewiring the Grid: Energy Equity, AI, and the Future of Electrification – with Freddie De Sibert"In this thought-provoking episode of Off the Grid: On the Record, host Yarek Matacz sits down with Freddie De Sibert, CEO and Head of Data Science at Energy Applied, to unpack the real-world complexities of our aging electrical grid, the rise of AI in energy management, and the overlooked role of low-to-middle income communities in the energy transition.From his investment banking roots to founding cutting-edge tech startups, Freddie brings a unique lens to solving today’s energy volatility and grid stress challenges. The two dive deep into:How Energy Applied helps monetize demand volatilityThe ethical mi...2025-06-1145 min
Off the Grid, On the Record | With Yarek Matacz from JPM MediaBuilding Smarter Infrastructure with Greg Senkevitch, CEO of Beneficial HoldingsIn this episode of Off the Grid, On the Record, host Yarek Matacz sits down with Gregory Senkevitch, Chairman and CEO of Beneficial Holdings, to unpack the intersection of real estate, infrastructure, and energy efficiency.With over four decades of experience in development, Greg shares how his firm is working to transform aging infrastructure through smart retrofits, solar integrations, and long-term property strategies. From lessons learned in commercial real estate to the economics of energy performance contracting, this conversation is packed with insights for anyone building—or rebuilding—the future.Highlights include:Greg’s real e...2025-06-111h 13