How to Build a Business in Clean Energy

By Stephen Lacey, Podcast Editor
February 17, 2010   |   14 Comments

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Dear Listeners -- While the written companion article for each episode of the Inside Renewable Energy podcast remains below, the associated audio files have necessarily been removed. We apologize for the inconvenience, and appreciate the support you gave to our podcast production.

Thank you,
RenewableEnergyWorld.com

14 Reader Comments
Comment
1 of 14
February 18, 2010
Entrepreneurship tends to fluorish in free market economies, not regulated and deregulated monopolies like the US electricity industry.
Comment
2 of 14
February 19, 2010
It's an exciting time in the solar market. We are seeing new companies get into the business every day.
Comment
3 of 14
February 19, 2010
The podcast comments on the total lack of project finance support by the government are spot on. There must be money going to support the debt side of commercial and utility size renewable energy projects.
20 years Treasuries are well under 4%
Is it too much to ask for the creation of a national fund/green bank?
Pension plans and other large money management firms need a safe place to invest in to the project ownership side of renewables. Offer a 2% premium to the 20 year and money will flow as long as project due diligence requirements are "appropriate" (full disclosure of project information yet not prohibitive amounts of documentation)
Comment
4 of 14
February 19, 2010
A most excellent podcast - well moderated, great speakers, excellent relevant points for the entrepreneur and the government (are you listening??). Lack of a banking function around the world is a very limiting factor for all businesses, large and small, and we need to kick-start the economy and the banking system, somehow. (hint: Let's NOT allow the banks to reset all credit card debt to 30% interest rates...this will not help the economy one bit.) There are good lessons being shared by the panelists about being very clear on your objectives, and finding ways to communicate your business goals in a very clear fashion - aka Sungevity's concept of becoming the "Amazon for Solar".... just brilliant.
Comment
5 of 14
February 23, 2010
This site offers tools and training to setup and sell renewable energy. PVSolarSalesTraining.com including Solar for Quickbooks.
Comment
6 of 14
February 26, 2010
Very insightful podcast episode. It provides a profound discussion on how market variables are mostly in charge of steering the innovation ship.
Comment
7 of 14
February 26, 2010
As part of a smaller solar energy dealer, it seems the market photovoltaic panels is growing for large scale installations. I think there needs to be a greater diffusion of knowledge for small scale systems, since many people believe they can simply go off grid, but do not understand the associated costs when all the necessary components and installation costs are taken into account.
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8 of 14
March 2, 2010
Hi:

You also have to make sure you have enough capital to bribe certification entities that may decide to stand in your way (for reasons unknown) failing your product when there is truly nothing wrong with it. This can come at you from left field and completely stop your business in its tracks. Allot of these ,org entities have no real accountability to the customer and can basically do what they want.... So, unless you have hundreds of thousands of dollars set aside for lawyers and buying main stream news time to apply major pressure, you can be left standing out in the cold....

.....Bill
No image available
Comment
9 of 14
Anonymous
March 22, 2010
Here ya go - a business with 86% tax credit, 120% return guaranteed plus income 10 to 20% and make 5% fee just for a referral:

www.tnns.org/solar
Comment
10 of 14
March 23, 2010
Great podcast! I am new to Inside Renewable Energy and am just in awe that such a collection of tangible information can reside in one place at one time. Great collection you have compiled Steven!

I have been developing a hydro kinetic technology for ocean use. I am currently building my 3rd prototype (a large scale version) and hope to have it ready to test in about four weeks. The prototype is still just a proof of concept; the cost of materials to build it as it should be built is just beyond my current budget. Still, I feel that I will be able to obtain some of the more critical measurements with the model as it stands. I am very excited to get this thing in the ocean because of the great success I have had with my small scale models.

Currently my project is eating a hole in my bank account. With the challenge of business building, patenting, and further testing on the horizon, it is a breath of fresh air to hear that so many successful businesses in the energy industry have started out right where I am. And to be able to hear their story and advice is just priceless. Thanks!
Comment
11 of 14
March 23, 2010
Hi bfreeman --
I'm so glad you found this show to be helpful. That's exactly what it was designed for. There are a lot of people out there who might have technologies, but they don't have the resources to develop them. It's always inspiring to hear about other success stories....

Good luck!

Stephen
Comment
12 of 14
May 12, 2010
great! I'd like wear the air jordan
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13 of 14
May 14, 2010
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Comment
14 of 14
July 21, 2010
Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I'll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon.Thanks and Regards/-
Jason Webb
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Stephen Lacey

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About: I am a reporter with ClimateProgress.org, a blog published by the Center for American Progress. I am former editor and producer for RenewableEnergyWorld.com, wh... more »

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