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Jan 28, 2026 59 min

Humans Needed When Batteries Break

from The Energy Show Hosted by Barry Cinnamon

This week on The Energy Show, we’re talking about solar + battery systems not just the equipment, but the customer service and troubleshooting that keeps these systems performing year after year. Traditional “solar-only” systems can be wonderfully simple and reliable. But when you add batteries (plus transfer switches, CTs, load management, apps, and firmware), you also add more moving parts and that means it’s helpful to know what’s normal, what’s fixable, and what’s worth upgrading. Barry is joined by the Cinnamon Energy Systems service team Frank Teague, Lucas Cordero, Lily Cinnamon, and Yvette Res for a practical, real-world conversation on what we see in the field and what homeowners can do to stay ahead of issues. In this episode: • Why batteries add complexity (hardware + software + communication) • The truth about warranties (what’s covered and what usually isn’t) • The most common “no production” scenario: it’s often monitoring/communication • Why we often recommend waiting 48-72 hours before assuming the worst • Firmware updates: why they matter and why they can be tricky • Roof leaks, critters, and prevention tips • When older systems (15+ years) may be better replaced than “patched” • Cleaning + shade + winter production: what “normal” looks like seasonally • VPPs + battery calibration cycles: why batteries sometimes discharge unexpectedly Like, Comment & Subscribe Today!

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Humans Needed When Batteries Break

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This episode was published on January 28, 2026.

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