EPISODE · Aug 17, 2025 · 47 MIN
John Perlin: Solar Historian, Forest Historian and Author
from Sean White‘s Solar and Energy Storage Podcast · host whitehousesolar
Join Sean White as he talks with John Perlin, a well-known historian and author, about the history of solar energy and how it connects to human progress. John shares stories from his books and career, touching on everything from ancient solar use to the role of forests in shaping our world. It’s a laid-back, insightful episode for anyone into solar, history, or just learning something new. Topics covered: Intersolar Eicke Weber UC Berkley Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems Smarter E Hermann Scheer Hans Josef Fell Feed in Tariff NREL = National Renewable Energy Laboratory International Solar Energy Society University of California Santa Barbara Monty Python Keeling Curve Solar Water Heater Roman, Greek & China History Heliocaminus Photovoltaic History Bell Labs Calvin Fuller Daryl Chapin Gerald Pearson Becquerel Thermodynamics Albert Einstein Solar Selenium Photovoltaic Solid-State Solar Cell Pier 39 Fisherman’s Wharf UC Berkeley Alumni Camp Barrington Hall` Lexicon The Wood Age Literature The Great Valves of Roam Marcus Vitruvius Pollio Ship Solar Thermal Iron Horses Coal & Charcoal UCC Monitor USS Monitor CSS Virginia (USS Merrimack) John Ericsson A Golden Thread: 2,500 Years of Solar Architecture and Technology From Space to Earth: The Story of Solar Electricity Let It Shine: The 6,000-Year Story of Solar Energy A Forest Journey: The Role of Trees in the Fate of Civilization Patagonia Eike Webber (Herman Scheer 80th Birthday) Podcast www.podcasts.apple.com Reach out to John Perlin Here: Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/john-perlin Website: www.aforestjourney.com John Perlin’s books: http://aforestjourney.com/ Links to John Perlin’s book reviews: Let It Shine: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/seven-of-the-greatest-solar-stories-over-the-millennia A Forest Journey: https://botany.one/2023/05/perlins-potentially-perfect-plants-and-people-publication/ https://time.com/6969478/forests-human-history/ https://news.mongabay.com/2024/10/interview-with-john-perlin/ Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean
What this episode covers
Join Sean White as he talks with John Perlin, a well-known historian and author, about the history of solar energy and how it connects to human progress. John shares stories from his books and career, touching on everything from ancient solar use to the role of forests in shaping our world. It’s a laid-back, insightful episode for anyone into solar, history, or just learning something new. Topics covered: Intersolar Eicke Weber UC Berkley Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems Smarter E Hermann Scheer Hans Josef Fell Feed in Tariff NREL = National Renewable Energy Laboratory International Solar Energy Society University of California Santa Barbara Monty Python Keeling Curve Solar Water Heater Roman, Greek & China History Heliocaminus Photovoltaic History Bell Labs Calvin Fuller Daryl Chapin Gerald Pearson Becquerel Thermodynamics Albert Einstein Solar Selenium Photovoltaic Solid-State Solar Cell Pier 39 Fisherman’s Wharf UC Berkeley Alumni Camp Barrington Hall` Lexicon The Wood Age Literature The Great Valves of Roam Marcus Vitruvius Pollio Ship Solar Thermal Iron Horses Coal & Charcoal UCC Monitor USS Monitor CSS Virginia (USS Merrimack) John Ericsson A Golden Thread: 2,500 Years of Solar Architecture and Technology From Space to Earth: The Story of Solar Electricity Let It Shine: The 6,000-Year Story of Solar Energy A Forest Journey: The Role of Trees in the Fate of Civilization Patagonia Eike Webber (Herman Scheer 80th Birthday) Podcast www.podcasts.apple.com Reach out to John Perlin Here: Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/john-perlin Website: www.aforestjourney.com John Perlin’s books: http://aforestjourney.com/ Links to John Perlin’s book reviews:Let It Shine: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/seven-of-the-greatest-solar-stories-over-the-millennia A Forest Journey:https://botany.one/2023/05/perlins-potentially-perfect-plants-and-people-publication/ https://time.com/6969478/forests-human-history/ https://news.mongabay.com/2024/10/interview-with-john-perlin/ Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean
NOW PLAYING
John Perlin: Solar Historian, Forest Historian and Author
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Mar 26, 2026 ·1m
Mar 19, 2026 ·34m
Feb 18, 2026 ·11m
Feb 11, 2026 ·45m