Martin Pochtaruk of Heliene Solar on Speeding the Energy Transition Ep.71

Why would a solar panel manufacturing company put time and energy into innovating for niche markets? What are the benefits of developing products for very specific applications like greenhouses, satellites or power-generating building facades?Martin Pochtaruk is the President and CEO of Heliene, a customer-first provider of North American-made solar panels serving the utility-scale, commercial and residential markets. Martin has 30-plus years of experience managing manufacturing businesses in both Europe and the Americas, and since its founding in 2010, Heliene has been recognized as one of Bloomberg’s New Energy Finance Tier 1 Bankable PV Manufacturers—the only North American manufacturer to hold this title. On this episode of Clean Power Hour, Martin joins Tim and John to discuss some of Heliene’s innovations in niche markets, including the greenhouse integrated photovoltaic panels and the solar modules used to power the SpaceX Starlink Satellite Project. Martin explains why more than 80% of solar products are imported from China and offers insight on the current efforts to bring solar manufacturing back to the US. Listen in for insight on the advantages of working with a local supplier like Heliene and learn how Martin thinks about innovating for niche markets with the potential to grow.Key TakeawaysWhat inspired Martin to build a solar panel manufacturing companyHow Heliene’s greenhouse integrated photovoltaic (GiPV) modules workThe results of Niagra College’s trial for Heliene’s GiPV solar panelsHeliene’s pilot project to develop a new product that augments usable lightWhy more than 80% of solar products are imported from China Martin's insight on the legislation to incentivize the reshoring of solar manufacturing The pros and cons of import tariffs and how they impact HelieneThe need for legislation to prevent forced labor in the manufacturing of solar panelsHeliene’s work on the SpaceX Starlink Satellite ProjectHow much of Heliene’s business is utility/residential vs. niche markets How Heliene is making power-generating glass building facadesThe benefit of working with HelieneConnect with MartinHelieneHeliene on Twitter Heliene on LinkedInConnect with Tim Clean Power Hour  Clean Power Hour on YouTubeTim on TwitterTim on LinkedInEmail [email protected] Review Clean Power Hour on Apple PodcastsConnect with JohnCommercial Solar Guy John on Twitter John on LinkedIn Resources‘Heliene to Expand Its Module Manufacturing Capacity’ in PV Magazine‘All I Want for Christmas is a Solar-Powered Greenhouse’ in PV MagazineMeyer Burger on Clean Power Hour EP044 UbiQD H.B. Fuller‘Parametic Open Source Cold-Frame Agrivoltaic Systems’ in InventionsBuild Back BetterThe Section 301 SafeguardSpaceX Starlink Satellite ProjectOnyx Solar  Support the showConnect with Tim  Clean Power Hour  Clean Power Hour on YouTubeTim on TwitterTim on LinkedIn Email [email protected] Review Clean Power Hour on Apple PodcastsThe Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email:  [email protected] sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems.  Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com