PV Made in America! Bila Solar with Mick McDaniel

In this episode, we’re joined by Mick McDaniel the Vice President and General Manager of Bila Solar to explore the operations at the Bila Solar Factory in Indianapolis. Mick provides an in-depth look into how the factory produces lightweight, flexible solar modules using domestic materials and traditional framed PV modules. He also discusses Bila Solar’s collaboration with ES Foundry, shedding light on the innovative practices taking place within the factory.   Topics covered: Solar manufacturing factory in Indianapolis Sean’s visit to the Bila Solar Factory Joel Walsman and his contributions to the solar industry Beginning of Bila Solar’s and partnership with ES Foundry Bila Solar’s lightweight, flexible solar panels using aerospace polymer Installation methods using adhesives on metal and membrane roofs Relevance to rapid shutdown compliance and UL 3741 certification Mention of traditional framed modules production alongside flexible panels Lack of U.S. suppliers for thin, hardened solar glass Importance of building a reliable U.S. supply chain under the IRA Challenges importing equipment from China Post-COVID delays in building and manufacturing permits Comparison of old vs. modern solar factories Clarification on “gigawatt” factory capacity Sean’s Journey into the Solar Industry Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) Law: Paul Fenn’s Role and Its Impact Early solar industry figures: Stuart Wentworth, Bill Brooks, Ward Bower Development of early solar inverters and U.S. code challenges Ward Bower’s pioneering work on the modern grid-tie inverter at Sandia National Laboratories Challenges with balcony solar installations and code requirements in the U.S. vs. Germany Durability of flexibility solar modules   Find out more on: Bila Solar Website: www.bilasolar.com   Click here to listen to the podcast with Sean, Bill Brooks, and Ward Bower   Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by taking Sean’s classes at www.heatspring.com/sean