Solar r.e.view Podcast

With the July 4th deadline approaching, now is the time to review your safe harbor strategy. Safe harboring allows you to establish the beginning of construction and secure domestic content percentages without physically breaking ground on a project.Planning ahead matters. Installers who do not safe harbor may face a harder time competing on projects after 2026 against companies that secured current tax credit benefits earlier. Understanding domestic content percentages, project thresholds, and qualification requirements now can help create more flexibility for the years ahead.*We are not tax professionals. Consult your tax professional about safe harbor and other tax incentives.00:50 Safe harbor overview and upcoming deadlines02:05 What if you miss the deadline? 02:46 Understanding percentages and eligible expenditures04:08 Demonstrating project construction start dates06:14 How does the IRS define work of a significant nature? 08:24 Necessary documentation for safe harboring09:17 Importance of interconnection and permitting10:25 Key takeaways for solar installers to safe harbor projects

Discover how upcoming changes in solar tax credits could impact your investment decisions. Tune into Power Forward to gain insights from industry expert David Dunlap, BayWa r.e.'s VP of Product Strategy, on how you can navigate the evolving solar market landscape in 2026 and beyond.00:55 Where the solar market stands today03:09 Biggest changes impacting the market in 202606:14 Understanding your options in this new landscape09:42 Biggest challenges facing solar installers today14:18 Reasons for hope in today's solar market15:53 How to take back control of your solar business

In this episode of Solar Tech Talk, we sat down with Travis Walker, Director of Business Development at BayWa r.e., to discuss how flexibility and strategic inventory management play a critical role in today's solar market. As project timelines shift and market conditions evolve, having the right support behind the scenes can make all the difference in keeping developments on track.Travis shares insight into how BayWa r.e. supports customers beyond supplying equipment. From holding products to aligning delivery with project readiness, this conversation highlights the value of partnership in powering solar projects forward.0:52 - How does BayWa r.e. think about supporting customers beyond just selling product?2:05 - What would you say makes our approach to holding and managing customer product different from other distributors?5:03 - In what kinds of situations might a customer need us to hold product for them before it's ready to ship?6:33 - How does the ability to hold product help customers stay on track when projects are delayed or timelines shift?8:00 - What kind of peace of mind does it give customers knowing their equipment is secured and accounted for, even if it's not immediately deployed?9:02 - How does this approach help customers manage risk during uncertain or changing market conditions?10:30 - Can you share an example of how holding product has helped a customer navigate a challenging project timeline?12:17 - Final thoughtsLearn more about BayWa r.e.: https://solar-distribution-us.baywa-re.com/

The U.S. residential solar market is preparing for significant change as the 25D tax credit phases out at the end of 2025. If you’re a solar installer preparing for 2026, this episode breaks down the financing shifts you need to understand — from TPO to loan structures — and how to evaluate your options in a volatile market. In this live Power Forward session, recorded on the PowerUp Live Stage at RE+ 2025, Chris Crowell of Solar Builder speaks with Josh Tinaglia, Finance Program Manager at BayWa r.e., to discuss what’s next for residential solar financing and how the industry can adapt to the shifting landscape. Special thanks to SunCast Media for partnering with us and producing this session. Topics include: What the 25D tax credit sunset means for installers and homeowners Why third-party ownership (TPO) will play a bigger role starting in 2026 Questions to ask your TPO providers The outlook for solar loans, dealer fees, and new finance products Prepaid leases and transferability of tax credits The uncertainty of FEOC rules and domestic content requirements The impact of cancelled programs like Solar for All and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund

The Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) is signed, as is the death warrant for the residential solar tax credit. On Power Forward, Solar Builder Editor-in-Chief Chris Crowell discusses what solar installers should do next with David Dunlap, VP of product strategy with BayWa r.e.0:36 - How to handle the Dec. 31, 2025, deadline for end of ITC3:08 - What qualifies as a "project" to qualify for tax credit by Dec. 31.5:40 - What should solar installers do now to prepare for life after ITC?9:04 - Ways to change my sales approach (and pricing) with no tax credit.13:26 - Is "diversification" strategy still viable without EV and other tax credits?16:52 - The case for getting into commercial solar projects21:07 - Final thoughts: Any silver linings to losing the tax credit?

As the solar industry matures and evolves, repowering aging systems is becoming more important and relevant every day. So, what does repowering look like from an installer and manufacturer perspective? In this Solar Tech Talk, we look at repowering from every angle with expert insights from David Dunlap, Vice President of Product Strategy of BayWa r.e., Joy Seitz, CEO of American Solar & Roofing, and Brandon Davis, Sales Director, Distribution of SMA America.1:40 - What is repowering as a solar installer?5:20 - Repowering as a business model for existing customers & orphaned PV systems9:35 - Quoting repowering jobs - strategies & challenges14:37 - The importance of repowering solar in 2025 and beyond21:20 - How to approach repowering opportunities with effective communication & solutions28:15 - Customer acquisition for repowering, opportunities and risk 34:50 - Doing the work: Having the right team to perform repowering jobs42:15 - Final thoughts on the value of repoweringLearn more about SMA America: https://www.sma-america.com/Learn more about American Solar & Roofing: https://www.americansolarandroofing.com/Learn more about BayWa r.e.: https://solar-distribution-us.baywa-re.com/

After months of anticipation, the "One Big Beautiful Bill" was officially signed into law on July 4th, 2025. In this podcast, David Dunlap, BayWa r.e. VP of Product Strategy, and Joy Seitz, CEO of American Roofing & Solar, discuss initial reactions to the bill and strategies moving forward with the new legislation in place. 0:00 - Intro1:37 - Is this a setback for the solar industry?4:45 - Installer advocacy experience leading up to the final bill12:48 - How will the early elimination of 25D (Homeowner ITC) affect solar installers?25:32 - Commercial tax credits, the value of leasing models and solar installations for businesses35:50 - Foreign Entities of Concern (FEOC), Safe Harboring, and other considerations for C&I solar48:36 - The state of clean energy manufacturing in the U.S.1:01:00 - The immediate timeline of industry shifts 1:04:45 - Positioning solar beyond ROI & adding diverse offerings1:15:15 - Final thoughts Note: this podcast was recorded on July 8th, 2025.

The residential solar market has changed, which means residential solar business models need to change too. Over the next few episodes of Power Forward! we’ll discuss some actionable strategies for restructuring your approach so that your solar installation business can be more resilient in the years ahead. To kick things off we’re zooming in on the concept of “repowering,” and how you can turn that into a profit center, with Travis Walker, Director of Business Development at BayWa r.e., and Corey Garrison, CEO of SouthFace Solar & Electric in Arizona.0:52 – What services should be offered by solar installer’s “service department”3:32 – How to start pursuing solar repowering jobs5:54 – How to sort a list of past customers for repowering potential8:08 – The value of customer service agreements9:01 – The economics of solar repowering: What’s my margin?13:39 – Working with new (unhappy) customers with stranded systems15:33 – Challenges or downsides to repowering jobs?18:13 – Three ways to approach repowering as a line of business22:16 – Hardware considerations when repowering.

The band is back together for a follow-up discussion surrounding Domestic Content guidelines for solar businesses and PV projects. This podcast can be considered the sequel to our December 2024 episode (STT E25) and features David Dunlap, VP of Product Strategy of BayWa r.e. Solar Distribution, Corey Geiger, Chief Operating Officer of Enstall, and Eric Bergman, Sales Director C& I of Enphase.In this episode, you'll learn:How market demand for domestic content products is changingHow leading manufacturers are adjusting to the new guidelinesAnd what installers should know about domestic content in 2025Note: The information in this podcast is not tax, accounting, legal, or financial advice, and is intended for general informational purposes only. BayWa r.e., its employees, and the guests of this podcast do not hold any certifications or licenses related to tax advice and listeners are encouraged to consult a qualified advisor for specific tax-related questions.

Domestic content is one of the most important topics in the solar industry, but what do solar contractors need to know about it right now? To answer this question, Chris Crowell, Editor-in-Chief of Solar Builder, dives deep into Domestic Content with David Dunlap, VP of product strategy at BayWa r.e.0:48 - Has the Trump Administration changed the domestic content outlook?3:02 - Available U.S. solar manufacturing (modules, inverters, racking, batteries)7:12 - Overview of changes to Safe Harbor Tables9:38 - Is there value in sourcing a module with domestic wafers?13:23 - MLPE vs. string cost percentage comparison17:26 - How long can I use the May 2024 Safe Harbor Table?19:24 - Changes to Energy Storage domestic content rules22:29 - Does the DC percentage step up 5% each year for the ITC or no?25:16 - What is the residential demand for domestic content solar products?27:58 - Demand for domestic content in commercial solar?29:06 - Is it just better to not pursue the domestic content tax credit?Follow BayWa r.e.: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bwresolarus/Subscribe to Solar Builder: https://solarbuildermag.com/subscribe/

We close out 2024 and look ahead to solar business in 2025 the way we always do with David Dunlap, VP of product strategy with BayWa r.e. and Chris Crowell, Editor-in-Chief at Solar Builder Magazine. 0:37 - Look back at key solar storylines from 2024 4:43 - Lasting takeaways from bankruptcies and financing shift? 7:17 - Expectations for residential solar market in 2025 13:21 - Product oversupply still an issue in 2025? 16:21 - How can/will the Trump administration change the IRA or ITC? 19:40 - Other tangible impacts on DG solar due to a change in administration? 20:58 - Final thoughts for solar installers in 2025

Learn the ins and outs of domestic content and what it means for your solar business from this comprehensive episode. Highly respected industry leaders Corey Geiger from Enstall US, Eric Bergman from Enphase, and David Dunlap from BayWa r.e. unpack the complexities of the IRA’s Domestic Content bonus adder. You will learn:What Domestic Content is and how this policy is reshaping the U.S. solar manufacturing landscape, from utility-scale to residential projectsWho can claim these lucrative tax creditsHow these tax credits impact the supply chainWhat the domestic content bonus means for installers and end-users alikeDon’t miss this power-packed episode that illuminates the future of American solar manufacturing and its ripple effects across the industry. Featuring:David Dunlap, VP of Strategy, BayWa r.e.Corey Geiger, COO, Enstall USEric Bergman, C&I Sales Director, Enphase EnergyDaniela Schwartzman, Marketing Relationships Manager, BayWa r.e.

Ready to learn how to make your projects easier and support your customers? In this episode of Solar Tech Talk, BayWa r.e. experts dive in with Fronius, a primary manufacturer of inverters for solar installers in the US. They cover:The Fronius GEN24 and GEN24 Plus invertersFronius' focus on quality and testing to build their productsHow installers are using the Fronius GEN24 to streamline their process and what they say about the productHow installers can level up their system design and development using Fronius' platformsFeaturing:Summer Rain Ursomarso, Director of Marketing, BayWa r.e.Zachary Kirin, Product Manager, Fronius USAWant to learn more? Talk to a solar expert directly.--------------------------------------The BayWa r.e. Solar r.e.view podcast is a hosting spot for multiple series that cover all things residential and commercial solar. The Solar Tech Talk does a deep dive into products solar installers need to be successful in developing and installing systems. Other shorter series pop up from time to time to address real issues in the market and support solar installers to build their businesses. Subscribe to the podcast or view our blog for all our recordings. Follow us on LinkedIn for regular content postings, too.

Solar Builder Editor-in-Chief Chris Crowell gets a crash course in third-party ownership (TPO) solar programs from BayWa r.e. Finance Program Manager Joshua Tinaglia. Questions asked:0:35 – Why should I consider offering solar systems via leases – aka third-party ownership?1:48 – Questions to ask of my business before offering TPO?4:06 – Fundamental differences in leases vs loans, as a business model5:49 – Is there more work on the front end?7:08 – How do I evaluate TPO providers? Fine print to watch for?11:01 – How does TPO change my cashflow?12:58 – How does a lease deal change my O&M strategy?14:24 – What if a TPO customer wants to add a battery?16:47 – Examples of how financing can sink or save a business.Learn more about financing with TPO to support business development: Financing for Solar Installers - BayWa r.e. Solar Systems (baywa-re.com)

On this edition of Power Forward!, we’ll discuss conversations from RE+ 2024, the state of solar financing, why third-party ownership (TPO) is an important financing tool for solar installers, how the domestic content adder is being utilized, and how to judge loans vs. leases heading into 2025, with Joshua Tinaglia, finance program manager at BayWa r.e.0:31 – Takeaways from RE+ 2024 conversations2:05 – Out look on TPO (leases) vs. loans now3:27 – The role of a distributor in tracking domestic content4:40 – Should I still offer TPO in 2025 with interest rates going down?6:44 – Who actually benefits from the 10% domestic content adder?8:41 – Explanation of Split-Pay, and how installers benefit

On this episode of Power Forward!, we’re taking stock of solar business in 2024 and previewing what’s happening at RE+ in Anaheim with BayWa r.e. Director of Business Development Travis Walker.0:42 – What has hurt solar businesses the most in 2024? M1 payments 2:32 – Three healthy solar business practices in 2024 7:27 – Questions to ask suppliers at RE+ 9:48 – How to evaluate loan and TPO providers at RE+ 12:10 – What else is going at RE+?

BayWa r.e. recently hosted top customers and solar industry experts at its Business Leadership Summit. Director of Marketing Summer Rain Ursomarso and VP of Sales Jason Liehr, joined Power Forward! to share takeaways from presentations, and what solar installers were saying on site.0:30 – Overview of BayWa r.e. Business Leadership Summit (BLS)3:08 – Mood of solar installers right now4:35 – Installer testimonial from BLS6:49 – Takeaways from Enphase Co-founder keynote speech9:37 – Battling solar installer “untrustworthiness”13:20 – Optimistic outlook for C&I solar15:05 – What to get excited about in residential market17:04 – Domestic content interest growing17:56 – What’s in store for BLS 2025?

Residential solar has been a staple of the solar industry but has seen large fluctuations in the most recent years. With these ebbs and flows, how can solar installers establish more stabilized profit margins and reduce overhead while capturing new business? In this episode of Solar Tech Talk, BayWa r.e. sits down with Anthony Yates and Oleg Popovsky of Enphase Energy to talk all things commercial solar, break-out and go-to-market strategies, tips and tricks for navigating commercial insurance and install safety, and so much more. In this episode, you can expect:- Introduction to different commercial segments for your consideration- Go-to-market strategies for implementing commercial solar into your business- Insight into commercial insurance and safety policies from the perspective of a former underwriter- Partnership opportunities with Enphase Energy and BayWa r.e. Reach out to Enphase Energy for more information about their commercial products: [email protected] out to BayWa r.e. to learn more about our partnership opportunities: https://solar-distribution-us.baywa-re.com/about-us/sales-team/Discover training sessions with Enphase Energy: http://bit.ly/3PAhUsK

California solar installers experienced a disastrous 2023 as soon as the NEM 3 rate changes took effect. The California Solar and Storage Association reports about an 80 percent drop in rooftop solar projects since April 2023. To make matters worse, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) closed out 2023 by approving further changes that impact the payback on battery exports. The CPUC also ended the self-consumption of solar for most virtual net metering projects. Is there any way to Power Forward! in California? We discuss with David Dunlap, VP of Product Strategy for the US, with BayWa r.e.1:04 - Summing up latest NEM 3 rule changes2:18 - Scale of 1-10: How worried should solar installers be?7:08 - Given the new California market, how can installers maintain profitability?11:43 - What else can I do to diversify, and not totally rely on solar sales?14:15 - Overview of Virtual NEM program changes: "This looks wrong"