Sounds of Solar Podcast

In this episode of Sounds of Solar, host Chris Bruhn sits down with EVS' President Andy Kim and Director of HR Divya Divakaran for a candid conversation on what sets EVS apart in a competitive job market. They explore how culture drives recruitment, retention, and innovation—from Gen Z hires to seasoned engineers. Learn how EVS fosters psychological safety, supports remote teams, and...

In this episode of Sounds of Solar, Michael Benitez, Senior Director of Engineering at Moss Construction, returns to discuss the evolving world of solar construction. Mike shares insights on Moss’s EPC approach, the importance of construction-driven engineering, and the challenge of scaling skilled labor. We explore innovations like perovskite panels, the shift to higher voltage systems, and AI’s growing role i...

Legendary explorer and environmental advocate Will Steger shares powerful stories from his groundbreaking expeditions, his eyewitness account of climate change, and his lifelong commitment to purpose-driven leadership. We explore the founding of the historic Antarctic Treaty efforts, the vision behind the Steger Center for leadership and innovation, and his outlook on renewable energy and the future of the huma...

In this episode of Sounds of Solar, we shine the spotlight on the next generation of engineers powering the renewable energy transition. Sit down with Franc Pettang, Alyeska Dellinger, and Sam Walker—three emerging professionals at different stages in their EVS journey—to hear what drew them to engineering, how they found their way into renewables, and the surprises and challenges of building solar infrastructu...

In this special Director's Roundtable episode of Sounds of Solar, host Russell Hamilton sits down with EVS veterans Teresa Lassegard, Rob Kack, and Noah Waterhouse to explore the evolution of EVS—from its roots as a small environmental firm to a 200+ person engineering powerhouse in renewables. With over 75 years of combined experience, the trio shares insight on the company’s culture, the strategic creation of...

In this episode of Sounds of Solar, we invite you to pull up a chair and enjoy an indepth conversation with Alfredo Espinosa, Senior Vice President of Solar Preconstruction at Moss Construction. Alfredo shares his journey from intern to industry leader, revealing how Moss has grown into one of the top solar contractors in the U.S. We dive into the exponential growth of solar, the evolving energy demand driven b...

Hosts Russell Hamilton and Chris Bruhn take a deep dive into some of the most bizarre yet fascinating renewable energy sources. They discuss body heat-powered buildings, urine-powered batteries, and piezoelectric sidewalks that turn footsteps into electricity. The duo also explores the potential of sound energy, heat-harnessing roads, and gyms that generate power from workouts. Along the way, they share personal anecdotes—including...

In this episode of Sounds of Solar, we welcome Eric Johnson, Geotechnical Manager at EVS, for an insightful conversation on the evolving role of geotech in solar energy. Eric shares his journey from residential and commercial projects to leading geotech for large-scale solar, highlighting the increasing project sizes and the unique challenges of soil testing, frost heave, and pile load testing. He discusses gro...

Join us as we welcome back Scott Alwin, Survey Manager...

In this episode of Sounds of Solar, host Christoph Bruhn and co-hosts Russell Hamilton and Prahlad Shivshankar sit down with Michael Carlson, EVS' Director of Power Studies, to explore the evolving world of renewable energy. Michael shares insights from his extensive experience in wind, solar, and battery energy storage systems (BESS), discussing the grid's shift from centralized to distributed generation.

Dive into the growth of solar engineering teams in this latest episode of Sounds of Solar!  Hosts Christoph Bruhn and Prahalad Shivshankaran sit down with Raj Pawar, Director of Solar PV and Battery Stor...

Dive into the nitty-gritty of substations with Co...

In this episode of the Sounds of Solar, the boys explore what sustainable living could look like if money weren’t an obstacle. From community solar options to the latest in EV technology, they discuss the complexities of making greener choices and how policy, technology, and personal finances shape the...

Could Minnesota be the unexpected leader propelling th...

Structural engineering and solar energy - an unlikely pairing? Not for Structural Engineering Manager Abby Reetz. In this episode, we uncover the hidden world of structural engineering in utility-scale solar projects.  Abby shares her unexpected transition from traditional building design to the solar indu...

The boys are back to kick off Season 4! Join Chris, Russell, and Prahalad as they settle into the new studio and share their summer adventures and industry insights.

This premiere episode takes you from Russell's Greek excursion and first piloting experience to Chris and Prahalad's Pacific Northwest explorations.

Special guest Abby Reetz joins the conversation, offering a comprehensive overvie...

In this must-listen season finale, the Sounds of Solar team tackles the industry's most pressing issue: tariffs on solar modules and batteries. We share worst-case scenarios and real-world examples of how these tariffs are driving up costs and delaying projects.

Join us as we explore:

• How tariffs strain budgets and push back timelines
• The engineering challenges of module ch...

Navigating the complexities of green hydrogen and power-to-X technology is crucial for driving progress in the renewable energy sector. In this episode, Michael Klein, Head of Project Development at EE North America, shares his expertise on the regulatory framework, cost-effectiveness, and safety aspects of hydrogen projects. Solar engineers and decision-makers cannot miss this insightful conversation on the transforma...