The Interchange: Recharged

Could the potential repealing of the IRA halt the progress of solar manufacturing?A second Donald Trump presidency will have a big impact on the energy transition. The Biden administration’s landmark climate bill the Inflation Reduction Act had incentives for domestic solar manufacturing and installations. Tearing up the act could slow down the exponential growth in the sector.Sylvia Leyva Martinez is a principal analyst at Wood Mackenzie. She’s joined by Martin Pochtaruk, CEO at Heliene (a US solar manufacturer) to debate the outlook for solar over the next four years. Policy shifts have occurred in the past but, as Martin says, progress in clean energy has been unstoppable. That’s not to say there’s not implications for the industry with a change in government; tariffs and trade policy could create big challenges. Plus, there are labour challenges in the solar sector – there’s a big need for specialised training. Advancements in solar technology have significantly boosted efficiency and output but there’s a skills gap in installation and engineering. What are the broader implications of reshoring solar manufacturing for the US economy? How can the US solar industry remain competitive globally? Sylvia and Martin discuss it.The Interchange Recharged is brought to you by Anza Renewables. Are you wasting valuable time tracking down solar module information that quickly goes stale? Anza’s revolutionary platform can help with up-to-date pricing, technical, risk, and domestic content data from 110 solar modules. Compare products in minutes and redirect your time to higher value work. Find out more at go.anzarenewables.com/woodmacSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The future of carbon captureWith global emissions on the rise, the pressure to decarbonise is driving interest in CCUS (carbon capture, utilisations and storage) … but is CCUS a viable path to net zero, a temporary solution or a high-cost gamble that may simply just perpetuate the use of fossil fuels? Sylvia Leyva Martinez, principal analyst at Wood Mackenzie, sits down to talk with fellow Wood Mackenzie team members, Mhairidh Evans, VP, head of CCUS research and co-head of carbon management and Peter Findlay, director of CCUS economics, about the complex nuances of CCUS. The trio discusses policy support differences between North America and Europe, the impact of government incentives like the U.S. 45Q tax credit, and the need for community buy-in for infrastructure projects. They also explore potential pathways for CCUS growth, address obstacles and opportunities for technology advancement and speculate on whether a consistent global carbon price could be a game-changer. With insights into real-world CCUS projects and the market conditions influencing investment, the conversation highlights the factors that could determine CCUS’s role in the energy transition. ——————————————————— Subscribe to the Interchange Recharged so you don’t miss an episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Find us on X – we’re @interchangeshow. The Interchange Recharged is brought to you by Anza Renewables. Are you wasting valuable time tracking down solar module information that quickly goes stale? Anza’s revolutionary platform can help with up-to-date pricing, technical, risk, and domestic content data from 110 solar modules. Compare products in minutes and redirect your time to higher value work. Find out more at go.anzarenewables.com/woodmacSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Strategic solar for a stronger gridThe solar industry is at a turning point, shifting from niche investments to a cornerstone of America’s clean energy future. With renewable energy investment soaring and energy needs intensifying, solar's role has never been more crucial.Sylvia Martinez, Principal Analyst at Wood Mackenzie, and David Banmiller sit down with Gregg Felton, CEO of Altus Power, to explore how commercial and community solar are driving the U.S. toward its decarbonisation goals. Gregg shares his journey from investment management to leading a renewable energy powerhouse, detailing how solar has evolved into a viable asset class due to falling costs and rising electricity prices.The pair discuss Altus Power’s strategy of building solar arrays near consumption hubs to ease grid stress and meet rising energy demand. Gregg emphasises the role of state support, partnerships, and incentives in driving growth, as well as the need for stakeholder education for broader solar adoption.———————————————————Subscribe to the Interchange Recharged so you don’t miss an episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Find us on X – we’re @interchangeshow.The Interchange Recharged is brought to you by Anza Renewables. Are you wasting valuable time tracking down solar module information that quickly goes stale? Anza’s revolutionary platform can help with up-to-date pricing, technical, risk, and domestic content data from 110 solar modules. Compare products in minutes and redirect your time to higher value work. Find out more at go.anzarenewables.com/woodmac.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Global investment in renewables is projected to surpass US$2 trillion by 2030, with wind, solar and storage projects leading the way. Syliva Martinez, Principal Analyst at Wood Mackenzie is joined by Ray Long, President and CEO at ACORE (American Council On Renewable Energy), to look at how the energy transition is creating jobs, lowering costs and making the U.S. more competitive in the global market. American families are expected to save between US$27 and US$38 billion over the next eight years thanks to clean energy initiatives. However, there are still bottlenecks holding back progress, like transmission gridlock and permitting delays. With bipartisan efforts underway, such as the Manchin-Barrasso permitting bill, Ray explores the impact they’re having, and how the industry is moving toward overcoming the challenges.Subscribe to the Interchange Recharged so you don’t miss an episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Find us on X – we’re @interchangeshow.The Interchange Recharged is brought to you by Anza Renewables. Are you wasting valuable time tracking down solar module information that quickly goes stale? Anza’s revolutionary platform can help with up-to-date pricing, technical, risk, and domestic content data from 110 solar modules. Compare products in minutes and redirect your time to higher value work. Find out more at go.anzarenewables.com/woodmacSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.