Episode 953
953: The Hardest Part of Solar Isn't What Most People Think | Jeff Spies
Few people have had a front-row seat to the evolution of the modern solar industry quite like Jeff Spies.
Over four decades, Jeff has helped shape the industry as an engineer, educator, trainer, and founder of Planet Plan Sets, working alongside installers and EPCs to solve the technical and permitting challenges behind thousands of solar and storage projects. That perspective gives him a unique vantage point on how the industry has changed—and what hasn't.
In this conversation, Jeff shares lessons from a lifetime in solar, including:
⚡ How the earliest days of residential solar still influence the industry today
⚡ Why every solar project presents a different challenge—and why experience still matters
⚡ What the rapid growth of battery storage means for installers and system designers
⚡ Why permitting, engineering, and interconnection remain some of the industry's biggest hurdles
⚡ How decades of industry evolution have shaped Jeff's perspective on where solar goes next
Whether you're designing systems, running an installation business, or simply trying to better understand the forces shaping the solar industry, this conversation offers the perspective of someone who has spent a lifetime helping it grow.
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