From racing solar cars to running a renewable energy conglomerate, Ismaël Ben-Al-Lal has seen every phase of this industry up close. In this episode, he calls out what’s changed (and what hasn’t): how customers actually buy today, why pricing strategy matters more than ever, and where tech is quietly reshaping energy businesses. They also get into the real stuff—culture, leadership, and what goes wrong (or right) during M&A.

If you’re trying to build something that lasts in solar, this one hits different!

Andy McCarthy went from building a solar company in his garage to successfully exiting and he shares the real story behind that journey. In this episode, he breaks down the Australian solar market, the policy headwinds installers have to navigate, and what it actually takes to build something worth selling. It’s a grounded look at growth, grit, and where renewable energy is heading next.

Nathan Charles from Enphase joins Hervé to unpack the next phase of solar: where hardware innovation, software intelligence, and system integration converge. They discuss how customer feedback is directly shaping product development, from the IQ9 platform to the shift from silicon to GaN, and what that means for performance, efficiency, and scalability. The conversation also explores the growing role of EV charging, battery storage, and AI-driven energy management, alongside emerging codes and installation innovations like meter collars that reduce friction in deployment. For solar leaders, this is a strategic look at how evolving technology will redefine system design, installer workflows, and long-term customer value.