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.

Selling your solar company isn’t just about the numbers, and Lisa Hedrick makes that clear fast. In this episode, Hervé sits down with the M&A attorney to break down what actually drives a deal: seller motivations, market timing, legal prep, and yes—private equity. They also get into the stuff most people underestimate, like customer relationships, company culture, and how AI is starting to creep into the legal side of deals.

If you’re even thinking about an exit someday, this is the kind of conversation you want to hear early. Tune in!

Reeves Clippard from A&R Solar joins Hervé to talk about what it really takes to play the long game in solar. They get into strategy, shifting policies, and why companies that think beyond installs—into storage, microgrids, and long-term customer relationships—are the ones that last. If you’re navigating market swings and trying to build something durable, this episode hits on where the industry is headed and how to stay ahead of it.

Solar isn’t just hardware anymore...it’s software, data, and intelligence layered on top. In this episode, Hervé talks with Jayant Somani from Enphase about how digital tools are reshaping the installer workflow from sales to commissioning and beyond. They get into AI, home energy management, shifting utility pricing, and why virtual power plants could turn solar assets into long-term revenue streams. If you’re still thinking panels and inverters only, this conversation will expand your view fast.

Distributors don’t just move boxes, they shape markets. In this episode, Hervé sits down with Hamza Arshad from Greentech to talk about what’s really happening at the distribution level: product selection, installer feedback loops, supply chain issues, and why HVAC integration is becoming part of the solar conversation. They get into shifting consumer behavior, market trends, and how installers who stay close to their distributors tend to stay ahead of the curve. If you want to understand where the puck is moving—not just where it is—this one’s worth your time.

Marketing in solar isn’t what it was five years ago, and Brad Forbush has lived that shift firsthand. In this episode, Hervé sits down with the founder of Growth Pros (and former Shine Solar leader) to talk about how marketing evolved from basic lead gen to brand, content, and constant testing. They get into AI, audience building, adapting when the market turns, and why the installers who keep learning are the ones who keep winning. If you think marketing is just ads and funnels, this one might reset your playbook.