Probably True Solar Stories
Probably True Solar Stories delves into the world of solar energy through a unique blend of fiction, urban legends, and real-world solar facts. Hosted and written by Tor "Solar Fred" Valenza, a solar pro since 2009 and a former Hollywood screen and television writer, this series aims to entertain and educate listeners about solar technology, its impact on our lives, and the people behind the solar industry. The podcast episodes are inspired by various genres, including "Solar Noir," action, comedy, fairy tales, and thrillers, showcasing the diverse ways solar energy is integrated into our pop culture and daily lives. Each episode not only tells fictional stories about solar tech, solar workers, and solar homeowners, but also includes a wealth of factual information about the solar industry. The podcast also weaves in contemporary solar-related issues, such as solar politics, permitting, policies, and supply chain issues, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the industry's challenges and advancements.
Episodes
On the next Probably True Solar Stories, we're going rogue for a midseason bonus episode! Instead of the strange and wonderful fictional solar stories that we usually tell, we're going to share some strange and wonderful REALLY True Solar Stories from actual solar workers and solar industry leaders.
There are around 279,000 solar industry workers today. And about 40,000 of those came to the RE+ conference in Anah...
On the next encore episode of Probably True Solar Stories, a semi-sweet retired teacher gets inspired by Greta Thunberg to advocate for solar energy. But when her neighbors make excuses for not getting a solar quote, she starts a radical social media campaign that almost gets her arrested by the local Sheriff.
True Solar Takeaways
On the next Probably True Solar Stories, we conclude "A Murder of Solar Crows." Four thieves have tried to strip two solar farms of their expensive copper wires, solar panels, and other equipment. But a brown tabby cat and her animal friends keep getting in their way. Will the gang finally beat her on their third and final job?
True Solar Takeaways
- Listen to Part 1 here: https://www.probablytruesolar.com/murd...
Four thieves break into three solar projects during long holiday weekends, trying to steal the solar panels, copper wire, and other equipment. But each time they try, a brown tabby cat stops them with deadly consequences.
True Solar Takeaways
- A line of crows on a tree limb or electrical wire is called "A murder of crows."
- Kelptovoltaics is the term for the act of stealing solar equipment from a solar project.
- T...
Bob is a winemaker who is having a mid-life crisis. Trying to pull it together, he converts the oldest part of his vineyard into a solar farm, adopts a lost dog, and tries to make great wine. But nothing goes as planned, so he decides to take a psychedelic trip that takes him on a solar magical mystery tour that sparks joy in everyone—especially the dog.
True Solar Takeaways
- Vineyards use a tremendous amount of energy f...
Rufus, a pet and mascot of a solar installer, is dognapped out of the installer's truck while on the job. A chase ensues, but we learn that the dog, the solar installer, and the dog napper aren't quite what they seem.
True Solar Takeaways
On the next Probably True Solar Stories, a feisty senior citizen is determined to haggle with a solar salesman to buy the solar system of her dreams. But her haggling plans fall through when an honest salesperson refuses to sell an installation at any price. Can they find the solar win-win?
True Solar Takeaways
- Not every home is a good fit for solar.
- The home may have too many trees or other obstacles that block the sun...
Once upon a time, there were honest and friendly dragons who heated the boilers for steam-powered electric turbines. But due to the high cost of dragon energy, the King decided that the dragons needed to be replaced, sparking a bloody dragon war that led to the invention of solar power.
True Solar Takeaways
- Fossil fuel-based generators work by burning fossil fuels, which boil water to high temperatures. The boiled, hig...
Gather around the fireplace, solar friends. Pull up a seat at the bar. On the next, Probably True Solar Stories, we're going to tell a solar fable. It's a fairytale. A hero's journey sort of thing. With a Texas accent. (Forgive me in advance.)
It's about a young, ambitious solar installer who seeks her fortune to be the most successful solar installer in all the land. And like many fables, our ambitiou...
On the next Probably True Solar Stories, we have a pigeon problem. When a new solar owner sees that a pigeon is unrelentingly shit-bombing her brand-new solar array, she calls in a critter pro to do the dirty work. But then she discovers that her pigeon also has a problem, and the solution becomes complicated...
Indeed, it's a probably true solar panel pigeon poo-poo problem that's probably more problematic than ...
Two teenagers are having a private moment in the hills above a utility substation when suddenly they happen upon a terrorist intent on bringing down their local grid. Will the teens escape and defeat the terrorist? Yes, but only with the help of modern-day cleantech resources...
True Solar Takeaways
- Terrorists have been attempting to disrupt the grid by firing rifle shots at the transformers of utility substations. Here...
There's a new superhero in town. His name is Solar Man, and he's here to help the world, but not in the way you might think. To defeat his arch-nemesis, Solar Man reluctantly decides to join the Ultra League of Super Defenders, a band of superheroes that are beyond the law. But will Solar Man be able to show his Super Solar strengths and pass the audition?
True Solar Takeaways
A solar installer thinks he hears a gunshot while performing a drone solar site survey. The shot--if it was a shot--came from the ranch house of his ex-fiancé. Can the solar installer’s drone footage solve the gunshot mystery? And even if it does, will anyone believe him?
True Solar Takeaways
- Drones are an increasingly common tool for inspecting and designing residential solar systems.
- A "POI" is an acronym for...
On the next Probably True Solar Stories, you’ll hear a new Probably True Solar Song that was inspired by the relentless climate action and advocacy of Greta Thunberg.
True Solar Takeaways
- We loved this song so much that we made a music video version. Check it out at: https://youtu.be/T69fNdXsS9g
- Listen to the original solar music pioneers and their real solar music written and sung by humans:
On the next Probably True Solar Stories, we return for our second Probably True Solar Song about a woman who decides to break up with her utility and fall in love with solar power.
True Solar Takeaways
- This solar breakup song was inspired by my friend, "Solar Rosana" Francescato's blog post.
- Solar can and does reduce utility bills, but your payback time and ROI will vary on many factors. With some utilit...
On the next Probably True Solar Stories, we introduce our music division: Probably True Solar Songs. You'll also learn about our new solar-themed dive bar, meet the band, and hear our first future hit solar song, "The Solar Coaster Life."
True Solar Takeaways
(The following is an encore episode from 2022, but all the info is still "probably true.")
On the next Probably True Solar Stories, we imagine how the AI and robots of the future could affect solar sales in the year 2040. On the surface, it seems great, but there's a bit of a twist at the end...
NOTE: This Probably True Solar Story does reference when two people fall in love, yada, yada, yada. So y...
On the next Probably True Solar Stories, a psychic predicts a sunny future for a struggling solar installer and the entire California solar industry. But when the installer doesn’t believe her, the psychic makes a bet that could cost him a free solar installation. Can the psychic really change the installer's future or the CPUC?
True Solar Takeaways
- Recent decisions by the California Public Utilities Commission hav...
On the next Probably True Solar Stories., we imagine what a fictional President Biden --a.k.a. "Dark Brandon"-- could have said at his 2024 State of the Union to bring more urgency about our global climate crisis and current solar and clean energy solutions.
True Solar Takeaways
Climate Crisis and the Urgency to Act
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has consistently reported the ur...
On the next Probably True Solar Stories, we revisit the story of how Winnie-the-Pooh went solar, but this time, with a certain Pooh character who wasn’t part of the public domain… until now.
True Solar Takeaways
- As Christopher Robin mentioned, you should always get at least three solar quotes before selecting a solar installer.
- The typical solar system consists of the solar panels, the inverter, and the racking.
- An inve...
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