TEDDY Talks is now on Spotify – Catch this next Episode with Nico Johnson

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Listen to past episodes and stay tuned as new releases roll out on Spotify.

EPISODE 5 of TEDDY Talks live from RE+ 2025, Teddy sits down with Nico Johnson, founder and host of Suncast, to talk about his journey from climbing rooftops and installing solar to becoming one of the industry’s most influential voices.

Nico shares lessons from 850+ podcast episodes, insights on the power of community, and why he believes we’re in the middle of a blue-collar revolution in solar.

Be sure to subscribe on youtube or spotify so you don’t miss more real conversations live from RE+ 2025!

Don’t miss these conversations and more from TEDDY Talks live at RE+ 2025. Hit Subscribe and stay tuned for upcoming episodes on YouTube!

Listen to past episodes and stay tuned as new releases roll out on Spotify

 

PARTNER SUCCESS STORY: Forest Preserve: Net Zero Facility

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Hardt Electric Helps Deliver a Net-Zero Future for Illinois Forest Preserve Using APsystems Microinverters

The Forest Preserve District’s largest site—spanning nearly 3,000 acres of protected land, trails, winter recreation areas, fishing ponds, and habitat for 24 threatened and endangered species—is now home to a state-of-the-art net-zero maintenance facility powered by APsystems technology.

As part of a comprehensive transformation plan launched in 2021, the District set out to build a new 9,800-square-foot facility that could operate entirely on clean energy. Meeting these ambitious goals required an experienced contractor capable of navigating both the technical demands of net-zero construction and the environmental protection standards of this sensitive site—including a nationally designated 70-acre bog.

Hardt Electric, a Chicago-based electrical contractor with over fifty years of service and more than two decades of renewable-energy expertise, led the design and construction of the solar system. The team engineered a 40 kW grid-interactive photovoltaic array designed to generate 100% of the building’s annual energy needs—and it’s already outperforming expectations.

Tight site constraints required the solar array to be installed within a restricted footprint and at closer-than-normal racking distances. By selecting APsystems microinverter technology, Hardt Electric ensured the system would continue to deliver maximum production even with intermittent shading and limited spacing. The microinverters’ ability to operate efficiently in higher-temperature environments with greater system reliability, their four-module input design, real-time monitoring capabilities and the safety features of the technology were key advantages in meeting the project’s performance goals.

“APsystems played a strategic role in maximizing the system’s output,” said Peter Hardt, President of Hardt Electric, in a recent discussion onsite with Teddy Hodges of TEDDY Talks. “With the environmental limitations we had to work within, microinverters gave us the flexibility, efficiency, and reliability this project demanded.”

The result:
A fully net-zero facility powered by a solar array that is already producing more energy than modeled—delivering long-term operational savings and a smaller carbon footprint for the Forest Preserve District.

This project reflects the growing trend of municipalities and public agencies turning to advanced solar technologies to meet sustainability commitments while protecting critical natural habitats. APsystems is proud to support Hardt Electric and the Forest Preserve District in realizing a cleaner, more resilient future for the community.

PARTNER SUCCESS STORY: Cut Costs, Boost Reliability – Swiftwater Talks APsystems

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Swiftwater Electric and Solar has been serving customers since 2005 as a trusted electrical contractor in the San Juan Islands. Recently, they’ve expanded their services to include solar, batteries, and generators, offering high-quality installations tailored to each customer’s unique energy needs. “We work closely with our customers to design and install solar systems that are efficient, reliable, and cost-effective,” says owner David Nicol. Their passion for solar energy drives their commitment to making clean energy accessible to everyone, helping build a sustainable future for the community.

David Nicol shared why Swiftwater Electric and Solar chose APsystems microinverters for their solar projects. “They have a sub-1% unit failure rate, which is great,” he says, highlighting APsystems’ reliability. The 2:1 architecture “means we have half the equipment on the roof — and half the opportunity for anything to fail,” providing peace of mind for both installers and homeowners.

Cost savings are another major benefit: “Now an inverter system is less than a solar panel on a per-watt basis — that saves us money and saves our customers money,” Nicol explains. Combined with APsystems’ extended warranty, the switch has been seamless: “I have fully switched over to APS and so far it’s been a great experience for us.”

As early adopters in their market, Swiftwater Electric and Solar has also set a trend among other installers. “More than three-quarters of the time, when we compete with another installer, they’re also quoting APS — that makes me feel better about my choice,” Nicol notes. With APsystems, Swiftwater Electric and Solar has found a solution that is reliable, cost-effective, and widely trusted — a perfect match for their commitment to delivering high-quality, customer-focused solar solutions.

TEDDY Talks: Powering Recovery and Empowering Lives

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TEDDY Talks is back for Part 2 in Reno, Nevada — where solar power is helping drive recovery and resilience.

Join Teddy as he walks through the finished carport arrays powering the Marvel Way Complex, an affordable sober-living community supported by APsystems QT2 microinverter technology.

Another example of how smart solar solutions empower lives and strengthen communities.

Learn more about this project here.

 

From Cliff Faces to Customer Trust: Stories of Growth on TEDDY Talks Live from RE+

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We’re back with two new episodes of TEDDY Talks, recorded live from RE+ 2025 and powered by APsystems. Join host Teddy Hodges as he connects with some of the most passionate voices in the solar industry—sharing insights, stories, and the innovation driving renewable energy forward.

EPISODE 3: Teddy sits down with Travis Stull and Dallin Spriggs from Zion Solar, a fast-growing EPC from St. George, Utah. Hear how a friendship turned into a thriving business built on quality installs, employee growth, and APsystems technology powering a more reliable energy future.

 

EPISODE 4: Teddy talks with Josh Levinson, VP of Sales at APsystems, about his 17-year renewable energy journey—from teaching science to leading global sales. Josh shares insights on “educative sales,” lowering energy costs, and innovations like the EZ1 plug-and-play solution.

Team Spotlight: Meet Jeff Blick

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Team Spotlight: Episode Nine Meet Jeff Blick, Technical Sales Specialist and West Coast Business Development Manager

For Jeff Blick, nearly two decades in solar have given him a front-row seat to the industry’s evolution. Since joining APsystems in early 2024, Jeff has brought a wealth of experience, energy, and yes, strong opinions about what makes truly great fried chicken.

In Part 2 of our spotlight (below) he shares what makes APsystems such a great place to grow — from collaboration across teams to constant innovation and improvement. Jeff’s advice to installers? Take the time to learn the technology, lean on your resources, and you’ll set yourself up for success.

Watch Part 1 of Jeff’s story and find our what makes for truly great fried chicken.

Real APtalk: Solar & Storage Simplified

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In this episode of Real APtalk, APsystems’ Jeff Blick takes us inside a complete solar + storage setup in Washington state.From 15 solar panels with DS3 microinverters to the APstorage ELS 11.4k PCS (battery inverter) and 10kWh battery, Jeff walks through how everything connects — and how installers can scale up to 16 batteries for even greater power availability.

World’s Largest Microinverter-Powered Solar Project – 6,442 APsystems Microinverters!

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Located at the Nanjing International Expo Center in China, this landmark 25MW solar project spans over 150,000 square meters. It features 6,442 APsystems QT2D microinverters and more than 40,000 high-efficiency photovoltaic modules. The system is expected to generate approximately 24.8 million kWh annually, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 25,000 tons each year—the equivalent of planting 900,000 trees. This project sets a global benchmark for clean energy, showcasing the power of microinverter technology in driving sustainable, low-carbon development.

From Lemonade Stands to Vertical Solar Walls

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From Lemonade Stands to Vertical Solar Walls: TEDDY Talks live at RE+ with Infinity Solar & Arch Solar

EPISODE 1: The debut episode of TEDDY Talks live from RE+ 2025 is here. Teddy Hodges sits down with Matt Lay from Infinity Solar to dive into what it takes to stand out in the solar industry—from wrapped vans and neighborhood marketing (yes, even a lemonade stand) to adopting APsystems’ microinverter and storage solutions for efficiency, safety, and long-term success.

EPISODE 2: In this second episode of TEDDY Talks live from RE+, Teddy sits down with Andrew Holmstrom of Arch Solar to explore how a Wisconsin-based company is making a national impact in solar — from award-winning projects to bold innovations like vertical solar walls and partnerships with the Milwaukee Bucks.

 

Real APtalk: Any Roof, Any Array: Ready Solar + APsystems

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We’re back with part two of our Real APtalk with Ready Solar.

Owner and founder Sukhpaul Parmar shares how APsystems helps his team take on any job — from shaded roofs to solar pergolas. With APsmart safety features and dependable microinverters, Ready Solar installs with confidence and keeps projects running smoothly.

Any roof. Any array. Any challenge.

Catch the first episode here.