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You can buy solar panels in many places around the world for around 10 cents-a-watt— so why are Americans still paying an average of about $3.70 for every watt installed?
In this candid and fiery live episode, Nico Johnson sits down with long-time clean energy champions Andrew Birch and Kerim Baran to unpack what’s really slowing down solar deployment in the U.S. The verdict? Bureaucracy, bad trade policy, and a lack of open-market access are dragging us down.
“Americans aren’t buying solar panels…they’re buying paperwork.” – Andrew “Birchy” Birch
From SolarApp to tariffs to balcony solar, this conversation delivers a clear-eyed exploration of clean energy economics and the tension between innovation and regulation. Birchy argues for smarter global trade to lower prices and create more jobs—not fewer. And Kerim asks the tough questions about sovereignty, security, and system-wide inefficiencies. We’ve got further reading down in the resources section, but first you’ll want to tune into this discussion to learn:
🔹 How smarter permitting could unlock a solar job boom in the U.S.
🔹 Why Australia achieves $1/Watt installs—and what’s holding the U.S. back
🔹 Why tariffs don’t protect jobs—they stall innovation
🔹 What Elon Musk could do to fix residential solar (no, seriously)
This is the solar debate we should be having. Buckle up, SolarWarriors, we’re in for yet another stomach-churning ride on the solarcoaster.
RESOURCES:
Connect with Andrew “Birchy” Birch:
Connect with Kerim Baran:
Connect with Nico Johnson:
Check out OpenSolar:
Check out SolarAcademy:
Check out SunCast Media:
“There’s 70% waste in the U.S. solar market—and most of it is just red tape.” - Kerim Baran
“This isn’t just about trade or tariffs—it’s about unlocking the full potential of solar deployment.” - Nico Johnson
Noteworthy Quotes:
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Nico Johnson
Entrepreneur & Podcaster
In my 20 year career, I've worked with dozens of entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs and professionals in transition to clarify their mission, set or stretch their goals, and work through the barriers to their growth.
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