435: American Clean Power, w/CEO Heather Zichal

Some of you will recall, Nico was live-broadcasting from the CleanPower21 tradeshow in Salt Lake City back in December.  While he was there, Nico got the chance to sit down with Heather Zichal, the CEO of the organization that runs the CleanPower show and that has been shaking things up in Washington for you and me in a good way all last year.The three areas covered in today’s episode are:1. AWEA rebrand to ACP & 2022 Goals2. Messaging to the solar industry specifically, from Heather & ACP3. Acquisition of ESA Launched at the start of 2021, the American Clean Power Association is a new trade association unifying the wind, solar, storage and transmission companies that are driving jobs and investment in the U.S. economy and providing solutions to the climate crisis. Many of you will recognize is as “the AWEA rebrand” or something along those lines, but I believe it’s much more than a simple rebrand.From their website: The American Clean Power Association works to champion policies that will transform the U.S. power grid to a low-cost, reliable and renewable power system. By uniting the power of wind, solar, transmission and storage companies, along with manufacturers and construction companies, developers and owners/operators, utilities, financial firms and corporate purchasers, their goal is to make renewables the dominant energy source in the United States.And, as of July, American Clean Power Association (ACP) and the U.S. Energy Storage Association (ESA) agreed to merge their staff, programs, and members into ACP!Remember, you can always find the resources and learn more about today's guests and recommendations in the show notes at MySunCast.com. While you’re at it, be sure to subscribe to the show right there in your podcast player, pretty please! And, to hear more about Heather and ACPs thoughts on the ESA integration, specifically, we'd encourage you to read Julian Spector's insightful interview with Heather in December, which we link to it in the show notes on the blog (link above).Let’s get down to business, and to tune up your skills Solar Warrior with another practical tactical conversation here on SunCast.If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: