Watts Up Solar Podcast
Watts Up in Solar is your go-to weekly podcast for everything solar—from rooftop installs to remote troubleshooting and everything in between.
Hosted by Emmitt Muckles—solar trainer, consultant, and all-around energy expert—this show breaks down the tech, talks real-world solar issues, and helps you stay plugged into what matters most in solar energy.
Whether you’re a homeowner thinking about going solar or a solar pro looking to sharpen your skills, each episode delivers something for you:
- Plain-English breakdowns of solar tech, from inverters to batteries
- Real talk on home energy efficiency and utility bills
- Tips for avoiding solar scams and shady sales pitches
- Live field stories, installer insights, and industry interviews
- Weekly “Watt’s New” solar headlines and commentary
It’s solar knowledge for the real world. No fluff. Just facts.
Watts Up Solar Podcast
From East to Vienna to the USA: Lorrak Labbafi's Path in European Solar, Storage, O&M, and the Rise of VPPs
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Emmitt visit Vienna Austria and has a laid back socail conersation with Laarak Labbafi a PV engineer who jumped from physics to hands-on and technical support in solar, launching her career in Iran before moving to Austria. They unpack:
- How gender dynamics can shape early career experiences, and how to push through
- Iran’s solar story: sunshine abundance vs. sanctions, FiTs, and ROI whiplash
- Why Europe is all-in on batteries and self-consumption
- What O&M looks like from a distributor’s troubleshooting desk (Energy3000 + Huawei fleets)
- The U.S. grid squeeze, EV loads, and how Virtual Power Plants actually work
- Practical advice for women and newcomers entering PV, plus networking tips (NABCEP, Women in Solar)
- Lori’s next chapter: mastering ESS and bringing PV access to underserved regions and America
Links
- Watts Up Solar: https://www.solarenergyforconsumers.com
- S.E. Power Consulting: https://www.sepowerconsulting.com
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wattsuppod
- Orgs: NABCEP, Women in Solar
Chapter Marks (for players that support them)
00:00 Vienna intro
• 00:32 Why PV
• 02:28 Early career & barriers
• 06:24 Solar in Iran
• 07:55 Sanctions & ROI
• 10:01 Residential vs. utility
• 11:16 Batteries & self-consumption
• 12:58 Europe path
• 16:12 Energy3000/Huawei O&M
• 20:18 ESS goals
• 22:14 VPP explained
• 24:15 Career advice
• 25:44 California move
• 29:35 Networking
Call to Action
Subscribe, leave a rating, and share this episode with someone considering a PV career or an ESS upgrade at home.
Episode Keywords
NABCEP, solar, photovoltaics, energy storage, ESS, VPP, O&M, Austria, Iran, women in solar, NEM 3.0, Huawei, Energy3000, virtual power plant, career advice, troubleshooting
Our Sponsor for this Episode is S.E. Power Consulting
S. E. Power Consulting offers Fractional Training Leadership—meaning you get expert-level training support when you need it, without the cost of a full-time hire.
Whether you’re scaling up or just getting organized, we help you train smarter, not harder.
Visit SEPowerConsulting.com to learn more.
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