The Next Step to Adoption: Residential Renewable Energy Solutions with Vincent Ambrose | Friends of Build Magazine #81

Today Ted speaks with Vincent Ambrose, Chief Commercial Officer of FranklinWH, a research-driven company focused on next-generation residential energy management and storage solutions. Vincent shares what energy independence can look like, what it should cost, and how it works.

As a leading innovator in the renewable energy sector, FranklinWH is uniquely positioned to provide solutions across North America for homeowners and homebuilders looking to be more self-sufficient or off-grid. Today, Ted dives into the specifics surrounding this ever-evolving technology and helps break down what can often seem difficult to understand. 

TOPICS DISCUSSED

• [2:10] Born in California, headquartered in Canada
• [2:50] Do geography and climate play a big role in solar adoption?
• [4:40] What is the biggest challenge in the industry?
• [5:50] Should we go all renewable, or is there a balance?
• [8:05] Will a solar grid supply everything we need?
• [8:30] What’s stopping that from happening?
• [9:35] Energy intensive industries will have to transition
• [11:30] Consumer education is the biggest roadblock
• [12:30] How did Vincent get into the renewable industry?
• [15:15] Juggling a business so affected by policy and opinion
• [17:30] What a transition into renewable look like?
• [20:00] What are the questions homeowners should ask about having a battery backup to your house?
• [23:20] All about the technology
• [25:30] Battery replacement and disposal
• [29:05] The ins and outs of batteries on projects
• [33:00] What is the limiting factor for homeowners?
• [35:25] What’s the business model?
• [38:45] Cool projects
• [41:45] Energy independence from weather and climate
• [45:00] How to manage the smartest people in the industry
• [46:45] Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
• [48:00] Hybrid cars and early adoption

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Vincent Ambrose

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KEY QUOTES FROM EPISODE

• So the actual distance to the sun really doesn't come into play. It's actually the irradiance that the area receives on an annual basis is kind of how the industry works off of. And there are specific maps. So, for instance, Phoenix, which is way higher than the equator, right, is going to get way more sun than, let's say, Panama City, right? And that's more of a function of cloud cover and moisture in the air than it is, you know, anything else.
• There are some industries that are so energy intensive that solar wind and battery don't make sense as their own unit, but they can very easily create that energy that can be used. 
• Everybody resists change, right? That's kind of human nature. And we need to learn how to embrace change. For some reason, our industry has gotten a little bit more politicized, so that change seems to be a little bit more controversial. Nobody was screaming and yelling when we went from 2G to 3G, and 3G to 4G.