Send us a Text to Watts Up Solar Podcast!Emmitt sits down with Kate Collardson, a 20-year PV pro from Denver, to unpack life after OB3: layoffs, the “overqualified” trap, and the massive opportunity in orphaned residential systems. They dig into why U.S. residential solar still carries heavy soft costs (dealer fees, sales stacks), how VPPs beat peaker plants on speed, and where the next wave of jobs lives—project management, design, interconnection, tech support, and O&M. Plus: why parking-lot carports solve heat islands and energy at the same time, and straight talk for women entering solar.HighlightsOB3/IRA whiplash and hiring realityOrphaned-system O&M as a starter businessVPPs: fast response, real grid valueCarport PV > heat islandsSoft-cost bloat: how to trim the stackBreaking into solar today (training paths & local shops)Women in solar: confidence, competence, boundariesLinks & CTAsWatch the episode on YouTube: @wattsuppodConsumer education & webinars: solarenergyforconsumers.comFractional training & O&M consulting: sepowerconsulting.comFollow Emmitt on LinkedIn: Emmitt MucklesEpisode Tags / SEO Keywords Solar, Photovoltaics, Residential Solar, Virtual Power Plant, Energy Storage, O&M, Orphaned Systems, Women in Solar, Soft Costs, Dealer Fees, Interconnection, Project Management, Design, Carport Solar, Heat Island, Grid ServicesSuggested Buzzsprout Chapter Marks 00:00 Intro & why this conversation now 03:29 OB3 impacts & layoffs 10:57 Orphaned systems = service opportunity 15:04 Careers beyond the roof (PM, design, interconnection) 17:40 VPPs & fast grid response 21:26 Carports, cities, and heat islands 26:17 Why U.S. $/W is high 32:45 The 2026 reset 36:00 Breaking into solar today 37:59 Advice for women entering PV 40:30 Sign-off & next episode teaserOur 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. S.E. Power Consulting—Fractional training. Full-time results.

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