Probably True Solar Stories
Probably True Solar Stories delves into the world of solar energy through a unique blend of fiction, urban legends, and real-world solar facts. Hosted and written by Tor "Solar Fred" Valenza, a solar pro since 2009 and a former Hollywood screen and television writer, this series aims to entertain and educate listeners about solar technology, its impact on our lives, and the people behind the solar industry.
The podcast episodes are inspired by various genres, including "Solar Noir," action, comedy, fairy tales, and thrillers, showcasing the diverse ways solar energy is integrated into our pop culture and daily lives. Each episode not only tells fictional stories about solar tech, solar workers, and solar homeowners, but also includes a wealth of factual information about the solar industry.
The podcast also weaves in contemporary solar-related issues, such as solar politics, permitting, policies, and supply chain issues, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the industry's challenges and advancements.
Episodes
57 episodes
Bonus Episode:REALLY True Solar Stories -- Live From RE+ 2024!
On the next Probably True Solar Stories, we're going rogue for a midseason bonus episode! Instead of the strange and wonderful fictional solar stories that we usually tell, we're going to share some strange and wonderful REALL...
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Season 3
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Episode 27
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48:15
The Naked Solar Lady (Encore)
On the next encore episode of Probably True Solar Stories, a semi-sweet retired teacher gets inspired by Greta Thunberg to advocate for solar energy. But when her neighbors make excuses for not getting a solar quote, she starts a radical ...
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Season 3
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Episode 25
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16:17
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A Murder of Solar Crows (Part 2)
On the next Probably True Solar Stories, we conclude "A Murder of Solar Crows." Four thieves have tried to strip two solar farms of their expensive copper wires, solar panels, and other equipment. But a brown tabby cat and her animal frie...
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Season 3
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Episode 24
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19:43
A Murder of Solar Crows (Part 1)
Four thieves break into three solar projects during long holiday weekends, trying to steal the solar panels, copper wire, and other equipment. But each time they try, a brown tabby cat stops them with deadly consequences. True Solar ...
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Season 3
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Episode 23
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21:31
Bob, the Dog, and the Solar Vineyard (Encore)
Bob is a winemaker who is having a mid-life crisis. Trying to pull it together, he converts the oldest part of his vineyard into a solar farm, adopts a lost dog, and tries to make great wine. But nothing goes as planned, so he decides to take a...
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Season 3
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Episode 22
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30:00
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Rufus the Solar Guard Dog (Encore)
Rufus, a pet and mascot of a solar installer, is dognapped out of the installer's truck while on the job. A chase ensues, but we learn that the dog, the solar installer, and the dog napper aren't quite what they seem.True Solar...
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Season 3
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Episode 21
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15:32
I'm Sorry, Ma'am, But You Can't Go Solar (Encore)
On the next Probably True Solar Stories, a feisty senior citizen is determined to haggle with a solar salesman to buy the solar system of her dreams. But her haggling plans fall through when an honest salesperson refuses to sell an installation...
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Season 3
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Episode 20
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14:13
The Red Knight and the Dawn of the Solar Dragon (Encore)
Once upon a time, there were honest and friendly dragons who heated the boilers for steam-powered electric turbines. But due to the high cost of dragon energy, the King decided that the dragons needed to be replaced, sparking a bloody dragon wa...
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Season 3
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Episode 19
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57:47
The Solar Way: A Fable (Encore)
Gather around the fireplace, solar friends. Pull up a seat at the bar. On the next, Probably True Solar Stories, we're going to tell a solar fable. It's a fairytale. A hero's journey sort of thing. With a Texas accent. (Forgive me in advance.)<...
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Season 3
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Episode 18
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17:56
We Have a Pigeon Problem (Encore)
On the next Probably True Solar Stories, we have a pigeon problem. When a new solar owner sees that a pigeon is unrelentingly shit-bombing her brand-new solar array, she calls in a critter pro to do the dirty work. But then she discovers that h...
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Season 3
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Episode 17
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26:19
The Caveman, the Devil’s Tools, and the Grid (Encore)
Two teenagers are having a private moment in the hills above a utility substation when suddenly they happen upon a terrorist intent on bringing down their local grid. Will the teens escape and defeat the terrorist? Yes, but only with the help o...
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Season 3
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Episode 16
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25:18
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Why Solar Man Joined the Ultra League of Super Defenders (Encore)
There's a new superhero in town. His name is Solar Man, and he's here to help the world, but not in the way you might think. To defeat his arch-nemesis, Solar Man reluctantly decides to join the Ultra League of Super Defenders, a band of superh...
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Season 3
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Episode 15
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14:40
Murder by Solar Drone (Encore)
A solar installer thinks he hears a gunshot while performing a drone solar site survey. The shot--if it was a shot--came from the ranch house of his ex-fiancé. Can the solar installer’s drone footage solve the gunshot mystery? And even if it do...
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Season 3
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Episode 14
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27:54
Probably True Solar Songs: A Ballad for Greta T (Live-ish)
On the next Probably True Solar Stories, you’ll hear a new Probably True Solar Song that was inspired by the relentless climate action and advocacy of Greta Thunberg. True Solar TakeawaysWe loved this song so much tha...
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Season 3
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Episode 13
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6:49
Probably True Solar Songs: Bye Bye Utility Bill. Hello, Solar Thrill! (Live!... Kind of)
On the next Probably True Solar Stories, we return for our second Probably True Solar Song about a woman who decides to break up with her utility and fall in love with solar power. True Solar TakeawaysThis solar break...
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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7:26
Probably True Solar Songs: The Solar Coaster Life (Sort of Live)
On the next Probably True Solar Stories, we introduce our music division: Probably True Solar Songs. You'll also learn about our new solar-themed dive bar, meet the band, and hear our first future hit solar song, "The Solar Coaster Life." <...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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7:57
Good Afternoon, Dude. I'm Solar Sam, Your Solar Salesbot (Encore)
(The following is an encore episode from 2022, but all the info is still "probably true.")On the next Probably True Solar Stories, we imagine how the AI and robots of the future could affect solar sales in the year 2040. On the surface,...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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22:01
The Psychic, the Solar Installer, and the CPUC
On the next Probably True Solar Stories, a psychic predicts a sunny future for a struggling solar installer and the entire California solar industry. But when the installer doesn’t believe her, the psychic makes a bet that could cost him a free...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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20:48
Our Solar State of the Union: The Energy Deep State
On the next Probably True Solar Stories., we imagine what a fictional President Biden --a.k.a. "Dark Brandon"-- could have said at his 2024 State of the Union to bring more urgency about our global climate crisis and current solar and clean ene...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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18:31
How Winnie-the-Pooh Went Solar (with Tigger Too!)
On the next Probably True Solar Stories, we revisit the story of how Winnie-the-Pooh went solar, but this time, with a certain Pooh character who wasn’t part of the public domain… until now. True Solar Takeaways...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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19:52
Let's Get Married at RE+ in Vegas (Live from Las Vegas)
On the next Probably True Solar Stories, you’ll hear a live storytelling about two solar pros who decide to get married at a solar conference in Las Vegas. But when the wedding gets unexpectedly interrupted, the solar industry comes to the resc...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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19:20
The Solar Heist, or How I Got into the Solar Business, Part 11: Rewind
On the next Probably True Solar Stories, we conclude our limited series, "The Solar Heist, or How I Got Into the Solar Business." It's about two neighbors who unexpectedly form an odd friendship and work to uncover a solar energy crime syndicat...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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35:26
The Solar Heist, or How I Got into the Solar Business, Part 10: Timing
On the next Probably True Solar Stories, we continue with Part 10 of "The Solar Heist" series. Mrs. Prout returns to Mazz and Charlie’s house to give them a warning. But Mazz and Charlie are already in Chico. Despite her efforts, it’s just bad ...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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35:22
The Solar Heist, or How I Got into the Solar Business, Part 9: Chico
On the next Probably True Solar Stories, "The Solar Heist" series continues. Charlie goes to Chico, California to hunt for "CATs," --certain awful things--buried at a landfill that’s about to become a new solar farm. Meanwhile, Mazz tries to ca...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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27:42
The Solar Heist, or How I Got into the Solar Business, Part 8: Mrs. Prout
On the next Probably True Solar Stories, Sylvia Prout, the widow of Richard Prout, visits Mazz and Charlie looking for answers about her husband's apparent murder. After some intense questioning and bourbon Irish coffees, Sylvia asks Mazz and C...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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24:22
