Ever wondered how solar panels work? Or how the solar industry has grown over the years? Or how to ensure a quality solar installation? Get answers to all these questions and more in this episode of the Rise Up Podcast as Nick Hylla interviews Kris Schmid, founder and owner of Legacy Solar, LLC and MREA instructor. Get Connected: Rise Up Podcast: https://www.riseupmidwest.org The Energy Fair: https://www.theenergyfair.org The MREA: https://www.midwestrenew.org Email: [email protected] 0:00 Kris Schmid Introduction 1:38 The Energy Fair and starting in solar 3:07 How does solar work? 4:54 Changes in the solar market 8:46 Critical design considerations 10:46 Indicators of a quality installation 13:30 Customer solar considerations 15:39 Incentive paperwork, site assessments, and service upgrades 19:40 Batteries and solar technology advancements 25:42 Solar workforce 29:21 NABCEP certification 32:56 Closing thoughts ABOUT OUR GUEST: KRIS SCHMID Kris Schmid is the founder and owner of Legacy Solar, LLC, a solar energy company that has been designing and installing solar electric and solar thermal systems in northwestern Wisconsin since 2002. With a background in electrical engineering and software design he now shares his expertise by instructing PV classes for the MREA, including the Solar Training Academy, and is a NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional and a Licensed Master Electrician.