Brenda Byers, VP of Design Management at McCarthy, joins the Sounds of Solar podcast to share her journey from aerospace engineering to becoming a leader in renewable energy. She reflects on the industry’s growth, the evolving role of women in engineering, and the importance of mentorship and advocacy. Brenda discusses how project sizes have scaled dramatically, how her teams bridge design and construction, and how technology like drones is shaping the future of solar. With candid insights into leadership challenges, workplace culture, and balancing career demands, she offers practical advice for the next generation entering the “solar coaster.” This episode shines a light on resilience, innovation, and the people pushing clean energy forward.

Season 5 of Sounds of Solar kicks off with new voices and fresh perspectives! Host Chris Bruhn and returning co-host Prahalad Shivshankaran welcome two new panelists to the mic: Sheridan Henderson, civil engineer, and Walelign Kebede, power studies engineer. Together, the team dives into the latest shifts in renewable energy policy, the rise of battery storage, and why agility matters more than ever for engineers and developers. Along the way, the hosts share personal stories - from summer adventures and career inspirations to bold predictions about perovskites, hydrogen fuel cells, and the future grid. With humor, industry insight, and a clear passion for innovation, this season opener sets the stage for a dynamic year of conversations about how we build smarter, cleaner power.

In this season finale of Sounds of Solar, we sit down with EVS leadership for a wide-ranging conversation on the evolution of renewable energy and where the industry is heading. From EVS’s bold pivot into solar in 2014 to today’s battery boom, data center demands, and the rise of AI-driven engineering tools, this episode explores what it takes to lead through uncertainty. Hear insights on policy, investment trends, and how EVS is preparing to modernize the grid for a cleaner, smarter future.