FEOC compliance is the number one question solar buyers ask in 2026, and the answer determines which module manufacturers survive. In this episode, Tim Montague talks with Chris Lettman of Imperial Star, Benoy Thanjan of Reneu Energy, and the host of the Solar Maverick podcast, and Dean Solon of Create Energy at InterSolar San Diego 2026.

This conversation covers FEOC compliance strategies, the ITC phase-out timeline, battery storage market expansion, and what solar professionals need to prepare for right now.

Here's what you'll learn in this conversation:
Find out how Imperial Star offers "domestic light" module configurations that let developers hit their required domestic content percentage without overpaying for content they don't need.

Learn why some module manufacturers will disappear this year as FEOC compliance separates companies with verified supply chains from those without.

Understand what the ITC phase-out by 2028 means for project economics and why Dean Solon says the industry needs to "break free of that pacifier."

You'll hear why Dean Solon built Create as an open-architecture system where project owners control their own data without recurring software fees.

Learn how battery storage is expanding beyond California and Texas into Illinois, New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. Benoy Thanjan notes that residential customers in Florida are now buying storage for peace of mind during blackouts, not purely for economic payback.

The FEOC compliance deadline that took effect in January 2026 is reshaping the entire solar supply chain. With the ITC phasing out by 2028 and battery storage markets expanding into new states every year, solar professionals need to understand their module sourcing options, domestic content configurations, and post-incentive business models right now. This episode gives you the practical knowledge to make those decisions. Drop a comment below with your questions about FEOC compliance or domestic content strategy.

Connect with the Guest
Chris Lettman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrislettman/
Benoy Thanjan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bthanjan/
Deon Solon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-solon-b8876649/
Imperial Star: https://www.imperialstar.com/
Reneu Energy: https://www.reneuenergy.com/
Create Energy: https://www.create.energy/

Check out my new book: Wired for Sun: The Commercial Solar Playbook on Amazon https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/book
Growing into large commercial-industrial solar? Book a free consultation with Tim Montague to grow your solar business today!
https://calendly.com/tim-montague/coaching_consulting

Clean Power Hour logo wear now available on demand: https://cleanpowerhour.merchyme.com/

Sponsor the show: If you make solar equipment, tools or software, you can reach thousands of energy professionals each week including decision makers, engineers, EPCs, installers, developers and asset owners.
https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/p/media-kit/

📘 Wired for Sun is now available!

A practical playbook for commercial solar professionals who want to sell smarter and lead the clean energy transition.

🚀 Buy now on Amazon: https://cleanpowerhour.com/book

The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 10GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 350kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. CPS America has offices in California, New Jersey, and Texas. Learn more at https://www.chintpowersystems.com/

00:00 Introduction
04:26 FEOC COMPLIANCE
09:07 BENOY ON FEOC + STORAGE
10:48 The Post-ITC World
12:22 The Gold Rush Nobody Wants to Acknowledge
14:56 The Storage Market
19:25 The Residential to C&I Pivot
21:56 What is CREATE ENERGY
29:53 Understanding RENEU ENERGY
33:30 Conclusion