# AMA: Fuel cells, geopolitics, and the solar growth curve

- Show: [Catalyst](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst)
- Published: 2026-09-17
- Length: 23m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-09-17-ama-fuel-cells-geopolitics-and-the-solar-growth-curve

## Summary

Shayle Kann, host of Catalyst and investor at Energy Impact Partners, discusses the surprising bipartisan backlash to data center growth, noting that local community opposition has moved faster than expected. He highlights Bloom Energy's success in securing large orders for fuel cells due to favorable permitting and operational data, while arguing that U.S. solar capacity will continue to grow despite tariff challenges. Kann also predicts that massive grid capacity additions are imminent, driven by multi-year regulatory cycles that are finally accelerating.

## Chapters

- [2:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-09-17-ama-fuel-cells-geopolitics-and-the-solar-growth-curve#t=147) Introduction and Data Center Backlash
- [5:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-09-17-ama-fuel-cells-geopolitics-and-the-solar-growth-curve#t=357) Iran War Impact on EVs and European Sovereignty
- [9:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-09-17-ama-fuel-cells-geopolitics-and-the-solar-growth-curve#t=550) Bloom Energy and Fuel Cell Growth
- [11:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-09-17-ama-fuel-cells-geopolitics-and-the-solar-growth-curve#t=671) Data Center Subsidies for Small Utilities
- [15:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-09-17-ama-fuel-cells-geopolitics-and-the-solar-growth-curve#t=958) Solar Capacity Forecast and C&I Solar
- [22:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-09-17-ama-fuel-cells-geopolitics-and-the-solar-growth-curve#t=1337) Grid Capacity and Utility Investment

## Topics

- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Energy Impact Partners (company)
- EnergyHub (company)
- Bloom Energy (company)
- Oracle (company)
- Anthropic (company)
- CN Woodmax (company)
- Brightfield (company)
- Voltus (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Renewable Energy Policy with Ari Gerstman](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-05-02-renewable-energy-policy-with-ari-gerstman) (The Amp Hour)
- [Like a steam engine in your house](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-04-15-like-a-steam-engine-in-your-house) (The Amp Hour)
- [142. Decarbonizing with Energy Modeling](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-10-03-142-decarbonizing-with-energy-modeling) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [Aligning Passion With Purpose: A Journey to Electrification and Sustainability](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2025-06-17-aligning-passion-with-purpose-a-journey-to-electrification-and-sustainability) (Moore's Lobby)
- [Managing Energy At The Edge: Navigating The Modern Grid With Itron](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2024-09-05-managing-energy-at-the-edge-navigating-the-modern-grid-with-itron) (Over the Air)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-09-17-ama-fuel-cells-geopolitics-and-the-solar-growth-curve. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Catalyst.