The Future of Solar with Tigo Energy on The Solar Maverick Podcast

Tigo Energy’s Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer, JD Dillon, joined Benoy Thanjan on The Solar Maverick Podcast for a wide-ranging discussion on the solar industry’s evolution, the role of software and service, and how Tigo is helping make solar simpler and more scalable.

The conversation took place at Intersolar North America in San Diego, where JD shared his insights on key trends, installer needs, and what’s next for residential and commercial solar. Highlights from the episode:

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Tigo’s Growth from Startup to Global Energy Company

Founded in 2007 in Silicon Valley, Tigo Energy started by solving shading issues with module-level power electronics (MLPE). Since then, the company has expanded into a full-suite energy solutions provider—offering MLPE, inverters, batteries, and the Energy Intelligence (EI) software platform. In 2023, Tigo became a publicly traded company.

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The Future Is Software and Service

JD emphasized the industry’s shift toward value-added software and services, as batteries become increasingly commoditized. Tigo’s Energy Intelligence platform helps installers and asset owners manage systems at the module level and optimize performance across fleets.

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Solar Should Be as Simple as HVAC

With only 3.4% of U.S. single-family homes using solar, JD stressed the need for simplicity. From plug-and-play systems to installer tools like checklists and unboxing videos, Tigo focuses on making solar easier to install and maintain.

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Repowering: A Hidden Opportunity

Many of Tigo’s top U.S. installers are now focused on repowering older systems—upgrading inverters and adding optimizers. Tigo’s MLPE can boost production by an average of 5.5% by addressing degradation, soiling, and shading.

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"Solar Isn’t Red or Blue"

Whether it’s California's NEM 3.0 or Texas’s booming solar market, JD noted that motivations for going solar span across political lines. The momentum is being driven by practical benefits—energy independence, resilience, and cost savings.

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Tigo's Commitment to Installer Success

Tigo supports customers across seven continents and provides gigawatt-hours of clean energy through:

• Green Glove Service – Design-to-installation premium support.
• Tigo Academy – Free online training available in multiple languages.
• Energy Intelligence – Real-time performance insights and fleet-wide system management.

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Listen to the full podcast episode to hear more about lessons from the semiconductor industry and how Tigo is driving quality and innovation in solar.