What do Amish tech support, picking up girls at bars, and running illegal solar air conditioners have in common? They’re all part of Johnny Valentine’s wild journey into the solar business.
On this electrifying episode of North Georgia Business Radio, host Phil Benelli sits down with Johnny Valentine, founder and CEO of Gain Solar Services, for the most entertaining solar conversation you’ll ever hear—complete with spontaneous country songs and a business origin story that involves trying to impress women.
Johnny’s solar story starts in the 1990s, growing up in a passive solar house his hippie California dad built in Georgia. But the real turning point? “I was 25 years old thinking, ‘What’s the coolest thing I could say to a girl at a bar?'” Johnny admits. “‘I’m hanging solar panels, baby!’ That’s what got me into solar.” (And it worked—six kids with Lindsay later, he’s still going strong.)
But here’s where it gets fascinating: While everyone else in 2012 was doing basic grid-tied systems, Johnny spent seven years driving mountain back roads, installing off-grid battery systems, and calling the Amish for tech support. That’s right—Amish solar installers who’d been running battery-based systems for 30 years taught Johnny everything he knows. They’d email him invoices that came through as faxes, and he’d call them at the phone shack for advice.
Fast forward to today: lithium iron phosphate batteries have completely revolutionized what’s possible. Johnny explains why ground-mounted arrays beat rooftop systems, how battery storage changed everything, and why that 30% federal tax credit you’ve been hearing about is about to expire—making NOW the time to act.
From running his entire house (including three solar air conditioners) completely off-grid to helping North Georgia homeowners achieve energy independence, Johnny’s mission is clear: practical, honest solar solutions at rock-bottom prices, delivered with country flair.
“A solar man ain’t nothing hold him down,” Johnny sings during the show. “He’s like a rodeo.”
Ready to join the solar revolution? Visit gainsolarpower.com or call Johnny’s legendary voicemail (seriously, call just to hear it) at 770-843-3497. But don’t wait—the 30% tax credit is disappearing, and Johnny’s moving these panels faster than they can get them off the pallet.
Connect with Johnny and the Gain Solar Services Team:
Connect with Phil Bonelli:
https://www.facebook.com/Hopewell-Farms-GA-105614501707618/
https://www.instagram.com/hopewellfarmsga/
https://www.hopewellfarmsga.com/
Connect with Beau Henderson:
https://www.facebook.com/RichLifeAdvisors
https://www.facebook.com/NorthGARadioX
This Segment Is Brought To You By Our Amazing Sponsors
Hopewell Farms GA
Roundtable Advisors
RichLife Advisors
Cadence Bank
Highlights of the Show:
00:31 – 02:11
Phil sings “You Are My Sunshine” and introduces Johnny Valentine, setting the tone for a sunny, energetic episode.
02:11 – 04:59
Johnny shares his origin story, from growing up in a passive solar house to founding Gain Solar Services.
05:03 – 09:36
How an unexpected connection with Amish solar experts gave Johnny deep knowledge of off-grid battery systems.
10:00 – 13:36
Breakthroughs in lithium battery technology make solar storage efficient, affordable, and practical for modern homes.
13:53 – 16:24
Why Johnny prefers ground-mounted solar over rooftop installations — it’s safer, lasts longer, and easier to service.
16:24 – 18:39
Top motivators for customers: desire for energy independence, lower power bills, and the cool factor.
24:07 – 26:05
The truth about “selling back” to the grid and why storing power in batteries saves you more in the long run.
31:26 – 32:24
Johnny’s PSA: don’t leave lithium batteries on chargers unattended — serious fire risk!
33:42 – 35:40
Why proper site evaluation matters — solar only works if you’ve got the right sunlight exposure.
35:40 – 39:25
The 30% federal solar tax credit ends this year — Johnny warns of a shakeup in the industry and urges action now.
