- Welcome to Independent Lens .
I'm Pete Schwaba, host of PBS Wisconsin's Director's Cut .
Tonight, we look at the challenges
that environmentally-conscious businesses face
in the documentary Jonathan Scott's Power Trip .
Jonathan Scott and his twin brother Drew
co-host HGTV's wildly successful show Property Brothers .
The Scott brothers also have a growing retail business
selling homegoods and housewares.
So what do you do next to continue to build your brand?
Jonathan decided to venture into uncharted waters
and make a documentary showcasing the economic benefits
of solar energy, and the at times adversarial relationship
evironmentalists face from fossil fuel companies.
This is Scott's feature-length directorial debut.
His inspiration for the project came about five years ago
when he installed solar panels on his Las Vegas home,
only to have the state of Nevada do away with reimbursements,
leaving Scott to believe that solar energy was being supressed
by the fossil fuel industry.
Scott strongly believes
alternative fuels are good for the economy
and innovation is being stifled to protect profits.
In addition to director, Scott plays investigator
as he confronts those
who he feels are at the root of the problem.
Scott and co-director Edward Osei-Gyimah want this film
to compel viewers to take action
to make solar energy a global reality.
The goal is to achieve what they call
"Energy Freedom for Everyone,"
believing that people should have a choice
in how they power their lives.
Jonathan Scott's Power Trip starts now on PBS Wisconsin,
your home for independent film.