The Solar Journey Podcast

S209: "Mind the Gap" with Christian Langen & Tobias Schütt of Cleantech Bridge

In the penultimate episode of season two, we've got a double header for you! Torsten reconnects with returning guests Christian Langen and Tobias Schütt, co-founders of Cleantech Bridge, a startup bridging the gap between venture capital and infrastructure funding for the rollout of innovative clean technologies. With decades of combined experience in the solar and energy storage industries, Christian and Tobias are tackling one of the most pressing challenges in renewable energy: scaling successful startups when traditional funding sources fall short.

From their early days at Conergy to launching impactful ventures like DZ4, Christian and Tobias share insights into navigating the "first of a kind" financing problems that can derail even the most promising companies. They delve into why SPVs (Special Purpose Vehicles) are key for asset-heavy business models and how entrepreneurial investors, like family offices, can unlock opportunities where conventional investors hesitate.

A resounding endorsement of the potential of renewables and solar in particular, Christian declares, “Solar is the cheapest source, together with wind and storage – it's exploding.” Meanwhile, Tobias emphasizes, “The risk is that the success of solar is so high it jeopardizes future successes. And the solution for that is more storage.”

An engaging overview of the challenges and opportunities of financing cleantech at scale, this episode is packed with insightful explainers and pearls of wisdom from two seasoned industry players – who admit that even with 20 years of experience, they "are still at the beginning of this all."

PLUS On this week’s Espresso, Torsten continues to gather perspectives from the U.S., where solar manufacturing keeps growing. Martin Pochtaruk, founder and CEO of Canadian-American module maker Heliene, runs the numbers of what it costs to establish both PV cell and module manufacturing in North America and provides an update on efforts to set up a solar supply chain there.

S208: "TOPCon of the Class" with Oliver Schultz-Wittmann of Holosolis

This week on The Solar Journey, Torsten speaks with Oliver Schulz-Wittmann, CTO of Holosolis, a veteran of the solar technological development. With a career spanning innovative startups, major R&D projects, and important roles in solar manufacturing, Oliver has seen a lot!

From humble beginnings analyzing samples for radioactivity post-Chernobyl during his time in civil service, Oliver is currently leading plans to establish a 5 GW solar cell and module manufacturing facility in France. He shares insights into the challenges and opportunities in scaling European solar production and also dives into the evolving role of intellectual property in the solar industry, as well as why he believes nuclear energy cannot compete with the speed, cost, and scalability of renewables.

Drawing from his extensive experience in navigating technological development, market shifts, and startup environments, he reflects, "Just focus on the things you can do. And when you have something, if there's value in it, there will be a way to apply it, to use it. So don't get distracted from all the noise around you."

An inspiring listen for anyone interested in scaling businesses or driving change in renewable energy manufacturing – this conversation is brimming with thoughts on innovation, perseverance, and the future of clean energy in Europe and beyond.

PLUS on this week’s Espresso, Torsten touches base with a solar module maker that is trying to make it in America. Sirius PV is currently ramping a factory in Texas, and CEO Ercan Kalafat provides an update on the company’s progress.

S207: "Starting Up Solar" with Karolina Attspodina of WeDoSolar

This week on The Solar Journey, Torsten sits down with Karolina Attspodina, the dynamic CEO and co-founder of WeDoSolar. Karolina’s journey into the solar industry was informed by the desire to expand the boundaries of PV applications – giving apartment dwellers and renters the chance to benefit from the technology. 

Her company, WeDoSolar, specializes in smart balcony solar systems. And she has plenty of advice for clean technology entrepreneurs. 

As Karolina explains, "When you’re building a company, it's all about being fast, having the right team, and not being afraid to try new things." With her keen focus on simplifying tech for consumers, Karolina aims to transform urban solar adoption and redefine how we think about decentralized, accessible energy.

This week’s episode is packed with startup insights, helpful resources, and Karolina’s take on the power of mindset in business. We hope this episode inspires some listeners to start a climate tech business and begin their own solar journey!

PLUS in our Espresso segment – last week’s U.S. presidential election is still front of mind for many with questions abounding as to the impact a second Trump administration will have on solar, wind, and battery energy storage. Stephen Lacey, the co-founder of Latitude Media, joins Torsten to provide some insights into the complex picture.

S206: "Straight Shooter" with Andrew Blakers of ANU

In the first episode back after our mid-season break, Torsten reconnects with Andrew Blakers, who he studied under at the Australian National University back in the nineties.

Andrew is a true trailblazer in renewable energy and a developer and fierce advocate for solar technology. This episode explores Andrew’s journey from a student of physics at UNSW to renewable energy visionary.

With a blend of both sunny optimism and biting realism, Andrew offers insights into the challenges and opportunities in the global renewable energy transition, including advocating for the adoption of pumped hydro energy storage, which he believes has vast potential. As he explains, “We are going to end up with a much more reliable energy system that’s also cheaper and has zero emissions.” His perspective sheds light on why a distributed clean energy network represents a "quiet revolution" of the energy system in countries like Australia.

Don’t miss this thought-provoking episode to hear Andrew’s hot takes on topics ranging from grid stability to the misconceptions surrounding hydrogen and nuclear power.

PLUS In this week's Espresso segment, homegrown Australian renewable energy journalist and content creator Jonathan Gifford joins us with insights from the country's biggest renewable energy event: All Energy Australia 2024. 

S205: "Going Big, Offgrid" with Ndiarka Mbodji of Kowry Energy

This week's episode of The Solar Journey takes us to sub-Saharan Africa with Ndiarka Mbodji, CEO and founder of Kowry Energy, as the company rolls out sustainable energy solutions across the continent.

Ndiarka's background in chemistry and business management, plus a 15 year tenure in the corporate world at Rolls-Royce, led her to excel in operational roles. But it was her deep connection to Senegal, and her goal of helping the people there gain economic sovereignty, that led to her career shift to renewable energy. She shares how her experiences of going back and forth between Europe and Africa sparked a realization about the vast disparity in energy access—and why the future of development in Africa lies in affordable, reliable power.

With Kowry Energy, Ndiarka envisions energy as the "new currency for economic development," linking Africa's prosperous past with its bright future. “The number one thing you need is energy,” she emphasizes, discussing her company’s mission to foster economic sovereignty for rural communities through reliable, scalable off-grid solutions.

Throughout the conversation, Ndiarka touches on the challenges and opportunities of running a startup in a market as complex as Africa, how her corporate experience shaped her approach to leadership, and the critical role of quality in delivering long-term impact.

PLUS, in the Espresso segment Radovan Kopecek touches base to discuss the latest in manufacturing news from India and Europe, along with the IP disputes that are increasingly entangling TOPCon manufacturers.

S204: "PV Papa" with Martin Green of UNSW

This week Torsten sits down with one of the most influential voices in the solar research community, Martin Green, aka “the father of modern PV,” for a retrospective look at the early history and rapid progress of solar technology.

Martin’s groundbreaking work has shaped the industry as we know it, and his story is one of innovation and grasping opportunities as they arose. His early interest in microelectronics in Australia in the 1960s led to developing world-record-setting solar cells in the 80s. Humble despite these amazing achievements, Martin jokes, “One of my colleagues used to say I was famous in my own lunch box.” But with a ferry in Sydney Harbor set to be named after him, his impact is undeniable.

Martin details his pioneering work with what is now known as TOPCon and with PERC technology – both major breakthroughs in solar cell architecture. Although going against conventional wisdom and in a constant battle to secure funding, his team persevered. His thoughts on the naysayers? “We were told at the time we'd never make it into production. So, yeah, don't listen to the advice that you get given."

Looking ahead, Martin sees potential for even lower solar costs. "We might be looking at a future where solar is not just cheap, but insanely cheap." An icon in the field, his story is a must-listen for anyone curious about how solar became a leading solution in the fight against climate change.

PLUS On the Espresso segment this week, Torsten touches base with another Aussie solar innovator, James Allston from Orkestra Technologies. James is currently in Europe, setting the stage for the expansion of his software startup, and he provides some key takeaways from the recent Solar & Storage Live event in the UK.

S203: "Don't Call it a Comeback" with Gunter Erfurt

In a special extended episode of The Solar Journey, Torsten Brammer speaks with influential industry voice, Gunter Erfurt, former CEO of Meyer Burger Technology AG, in his first interview since parting ways with the European manufacturing giant.

From his beginnings as a student of physics to one of the most well-known faces in Europe's solar manufacturing segment, Gunter's solar journey has taken him to unexpected places. He opens up about Meyer Burger’s bold pivot to solar cell and module production, how policy delay and eventual inaction represents a missed opportunity for Europe, and his vision for the future of solar manufacturing (spoiler: he's still hopeful).

Despite his persistent optimism, he doesn’t shy away from discussing the tough lessons learned, how younger German solar companies opposed pro-manufacturing policies, and why China’s solar dominance represents a risk to global energy security.

Informed and insightful, Gunter does not take a backwards step in defending the strategic decision to transition Meyer Burger's business toward making modules. "I decided let's go for it, and I have never regretted it."

PLUS: On this week's Espresso, Torsten speaks with Ivona Kafedjiska, a PV research strategy and policy consultant with the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, on the sidelines of the EU PVSEC event. She shares some of her key takeaways from the leading European academic conference for clean technology and gives her view on why hopes for a revival of solar manufacturing on the continent may not be lost.

S202: "Data Decoded" with Jenny Chase of BloombergNEF

In our second episode of the season, Torsten is joined at The smarter E in Munich by trailblazing solar analyst Jenny Chase, who was the first member of the BloombergNEF solar analyst team. Jenny, who has spent over 17 years shaping solar market intelligence, shares her journey from studying physics at Cambridge University to leading one of the world’s top sources for solar data and analysis.

Jenny walks us through the early days of solar, back when the price of polysilicon was astronomical and when installing half a terawatt of PV in one year (as we are on track to do in 2024) would've been unthinkable. She reflects on how solar has evolved to become an essential driver of the global energy transition and discusses the many challenges of analyzing an ever-changing and rapidly evolving market.

An extremely engaging conversation, sprinkled with her signature wit and no-nonsense approach, Jenny speaks to the joys of building a team, the perils of management, and the importance of doing what you love (which may or may not include tending to a flock of multi-generational geese).

PLUS: On the Espresso segment, Sven Albersmeier-Braun reports from the new Solar & Storage Live Zürich event. Sven is from upstart Chinese power electronics and battery supplier Sigenergy, and he describes how the residential battery market in Switzerland is undergoing a transition, as fears of power shortages begin to fade.

S201: "California Dreamin'" with Howard Wenger of Nextracker

We're kicking off Season 2 of The Solar Journey with solar industry leader Howard Wenger, President of Nextracker!
In this episode, host Dr. Torsten Brammer dives deep into Howard's incredible 40-year journey, from waiting in gas lines during the 1970's oil crisis to leading one of the world's most innovative solar tracker companies. Howard shares how he fell in love with photovoltaics (spoiler: he may bleed silicon!) and never looked back. He walks us through the early days of solar, when costs were sky-high, and people thought he was chasing a pipe dream.
Fast forward to today, and Nextracker is celebrating 100 gigawatts of solar trackers shipped. Get a behind-the-scenes look at what drives Nextracker's success and hear Howard's insights on what it will take to push solar energy and clean tech to the next level.
PLUS: On the Espresso segment, Radovan Kopecek from ISC Konstanz joins us live from Anaheim, California – from the RE+ trade show and conference. He provides an update on solar manufacturing in the US and how intellectual property issues are creating challenges for prospective cell producers in the country. He also hints at an opportunity for non-Chinese cell makers that may present a profitable sales channel in the currently challenging market situation.

Episode #022 Christian Langen

In episode #022 of The Solar Journey, Dr. Torsten Brammer talks with Christian Langen Founder and Senior Advisor of Dynago. Christian has been active in leading solar businesses for about 20 years, from manufacturing wafers, cells, and modules with Sovello, building solar systems, and selling components with Conergy to selling inverters worldwide as Executive VP for SMA. For 10 years, he has been helping entrepreneurs and leaders in the industry as an independent advisor and board director. He is the chairman of Oxford PV, the Perovskite pioneer, and he helps entrepreneurs and investors buy and build businesses in the cleantech space. He calls himself a “free radical” and is a frequent contributor on LinkedIn and at industry events.

Connect with Chrisitan Langen on LinkedIn.

** Find this episode's transcript on The Solar Journey WEBSITE, on the BLOG page, under INTERVIEWS **