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Mohammed Abdalla envisions a future where embedded solar cells power the world. "We'll see solar cells in everything — from transportation and housing to building materials and agriculture for food and water," he said.
It's a bold prediction from an entrepreneur who transitioned to renewables after a disappointing early career experience as an employee at a leading oil and gas producer. But Mohammed doesn't shy from thinking about the impossible, and his strategy serves him well.
As the founder and CEO of Good Faith Energy near Dallas, he's transformed the eight-year-old company into one of Texas's fastest-growing residential solar installers. The company is the leading national installer for the SPAN smart electrical panel and the Tesla Solar Roof, a fully integrated solar and energy storage system.
By facilitating the development of solar projects and providing energy education, he and his team are making an impact in the quest for a greener future.
Mohammed's father died when he was nine, leaving his mother to rear five children. The middle child, he used his childhood challenges to cultivate the grit, determination and fire he needed to start his own business.
"Losing my dad was very transformational in my life. And it made me who I am," he explained. “It definitely influenced my thinking about the world and how important it was for me to give back.”
Although he was entrepreneurial in high school and college, he concedes he lost his way by the time he earned his bachelor's degree in energy management from the University of Tulsa. Rather than set out on his own, he took a job in the fossil fuels industry.
He was fired within two years for breaking company rules and possibly asking the wrong questions. "I don't follow policies very well," he recalled.
After unsuccessfully trying to reenter the same industry, he traveled the world searching for his next path. "I was lost," he said.
With his belongings in two backpacks, he wandered throughout South America, Europe, Africa and Asia for a year. One day, on a train in Germany, he saw countless rooftops covered in solar panels. The promise of the sun drew him to renewables and, in 2014, the launch of Good Faith Energy.
He credits his older sister — "his rock" — for believing in him and giving him the loan he needed to start the company.
"I think communication is key. I've been able to communicate with people and understand their concerns, their objections, their goals and what actions we need to take," he said.
Join us to learn how Mohammed capitalized on setbacks and failures to build a nationally recognized leader in distributed solar and storage and solar roofing. He considers his company "a movement and a lifestyle, a family and community." It's a profoundly personal and interesting story you'll enjoy hearing as much as I did.
NOTEWORTHY QUOTEs:
“I think when I stopped hiding from my past, I really embraced who I was, and kind of stepped into the shoes, and the purpose that I have to fulfill here on Earth.”
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ABOUT THE HOST OF SUNCAST:
Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, consistently rated a top solar podcast in the clean energy sector. The content of the show is geared towards listeners looking for insights on where the markets are headed, how to position themselves or their companies, and what today's market leaders do to stay ahead of the pack.
Nico is an Investor, Executive Coach, and 16-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.
You can connect with Nico Johnson on Twitter, LinkedIn or email.
If you’ve been second-guessing your work decisions or maybe trying to reconsider how you "fit" in the renewable energy industry -> grab 20 minutes on Nico's calendar and discuss whether having him as Your personal coach might be the right next step.