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Statistically speaking, the odds of success for a formerly troubled teen launching a renewable energy company in the heart of Australia’s coal country are dubious, at best.
But Andy McCarthy was determined "to make money without making the world a worse place in the process."
So he relied on his ADHD-driven ability to hyperfocus and a natural curiosity to transform a business he started in his garage into one of Australia's largest solar companies.
"Every time I hit a roadblock, I found the smartest person I knew and badgered them with question after question — including many dumb, embarrassingly poor questions. I should have known better. It should have been obvious.
"But I had no idea what I was doing. I had no ego and admitted I didn't know the first thing about solar. I just wanted to get involved. And I think humility helps when you're not afraid to admit what you don't know," he said.
In today's podcast, Andy tells SunCast Host Nico Johnson the incredible story of determination and resilience that led to the creation of RACV Solar.
He successfully built a business in the Australian state of Victoria while igniting his sense of purpose and transforming his life. Today, he uses his own story to inspire the younger generation in Victoria's Latrobe Valley, proving renewable energy can energize people along with homes.
And now, after what he describes as 13 incredible years building his business, he's taking a six-month break — stepping down as CEO and Managing Director of RACV to spend six months traveling Europe and the Middle East with his wife Kelly and their three young boys.
He plans to return to the workforce later in the year in a consulting capacity, supporting business and government initiatives to accelerate the energy transition while continuing efforts to develop emerging new energy leaders, "paying forward the support I have enjoyed in my career."
It's one heck of a story, so nuanced and impactful that you won't want to miss hearing it in its entirety.
It dates to 2010 when Andy and his wife founded Gippsland Solar. "It unsurprisingly was located in Gippsland and did solar, so it was a very appropriate name. We were pretty clever," he said.
They overlooked its proximity to the Latrobe Valley and its historical interconnection with brown coal, which releases even more emissions than black coal. "Coal has had a tremendously powerful social license here for 60 or 70 years, so information about the energy transition was not very well received in 2010," he said.
Nonetheless, they persisted. In 2013, they opened a showroom in the small town of Mirboo North, embracing a community of just 2,000 residents.
Gippsland Solar continued to grow, chalking up a list of groundbreaking achievements and a portfolio of record-breaking projects along Australia's eastern seaboard.
Beyond business success, Gippsland Solar earned community acceptance. Collaborating with government entities and local councils, it showcased a path forward through renewable energy and ecological stewardship.
Embracing diversity as a catalyst for innovation, Gippsland Solar fostered a workforce reflecting various countries, indigenous heritage, and backgrounds. Equal opportunity programs created an inclusive environment, embodying Andy's belief in the positive impact businesses can have on society.
The commitment extended beyond operations, with the Gippsland Solar Community Fund supporting important initiatives with over $1 million in sponsorships and in-kind donations. Those investments enriched the region, benefiting food banks, neighborhood houses, wildlife shelters, and drought relief efforts.
Andy revealed the personal toll of running a rapidly growing business, sharing a vulnerable moment of panic and exhaustion. It was a wake-up call to develop a more sustainable and resilient business model that could thrive without his constant involvement.
It put the company in a better position for an acquisition, which paid off in 2019. That's when RACV, an established organization with more than $5 billion in annual revenue, acquired Gippsland Solar to gain a foothold in the clean energy space.
"At the end of the day, acquisitions are all about bringing the people along on the journey," he said, emphasizing the significance of people in mergers and acquisitions and their role in the business's ultimate success.
Andy said connecting with people also helped him recruit former coal workers to the renewable energy space. While "a lot of skills are transferable," he said it's more about "identifying with people and just backing them in," empowering them to develop and contribute to the business.
Andy sprinkles humor, humility, and insights throughout the conversation and emphasizes the importance of storytelling and community engagement in gaining support for renewable energy. He refers to his ADHD diagnosis as a superpower, noting it strengthens his ability to harness his unique traits and capabilities.
Andy's story inspires young individuals facing difficulties and seeking a brighter future and leaves listeners with valuable advice on humility. He emphasizes recognizing what you don't know, seeking guidance, and continuously learning from others.
Join us to hear more about his entrepreneurial journey and what you can achieve through passion, perseverance, and a commitment to sustainability.
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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.