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About the Episode:
Steven Zhu, President of Trina Solar's US division, is recognized as a pioneer in the solar industry. His pivotal role in Trina Solar's 20+ year growth is highlighted through anecdote & allegory in this wide-ranging discussion with SunCast Host, Nico Johnson. The discussion reveals Steven's personal journey from childhood in China to leadership roles shaped by experiences in US academia and at technology behemoth IBM. Covering his career trajectory, Steven reflects on how he came to work at Trina Solar, his foray over to competitor GCL, and eventually returning to Trina to lead the US build out. Under Steven's stewardship, Trina Solar has solidified its position as a top global solar manufacturer. His strategic insights underscore the importance of technology improvements and supply chain efficiencies for achieving grid parity without long-term incentives. Steven recognizes as well the need for balancing ambition with conservative execution, one of the keys, he says, to Trina’s durability in an otherwise volatile and difficult marketplace. Today’s discussion offers a rare glimpse into the strategic mindset of this solar industry giant’s leadership circle and brings into focus Trina Solar's core principles of localization, flexibility, and customer-centricity.
Key Takeaways:
Risk-taking: Founder & Chairman, Jifan Gao, sent a young Steven Zhu into uncharted territory very early in the solar industry’s buildout. Steven recounts being one of the only solar companies visiting the silicon industry’s primary annual conference in San Francisco, and the rapid transformation of that conference toward this “new” industry known as solar.
Expansion Strategy: Localization, customer centricity, and flexibility are central to Trina Solar's strategy for global and U.S. expansion. Zhu underscores the need to balance ambition with prudence and to enter markets with decade-plus visions.
China’s ambition: Achieving the lowest possible system costs, and thus a proliferation of solar technology globally, would not have been possible, argues Zhu, without the commitment of the Chinese government to drive rapid adoption domestically and to support the industry R&D. It is hard to argue against China’s role in driving the cost curve down to a point where solar could reach grid parity and scale.
NOTEWORTHY QUOTE:
“Simply by reducing labor costs or material costs, you cannot lower the cost that much, you have to increase your efficiency, you have to increase your productivities you have to increase your technology, improve your technology, in order to reach a lower cost”
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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.