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About the Episode:
It only took me 8 years and 699 episodes to finally land today’s guest! But the wait was WELL worth it. You’re in for a treat. And it was recorded in-person at Strata’s HQ, so you might enjoy some of the extra footage included in the YT video version of this episode.
Markus Wilhelm founded Strata Clean Energy in 2009, but readily admits that he didn’t have the right initial vision for the company. In fact, it wasn’t till the THIRD pivot that he says they really found their groove. By any measure, Strata has now become an undeniable success-story in the world of Solar Energy Development and Construction. Over the course of 15 years, Strata has grown from a small residential installer to a globally-recognized utility-scale developer, owner, and operator of clean energy assets.
Yet, few have been able to get access to the man behind the curtain and unpack what makes him tick and how Wilhelm's background as a former media executive uniquely prepared him to grow the company to this level. One of the most interesting things for me, having done now 700 of these, is that when Markus and his wife began this venture, it was supposed to be something to pass the time…in his RETIREMENT! 15 years later, he’s still going strong, and Strata is more relevant and impressive than ever.
Filmed at Strata's Durham NC HQ, this episode finds Wilhelm reflecting on the company's evolution—from pioneering the North Carolina solar market to building multi-billion dollar solar and battery storage projects.
Expect to learn:
Strata’s three strategy changes that led them to become the company they are today.
How building a vertically integrated business model can enhance your project quality.
How Markus’s background as a media executive prepared him to grow an energy company
How Strata plans to stay flexible amid inconsistent government policies and administration changes
This is a rare opportunity to hear how an industry titan built a solar company from the ground up.
Oh, and listen closely, because we’re giving away a free gift to our listeners for helping us reach 700 episodes!
Helpful RESOURCES:
Connect with Markus Wilhelm:
Check out Strata Clean Energy:
Resources:
NOTEWORTHY QUOTE:
“But what attracted me to solar was that the paradigm shifts could be in my favor. I wanted to be on the receiving end of a paradigm shift, not the one defending an old paradigm.”
“I think energy prices will go up, if there’s more demand than supply and demand will not be just coming from the utilities alone, if the utilities are not able to keep up with the demand, there will be solutions created probably behind the meter.”
Thanks again to this week's sponsor, helping keep the podcast FREE to you!
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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.