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About the Episode:
Have you ever considered the environmental impact of the non-solar components we deploy in the solar industry? It’s good that we generate clean energy, and even better that we quantify the embodied energy of things like the solar panels we use. But, it takes a relatively “dirty” and old-fashioned industry to actually deliver those solar modules - logistics. And, one of the lowest-common-denominator, least-thought-about products in the logistics toolkit is a century-old ‘technology’ made of wood…the pallet.
While essential for transporting solar panels (among millions of other products), these pallets contribute to significant waste (over 6,000 pounds of wood waste per megawatt); they also emit on average about 8kg of CO2 per unit! Millions of wooden pallets end up in landfills each year. Worse still, the breakage of solar panels during transport costs the industry billions. This overlooked issue impacts both profitability and sustainability, reducing the overall positive impact of the clean energy sector's green footprint.
During his 15 years in the solar industry, Philip Schwarz has witnessed the waste, costs, inefficiencies, and safety issues associated with using wooden pallets. Inspired by a napkin sketch from his original co-founder, Philip went all-in on the potential for reusable packaging in the solar industry. The resulting company, PVpallet, has grown to become the industry’s leading provider of reusable packaging solutions.
There are numerous lessons to be learned throughout this conversation:
The novel engineering behind their reusable pallet design
How PVpallet uses reverse logistics and recycled materials to improve customers’ ESG scores
Why product innovation is a costly endeavor, and how they almost lost it all
The underlying economics that make this product make sense (and why people are still resistant to change)
Queue up this innovator’s story if you’re looking for inspiration to help you build your dream. By the way, Philip has also built a great culture and is Always looking for good people. ;-)
Helpful RESOURCES:
Connect with Philip Schwarz:
Check out PVpallet:
Resources:
Episodes Referenced:
NOTEWORTHY QUOTEs:
“We’re literally throwing millions of pallets into landfills every single year and that problem is only growing with the industry.”
“Just do what you say you’re gonna do. Yeah. And that’s so simple. But it’s so poignant and so important.”
Thanks again to this week's sponsor, helping keep the podcast FREE to you!
Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is Chint Power Systems America!
CPS America is the #1 supplier of 3-phase string inverters for Commercial & Industrial and Utility-Scale projects with more than 8 gigawatts of inverters installed on 20,000+ sites around the nation!
We are grateful for our GOLD sponsor:
Speed up PV installations for lower LCOE with TrinaTracker and improve overall system value with optimized compatibility using Trina Solar’s industry-leading modules and the TrinaPro utility-scale or C&I Solutions. Please visit https://www.mysuncast.com/trina
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 15 minutes on Nico's calendar and discuss whether having him as Your personal coach might be the right next step.