In the first episode back after our mid-season break, Torsten reconnects with Andrew Blakers, who he studied under at the Australian National University back in the nineties.

Andrew is a true trailblazer in renewable energy and a developer and fierce advocate for solar technology. This episode explores Andrew’s journey from a student of physics at UNSW to renewable energy visionary.

With a blend of both sunny optimism and biting realism, Andrew offers insights into the challenges and opportunities in the global renewable energy transition, including advocating for the adoption of pumped hydro energy storage, which he believes has vast potential. As he explains, “We are going to end up with a much more reliable energy system that’s also cheaper and has zero emissions.” His perspective sheds light on why a distributed clean energy network represents a "quiet revolution" of the energy system in countries like Australia.

Don’t miss this thought-provoking episode to hear Andrew’s hot takes on topics ranging from grid stability to the misconceptions surrounding hydrogen and nuclear power. PLUS In this week's Espresso segment, homegrown Australian renewable energy journalist and content creator Jonathan Gifford joins us with insights from the country's biggest renewable energy event: All Energy Australia 2024.

This week's episode of The Solar Journey takes us to sub-Saharan Africa with Ndiarka Mbodji, CEO and founder of Kowry Energy, as the company rolls out sustainable energy solutions across the continent.

Ndiarka's background in chemistry and business management, plus a 15 year tenure in the corporate world at Rolls-Royce, led her to excel in operational roles. But it was her deep connection to Senegal, and her goal of helping the people there gain economic sovereignty, that led to her career shift to renewable energy. She shares how her experiences of going back and forth between Europe and Africa sparked a realization about the vast disparity in energy access—and why the future of development in Africa lies in affordable, reliable power.

With Kowry Energy, Ndiarka envisions energy as the "new currency for economic development," linking Africa's prosperous past with its bright future. “The number one thing you need is energy,” she emphasizes, discussing her company’s mission to foster economic sovereignty for rural communities through reliable, scalable off-grid solutions.

Throughout the conversation, Ndiarka touches on the challenges and opportunities of running a startup in a market as complex as Africa, how her corporate experience shaped her approach to leadership, and the critical role of quality in delivering long-term impact. PLUS, in the Espresso segment Radovan Kopecek touches base to discuss the latest in manufacturing news from India and Europe, along with the IP disputes that are increasingly entangling TOPCon manufacturers.

This week Torsten sits down with one of the most influential voices in the solar research community, Martin Green, aka “the father of modern PV,” for a retrospective look at the early history and rapid progress of solar technology.

Martin’s groundbreaking work has shaped the industry as we know it, and his story is one of innovation and grasping opportunities as they arose. His early interest in microelectronics in Australia in the 1960s led to developing world-record-setting solar cells in the 80s. Humble despite these amazing achievements, Martin jokes, “One of my colleagues used to say I was famous in my own lunch box.” But with a ferry in Sydney Harbor set to be named after him, his impact is undeniable.

Martin details his pioneering work with what is now known as TOPCon and with PERC technology – both major breakthroughs in solar cell architecture. Although going against conventional wisdom and in a constant battle to secure funding, his team persevered. His thoughts on the naysayers? “We were told at the time we'd never make it into production. So, yeah, don't listen to the advice that you get given."

Looking ahead, Martin sees potential for even lower solar costs. "We might be looking at a future where solar is not just cheap, but insanely cheap." An icon in the field, his story is a must-listen for anyone curious about how solar became a leading solution in the fight against climate change. PLUS On the Espresso segment this week, Torsten touches base with another Aussie solar innovator, James Allston from Orkestra Technologies. James is currently in Europe, setting the stage for the expansion of his software startup, and he provides some key takeaways from the recent Solar & Storage Live event in the UK.