707: Arnold Leitner, part 1: The founder of YouSolar, more than off-grid living
Do you like my work because of my nearly unique background of a PhD in physics, having cofounded a couple companies, and having an MBA? You’re in luck with Arnold, who has done the same. We got our MBAs together at Columbia so inevitably met. He was working on his solar startup then, Skyfuel, which was making news, though I wasn’t working on sustainability yet the, still feeling like individual action wouldn’t matter yet.
We ran into each other and talked about his new company, YouSolar, comparing how much power, energy, and reliability he supplies his clients with my little portable battery and panels I have to carry to my roof.
In today’s conversation, after he shares his background, he shares YouSolar’s grand goal, which is to change the grid, not just provide solutions to some clients. He’s looking toward systemic change, filling in a power gap.