Series Overview

Solar energy has transformed from a niche technology into the leading source of new electricity generation, with global production skyrocketing from 238 MW in 2000 to 400 GW in 2023. This incredible journey is a testament to the power of scaling sustainable solutions. Join us as we dive into the stories and strategies behind this evolution, examining how policy innovations, technological breakthroughs, and financial advances drove a 90% reduction in solar costs and reshaped our energy future. 

The series will be led by Richard Kauffman, Chair of Generate Capital and the first New York State “Energy Czar” (former Chairman of Energy and Finance for New York). With his unique perspective from both public service and private sector leadership, Richard will share invaluable insights into the forces shaping the future of clean energy.

We are pleased to invite you to a special speaker series on solar energy, originally part of the Doerr School’s new “Scaling Sustainability Solutions” course. Due to great interest, we are now opening this series to the broader Stanford community, offering a unique opportunity to engage with globally renowned experts and visionaries in sustainable energy.

Series 3 features Lynn Jurich, Former CEO and Founder of Sunrun, and Andy Karsner, ​Managing Partner at Emerson Collective, Senior Strategist at X.