We spoke to Patrick Sherwin, CEO of GoSun. An entrepreneur and inventor, Patrick’s professional career is based on innovating clean technology including harnessing the potential of solar energy.
Can you share the story behind the founding of GoSun and what inspired you to focus on solar energy solutions?
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial streak, but my passion for the environment ignited as a kid. I organized a creek cleanup with friends, only to see an older teen dump used oil into it. Watching that oil destroy the ecosystem was heartbreaking and turned me into an environmentalist overnight.
In 1999, I channeled that passion into solar energy. I worked on renewable projects in Ohio, but by the early 2010s, I was disillusioned by the industry’s shift from passion to short term profit. That’s when I founded GoSun. We started with a solar oven and have since created innovative solar solutions to power our lives sustainably.
How has GoSun leveraged technological advancements to create its solar products?
At GoSun, we’re all about taking existing technologies and making them work in new and useful ways. For example, we turned the EVAC 2, which was originally just a water heater, into a USB-pump-powered oven that runs on a small solar panel or a nano-aluminum water purification sink and shower.
We’ve also figured out how to innovatively use flexible solar panels to power electric vehicles by putting them right on the cars. Our motto is: if you can imagine a solution, you can build it. We’re focused on making our devices as efficient as possible, cutting down on energy use, solar footprint, and battery size by using available solar lithium.
We also believe in listening to the crowd, and thus we are now offering our newest products, based on customer feedback.
What are some of the most significant technological innovations in solar energy that have emerged in recent years?
One of the biggest recent innovations in solar energy is flexible solar technology. It’s now as affordable as traditional framed solar panels, but much more versatile. This technology opens up a lot of new ways to use solar power, making it easier to integrate into different products and situations. It’s really changing how we think about and use solar energy. We started with a small panel folding panel for a backpack and to charge phones, then a larger one acts a sun shade for cars and powers a portable cooler, now we are charging electric cars.
How does GoSun approach research and development in solar technology?
We stay in tune with industry trends by spending a lot of time in southern China, the hardware hub. We keep a record of ideas and review them quarterly to evaluate and optimize their potential to help consumers. Then we consider many ideas and variables, moving forward by finding what’s already out there and leading in a unique niche.
Our R&D approach is non-traditional, focusing on efficacy and market action rather than lengthy peer reviews. We listen to our consumers, taking feedback from social reviews, and if they’re into it, we make it.
How have consumer preferences and demand for solar energy products evolved in recent years, and what key factors are influencing these changes?
In recent years, demand for solar energy products has been steadily growing. It’s like the shift 70 years ago when car enthusiasts started tweaking vehicles for performance. In the solar EV space, it’s about adapting to today’s changing needs and uncertainties like gas prices and finances. People want to make their homes more resilient, and solar energy is becoming the new frontier for electric vehicles. We’re always pushing the limits to explore what’s possible and see what humanity can achieve with solar technology.
What emerging trends in solar technology do you find most promising for the future of sustainable energy?
One of the most exciting trends in solar technology is its rapid affordability. Solar energy is now cheaper than other electricity sources, which benefits both the industry and the environment. When the economics work, adoption speeds up, and we’re seeing this trend worldwide.
In the U.S., strong leadership is advancing solar, much like China’s big solar market and ambitious climate goals have made it a global leader. It’s great to see more countries embracing solar as a smart investment.
Solar incentives have become more reasonable, supporting use in homes, businesses, and large fields. Advances in energy storage technology have made it easier and cheaper to store solar power, reducing objections to its use.
Looking ahead, community solar projects are promising. They allow people to invest in solar arrays remotely, overcoming regulatory and aesthetic challenges. Distributed generation and smart grids, where communities manage their own power, are also gaining traction. At GoSun, we’re excited about these developments and are working to make them a reality.
What are the main obstacles to integrating renewable energy sources, like solar power, into the existing energy grid, and what solutions are being proposed or implemented to address these challenges?
Integrating renewable energy like solar power into the existing grid has some challenges. For one, costs can be high because smaller companies, like ours, often produce custom solar solutions in smaller batches, making it tough to compete with larger, mass-produced options.
Centralized utilities also pose a problem, controlling the power supply and making it harder for consumers to adopt solar. Plus, there’s resistance from those who cling to fossil fuels due to their long history. Despite this, fossil fuels are damaging to the planet and political stability.
Another big obstacle is the accessibility to funding. GoSun has grown by going directly to consumers and we are currently doing on Startengine.
Education and awareness are key issues. Many underestimate modern solar technology’s effectiveness. The truth is, solar can meet our energy needs affordably. You don’t need to be a billionaire to go solar or drive an electric vehicle. Our goal is to show how practical and powerful solar energy can be for everyday life.
