DER Task Force Electromaxxing With Daan Walter
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Mar 24, 2026 Daan Walter, principal at Ember Energy with a background in theoretical physics and nuclear work, explains how cheaper solar and batteries are driving an electrotech revolution. He traces rapid solar+battery adoption in emerging markets, the shifting value from hardware to software and systems, geopolitical shifts from fuel dependence, and risks like dark factories and weaponization.
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Solar Changes Geopolitics By Removing Fuel Dependency
- Solar panels are a one-time import that confers decades of energy security, unlike fuel imports; this breaks classic geopolitical leverage.
- Daan: buy the machine once, get free fuel from the sky for ~30 years—hard to choke by embargo.
The Real Moat May Be Software, Not Panels
- Manufacturing dominance is hard to sustain because electrotech hardware is commoditized; real long-term value may shift to software and system integration.
- Daan compares Apple/Foxconn dynamics: hardware low-margin, system/software capture profits.
Separate Hardware From Control Software For Security
- Allow hardware imports but insist on domestic sovereignty over control software and services to avoid foreign 'kill-switch' dependence.
- Daan suggests permitting 'dumb' solar panels but mandating local control or non-exported cloud services.