Energy Empire The American-Made Solar Billionaire with Dean Solon
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Feb 19, 2026 Dean Solon, serial entrepreneur who built Shoals and now runs Create Energy, champions American-made solar and hands-on innovation. He talks about on-shore manufacturing, microgrids, tariffs, and the grit required to build clean energy in the U.S. He also shares his unconventional work ethos and philanthropic efforts supporting survivors of human trafficking.
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Toluca Offer Triggered A Pivot Decision
- Bosch asked Dean to move Shoals manufacturing to Toluca, Mexico, but he resisted after seeing thin margins and poor conditions.
- A week later he got a solar order from Ohio and pivoted into junction boxes, starting his solar journey.
Hire For Creativity, Not Politics
- Hire for creativity first and minimize office politics to keep innovation alive in manufacturing teams.
- Encourage hands-on problem solving and give employees space to experiment like in a workshop environment.
Subsidize Production Not Just Factories
- Use production-linked incentives like 45X to make domestic manufacturing viable instead of only offering factory loans.
- Subsidize output per unit to close the cost gap between U.S. and overseas production.