TEDxWaterloo - Shawn Qu - Future of Solar Energy

Shawn Qu follows the light -- actually he follows sunlight and turns it into electricity that powers homes and businesses around the world. As the chairman, president and CEO of Canadian Solar, Shawn is a leader in the fast growing solar energy market and putting Canada on the map for Canadian Solar's innovative technology.

Shawn, armed with a PhD in material science from the University of Toronto, began his career as a postdoctoral research fellow at the university. He then joined the Ontario Hydro, working on next generation solar cells. In 1998 he moved to ATS in Cambridge, ON holding various strategic roles in the Photowatt (solar power) division. In 2001, he left ATS to launch Canadian Solar, which posted $600 million in revenue in 2009.

The company currently has seven manufacturing facilities with 8,000 employees worldwide. In December 2010, Canadian Solar opened its first North American plant in Guelph, Ontario, employing up to 500 people.

---
TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDxWaterloo, where x=independently organized TED event. At our TEDxWaterloo event, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group.
The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.

[jrmoss]

Really cool - was fortunate enough to be there in person for this

[jrmoss]

I really enjoyed the Tesla vs. Edison debate - a unique evaluation of our current state.

[robertweekes]

Solar is great for rooftops but that's it. They can't provide baseload grid power and we're not going to spend a trillion dollars overhauling our entire electrical system. We need better powerplants like molten salt reactors, plug them in where they're needed for safe clean abundant energy!

[jcjensenllc]

thanks for your contribution to solar cell production. However supplying Africans with solar power does not displace fossil fuel in any significant amount. Yes it benefits their life, their environment, helps their standard of living which is good, but most CO2 is produced heating and cooling buildings, growing food, making concrete, and transportation for Western countries. Too many wasteful people is the problem. You Catholics should make it a sin to have more than 2 children instead of accepting that contraception is a sin.

[NCOGNTO]

youre new at it but catching on
c. mills, proprietor,
Worlds Largest Pollution Free Automotive Engjne Research Laboratory
the Automotive Propulsion Lab (APL)
Incorporated 1980
OF COURSE WATER/SOLAR FUELS ARE CHEAPER more powerful too

[AufBerghofZapZap]

i have too much hostility inside of me. 

[brustertootwopointo]

Do your homework. Nuclear beats all others in every category. Solar has it's place but it's not the answer.

[niteshtirkey]

solar energy never replace cheap natural gas and geothermal

[urinonsequitur]

...quite interesting how this particular guest was recorded a mere week before FUKUSHIMA was to become the Nuclear Biological Extinction Event of our entirely pathetic lives. Hhhmmnn. Strange indeed.