Today we’d like to introduce you to Ali Zanjani.
Ali, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am an Iranian American who arrived in the US as a student to continue my higher education. I moved to the US from the UK where I attended boarding schools since the age of thirteen. After my undergrad degree in Business Administration I entered the work force. My first job out of college was as an “Assistant to the Chairman For Business Affairs” to Henry Rogers the Chairman and CEO of the famed Rogers and Cowan PR firm in Beverly Hills.
After a long career in Consumer Electronics and Wireless Service sectors, I decided that I wanted to focus on Clean Tech. After researching the entire Clean Tech ecosystem, I quickly realized that global warming was the most dire existential threat to our planet, and that the fastest way man can effect change against global climate warming. To do this we have to stop using fossil fuels for the purpose of making electricity. Two thirds of our planets use of fossil fuels is for the sole purpose of making electricity. Moreover, there is high corollary between cheap and abundant electricity and human prosperity.
Next I studied the various available methods of generating green electricity, from wind power to tidal generation to bio-fuels. It quickly became obvious that solar power was the most widely available inexhaustible source of clean energy for mankind. Within the solar based electricity generation, I landed of “CPV” or Concentrated Photovoltaics for its high conversion efficiency (3 X versus standard PV), as well as its small footprint (20% versus standard PV)
That’s when I started RSS based on CPV solar electricity generation methodology.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
RSS was started in 2012, it has taken until late 2018 for RSS to get to an acceptable market ready product. The road to here has been fraught with peril and disappointments. While solar power price has come down by more than 99% over the last 30 years and although solar has been promoted heavily to the public, it accounts for less than 4% of the North American electricity generation! You have to wonder why? Especially in the face of overwhelming support by the American public!
We have struggled to raise the capital needed to get our business off to the best start that we could. We constantly have to deal with Chinese dumping practices in the solar markets, and the staunch headwind provided by the incumbent regulated utility monopolies who have little economic incentive to diversify their portfolio.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Radical Sun Systems Inc. – what should we know?
Simply put RSS is about to introduce the American public, the residential and business owners to a self-contained solar system that:
1- Costs less than 30% of the available systems today
2- Uses 20% of the foot print of standard solar
3- Can be purchased and installed in 3 hours from your trusted retail chain store
4- Its DO IT Yourself or Do It For Me
5- Does not require utility interconnection permission
6- Does not have to connect via net metering
7- Does not need to be permanently screwed to your roof
8- Its produces twice as much power as PV
9- since the system moves with the sun from sunup to sun down generated power is a table type graph versus an inverted v for PV which only produces what its capable of at noon
10- The system moves with you if you sell your home
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Our unapologetic constant fervor, for making technology easy to buy and easy to use for the masses. We have looked at all the consumer pain points in traditional solar and have eliminated them systematically. We constantly strive to enable people to use technology, thus democratizing solar electricity.
Pricing:
- Full system for average size LA home costs $5000, ~$2300 after tax credits and free energy
- Costs under $350 to install and under 3 hours on average
Contact Info:
- Address: 15932 Northfield Street
- Website: www.radicalsun.com
- Phone: 8162133333
- Email: [email protected]
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
