Heyo, Solar Warrior, and welcome to another episode of SunCast.

What do Richard Branson and today’s guest have in common? You’ll have to listen to find out.

Chris Burgess is Director of Projects for the Rocky Mountain Institute’s Islands Program. But he wasn’t always a non-profit guy, and I wanted to know the “why” that drove him from a successful entrepreneurial journey toward working for a non-profit.

“Renewable energy allows us to outcompete (rather than regulate) problems. Most people find themselves regulating the problem, but I wanted to build solutions that eliminate the problem[s]” - Christopher Burgess, Rocky Mountain Institute

Key ideas explored:

• What skills did he begin to develop at EPA that helped him engage in the early discussions w/Alpha
• How to manage your day job vs side hustle?

> Took 4 years to cut the cord and give up golden handcuffs of the “pension” mindset

• Branson’s 10-island challenge - what is it, why did it matter?
• Take 10 islands to 100% renewable.
• Why an entrepreneur went to a job at a nonprofit?
• What are the cornerstone documents or elements of support that RMI helps local governments craft?
• Role of nonprofits in regional development programs, with financial leverage examples
• 3 pillars of their development strategy
• Core skills for a project developer

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Remember you can always find the resources and learn more about today’s guest & recommendations on the SunCast Blog. 

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IF you are developing Commercial solar projects, you really should consider how they can help:

CPS America and

Extensible Energy

Resources

Introduction to Rocky Mountain Institute-Carbon War Room's Islands Energy Program, created in 2017. Support Rocky Mountain Institute today: https://www.rmi.org/give/ Blog: https://www.rmi.org/insights/blog/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/RockyMtnInst Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockyMtnInst/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/organization/20826/admin/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockymtninst/ Flipboard: https://flipboard.com/@rockymtninst/ Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/u/1/b/102015370483341366862/+RockyMtnInstitute Video created by James Brown Media.

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn

Follow Rocky Mountain Institute on LinkedIn and Twitter (also their website!)

Article: Solar Under Storm

Download HERE

RMI on the withdrawal of Paris Climate Accord

Subscribe to RMI’s Energy Transition Magazine!

Books mentioned:

The Uninhabitable Earth: A Story of the Future By David Wallace-Wells

How to Win Friends & Influence People By Dale Carnegie

Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow By Yuval Noah Harari

Soft Energy Paths: Towards a Durable Peace (Harper Colophon Books Cn653) By Amory B. Lovins

Other books by Amory Lovins