Tackling China's Pollution Problem One Solar Panel at a Time - With Xiaosolar CEO Henry Yin

Summary: Pollution is a real problem in China. So it should come as no surprise that the 13th Five Year Plan includes drastic policy measures, calling for a reduction of emissions from coal burning industries, while showing support for wind, solar and bio power. And beyond policy making or economic restructuring, there is also a call for domestic entrepreneurs who can help develop innovative solutions to mitigate pollution in China's major cities and improve the livelihood for all. Today, we sit down with Henry Yin, founder and CEO of Xiaosolar, which operates a solar sales, installation and financing business that has installed nearly 100 residential and commercial solar projects as of mid-2017. Prior, Henry was also a founding member of Light Chaser Animation and helped produce and market Little Door Gods, Light Chaser’s first animated film. Henry first shares his journey from Harvard to McKinsey to Lightchaser, before conducting a deep dive on Xiaosolar and China's renewables sector, addressing key questions such as: what are the key macro factors driving China's renewables sector? What does the value chain look like, and how do the economics of solar power work? What does the consumer education process look like, and how may this differ residential vs. commercial? What are key success factors in this market? What is the role of consumer financing, and how can Xiaosolar differentiate against other players (traditional, large internet, specialized). Lastly, what are major differences between China vs. the US in this sector, and what is the role of cost in driving innovation?