John Berger: “Lifetime Achievement Award” for Sustainable Energy Future

“At the end of my career, I will take pride in knowing that Sunnova played a crucial role in accelerating the energy transition, the most significant challenge of our lifetime. I hope to leave a legacy that inspires others to continue this essential journey towards a lower carbon future, knowing that we’ve made a meaningful impact.” – John Berger (2023 winner)

Sunnova Energy is too broke to be bankrupt. John Berger has resigned as CEO of the company he founded in 2012. Billions of dollars of subsidy from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Department of Energy were not enough for a company engaged in legal plunder.

Rooftop solar contracts from his company promising long-term service are in limbo. Berger, meanwhile, fears possible congressional hearings on where all the money went. It is a mini-Enron, with (Enron-ex) Berger being a little rah, rah Ken Lay. And yes, this is reality, not April Fools.

Confirmation bias is where lots of others sing your praises. In the climate space, where perceptions rule, groups exist to reward each other for their noble service. Never mind Adam Smith’s warning: “I have never known much good done by those who affected to trade for the public good.” But centuries later, companies such as Enron and Sunnova are the stuff of fluff with investors going Net Zero.

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ALLY Energy–“the talent and culture platform leveraging AI to power the energy workforce of the future”–appears to be a “scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” PR outfit. A vague, feel-good climate outfit living off of the productive side of the economy. [1]

I ran into ALLY Energy because their interview Getting GRITTY with John Berger. Here it is, an embarrassment less than two years later.

We had the opportunity to connect with Lifetime Achievement Award winner, William J. (John) Berger, to gain some insightful views on grit and leadership. This week, our conversation centers around the founder of Sunnova.

Q. At ALLY, we define GRIT as — Growth. Resilience. Innovation and Talent. What part of grit resonates with you most personally? Professionally? And why?

A. When I founded Sunnova over a decade ago, the future of sustainable energy was riddled with challenges and uncertainties. Over the years, it has been our unwavering focus that has allowed us to overcome adversities, adapt to changing circumstances, and emerge stronger. This quality not only defines our journey but also mirrors my personal commitment to tackling obstacles head-on, no matter how formidable they may seem. Furthermore, the spirit of innovation has been instrumental in keeping us at the forefront of the industry, providing our customers with superior energy services while contributing to a more sustainable future.

Q. At ALLY, we believe role models are important. Who in your work and life have been role models of GRIT? Can you tell us who they are and what you learned from them?

A. My father-in-law, a seasoned entrepreneur, has been a significant influence in shaping my life and work. His unwavering determination and resilience in all his endeavors has been a constant source of inspiration. An important lesson I’ve gleaned from his journey is that success often relies on one’s ability to adapt and innovate in the face of adversity. His influence continues to guide me, both personally and professionally.

Q. The energy transition is the single largest challenge of our lifetime. As a lifetime achievement award winner, looking back at the end of your career when you retire, what will you be most proud of in our quest for a lower carbon future? What does that look like for the industry? What does that look like for you?

A. At the end of my career, I will take pride in knowing that Sunnova played a crucial role in accelerating the energy transition, the most significant challenge of our lifetime. I hope to leave a legacy that inspires others to continue this essential journey towards a lower carbon future, knowing that we’ve made a meaningful impact.

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[1] “ALLY Energy is the most trusted source for companies, startups, professionals, and future workers who want to accelerate their careers, skills, and connections for an equitable energy transition. The community has a presence in 120 countries across energy in oil and natural gas, LNG, renewables, nuclear, and climate technology. To become one of the 2,400 companies on the AI platform or the thousands of professionals with a profile, visit here.

The post John Berger: “Lifetime Achievement Award” for Sustainable Energy Future appeared first on Master Resource.

Source: https://www.masterresource.org/sunnova-john-berger/berger-lifetime-achievement-award/