A Brighter Future: Young Innovators Pushing the Envelope in Solar Energy
In the ever-evolving landscape of renewable energy, solar power has surged forward, becoming a formidable player in the march away from fossil fuels. Yet, as incredible as this technology is, it faces one glaring limitation: solar farms can only harness energy during the shimmering hours of daylight. Enter Ben Nowack, a visionary at the helm of Reflect Orbital, who seeks to upend this notion with his audacious concept of “sunlight as a service,” available around the clock.
At just 28, Nowack, alongside his dynamic cofounder Tristan Semmelhack, 23, has successfully secured a staggering $8.7 million in funding from elite investors like Sequoia Capital. Their unconventional dream? To dispatch a fleet of mirrored satellites into the cosmos, reflecting sunlight onto solar installations in the dead of night, transforming the landscape of energy accessibility. Recently, the duo executed a captivating proof-of-concept by launching a hot air balloon, equipped with reflective mylar, to beam sunlight onto panels in the Nevada desert—an exhilarating prelude to what lies ahead in commercial implementation.
“Solar is phenomenal—for a time,” Nowack states, alluding to the inevitable darkness. He reflects, “The Earth’s shadow is akin to the largest dam ever constructed, paralyzing a reservoir of energy that far exceeds our current needs. All we require is the means to elevate some satellites to the heavens.”
Not one to walk this path alone, Nowack embodies a broader movement of innovators defying physical constraints in the relentless battle against climate change. A glimpse at this year’s 30 Under 30 list in Energy and Green Tech reveals a plethora of innovative artists, each sculpting solutions that challenge mere survival, from advanced battery technologies to waste reduction, carbon capture, and more. These trailblazers, all of whom are 29 or younger as of December 31, 2024, have not graced any previous 30 Under 30 lists across North America, Europe, or Asia.
Among the trailblazers is Julia Lamb, 29, who leads the charge in cathode research and development at Bedrock Materials, leveraging the abundant sodium resource to innovate sodium-ion batteries. The trio of Namin Shah, Raj Lulla, and Dante Vaisbort, all cofounders of Haylon Technologies, are crafting high-performance batteries, clinching lucrative contracts—including a vital prototype for a quadcopter destined for the U.S. Air Force.
In tandem with the energy revolution, Zhiao Yu, 29, a Stanford PhD graduate and cofounder of Feon Energy, recently closed a $6 million seed round, striving to synthesize novel electrolyte molecules to elevate battery efficacy. Meanwhile, KaLeigh Long, 29, has raised an impressive $60 million to establish America’s inaugural major nickel refinery in Oklahoma, catalyzed by her experiences with Congolese activists and the dire realities of cobalt mining.
While some view former President Donald Trump’s ascent as a setback for climate initiatives—amidst promises to “drill, baby, drill” and dismantle what he dubbed the “green new scam”—the spirit of innovation remains resilient. Indeed, less funding may necessitate greater efficiency, particularly with titans like Elon Musk influencing political currents.
Mohammad Alkhadra, 29, stands at the vanguard of cost-effective lithium extraction as cofounder and CEO of Lithios, which recently secured $10 million in seed funding to refine the process of selectively capturing lithium from brine deposits. Others, like Adam Uliana, 29, at ChemFinity Technologies, are mining value from waste, utilizing proprietary filters that function as sponges to unearth precious minerals from spent catalytic converters and solar panels otherwise destined for the landfill.
Among the youngest innovators on the list are Ankit Singhai, 20, Vignesh Karthik, 20, and Connor Lee, 21, all daringly abandoning academia to launch Anthrogen, a Y Combinator-backed venture. Their groundbreaking work involves genetically modifying bacteria and designing enzymes through AI, aiming to convert atmospheric carbon into affordable polymers, potentially even jet fuel.
The selection process for this year’s list entailed a thorough public nomination system, with candidates meticulously assessed by Forbes editors, alongside industry veterans who evaluated the finalists. The expert panel this year included Sandhya Ganapathy, CEO of EDP Renewables North America; Alfredo Marti, cofounder of Sandbrook Capital; and Troy Demmer, a former honoree and chief product officer at Gecko Robotics.
With indomitable spirits and a penchant for innovation, these young entrepreneurs exemplify not just hope but actionable strategies for a sustainable future. Their efforts could very well illuminate the path toward a cleaner, greener world.
