In this episode we speak with Daniel Li, a clean energy executive with experience building solar and battery manufacturing facilities across the US and Europe. Daniel shares the moment that shifted his work from job to mission, after reading his son’s words about solar and the responsibility to leave a better world.

They explore what it takes to build and ramp factories, how to lead teams across different cultures, and why spoken communication beats email when stakes are high. Daniel also lays out how AI is changing battery R and D and factory operations, from faster materials discovery to the rise of autonomous manufacturing systems. The conversation closes with practical guidance for the next generation, focusing on physics and materials fundamentals, critical thinking, and AI literacy for the clean energy future.

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