We are on a mission to make people’s lives richer, breathe easier
and make the environment cleaner.
Objectives
Our goal is to eradicate energy poverty, empower entrepreneurs with solar thermal and minimize the damage of climate change by breaking down the barriers to solar energy access.
GoSol’s eco-system aims to connect communities, entrepreneurs & makers with the world’s most powerful energy source. All the tools and materials needed to implement GoSol’s technologies are already produced and stocked en masse around the world. The world is ready!
GoSol is an initiative of Solar Fire Concentration Ltd (SFCO), an impact focused enterprise based in Tampere, Finland. Our technology is based on the pioneering solar innovations of Fraser Symington (1920-2014).
We are achieving our goals through an innovative business model by creating an eco-system of individual product pre-orders, early-adopters, sponsors, and collaborations.
Learn more about our model.
Team
Eerik Wissenz
CEO
Co-founder and Chairman of Solar Fire Concentration Oy. Finn and Canadian, Eerik grew up in Canada and studied mathematics at Ottawa and Carleton University. Quickly took a hiatus to dedicate himself to developing solar thermal technologies. Eerik developed solar concentrators in Mexico, Cuba, India and EU. Eerik has the vision of a fair solar thermal economy and he’s in charge of the strategy and the development of the company.
An energy solution must be low capital (the lower the better), yet power a viable economy, and be locally buildable and maintainable with little or no imports.
Urs Riggenbach
Chief Operating Officer & Investment
Urs has an international Baccalaureate from the United World College, India and BA in Human Ecology from the College of Atlantic, US. As chief operating officer, Urs follows closely all projects, financials and
administration processes and supports the team in management and
planning. As full-stack web developer he manages the company’s IT
infrastructure, security policy and software development, always
striving to optimize workflows. Urs has developed solar concentrators in Nepal and EU. Always willing to challenge himself, he can’t rest until
the world is a better place for all.
A sustainable society needs a sustainable source of energy.
Lorin Symington
Chief Builder,
Prototyping & Fieldwork
Lorin has extensive international experience designing and developing small scale solar concentrators and adapting them to regional needs (Mexico, Cuba, Mali, Haiti, South Africa, Canada and Finland). His technological and fabricating experience is primarily geared to developing world contexts and he is passionate about helping everyone around the world to reach their potential.
To maximize human potential we need to end energy poverty. We can do it... energy literally falls from the sky!
Arnaud Crétot
Chief Technical Officer: engineer and professional baker
Arnaud has a Masters in Thermal and Energy Engineering from PolyTech Nantes, France. After his studies, he has visited over 50 energy projects in the EU and Asia. He has 3 years of experience in solar thermal system design and auditing. He joined the company in 2014 and he brings passion and rigor to any technical developments.
The simplest is the best.
Eva Wissenz
Chief Communications Officer, Education, Partners & Sponsors
Co-founder of Solar Fire Concentration Ltd. She was Managing Director, CEO and Chairperson of the Board during the last 7 years. She’s also the founder of Sepia Agency Ltd, a training and communication agency. She brings her enthusiasm, creativity and strong experience in communication, logistics and team management. Eva has a Masters degree in Literature. She studied and taught at La Sorbonne University, Paris, France. She has 20 years experience in French media, publishing and cultural events. She also did a lot of volunteer work and has developed solar concentrators in India and the EU. She blogs at sustainabletampere.fi
A fair access to clean energy is key to change the daily lives of millions of women and kids.
Judith Bernet
Events & Communication
Judith studied geography, sociology and political science at Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany. She then worked in the humanitarian sector with GIZ and continued studies and work in urban planning, especially focusing on sustainability in transport and built infrastructure working in Switzerland. Judith brings to our team the skill and passion for event organization and moderation, as well as her deep motivation for humanitarian work with direct impact.
Since the discovery of fire has humankind been in the search of ever new sources of energy. But we are yet to make the most of our biggest energy source, the sun.
Will Cleaver
Chief Design Officer
William has a degree in maths and languages from the University of Hull, UK. He has worked in Design (CAD), Construction and Fabrication in the US & UK, project planning, logistics and management of industrial sites. William has developed solar concentrators in two different states in India, in Switzerland and Finland.
Helping create a sustainable way of life for all. One planet living in tune with nature.
Contact:
joan.arwa@gosol.solar
Joan Arwa Ogwang
Kenya Representative
Joan studied Mass Communication and Journalism (BA) in Busoga University in Uganda and MA in Mass Communication from Maseno University in Kenya. Joan brings her experience of more than 12 years as a regional manager at a top mobile dealership where she won multiple regional awards.
Joanne is passionate about helping people to achieve their potential. Joan manages outreach activities, entrepreneur support and logistics in Kenya.
The idea of using direct solar energy in Africa gives hope for a better tomorrow.
Jared Omondi
Kenya Representative
Jared is based in Kenya and has supported GoSol since our first project there in 2016. Jared has over 16 years of experience in fabrication in metal- and woodworking, as well as construction. He builds and installs anything from wood furniture to metal frames, supports and gates. As artisan fabricator he is well connected in the local Jua Kali fabrication industry.
In my home region of Siaya county, my people depend on farming, charcoal and firewood for income. Three quarters of the trees have been cut down to make charcoal. I’m glad to work with GoSol’s inventions, it will help reduce the cutting down of trees and help improve the climate. We see a better climate in future with GoSol’s technology.
Contact:
lauri.nurro@gosol.solar
Lauri Nurro
Institutional and Grant Funding
Lauri has a Masters in Industrial Marketing and International Business from Lappeenranta University of Technology, Finland, with a minor in Environmental Engineering. He has held managerial positions in Sales, Projects, and Customer Service at different Finnish companies, also related to energy sector. Lauri’s attitude combines the traditional Finnish hard-working spirit with a passion for exploring new opportunities. Lauri brings to our team his Marketing and Sales experience combined with a thorough technical understanding.
Nature offers us an abundance of sustainable energy. Let’s make use of it.
Contact:
david.brohall@gosol.solar
David Brohall
Advisor
David holds a Masters in Innovation and Entrepreneurship as well as Automation and Mechatronics. He is a serial entrepreneur and investor in the energy and engineering sector. Having founded and managed a handful of companies, David brings experience both on the managerial as well as the technical level.
To run thermally intensive processes in emerging markets we need a cost-effective solar concentrator solution. Solar Fire is the only candidate that can demonstrate the needed cost-effectiveness.
