Meet the GSC - Michael Morris

At Global Solar Council, we believe people are the heart of the energy transition. That’s why we launched the Meet the GSC campaign—to showcase the brilliant minds driving our mission, their passions, and their vision for the solar industry. Our global,people-focused team is dedicated to accelerating the energy transition and highlighting solar’s vital role in a sustainable future.

We’re excited to welcome Michael Morris to the team as our Director of Growth and Partnerships !

Insights & Perspectives

How did you get started in the solar sector and what brought you to GSC?

I am new to the solar sector, as GSC is my first job in the industry. I was integral in the rebrand of GSC in 2024 through my brand consultancy, Engagement Lab, so that’s when I first connected with GSC. I immediately loved the mission of the organization and thoroughly enjoyed working with Sonia and Alyssa, so it’s a great privilege to work side by side with them now!

What’s your role at GSC?

I am the Director of Growth & Partnerships, which means I wear two hats: First, I support the organization in how it’s positioned in the market, through brand, marketing, and comms channels. Secondly, I work with our philanthropic funders to secure grant funding for the work we do on behalf of our members.

What are your priorities for GSC and its members in 2024?

What do you see as the greatest challenge or opportunity for the global solar sector today?

In order to meet the moment and achieve our goal of tripling renewables by 2030, the solar industry needs to tackle grid integration (prioritizing grid forming inverters) and storage, financing and access to capital particularly in the global south, and the adoption of global standards for safety and sustainability to ensure the solar PV scaleup is safe and reliable.

What’s one solar myth you wish you could bust once and for all?

The antiquated notion that solar PV is a poor substitute for fossil-based electricity. The reality is that solar is a historically cheap form of electricity, is grid-friendly with grid forming inverters, can be stored in large volumes for both short-term and long-term, and is reliable technology at every possible scale – from rooftop and off-grid solar panels all the way to GW-scale solar farms. Oh, and we don’t have to pay for the sun.

What initiative at GSC has you most excited about right now?

I am super excited about our capacity building work with our national association members right now. One of the central tenets of our mission is to equip and empower national and regional solar associations to accelerate the deployment of solar PV technology in each market around the world. Equipping our association members with the diplomacy, comms, and operational tools to grow their organizations and increase their influence on domestic renewable energy policy is vitally important work if we’re going to reach our 2030 goal of 8 TW of installed solar PV!

At Global Solar Council, our team is the driving force behind a cleaner, solar-powered future. Stay tuned to meet more inspiring professionals driving the future of solar!