SM: Are you working exclusively with panels from First Solar now? LR: We are not exclusive. Different scenarios require different technology. Given the choice, if we can apply First Solar or a different panel, our customers will want First Solar.
SM: Do you think Morgan Stanley will return to the solar industry? LR: I absolutely think they will once they turn the corner. Until they show strong profits again, our primary partner will be Greystone.
SM: There are a lot of business areas that can have a positive environmental impact. Why solar? LR: We looked at the solar industry and realized it was one place where we could really make a difference. We looked at the value chain from panel manufacturing to technology for the solar industry and actual delivery.
SM: When did you come to the US? LR: I came to San Jose in 1998 to play in the World Championships of Underwater Hockey representing South Africa. I fell in love with the Bay Area, and my brother was already here working for a company that was later acquired by Compaq in 1999.
Lyndon Rive co-founded SolarCity with his brother in July 2006. In its first three years, SolarCity became the largest residential solar power provider in California and grew to over 350 employees serving over 500 communities in three states. Prior to SolarCity, Lyndon founded Everdream, an industry leader in software and services for large-scale distributed computer
SM: How much of this vision is already playing out? VR: A lot. Our leading edge customers already have it. You can go industry by industry and see how they are doing it. With the scope and velocity of life how it is, there is no other way to solve the problem.
SM: What was the highlight of your TIBCO journey? VR: The highlight is ahead. The best days are still to come.
SM: What happened after you sold to Reuters? VR: For a couple of years I ran the company as a separate company that was part of Reuters. They cut another deal with me based on our profitability, so in the end they paid double the initial purchase price due to performance.