The Container Guy - Interview with Guillaume Burstert - clean energy - innovation August 19, 2025

The Container Guy. Interview with Guillaume Burstert. Photos from www.mysunwise.com

The Cointainer Guy

Interview with Guillaume Burstert

From Automotive to Clean Energy

Can you tell me about yourself, what you have been doing, and what your business is?

“Yes, for sure. I’ve been based in Shanghai, China, since 2011. Before that, I worked in France for Peugeot and Citroën, two major automotive brands. I came to China through the automotive company, working in the technical center on supplier qualification in the steel industry.

After four years there, I moved fully into the steel industry as a consultant, helping factories with steel management and qualification. Our clients included companies like CSN in Brazil. Later, I became a project manager, leading the construction, direction, and commissioning of process lines for the steel industry until 2014.

About a year ago, I pivoted completely and created my startup, which provides clean energy to people in areas where the electricity grid has never reached. Globally, around 760 to 780 million people lack reliable access to electricity, and 600 million of them live in sub-Saharan Africa. My mission is to deliver energy exactly where it’s needed most, using solar-powered containers that can be easily deployed. These containers are equipped with solar panels that extend outward when in use and retract back inside when not needed, providing a flexible, plug-and-play energy solution. Through this approach, we create meaningful social impact by improving education, healthcare, and local economies in underserved communities. My mission is to bring energy where it’s most needed.

Why Africa?

“The goal is to give children in rural areas the tools to pursue their dreams. Electricity enables schools, better education, and opportunities that children elsewhere often take for granted. Imagine a child in Africa who now has access to electricity through our solution—they could grow up to be an architect, a football player, a singer, a chef, a president, or even a Nobel Prize winner. That would be the ultimate achievement: knowing that access to electricity helped them fulfill their potential.

Healthcare is another critical area. Rural clinics need reliable electricity to power equipment, preserve vaccines, and store medications safely. With energy, hospitals can operate 24/7, providing first aid, performing X-rays, ultrasounds, and other essential diagnostics, which is the first step in improving healthcare outcomes in these communities.

Energy also drives local economies. Small businesses can scale production, create jobs, and foster new industries. Unlike in the West, where we fear machines replacing workers, in many African regions, there’s a lack of industry entirely. Providing energy helps create jobs, build infrastructure, and elevate communities from emerging to higher economic levels. Energy is the catalyst for growth, and that’s what motivates me.”

How long have you had your business?

“It’s been a year now since I started. I began almost from scratch, building leads and contacts, and I’m now focused on closing my first deals. My primary market is Africa. At the same time, there are opportunities in South America. For instance, COP30 will take place in Brazil this year. A German friend of mine, Sebastian Graf, advised me that countries attending COP often present proposals or innovative projects, and this is where my solution could stand out. Being part of these high-level events is crucial because it’s not just about clients—it’s about governmental and institutional contacts. Presenting my project at such a platform could open doors that conventional marketing cannot.

LinkedIn has also been instrumental in building these connections. It’s the reference for professional social media and has been extremely efficient. When I started last year, I had fewer than 2,000 contacts. Now, I’m close to 9,000—almost 1,000 new connections per month. Many people reach out just to learn about my product, what I’m doing, and who I am. This has created a lot of organic leads and opened doors that I wouldn’t have accessed otherwise.”

Logistics and Container Deployment

“Most of the solar panels and batteries—about 95 to 99%—are made in China. Being here is essential because I can oversee production directly. I visit the plant, which is just a 4–5 hour train ride away, to ensure everything is built and packed into the container. The container leaves China as a finished product, fully equipped and ready for deployment.

When it arrives at its destination—say, a port in Mozambique or Kenya—it’s transported by truck to the final site. Depending on the container size, it takes between one and four hours to be fully operational. All internal connections are already completed; the only final steps are simple safety connections to the client’s facilities.

This is a key difference from traditional solar panel installations. Normally, you need to build metal frames, pour cement, install panels on elevated structures, and connect everything manually. All of that is already done inside my container. When it’s delivered, it’s essentially plug-and-play: within a few hours, electricity is on and ready to use.”

Global Opportunities: COP30 and China

“Do you realize the scale of this opportunity? Considering the BRICS involved countries

It’s massive. Brazil, China, and much of the world are shifting, and COP30 is the perfect platform to be part of that.—It’s not just a conference; it’s a strategic opening for partnerships and visibility.

China works quietly. Unlike the noise we hear about the USA, trade wars, or tariffs, in daily life, it’s just work. They focus on execution, building technologies, infrastructure, and high-quality products. Already, for many African countries, China is the primary business partner—this extends to the Middle East, Russia, and South America. The USA often comes second.

China remains the factory of the world and increasingly an innovator. They produce high-performance cars, phones, and power plants efficiently and often at a better cost. Their innovation is catching up to Europe, sometimes surpassing it. In daily life, you see it everywhere: mobile payments, digital infrastructure, and telecommunication. It feels like living in 2050—everything is connected, seamless, and advanced.”

“Participating in COP30 is a great opportunity, but I haven’t yet made formal contacts in Brazil. The event lasts around ten days to two weeks, with major announcements and networking opportunities—ideal for showcasing the project.

We discussed the possibility of bringing one of our containers to the fair. The smallest container measures 3 by 3 meters and weighs 7 tons. Shipping and production would take approximately three to four months, making it tight for the event in early November. Adjustments or on-site demo solutions might be possible, but they require careful coordination of manufacturing and logistics, including solar panels, frames, and assembly.

I'm going to the Fair's exhibition in Africa as well, because that's my main market. So there are a few in Kenya, in Rwanda, in Nigeria, in where else, where is it, in Zimbabwe, in Cairo, in Egypt. So there are a few energy exhibitions that would be lovely to attend, and I need to find a way to deliver them.

Advice for New Entrepreneurs

“I was in contact with a Colombian lady who asked me what advice I would give to someone starting now. I told her: Grow your network. This is the most important thing—without a network, you can’t operate a business. Show yourself and your project. Networking has immense value, and sometimes you need to incentivize it with commissions if you want to scale. That’s why I always ensure that if I close a deal, the person who helped is rewarded. Network is everything.”

An interview was kindly granted to the newspaper on August 15, 2025.

Guillaume Bustert

https://www.mysunwise.com