Furqan Shamsudin, founder of 10 Degree Solar, is a man of few words with big ambitions.
He started the company from scratch with a capital of just one dollar, and is proud to announce that 10 Degree Solar is close to reaching a 7-figure revenue.
Sustainability is gaining attention with more focus put on combating climate change, and 10 Degree Solar thrives in the space of the fast-paced renewable energy industry. Many more are turning to solar energy as the alternative for electricity generation as it gets progressively more efficient with breakthroughs in the industry. According to the National Climate Change Secretariat of Singapore, Solar energy is the most promising renewable energy source for electricity generation for the country. Solar energy is clean, generates no emissions, and contributes to Singapore’s energy security.
The company was founded in February 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, right before Singapore went on a lockdown known as the "Circuit Breaker". The conditions made it difficult for many businesses to survive, but Furqan pushed through difficult times, holding on to his beliefs for the company. For 6 months, he had to live without an income from the business and all proceeds went towards maintaining the team and keeping the company afloat. Furqan pulled through this dark phase relying solely on delivery jobs after working hours. "It was a rocky start but we managed to survive the obstacles faced during this period. I believe if you are hungry enough for success, anything is possible."
The company was named 10 Degree Solar, a title inspired by the optimum tilt angle to position solar panels near the equator. "This reminds us of our roots starting in Singapore as a home grown local company," revealed Furqan.
The founder takes utmost pride in his work, knowing that each solar panel deployed is one step closing to combating climate change. Other than environmental advantages, solar power also has a number of benefits such as savings 0n monthly electrical bills as energy is generated directly from the photo-voltaic module. Home owners with solar panels can even sell unconsumed energy for cash.
When asked about innovation in the company, Furqan mentioned combining Solar and EV (Electrical Vehicle Charging) as an example. "We combined Solar and EV for our clients as these technologies are in harmony, resulting in our innovation in Engineering, Procurement, Construction of the design."
The founder is proud of the company's achievements, and he gives credit to his team for the success. "I'm a big believer in teamwork and collaboration. The whole is better than the sum of its parts, as they say. Working together for common goals has allowed us to be more successful." He enjoys working on the grounds with the team of 10 Degree Solar, and even more so when he gets on the job installing solar panels on rooftops.
"If you are the smartest person in the room, you are in the wrong room. This advice has stuck with me throughout the journey as I believe you need to mix around with people better than yourself to spark energy, ideas and to level up."
- Furqan Shamsudin, founder of 10 Degree Solar