Search sponsor
Search sponsor
Interim Nanosolar CEO, Geoff Tate has been replaced and returns to retirement, less than 2 years after taking the job, according to a statement from the CIGS thin film start-up. Nanosolar said that another recent management addition, Ms Eugenia Corrales takes over the CEO position. Corrales was said to have been recruited by Tate and had managed all Operations, as well as Engineering, Purchasing and Planning functions.
“I would like to congratulate Geoff on the tremendous progress made during his tenure at Nanosolar,” said Erik Straser, Nanosolar board member and general partner, Mohr Davidow Ventures. “Eugenia’s track record at Nanosolar and prior speaks for itself, and this planned transition will allow the company to maintain its momentum and trajectory. We are confident that under her stewardship we can grow the market for Nanosolar Utility panels and expand our global footprint.”
In light of the impact on thin film firms of the rapidly falling prices in conventional crystalline silicon modules, coupled to the high-profile failure of Solyndra, media attention on thin film firms has intensified.
Not surprisingly, market analysts, industry bloggers and the trade media have begun questioning Nanosolar’s ability to produce a competitive product and gain market traction, especially in its targeted utility-scale market.
The latest executive change at Nanosolar comes a week after its communications director, Brian Stone left the firm, which was reported by Greentech Media. Nanosolar didn’t announce his departure.
According to Nanosolar, Ms. Corrales has held a number of executive positions including several years as a Vice President at Cisco where she ran all of Product Operations for Cisco-branded products. Previously at Cisco, she had been responsible for Manufacturing Operations of router, switching and optical product revenue. Prior to Cisco, Corrales spent 11 years in engineering and R&D management at HP.
Prior to joining Nanosolar, she was founder and VP engineering of two cleantech startups. She holds a bachelor’s degree in physics from Grinnell College and a master’s in mechanical engineering from Stanford University.
“I am thrilled to lead such a talented team as we leverage this innovative printing technology to fulfill our mission to become the world’s lowest cost cell and panel manufacturer, independent of subsidies,” noted Ms. Corrales. “We will continue to deliver on our stated production goals and efficiency roadmap for 2012.”
