EXECUTIVE ROUND-UP: REC Solar, CubicPV and Nextracker add industry veterans to management

January 4, 2024
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Nextracker has appointed Julie Blunden and Howard Wenger to its board of directors. Image: PV Tech

Leading companies in the US solar industry have made several senior appointments to strengthen their business, including solar developer REC Solar, solar manufacturer CubicPV and solar tracker manufacturer Nextracker.

REC Solar appoints executive chairman

US solar developer REC Solar has appointed Paul Walker as its executive chairman. The company said Walker’s leadership experience in renewables will help support REC Solar’s “commitment to growing its distributed solar and storage portfolio in a continuously evolving market”.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Previously, Walker was CEO of US solar developer ForeFront Power, where he oversaw the company’s development strategy and was responsible for its operational performance. He has also served as a senior advisor to US community solar developer Lightstar Renewables, and was responsible for supporting the company’s community solar initiatives in multiple states.

Lawrence Denney, president of REC Solar, said the appointment can help the company accelerate the deployment of on-site solar and storage projects while developing multiple community solar projects in new markets.

CubicPV names new CFO

US solar manufacturer CubicPV has named Kris McBride as its new chief financial officer.

In his new position, McBride will lead the company’s financial strategy and guide the execution of its business plan. He will make his first speaking appearance today, 4 January, discussing Cubic PV’s US manufacturing progress at a conference on energy and utilities hosted by Goldman Sachs Energy.

Speaking of his new position, McBride said he hoped to help CubicPV re-shore the domestic solar industry and develop new solar innovation, in addition to “participating in the US manufacturing renaissance and filling a critical supply chain gap for customers”.

Nextracker adds two board of directors

US solar tracker manufacturer Nextracker has added Julie Blunden and Howard Wenger to its board of directors.

The company described Blunden as an “accomplished executive leader and strategic advisor”, currently serving on the board of four organisations in the energy sector. Meanwhile, Wenger has served as president of Nextracker since February 2022, formerly holding senior roles at PV module producer Solaria Corporation, US domestic solar company SunPower and PowerLight.

Dan Shugar, Nextracker founder and CEO, said the appointment of Blunden and Wenger will bring expertise in the energy sector and global commercial and operations backgrounds to the company.

The news follows Nextracker’s split from electronics firm Flex after operating under the Singaporean firm for eight years.

16 June 2026
Napa, USA
PV Tech has been running PV ModuleTech Conferences since 2017. PV ModuleTech USA, on 16-17 June 2026, will be our fifth PV ModulelTech conference dedicated to the U.S. utility scale solar sector. The event will gather the key stakeholders from solar developers, solar asset owners and investors, PV manufacturing, policy-making and and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out the PV module supply channels to the U.S. out to 2028 and beyond.
13 October 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
PV Tech has been running an annual PV CellTech Conference since 2016. PV CellTech USA, on 13-14 October 2026 is our third PV CellTech conference dedicated to the U.S. manufacturing sector. The events in 2023, 2024 and 2025 were a sell out success and 2026 will once again gather the key stakeholders from PV manufacturing, equipment/materials, policy-making and strategy, capital equipment investment and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out PV manufacturing in the U.S. out to 2030 and beyond.

Read Next

February 27, 2026
Despite posting strong revenue growth for 2025, US residential solar and energy storage installer Sunrun reported a decline in quarterly solar installation.
February 26, 2026
US engineering and manufacturing company MacLean-Fogg has acquired solar PV tracker and fixed-tilt solutions manufacturer OMCO Solar.
February 26, 2026
Developers are forecast to add a record 43.4GW of new solar PV capacity to the US power system in 2026, according to the EIA.
February 26, 2026
Power loss at solar PV projects has more than doubled in the last five years despite maturing markets and advancing technology, according to new data from US-based  solar asset analysis firm Raptor Maps.
February 26, 2026
A round-up of several project stories in the US that have been announced this week, including OCI Energy, Arava Power, Arevon Energy and MN8.
February 25, 2026
Clean energy investment in the US remained resilient in 2025 despite political volatility and accelerated tax credit deadlines, reports Crux.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
March 24, 2026
Dallas, Texas
Solar Media Events
April 15, 2026
Milan, Italy
Solar Media Events
June 16, 2026
Napa, USA
Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
November 3, 2026
Málaga, Spain