First Solar establishes South African office and regional director

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Thin film manufacturer First Solar has established an operating subsidiary in Cape Town, South Africa. The move follows a recent swathe of large utility-scale PV announcements in South Africa, as part of the country’s first round of renewable energy project bidding.

First Solar has also appointed Johan Cilliers as Regional Director of Business Development for Sub-Saharan Africa to direct operations from the Cape Town office. Cilliers will report to Christopher Burghardt, Vice President of Business Development for Europe, Middle East and Africa.

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Cilliers has worked at General Electric, Siemens and Eskom in a wide range of roles including market development, sales and marketing, project development and financing.

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