Former Enron executive to lead First Solar’s emerging markets push

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

James Hughes, a previous long-term executive within the corporate structures of the infamous Enron, has been chosen by First Solar's chairman and interim CEO Mike Ahearn to lead its major business strategy change to focus on the unsubsidized emerging PV markets, such as Chile. Hughes has been appointed as chief commercial officer – a newly created role.

Hughes had been president of Enron Global Assets and also as general counsel of Enron International. More recently, he had held the role of president of Prisma Energy, a company that evolved out of the Enron debacle.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

“Jim is extraordinarily prepared to help First Solar open new markets and reach revenue goals,” said Mike Ahearn. “We will benefit greatly from his diverse and extensive global and operational experience in the energy sector.”

First Solar said that Hughes would be responsible for the global business development and sales; project development; engineering, procurement and construction (EPC); product management and international public affairs and communications within emerging markets.

Update
 
In a SEC filing detailing the recent appointment of a former Enron executive, James A. Hughes as Chief Commercial Officer at First Solar, Hughes picks-up US$1.2 million in restricted shares in the company on top of a sign-on bonus of US$425,000. His annual salary was said to be US$550,000. 
 


 

Read Next

May 2, 2025
Sunraycer Renewables has signed two Environmental Attribute Purchase Agreements (EAPAs) with Meta for 310MW of solar PV in Texas, US.
May 2, 2025
A study from researchers at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia has shown that a synthetic molecule in the design of a perovskite solar cell can boost its energy efficiency and longevity.
May 2, 2025
The European Commission (EC) has allocated €52 million to nine renewable energy projects as part of its cross-border auction process.
May 2, 2025
The Q2 2025 edition (Volume 42) of our downstream solar PV journal, PV Tech Power, is now available to download.
May 2, 2025
Maxeon shipped just 211MW in the fourth quarter of 2024, driving a year-end revenue of less than half of what was reported in 2023.
May 2, 2025
AEMO said that new renewable energy generation and energy storage projects in the final commissioning phase in the NEM have reached 7GW.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Media Partners, Solar Media Events
May 7, 2025
Munich, Germany
Solar Media Events
May 21, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
June 17, 2025
Napa, USA
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK