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

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

“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 14, 2026
MN8 Energy has raised US$300 million to extend a corporate credit facility that will build out its pipeline of US solar and storage projects.
May 14, 2026
Canadian Solar has posted a quarter-on-quarter decline in both solar module shipments and net revenues in the first quarter of 2026.
May 14, 2026
Kiwa PVEL has rolled out updates to its module testing programme, with two changes affecting Static Mechanical Load (SML) and hail testing.
May 14, 2026
Arava Power has acquired 50% of OCI Energy’s La Salle Solar project, a 670MW project that OCI expects to start commercial operations in 2028.
May 14, 2026
Norway-headquartered technical and safety expert DNV has published two new standards for the design and maintenance of floating solar PV (FPV) systems.
May 14, 2026
New Zealand's government has ordered a sector review into the installation of residential and small to medium-scale solar, aiming to reduce what it describes as a "red tape nightmare" that can delay approvals for months.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
May 20, 2026
Porto, Portugal
Upcoming Webinars
May 27, 2026
9am BST / 10am CEST
Upcoming Webinars
May 27, 2026
9am BST / 10am CEST
Media Partners, Solar Media Events
June 3, 2026
National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai)
Solar Media Events
June 16, 2026
Napa, USA