Former PowerLight, SunPower Systems head Dan Shugar joins Solaria as CEO

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Former SunPower Systems and PowerLight president Daniel Shugar has joined Solaria as its new CEO. The veteran solar industry executive replaces former CEO Suvi Sharma, who will focus on business development and strategy in his new role as president of the Fremont, CA-based solar photovoltaic module company.

During his tenure at PowerLight and then SunPower after it bought the company, Shugar oversaw revenue growth from less than $1 million to more than $800 million. He was responsible for the completion of more than 500 PV projects serving commercial, industrial, and utility clients worldwide.

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

Before his stint at PowerLight, Shugar managed the Solar Projects Research Group at Pacific Gas & Electric. He holds multiple U.S. patents for his inventions of various PV system applications and has  published more than 50 technical papers.

Shugar has a BS in electrical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an MBA in finance from Golden Gate University.

Sharma said he had “only one person… in mind to take over the CEO role at Solaria, and that was Dan Shugar. He is the right person to lead Solaria as it changes from an R&D and product development company to a full-fledged manufacturer and module supplier.” 

The new CEO believes the company “has a great team and terrific technology. Our module will transform the economics of solar installations. Solaria’s patented technology gives us the opportunity to double the existing silicon PV capacity in the marketplace.

“I’m excited to launch this module into widespread deployment at such a vital and dynamic time for the solar industry,” he added.

Read Next

July 8, 2026
A report by think-tank ECNO has blamed grid bottlenecks, permitting delays and flexibility limitations for a slowdown in the EU’s renewables growth.
July 8, 2026
France has awarded 300.23MW of solar PV capacity in its latest commercial and industrial (C&I) rooftop tender.
July 8, 2026
GameChange Energy has been selected to supply its Genius Tracker 1P Terrain Following system for the 380MWp Lower Wonga Solar Farm in Queensland.
July 8, 2026
Canada-based renewables company Polaris Renewable Energy has executed a mixed investment agreement for a 250MW solar-plus-storage portfolio in Mexico.
July 8, 2026
A new EU-funded project has launched, aimed at strengthening Europe’s capabilities in silicon ingot and wafer manufacturing.
July 7, 2026
Australian renewables company CleanPeak Energy will develop a 9MWp rooftop solar PV system alongside 30MW/120MWh of battery energy storage for Western Sydney International (WSI) Airport in Australia.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
November 3, 2026
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
November 24, 2026
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
April 20, 2027
Istanbul, Türkiye