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

October 9, 2026
Pan-African renewables developer Axian Energy has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with energy aggregator and trader Africa GreenCo in Zambia.
October 9, 2026
India’s MNRE issued the 12th revision of its Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-II for solar PV cells on 8 October 2026.
October 9, 2026
Funds have been raised from private equity providers for two community solar developers that benefit several US states, in separate deals.
October 9, 2026
The IPP has begun the build phase of a new 420MW hybrid renewable energy park in Mohave County, Arizona, with completion due in 2028.
October 9, 2026
Dos Grados has agreed to acquire three PV solar projects in Spain from Akuo, with a combined installed capacity of more than 500MW.
October 9, 2026
Spanish IPP Grenergy has secured a US$457 million non-recourse senior financing for a 446MW Chilean solar-plus-storage portfolio.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events, Upcoming Webinars
October 21, 2026
2pm AEDT
Solar Media Events
November 3, 2026
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
November 24, 2026
Warsaw, Poland