Markets & Finance

SPG Solar has named Thomas S. Rooney Jr. as its new CEO, succeeding company founder Dan Thompson, who will become chairman of the board. Rooney brings more than 25 years of experience managing large-scale and publicly traded companies to the solar development firm.

Skyline Solar has appointed Solon CTO Lars Podlowski to its board of directors. Podlowski was tapped by the high-gain solar/CPV company for his combination of extensive technical expertise in the implementation of large-scale solar products, systems, and plants as well as his intimate knowledge of European markets, which Skyline says will help it as the firm looks to expand globally.

BTU International has hired industry veteran Jan-Paul van Maaren as its new VP of marketing. He will report directly to company chairman/CEO Paul van der Wansem. Van Maaren is charged with all of BTU's strategic marketing and marketing communications activities, with an initial focus on the firm's  solar markets.

MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. has moved to expand it Board of Directors to 10 members with the news that it has added Emmanuel (Manny) T. Hernandez to its Board. Mr. Hernandez retired from his role as CFO at SunPower last November, where he had served for over three years.

Suntech Power Holdings CTO, Dr. Stuart Wenham has received NewSouth Innovations (NSi) Inventor of the Year Award. NSi is the technology commercialization company of the University of NSW, Australia (UNSW). Dr. Wenham holds a dual position as the Director of the UNSW's ARC Photovoltaic Centre of Excellence as well as his position at Suntech. Dr. Zhengrong Shi, Suntech's Chairman and CEO was a former senior research scientist at the Centre of Excellence.

centrotherm photovoltaics AG, a service provider for solar cell and solar silicon manufacturing, named Dr. Frank Faller (pictured) the new Managing Director at the company’s US subsidiary,  centrotherm photovoltaics Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia.

Fraunhofer ISE has announced that Gerhard Stryi-Hipp will take over as Head of Energy Policy and Group Leader of Thermal Collectors and Applications, beginning in July, addressing the company’s need for help in these areas.

A member of the prestigious Energy Committee of the National Black Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Maurice Stone has been added to the Sunrise Solar Corp. executive team as President. He takes on the responsibility of expanding the company’s business expansion and management of the company’s project portfolio.

Solarfun Power Holdings Co., Ltd., manufacturers of silicon ingots and PV modules, have appointed Dr. David N.K. Wang and Professor Rongqiang Cui as Independent Directors, replacing Zhoumiao Gao and Johan van Splunter respectively.  In addition to Independent Director, Dr. Wang was also appointed to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

Metals and materials provider Elkem has named Helge Aasen as the replacement for Bjørn Wiggen as Managing Director following the latter’s appointment to a new role as President and CEO of SAPA, as well as his appointment to the role of Chairman of Elkem’s Board of Directors. Mr. Wiggen replaces Ole Enger, who was recently appointed as President and CEO of the Renewable Energy Corporation (REC).