Rainer Ott, sales director at DEGERenergie since early 2011, will take charge of the company’s global sales with immediate effect. Since joining DEGERenergie Ott has impressed as the business manager of the company’s US, Spanish and Greek subsidiaries. His new responsibilities will include the research of new markets for potential investment and developing the company’s international distribution network.
The European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC) has announced that Carlos Lee will become its new director general with immediate effect. The announcement, made at the association’s recent annual general meeting, will see Lee replace Thomas Pearsall, who has been with the organization since its formulation in 2003.
Founder and Chairman of the Radiant Group, Winston Xu Biao is the newest member of Ascent Solar Technologies’ board of directors. Xu will help the company oversee new market opportunities, as well as its re-entrance into the BIPV and BAPV markets, which it delayed in March 2011.
Following the retirement of José Villarreal, a member of the board since 2007, First Solar has taken the opportunity to expand its board membership from nine to 11 members. The company has nominated George “Chip” Hambro, former First Solar COO, and Richard “Rick” Chapman, CFO of Walton Enterprises, Inc., to stand for election at its annual stockholder meeting on May 23, the latter as an independent director.
UK-based Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology (OPIT) has promoted Dan Ayres to managing director, effective immediately. Last summer Ayres was appointed to the newly-created role of general manager having already worked at the company for over ten years. He has been based in operations, product management and project management.
The University of Seville, the Social Council and the Focus-Abengoa Foundation have awarded the 9th “Javier Benjumea Puigcerver” research prize to Eduardo Fernández Camacho for his applied research on the increase in performance of solar-thermal plants through predictive control. The prize was awarded to the university professor on the basis that his submitted work was of “extraordinary scientific value” to the globally important issue of energy supply.
Innotech Solar (ITS) and CEO Thor-Christian Tuv have decided to part ways after identifying differing opinions on the company’s future growth and expansion. The company’s board is now focusing on creating a new long-term growth strategy to meet the dynamic challenges of the photovoltaic industry. The ITS board views the introduction of new skills and expertise as an important priority, and has appointed David Hogg to the role of CEO at Innotech Solar with immediate effect.
Semiconductor manufacturer Soitec has completed its acquisition of Soitec Solar, formerly Concentrix Solar. The purchase process began in 2009 and Soitec has finalized the acquisition of the remaining shares.
In keeping with its 20% increase in turnover for 2011 and to boost its international presence, DEGERenergie has recruited Florian Falk Naumann as county manager for Australia. DEGERenergie is expecting its MLD technology to flourish in the Australian climate under the government's “Clean Energy Future” scheme.
As energy prices continue to climb and solar rebates continue to attract a steady stream of customers, Antaris Solar has hired Robert McNamara as its new general manager for the United States in order to manage the regions increasing customer base. McNamara brings solar sales and management experience to his new role, coming from Solar Wholesale Products, which he led as president.
