According to informed sources close to those involved, Jerry Stokes, president of Suntech Europe has agreed a settlement with senior management of Suntech Power Holdings to leave the company. Stokes joined the company in 2006. Suntech's newly appointed chief executive officer, David King recently set about restructuring senior management roles with the exit of Andrew Beebe, Suntech’s chief commercial officer and regional heads reporting directly to King.
Sungevity revealed that over the past three months it has welcomed David Dunlap, COO, Steve Atherton, CTO, Walter Conroy, general counsel and Liz Ludwig, VP of corporate business development to its executive management team. Dunlap’s newly created COO position manages the company’s customer-facing operation functions with Dunlap coming to Sungevity after serving as executive VP of operations and client services at Inside Track, an educational services company.
Solon Energy announced that Anjan Turlapati, co-founder or Microsol, will be replacing Stefan Säuberlich as the company’s CEO. Säuberlich is said to be changing his focus to new tasks, but the company assured that he will remain on staff in a consultant position for the coming months.
Dow Corning, a specialist in silicon-based solar products based in the US, has named Eric Peeters as vice president of its electronic solutions business taking over from James Helwick, who has led Dow Corning’s electronics business since 2010. His appointment became effective on September 1.
In response to increased losses and deepening negative margins, Trina Solar has implemented a number of changes to its management structure in a bid to “increase the responsiveness and effectiveness of its revenue-based operations”. As a result, its operations are now divided into four regions, each with a regional leader which will report to Jifan Gao, chairman and CEO of Trina Solar.
Solar modules supplier Worldwide Energy and Manufacturing USA has announced the resignation of the company’s director Michael O’Connor effective June 28, 2012, as well as the departure of Jeff Watson.
Bryan Crabb has joined the California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA) as its new executive director. Crabb comes to CALSEIA after serving as director of government affairs at both First Solar and OptiSolar. He is lauded as having vast experience in solar policy as well as legislative and regulatory experience.
Trina Solar has appointed Henry Chow as a member of its board of directors, effective immediately, the company has announced. Chow has worked in executive positions for IBM until 2009 and served most recently in a non-executive position for semiconductor company AMD in the US. Furthermore, he is a member of British private equity company the European Advisory Committee of Bridgepoint.
Banyan Energy has announced the appointment of Rusty Schmit as its new CEO. Schmit has over 30 years of experience in the solar industry and has been a member of Banyan’s board of directors where he served as the company’s vice president of business development in his most recent role. Before joining Banyan Energy, Schmit was involved in the foundation of PV companies like Advent Solar and Matrix Solar Technologies, where he served as CEO.
