Veteran semiconductor executive becomes DayStar’s new CEO

February 17, 2010
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

CIGS thin-film start-up DayStar has appointed Magnus Ryde its new chief executive officer and a director of the company’s board. DayStar also announced that William Steckel resigned from his positions of CEO and CFO on February 15. Steckel will continue to serve on DayStar’s board. Ryde was North American President of the leading semiconductor foundry, Taiwan-based TSMC. He also spent 18 years with KLA-Tencor in various executive roles. DayStar has had a string of executive changes over the past two years.

In welcoming Ryde to DayStar, DayStar chairman Peter Lacey said, “Magnus is an executive possessing a unique combination of skills and experiences that make him the ideal leader for DayStar as the company commercializes its CIGS PV modules. Magnus has extensive experience with world class semiconductor manufacturers and high technology companies.”

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

“I am excited to lead DayStar through the next phase of growth as we commercialize our unique thin-film PV technology,” said Ryde. “DayStar has a robust technology roadmap which calls for commercial CIGS PV modules with a conversion efficiency of greater than 13% and less than $0.85 cost per watt at full production scale. There is wide consensus that CIGS is the most promising photovoltaic thin-film platform. DayStar has demonstrated repeatable high-efficiency CIGS with its one-step sputter deposition process, and I am confident in our ability to scale this process and commercialize our product.”

The company did not give a reason for the change in CEOs.

Read Next

March 13, 2026
Elsewedy Electric has completed and handed over the 348.6MWp El Saad solar plant, which has now officially entered its operations and maintenance phase.
Premium
March 13, 2026
PV Talk: According to kWh Analytics' Jason Kaminsky, 'there’s more capital available for risk and risk exposure' in the present investment environment.
March 13, 2026
US-based tracker manufacturer FTC Solar has signed a 1GW solar tracker supply agreement with solar and storage developer Strata Clean Energy.
March 13, 2026
Scatec, in partnership with Aeolus SAS (Aeolus) have achieved commercial operations for the 60MW Sidi Bouzid solar plant in Tunisia.
March 13, 2026
Current solar PV module price increases are largely dictated by five major components, according to data from Intertek CEA
March 13, 2026
Renewable energy investment platform Nexwell Power has closed a €167 million (US$191 million) multi-tranche project financing for a 248MW solar PV portfolio in Spain.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
March 24, 2026
Dallas, Texas
Solar Media Events
April 15, 2026
Milan, Italy
Solar Media Events
June 16, 2026
Napa, USA
Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
November 3, 2026
Málaga, Spain