Copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) thin-film solar module developer Siva Power of San Clara, CA, USA has hired solar executive Bruce Sohn as vice-chairman of its board. Sohn was previously the key executive in the growth of cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film photovoltaic module maker First Solar Inc of Tempe, AZ, USA into an internationally recognized solar company, and he has also held leadership positions at Intel Corp.
Sohn started at First Solar in 2003, serving on its board and guiding the firm through its formative years of growth. In 2007 Sohn became First Solar's president, leading it from the pre-revenue stage to a multi-billion-dollar enterprise. Under Sohn's leadership, First Solar achieved three historic solar milestones: the first Company to manufacture at under $1/watt, the first company to ship more than 1 GW of production annually and the first company to develop and engineer, procure, and construct (EPC) over 1 GW of utility-scale projects.
Previously, Sohn worked at Intel for 24 years, where he played a leadership role in developing, engineering and manufacturing semiconductor technologies. At Intel he was a crucial part of the start-up team at five fabs, managed two of its largest fabs, and was program manager for the firm's conversion to 300mm wafers.
Sohn graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a degree in engineering, was a Clean Energy Ambassador to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and chaired the US Commerce Department's Manufacturing Council for the Obama Administration.
"It was under his leadership that First Solar, the only American thin-film PV success story, became what it is today," comments Siva Power's CEO Brad Mattson. "His guidance and leadership will be invaluable to Siva," he adds.
"Siva has made impressive progress on its advanced thin film technology," says Sohn. "While the solar industry has steadily improved its position as a leading generator of clean, renewable energy, we are still at the threshold of the upcoming growth phase," he adds. "Terrawatts of clean power are yet to be installed and there is opportunity to make thin-film solar the lowest-cost, most environmentally friendly solution."
Siva says that its roadmap will deliver lower electricity costs through advanced technology, scale, operational execution and an effective business strategy. Siva raised funds earlier this year to build a pilot line at its Silicon Valley headquarters, where it will produce CIGS modules based on its proprietary technology and manufacturing processes.
"Bruce's extensive experience in growing and managing large teams, and in global manufacturing capability, will prove to be a huge asset to Siva Power as we take our next step into giga-scale manufacturing," Mattson reckons.
