17 August 2011

First Solar appoints James Brown president of Utility Systems Business Group

First Solar Inc of Tempe, AZ, USA, which makes thin-film photovoltaic (PV) modules based on cadmium telluride (CdTe) as well as providing engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services, says that Jens Meyerhoff, president of the Utility Systems Business Group (USBG), will leave the firm effective 30 September 2011. Meyerhoff joined First Solar in May 2006 as CFO and led the firm through the transformation from private to publicly traded company through its initial public stock offering in November 2006. He also led the creation of First Solar's Utility Systems business and was appointed President of the Utility Systems Business Group in July 2010.

James Brown, currently senior VP of Utility Systems Business Sales, will succeed Meyerhoff, and will report to First Solar’s CEO Rob Gillette. Brown joined First Solar in 2008 as VP, Project Finance. He is currently responsible for leading the wholesale systems sales business in the Americas and Asia-Pacific. Prior to joining First Solar, Brown worked for approximately 20 years in banking covering project and structured finance for the energy and industrial sectors. He has a B.S. degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point and was a Captain in the U.S. Army where he was a helicopter pilot and commanded an Air Cavalry troop.

"Jens has been an instrumental part of our growth, both as CFO and leading the Utility Systems business. He has always been equally passionate about both our business success and our long-term vision to build sustainable solar markets. We thank Jens for his dedication and wish him the best," said Gillette. "Jim is an experienced leader with a proven track record who has been deeply involved in the creation and execution of our USBG strategy, so we are confident the transition will be seamless."

Frank DeRosa will assume an expanded role in USBG as senior VP of Business Development for the Americas, reporting to Brown. In his new role, DeRosa will add Business Development and Sales to his Project Development responsibilities in USBG for the Americas. DeRosa joined First Solar in 2010 as senior VP of Project Development when First Solar acquired NextLight Renewable Power, where he was founder and CEO. Prior to that, DeRosa worked for 23 years at Pacific Gas & Electric Company in both the regulated and unregulated business units. He earned a B.S. degree from Boston University and a Masters in Public Policy from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.

Tags: First Solar Thin-film photovoltaic CdTe

Visit: www.firstsolar.com