Innotech Solar, the Norwegian solar cell and PV module builder, named Jerry Stokes, previously President of Suntech in Europe, as CEO. Stokes will replace David Hogg, who is leaving to join a PV project developer. Stokes will be based in Munich.
Dr. Michael Bartholomeusz, founder and one-time CEO of now-shuttered CIGS thin-film solar firm AQT, has joined Banyan Energy as a board member, joining Rami Elkhatib and Rusty Schmit on the board. Banyan is working on a low-concentration PV solution for use with silicon photovoltaics at a 5X to 10X concentration.
Former Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Air Force William C. Anderson has been named as the Strategic Development Executive at Eaton. Anderson will be responsible for overall power management and energy solutions to the government.
First Solar's EVP, general counsel and secretary Mary Beth Gustafsson is leaving the thin-film solar firm in October by mutual consent, according to an SEC filing. She will serve in her current role until a replacement is hired, First Solar said in a statement.
Aquion Energy, a VC-funded startup and builder of Aqueous Ion batteries and energy storage systems, named Tim Poor as its VP of Global Sales. Mr. Poor was previously EVP of the Wind Energy Business at American Superconductor.
John Woolard, the CEO of high-profile concentrated solar power (CSP) developer BrightSource Energy, is resigning after helping found the company in 2006, as reported by Dana Hull in the Mercury News. H. David Ramm, Executive Chairman of BrightSource, will take over as CEO until a replacement is located. Woolard will remain on BrightSource's board. Sometimes an executive transition like this is just business as usual. More often, it's a sign of further turmoil ahead.