Bruce Sohn joins Siva Power
Siva Power, a US manufacturer of CIGS thin-film solar technology, has hired Bruce Sohn as vice chairman of its board. Sohn was the key executive in First Solar's growth into an internationally recognised solar company and has held leadership positions at Intel.
Sohn started at First Solar in 2003, serving on the board and guiding the company through its formative years of growth. In 2007 Sohn became First Solar's president, leading the company's growth from the pre-revenue stage to a multi-billion-dollar enterprise.
Previously, Sohn worked at Intel for 24 years where he played a leadership role in developing, engineering and manufacturing leading-edge semiconductor technologies. At Intel he was a crucial part of the start-up team at five fabs, managed two of Intel's largest fabs, and was program manager for Intel'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.
Siva Power CEO Brad Mattson stated: "If I had my choice of any executive in the world to join our team, it would be Bruce Sohn. What he achieved at First Solar speaks for itself, and it says a lot about Siva and where Siva is going now that someone like Bruce has joined us.
"We've consolidated the best and the brightest minds in the thin-film solar industry and Bruce Sohn is a special addition to that brain trust. It was under his leadership that First Solar, the only American thin-film PV success story, became what it is today. His guidance and leadership will be invaluable to Siva going forward as we become the next success."
"Siva has made impressive progress on its advanced thin film technology," Sohn said. "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. 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 to power the planet."
Siva Power is developing CIGS thin-film solar modules at its Santa Clara, CA headquarters. Siva raised money 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.
Mattson continued: "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. We're really pleased to have him and are looking forward to working together - there's a lot for us to achieve."
