News Article
Opel Technologies restructures its board
On an interim basis, CEO Leon M. Pierhal will direct Opel Solar’s marketing activities with the support of the sales and marketing staff
Opel Technologies and Opel Solar, a supplier of HCPV solar panels and solar tracker systems and a semiconductor device and process developer, has made changes to its Management Team.
Francisco (“Frank”) Middleton, Chief Operating Officer, has retired from the Company.
Middleton came out of retirement to join Opel six years ago to develop the Company’s HCPV technology and universal solar tracking systems.
Over the years, Middleton has seen the rise of Opel’s worldwide acceptance within the CPV and tracker businesses. Now that Opel is enjoying market-leading success and continuing growth, especially with its solar trackers, he believes it is a perfect time for his transition back into retirement.
The Company’s Management and the Board remains optimistic that the Company's efforts will result in strong growth in both its solar and semiconductor lines of business.
“The businesses of Opel retain great potential,” said Leon M. Pierhal, Chief Executive Officer of Opel Technologies. “We are experiencing tremendous sales momentum in the area of our universal solar tracking systems. At the Annual General Meeting, I discussed refocusing Opel Solar to meet the increasing worldwide demand for tracking systems. Over the recent months, Opel has been actively responding to numerous proposal requests for utility scale projects requiring solar trackers for different types of PV technologies. In fact, our pivot to tracking systems has generated such activity that to meet the demand, Opel has shifted resources from our CPV business in order to devote the required attention to solar trackers,” Pierhal stated.
In addition, the ODIS group continues to grow to meet its goals. “ODIS continues to successfully forge ahead in its POET development program to achieve its expected milestones,” added Pierhal.
Javier Berrios is taking on an expanded role as Vice President of Engineering and New Product Development. He will continue in his current engineering capacity within the solar business. Berrios’ deep background in photonics will be of strategic importance to support the ongoing compound semiconductor multi-junction POET development and ODIS’s semiconductor business plan.
