News

Share/Save/Bookmark

20 July 2010

 

Solyndra appoints VP of North America sales

Solyndra Inc of Fremont, CA, USA, which manufactures copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) photovoltaic (PV) systems consisting of panels and mounting hardware for commercial rooftops, has appointed Corby C. Whitaker as VP of North America sales.

Whitaker has been with United Solar Ovonics, a subsidiary of Energy Conversion Devices, since 2007, most recently as VP of North American sales.

“Corby brings strong solar and roofing sales and channel development experience to our team and, with his leadership, we will continue to rapidly expand sales in our target markets in North America,” says Solyndra’s CEO Chris Gronet. “He has a proven ability to develop new business and enhance customer satisfaction.” 

Prior to United Solar Ovonics, Whitaker was director of sales and service for Johns Manville Corp, a Berkshire Hathaway company, from 2003-2007, where he managed sales of roofing systems and services. Before that, he served in executive and sales management roles for Suez Energy Services, Constellation NewEnergy Inc, and Ingersoll Dresser Pump.

Solyndra’s proprietary cylindrical thin-film solar panels are built from tubes. This ‘self-tracking’ design — with a 360º photovoltaic surface capable of absorbing direct, diffuse and reflected sunlight (from below) — allows the capture of more sunlight from low-slope commercial rooftops than conventional flat-surfaced solar panels, which need costly tilted mounting devices to improve the capture of direct light from the sun, offer poor collection of diffuse light, and fail to collect reflected light. Also, gaps between the tubes and their frame let wind pass through, reducing the need for heavy, roof-penetrating fastenings or anchoring; their lighter weight also allows installation on scantier roofs. Simple horizontal mounting hardware also allows fast and economical installation, claims the firm. 

See related items:

Solyndra targets $175m private placement

Search: Solyndra CIGS

Visit: www.solyndra.com