4 May 2012

First Solar appoints Raffi Garabedian as chief technology officer as Dave Eaglesham retires

First Solar Inc of Tempe, AZ, USA, which manufactures thin-film photovoltaic modules based on cadmium telluride (CdTe) as well as providing engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services, has announced the retirement of chief technology officer Dave Eaglesham, and the appointment of Raffi Garabedian as his successor.

Garabedian joined First Solar in 2008 as director of Disruptive Technologies, and was promoted to VP of Advanced Technologies in 2010, overseeing the firm’s advanced R&D operations in Santa Clara, CA.

Eaglesham joined First Solar in 2006 and, during his six years as the firm’s top technologist, the R&D group has achieved multiple records for cadmium telluride (CdTe) cell and module efficiency.

“We thank Dave for his tremendous contribution to our success and his unwavering commitment to our mission,” says chairman Mike Ahearn. “Raffi is an experienced technology leader with a proven track record in our R&D organization, and we are confident in his ability to execute and extend our technology roadmap going forward,” he adds. “Raffi has been an integral part of our success, and I am very confident in his ability to lead our R&D program and to carry on our tradition of innovation,” comments says Eaglesham.

Garabedian earned a BSEE degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic University and an MSEE degree from the University of California at Davis. Prior to joining First Solar, he was founder & CEO of semiconductor test equipment firm Touchdown Technologies. Previously, Garabedian worked in the semiconductor and micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) industries for over 15 years, developing new products ranging from automotive sensors to telecoms switching systems, and holds more than 20 issued patents in these fields.

First Solar uses a continuous manufacturing process that transforms a sheet of glass into a complete solar module in less than 2.5 hours, which contributes to what is claimed to be industry-leading energy payback time and the low carbon footprint of systems using First Solar PV modules. First Solar also implemented the industry’s first comprehensive, pre-funded solar module collection and recycling program.

Tags: First Solar Thin-film photovoltaic CdTe

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