First Solar Inc of Tempe, AZ, USA, which manufactures thin-film photovoltaic (PV) modules based on cadmium telluride (CdTe), has appointed Johan Cilliers as regional director of business development for sub-Saharan Africa and managing director of its new South Africa operating subsidiary. Cilliers will be based in First Solar's newly established office in Cape Town and will report to Christopher Burghardt, vice president of Business Development for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
Cilliers has more than 25 years of energy industry experience in South Africa , and joins First Solar from Suzlon, where he was vice president of sales and marketing in South Africa. Prior to Suzlon, he worked at General Electric, Siemens and Eskom in a wide range of roles, including market development, sales and marketing, project development and financing.
"South Africa has great potential to be a sustainable market for solar energy, and Cilliers' quarter-century of experience in the African energy industry and strong understanding of the Sub-Saharan Africa market will be invaluable as we work with our customers to help the region meet its energy and economic development needs," said Burghardt.
Cilliers earned a BS degree in chemistry from the University of Pretoria and BS degree in energy from the University of Johannesburg.