QuantaSol restructures in gear-up to volume manufacture

KINGSTON-UPON-THAMES, ENGLAND: QuantaSol Ltd, the independent designer and manufacturer of strain-balanced quantum-well solar cells, has undergone significant restructuring as it readies for volume manufacture.

In late 2009 Chris Shannon was appointed CEO, in a strategic move to drive the business forward. Chris brings with him more than 20 years of experience and an impressive track record in product marketing, product development to manufacturing, and international sales growth.

Throughout his career, Chris has proven an ability to lead the successful growth and commercialisation of start-up companies including roles at Ezurio and Queensgate Instruments.

Since his appointment, Shannon has overseen two new appointments to the QuantaSol management team. Ivor Thomas joins as Chief Financial Officer and brings extensive experience from within several UK listed technology companies. His role at QuantaSol will involve the introduction of financial and operational systems in preparation for rapid growth.

Also joining as VP of Engineering is Dr Gianluca Bacchin, whose previous positions include Product Development Director at Intense Ltd and Senior Researcher/Engineer at Corning OTI.

Dr Tom Tibbits has become Director of Product Marketing in a move from his previous role at QuantaSol as Product Engineering Director. Tom has been with QuantaSol since its outset, having been a protégé of Keith Barnham, QuantaSol’s Chief Scientific Officer, whilst studying at Imperial College. Keith is Emeritus Professor of Physics and Senior Research Investigator in the Physics Department at Imperial, and his research is at the core of QuantaSol’s technology. Dr Tibbits was also privileged to have spent a year at the Fraunhofer Institute of Solar Energy Systems, furthering developments in this exciting area.

In June last year, QuantaSol announced it had a single-junction device, which achieved a record breaking 28.3 percent efficiency at greater than 500 suns when independently tested by Fraunhofer ISE. Following continual development to achieve multi-junction cells at even higher efficiency, the newly restructured company is now driving toward volume production and a product launch is expected later this year.