Petra Solar appoints Dan Brdar as COO

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, USA: Petra Solar, a pioneer and market leader in smart solar technology for utility companies that combines distributed solar energy generation with building a Smart Grid infrastructure, announced the appointment of Dan Brdar as Chief Operating Officer.

Brdar will assume this vital role with responsibility for the strategic and operational leadership of the company’s sales, marketing, operations, and engineering organizations.

“I am delighted to have Dan join the Petra Solar executive leadership team in the critical role of Chief Operating Officer,” said Petra Solar president and CEO, Dr. Shihab Kuran. “Petra Solar’s innovative SunWave system provides our utility partners with a powerful platform that transforms the way solar power is produced and delivered. I have no doubt that Dan’s extensive expertise, strategic vision and proven leadership will help Petra Solar continue our positive momentum and business performance, capitalize on the enormous growth opportunities that exist in today’s global market, and set a trajectory toward even greater levels of success for the company.”

Brdar brings with him over 30 years of combined technology development, new product introduction and sales leadership experience in a variety of executive positions. Prior to joining Petra Solar, he served as president, CEO and Chairman of the Board of FuelCell Energy, the world’s leading stationary fuel cell manufacturer with five facilities for production and service located in three countries.

At FuelCell, Brdar led the growth strategies, financial planning and capital creation efforts, new product and market development initiatives, and provided strategic direction to manufacturing, engineering and service operations. While there, Brdar was responsible for raising over $100 million in corporate funds from institutional investors and partners, converting negative product gross margins to positive via a 51% improvement, leading a 220% increase in the manufacturing production rate, and driving a record sales order backlog.