Solar cell and module manufacturer FuturaSun has announced the appointment of Gianluca Coletti, recognized as a leading expert of solar PV technology, as the Italian company's new chief technology officer (CTO).
Working as a Senior Scientist and Head of Tandem Technology Research Program at the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) since 2018, Coletti also specializes in tandem technology and silicon cells and modules as a senior business developer at the agency (see New Tandem Solar Module Developed By European Partners).
He is also an adjunct professor at the University of New South Wales in Australia's Sydney. Coletti will join FuturaSun with effect from October 16, 2023.
FuturaSun expects Coletti to bring in his research knowledge to 'bridge the gap' between research and practical industrial solutions.
"In his capacity as CTO, he will spearhead our technological strategy, leveraging his extensive knowledge and scientific approach to ensure that we continue to deliver pioneering solutions to a rapidly evolving market," said FuturaSun CEO Alessandro Barin. "This marks a decisive moment in our company's growth, and Gianluca is unquestionably the ideal candidate to steer our technological innovation efforts and achieve the objectives outlined in our industrial roadmap."
FuturaSun currently operates 3 GW solar module production capacity in China. It is now building a Gigafactory in Italy along with an n-type bifacial and interdigitated back contact (IBC) cell facility with 10 GW installed capacity in China.
It has also ventured into perovskites, having recently acquired Rome-based startup Solertix (see Italian PV Company Acquires Perovskite Firm).
On joining FuturaSun, Coletti shared, "Together, we will execute an ambitious industrial strategy, implementing innovative architecture for silicon PV cells and modules, along with cutting-edge tandem technologies."
Speaking at the TaiyangNews conference on High Efficiency Solar Technologies in November 2022, Coletti listed large-scale manufacturing costs, reliability and long-term stability and module integration into final product to be tested in outdoor conditions as the main challenges for commercialization of perovskite silicon tandem (see Positive Outlook On Solar Demand & Technology Developments At TaiyangNews Event).