Former SEIA chief Rhone Resch has joined Japanese solar PV manufacturer TOYO as Chief Strategy Officer
He will lead the company’s global growth plans, including the expansion of its manufacturing footprint and presence in the US market
Resch will also focus on strengthening partnerships across the solar value chain and navigating evolving trade and regulatory dynamics
Rhone Resch, the solar industry veteran and the former President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the US Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), has now joined Japanese solar PV manufacturer TOYO as its Chief Strategy Officer (CSO).
Resch led the US solar lobby group for over a decade, from 2004 to 2016 (see Rhone Resch To Step Down). Since then, he has served on the boards of several solar companies before joining Solarlytics as the President and CEO in January 2019, and later launching Advanced Energy Advisors in the same capacity.
At TOYO, Resch will lead the company’s global growth strategy with a focus on expanding its manufacturing footprint, including further expansion in the US market, leveraging his extensive experience there.
TOYO operates a solar module factory in Houston, Texas, supplying cells from its Ethiopian factory. In its recent financial results, TOYO said it is evaluating additional strategic initiatives to create a robust onshore supply chain for its US customers (see TOYO’s FY2025 Revenue Climbs 142% YoY).
Resch will also focus on strengthening TOYO’s partnerships across the solar value chain, including with developers, utilities, and technology partners. With his experience, Resch will focus on navigating evolving trade, regulatory, and market dynamics.
Resch will report directly to TOYO CEO Takahiko Onozuka, who welcomed him, saying, “Rhone brings a rare combination of industry leadership, commercial insight, and policy expertise,” adding, “His experience will be important as we expand our manufacturing platform and grow our presence in the United States. This appointment supports TOYO's next phase of growth, particularly in accelerating its expansion in the U.S. market and strengthening its global manufacturing strategy.”