Oxford PV has appointed solar industry veteran Matthew Merfert as its Chief Commercial Officer
Merfert will lead the company’s go-to-market strategy, customer relationships, and global market development
His appointment comes as Oxford PV moves to commercialize and scale its perovskite-on-silicon technology
Oxford PV, the British perovskite technology company, has announced the appointment of solar industry veteran Matthew Merfert as the company’s new Chief Commercial Officer (CCO).
Merfert’s appointment comes amid Oxford PV’s efforts to commercialize and industrialize its perovskite-on-silicon solar cell technology. A spin-out from the University of Oxford, Oxford PV currently operates its pilot and production line in Brandenburg an der Havel in Germany.
As CCO, Merfert will lead the company’s product-led commercial strategy and drive market adoption of its technology, with an overarching ambition to expand globally.
“He will be responsible for Oxford PV's go-to-market strategy across both its mainstream and specialty product segments, shaping market priorities, strengthening strategic customer and partner relationships, and building the commercial capabilities required to support the company's next phase of growth,” added Oxford PV.
Merfert is a long-timer in the solar PV industry, having started as a Solar Technician with Borrego Solar and worked with SunPower Corporation for close to four years. He also served as Chair of the SolarPower Europe Sustainability Workstream for a year.
His longest stint has been with US-based cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar module manufacturer First Solar, where he spent close to 17 years in various positions. Merfert left First Solar in August 2025 as Head of Strategy and Business Development, leading the company's sales strategy.
Incidentally, Oxford PV entered into a patent licensing agreement with First Solar. The agreement gives First Solar access to Oxford PV’s existing issued patents, pending patent applications, and potential manufacturing and distribution of solar PV products using perovskite semiconductor for various applications in the US market (see First Solar 2025 Sales Hit $5.2B, Signs Perovskite Licensing Deal).
“Matt's experience in building customer-focused commercial organizations will help us strengthen that capability and accelerate our market development efforts,” said Oxford PV CEO David Ward, who took over the reins of the company from Frank Averdung in 2023 (see Oxford PV Is Led By New CEO David Ward).
Oxford PV’s Chief Scientist Emeritus Chris Case discussed the commercialization pathway for perovskite-silicon tandem solar modules during the TaiyangNews Virtual Conference on Next-Generation PV Technology in April 2026 (see Tandem Commercialization Driven By Integration, IP & Energy Economics).
