On February 16th, 2012, Advanced Energy Economy (AEE, San Francisco, California, U.S.), a national business organization promoting U.S. companies as global suppliers of innovative energy technologies and solutions, announced the addition of First Solar Inc. (Tempe, Arizona, U.S.), Duke Energy Corp. (Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.) and Wind Capital Group (Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.) executives to its board of directors.


Thousands of jobs created in diverse segments of the industry

AEE has added Duke Energy Chairman, President and CEO Jim Rogers; First Solar Chairman Mike Ahearn; and Wind Capital Group Founder and Former CEO and Chairman Tom Carnahan to its board.

"Advanced Energy Economy is a platform for promoting the growth and expansion of the entire industry, as evidenced by the leading business executives joining the board of directors," stated Hemant Taneja, interim CEO and co-founder of AEE.

"Mike Ahearn, Tom Carnahan, and Jim Rogers have helped create thousands of jobs in diverse segments of the industry and their expertise will prove invaluable in helping more American companies and workers succeed as the world transitions to a smarter energy future," Taneja said.

Ahearn serves as chairman and interim CEO of First Solar. Ahearn is currently chairman and managing partner of True North Venture Partners LP, a venture capital firm he launched in 2011 to invest primarily in early stage companies in the energy, water, agriculture and waste sectors.

"This new organization will help the advanced energy industry speak with one voice, for the first time, to promote a broader advanced energy economy and the prosperity that comes with it," said Ahearn. "I look forward to making a contribution to this important mission."

Carnahan is the founder and former CEO and chairman of the board of Wind Capital Group. He is currently chairman-elect of the board of the American Wind Energy Association.

"It's vitally important for the entire advanced energy industry to stand together," said Carnahan. "New technologies and new business models are being brought to bear on a fundamental component of modern life – energy. In this way, AEE speaks not only for an industry, but for the future. I am delighted to lend a hand."

Rogers has served as chairman, president and CEO of Duke Energy since 2007. He has 23 years of experience as a CEO in the electric utility industry.

"The country and the world need a wide range of solutions to meet growing cleaner energy needs," said Rogers. "I am happy to work with AEE to secure a leading role for the United States."

2012-02-22| Courtesy: Advanced Energy Economy; Image: First Solar/GtaI | solarserver.com © Heindl Server GmbH

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