Solarcentury lands solar industry star as new CEO
Van den Heuvel was previously CEO of Dutch solar photovoltaics company Scheuten Solar, 550 staff strong with a turnover of 300 million Euros in 2010. Recently he led ProxEnergy, a solar installation company and developer of smart-grid products and services. The Dutchman brings over 13 years industry experience to Britain’s fastest growing energy company, which specialises in the design, manufacture and installation of solar electricity for buildings and solar parks.
Jeremy Leggett, Chairman of Solarcentury said:
“Frans is one of the most experienced CEOs in the downstream solar business, and has a gold-plated reputation in our industry. We’re thrilled to have landed his services. He has led huge growth in exactly the markets Solarcentury is targeting: building-integrated and building-applied solar, plus solar parks. He joins us at a time when solar prices are falling fast globally, meaning substantial markets will open up in the next few years; as a McKinsey report highlighted only last week.”
Leggett added: “He inherits a vision-led and battle-hardened team, with a strong pipeline of products and projects, just as the company has begun to expand into new markets. Together we bring a quarter of a century of solar experience to the marketplace, and a shared vision of building-integrated solar and the good it can bring to society. I am certain we can be a formidable team in advancing the interests of our company, our industry, and the planet.”
Beginning his role on Tuesday 8th May, Frans van den Heuvel, CEO, Solarcentury added:
“I am delighted to join the team at Solarcentury, a skilled and strongly motivated team of professionals. Its strategy is much in line with the one I developed over the years in my previous roles. In this volatile industry, it is of major importance to continue to adapt to the ever-changing market situation. Although it is a tough time for many in the industry there are also many opportunities. I am determined to grasp these opportunities with my new team.”
-ENDS-
Press Contact
Charlotte Webster, PR Manager, Solarcentury.
charlotte.webster@solarcentury.com
About Solarcentury
Solarcentury is one of Europe’s fastest growing and most innovative solar photovoltaics (PV) companies. The most experienced solar energy company in the UK, Solarcentury was founded by Chairman Jeremy Leggett in 1998 to design and supply solar energy solutions for the built environment. The organisation has managed the installation of well over 1,000 solar PV turnkey projects. It has helped over 9,000 homes go solar through its supply of systems to housebuilders and through its network of regional associate installers. Solarcentury, now over 120 staff, is led by CEO Frans van den Heuvel and based in London, with staff in the UK, France and Italy. It is the founding company of the schools initiative Solar4Schools and charity for the developing world, SolarAid. In 2008, 2010& 2011, Solarcentury was named the UK’s Fastest Growing Renewable Energy Company by UK’s Sunday Times Tech Track 100. In April 2011 it was awarded a Queens Award for Enterprise in innovation.
