Ascent Solar Hires Zane Rakes as VP of Manufacturing Operations

Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc., a developer of state of the art flexible thin-film solar modules, announced today that Zane Rakes has been hired to serve as the company’s vice president of manufacturing operations. Rakes brings more than 16 years of experience in high volume manufacturing systems, inventory management, manufacturing automation systems and global supply chain management.

“Zane has a proven track record of leadership in establishing and scaling up high volume production facilities,” Ascent Solar president and CEO Farhad Moghadam said. “Most recently, Zane lead the construction, installation, start up and production ramp up of two solar module factories with a total capacity of 474 megawatts while completing the project on time and on budget. Zane brings the experience, skills and contacts necessary to ramp up our production from Fab 2 and evaluate potential expansion possibilities going forward.”

Immediately prior to joining Ascent Solar, Rakes was director of operations for concentrated solar power and photovoltaics at SCHOTT Solar, Inc. Prior to SCHOTT Solar, Rakes worked at Intel Corporation for more than 15 years holding various manufacturing positions, including plant manager for Intel’s Colorado Springs, CO operations. He holds bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix.

“This is an exciting time and opportunity to become a part of the Ascent Solar team as it begins its expansion and ramp up of its high volume Fab 2 facility. Ascent Solar has a truly light weight flexible unique thin-film technology that can transform the way solar is used in many ways. I look forward to leading the manufacturing expansion and technological optimization going forward.” said Rakes.