Natural Resources >> CEO Interviews >> November 11, 2002
ALLEN M. BARNETT is President and CEO of AstroPower, Inc.
AstroPower is currently the largest independent manufacturer of
solar electric power products, fifth largest in the world, and
one of the fastest-growing solar electric power manufacturing
companies. Dr. Barnett serves on the Solar Energy Industries
Association (SEIA) Board of Directors. He also serves on the
Advisory Board of the National Center for Photovoltaics (NCPV) of
the U.S. Department of Energy. Prior to founding AstroPower, Dr.
Barnett successfully led three different organizations into
positions of technical leadership in the development of high-
technology products. He has been active in photovoltaic research
and development since 1975, specializing in thin-film materials
and device design. He pioneered the development and manufacture
of thin, crystalline silicon solar cells on low-cost substrates.
An experienced inventor, Dr. Barnett has been awarded 23 patents
and has been the recipient of seven R&D 100 awards for new
industrial products. In addition, he has authored or co-authored
more than 200 technical publications. From 1976 through 1993, Dr.
Barnett was a Professor of Electrical Engineering at the
University of Delaware. Dr. Barnett received his PhD in
Electrical Engineering from Carnegie Institute of Technology and
his MS and BSEE from the University of Illinois. Dr. Barnett
received The Karl W. Boer Solar Energy Medal of Merit in April
2001 for pioneering high-performance, thin-crystalline silicon
solar cells, founding and leading a world-class enterprise for
the commercialization of solar electric products, and outstanding
continuing service to the solar electric power community. In
1996, Dr. Barnett received the IEEE William R. Cherry Award for
outstanding contributions to Photovoltaic Science and Technology.
He was also elected a Fellow of The Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers in January 1998 for contributions and
technical leadership in the development and commercialization of
photovoltaic solar cells. Dr. Barnett and his wife, Marsha,
founded the Michael and Charles Barnett Center at St.
Christopher's Hospital for Children in Philadelphia. The center
supports research of 'mitochondrial DNA,' mutations in the
cytoplasm of every cell in the body resulting in a lack of energy
and even more debilitating conditions. Dr. and Mrs. Barnett have
been honored for their efforts by the Greater Philadelphia
Chapter of the National Society of Fund Raising Executives. In
addition, they received the first United Mitochondrial Disease
Foundation Humanitarian Award in March 2001 for their commitment
and continuous contributions to finding a cure for Mitochondrial
disease. Profile
and a picture of the company as it is now?
Dr. Barnett: AstroPower was founded to make a better solar cell,
enabling us to
