Wakonda Technologies Names Peter Borden Executive Chairman

WOBURN, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Wakonda Technologies, Inc., an innovative developer of solar photovoltaic (PV) products, today announced that Dr. Peter Borden has joined the company as Executive Chairman.

“I look forward to working closely with Les, Ryne and the rest of the team as we continue to make progress on their vision to enable solar photovoltaic power that is directly competitive with commercial and residential electricity.”

In this new role, Dr. Borden will focus on the strategic vision and direction of Wakonda, including work on product and market strategy and the development of strategic alliances.

“Peter brings an extensive solar industry background to Wakonda, as well as firsthand experience working with emerging companies, having founded and led two previous companies,” said Les Fritzemeier, Wakonda President and CEO. “We are very fortunate to have Peter joining us at this exciting time in our company.”

Wakonda was founded in 2005 by Dr. Les Fritzemeier and Dr. Ryne Raffaelle to exploit the intersection of their respective skills in metallurgical processing and advanced photovoltaic devices. The company is developing photovoltaic materials that combine the low cost and versatility of thin film with the high efficiency of compound semiconductors. Wakonda has received several honors in its short history, including being named the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Entrepreneur of the Year in 2007.

“Wakonda’s approach creates new opportunities in solar cell manufacturing that will impact both existing and emerging photovoltaic markets,” said Dr. Peter Borden. “I look forward to working closely with Les, Ryne and the rest of the team as we continue to make progress on their vision to enable solar photovoltaic power that is directly competitive with commercial and residential electricity.”

Previously, Dr. Borden was with Applied Materials, which he joined in 2003 with its acquisition of Boxer Cross, Inc., which he co-founded and led as CTO to develop metrology systems for VLSI process control. Previously, he served as Vice President and Co-founder of High Yield Technology, where he pioneered the first commercially successful in situ particle monitoring systems for VLSI process equipment. Earlier, Dr. Borden worked for Varian Associates where he led the Photovoltaics Group, working on III-V and silicon concentrator cells and systems.

Dr. Borden holds Ph.D. and MS degrees in Applied Physics from Stanford and BS degrees in Physics and Electrical Engineering from MIT, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa. He is the author of over 80 publications in the fields of photovoltaics, silicon and III-V devices and processing, and VLSI process monitoring, and has over 30 patents.

About Wakonda

Wakonda has developed an inexpensive material designed to enable the production of high-performance solar cells by combining high efficiency solar technology with low cost, roll-to-roll manufacturing processes. The company’s solar photovoltaic products are expected to produce more power per unit area at lower costs than state of the art commercial modules. Wakonda investors include Advanced Technology Ventures, General Catalyst Partners, Polaris Venture Partners, Applied Ventures, LLC (the venture capital arm of Applied Materials, Inc.) and the Massachusetts Green Energy Fund. For more information, visit www.wakondatech.com.