The California-based thin-film manufacturer did not appoint a successor, but instead named IBM veteran Karl Steigele to the newly created position of president and chief operating officer.

It also says that executive chairman and Nanosolar investor Guido Polko will take “a more active role in the company”.

Corrales, who joined Nanosolar in 2010 as executive vice president of engineering and operations, has left “to pursue other ventures”.

Nanosolar, which makes copper, indium, selenide and gallium (CIGS) thin-film modules out of its factory near Berlin, and claims to have a production capacity of more than 100MW, insists that it is “well positioned for global growth”.

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