Hirano, currently senior vice president, will take the reins on 31 July at Solar Frontier, which recently recorded its first full year of profit.

Meanwhile, current president Hiroto Tamai will assume the role of Solar Frontier chairman, while retaining his position as chief operating officer for Showa Shell’s Energy Solutions business, of which Solar Frontier forms the backbone.

Solar Frontier, the world’s largest maker of CIGS thin-film modules, is a 100% subsidiary of Showa Shell, whose primary business is oil refining.