Claassen kicked off a chaotic year for Solar Millennium by abandoning his position in March 2010 just 74 days after starting. Since leaving, he has steadfastly refused to return his signing bonus, arguing that he deserves it.

Solar Millennium blames Claassen’s obduracy – as well as delays in clinching funding for two massive projects in California – for the €10.4m net loss it swallowed last year.

Helmut