Alexander Au

Alexander Au is a prominent figure in the solar energy industry, serving as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Co-founder of NEXTracker Inc., a leading company in solar tracking technology.13

Professional Background

Alexander Au has over 13 years of experience in photovoltaic (PV) product development, ranging from residential to utility-scale applications.2 He co-founded NEXTracker in 2013, where he currently leads the company's technology and engineering efforts, driving the creation of their solar and storage product suite.12

Career Progression

Before co-founding NEXTracker, Au held several positions in the solar industry:

• Director of Tracker Product Engineering at Solaria Corporation (2012-2013)
• Manager of Product Engineering at SPG Solar (2011-2012)
• Director of Advanced Technology Research and Development at Akeena Solar (2002-2011)
• Junior Engineer at Alcon Laboratories, Inc. (1999)1

Education

Au received his degree in Mechanical Engineering from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, graduating in 2000.1

Achievements and Innovations

As CTO of NEXTracker, Au has been instrumental in developing innovative solar tracking solutions. Under his leadership, the company has introduced several "industry-first" innovations, including self-powering and self-grounding capabilities for solar trackers.3 Au's work has contributed to NEXTracker's success, with the company shipping over 70 gigawatts of smart solar trackers to more than 30 countries.3

Approach to Innovation

Au is known for his approach to innovation, which involves circulating ideas within the team, considering factors such as novelty, difficulty, cost, and feasibility. He emphasizes the importance of customer feedback and quick innovation cycles in product development.2

Alexander Au's expertise and leadership in solar technology have played a significant role in advancing the solar energy industry and contributing to the development of more efficient and cost-effective solar power solutions.