Brian Kuhn

Brian Kuhn is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of extensive experience in the field of electrical engineering.

After an enriching tenure as a research engineer at Purdue University, Brian played a pivotal role in the establishment of SmartSpark Energy Systems, a startup aimed at commercializing cutting-edge power electronics technologies.

From being the sole employee at its inception, Brian spearheaded the growth of SmartSpark Energy Systems to approximately 80 employees at its peak, securing venture capital, navigating multiple rounds of financing, rebranding the company as SolarBridge Technologies, and ultimately overseeing its acquisition by SunPower Corporation.

Over the years, Brian's responsibilities have evolved significantly, progressing from hands-on involvement in power electronics, control, firmware, PCB design, and testing to his current leadership position, where he leads the microinverter development team through three generations of microinverters.

Brian's role entails a blend of product development and sustaining activities, necessitating collaboration with diverse teams and individuals across various disciplines.

Emphasizing quality and reliability in the face of escalating manufacturing volumes, Brian has actively contributed to enhancing electronic component qualification processes, underscoring his commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.

Brian is deeply invested in the proliferation and triumph of solar energy, evident through his professional journey and accomplishments.

His educational background includes pursuing coursework for a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering at Purdue University, attaining a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla, and earning a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the same institution.

Brian has held key positions at eminent organizations, currently serving as the Director of Engineering at SunPower Corporation, previously occupying roles as the Director of Power Electronics at SolarBridge Technologies, a Research Engineer at Purdue University, a Graduate Research Assistant at the University of Missouri-Rolla, a Senior Engineer at P.C. Krause & Associates, and a Co-op Engineer at Olin Corporation.