Speakers

Dr. Roman Petres has been working in Silicon Photovoltaics R&D since 2002, with focus on solar cells and modules. In parallel to completing his PhD in physics, he was one of the founding directors of ISC Konstanz. After working as an independent consultant on PV R&D facility planning and manufacturing technology, he joined Scifiniti, a Silicon Valley startup developing a direct wafer technology in 2012. Since 2015, he was leading cell process development and operations of the PERC cell pilot line at DuPont's Silicon Valley R&D center.

In addition to his wafer, solar cell and module R&D work, Dr. Petres has also been installing PV systems in Germany and the United States, both grid-tied and off-grid, privately for friends and family since 2009.

Together with his wife, he owns and operates Las Manzanitas Ecovillage since 2014.

Las Manzanitas is an Off-Grid Ecovillage with seven housing units, located in the Santa Cruz Mountains near Silicon Valley in California, USA. In an ongoing effort to achieve 100% sustainability for both its power and water needs, its total annual electricity consumption, including EV charging, is already >99% provided by PV with battery storage. Water is sourced 100% from rain water collection.