Blab Tech
Verde Technologies Names Jean-Noel Poirier CEO as Company Shifts Focus to Space Solar Applications
On July 8, Verde Technologies—a Burlington, Vermont‑based thin‑film perovskite pioneer—announced a leadership change that could redirect solar power beyond the rooftops. The company named Jean‑Noël Poirier as chief executive officer, following a priced investment round that closed earlier in 2026 and a strategic pivot toward space‑based energy solutions.
Poirier, formerly a global executive at Honeywell and senior officer at First Solar and Global Solar Energy, brings a track record of commercializing advanced solar technologies. The company’s press release notes that he has led large corporations, high‑growth businesses, and early‑stage startups, managed global growth for First Solar’s cadmium telluride modules before Hanergy’s acquisition, and served as managing director of Clean Energy Venture Group and venture partner at Meliorate Partners.
"I am thrilled to join Verde at this inflection point," Poirier said in the announcement. "Verde’s perovskite technology is an enabling solution in the space market today, and it has the potential to transform solar energy everywhere."
The transition frees co‑founder and former CEO Chad Miller to focus full‑time on the company’s technology roadmap as chief technology officer. Miller added, "With him at the helm, I will be able to fully focus on what I love, developing our technology and accelerating its deployment in high‑value applications."
Verde’s perovskite panels are ultra‑lightweight and flexible, boasting a power‑to‑weight ratio that outpaces conventional silicon modules. The firm claims its roll‑to‑roll manufacturing process can be executed at a fraction of the capital cost of silicon, potentially reducing solar energy costs by up to 50%. The technology has already earned the U.S. Perovskite Startup Prize and attracted backing from the Department of Defense, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, and industry leaders such as former GE Power CEO Steve Bolze and former Maxeon CEO Jeff Waters.
In July 2026, several outlets reported Verde’s shift toward space applications. The company highlighted the thin‑film material’s light weight and high power density as ideal for powering orbital data centers and large constellations, offering a rapid path to scale production while delivering a high‑value product to a market with less competition than terrestrial rooftop deployments.
The investment round that closed earlier in 2026 brought additional capital from both existing and new investors. While the round’s size was not disclosed, the funding is expected to support expansion into new high‑value markets, including space, and to accelerate development of the company’s manufacturing infrastructure.
Industry analysts note that perovskite solar cells have seen rapid efficiency gains, with laboratory‑scale devices reaching 27 % in 2025 and tandem cells exceeding 34 %. Long‑term stability and lead toxicity remain challenges for commercial deployment. Verde’s focus on roll‑to‑roll manufacturing and lightweight design aims to address some of these barriers, though the company has not yet released performance data for space‑grade panels.
The CEO change and strategic shift arrive as the space industry expands, driving demand for power systems that can operate in high‑radiation environments. If Verde’s technology proves reliable in orbit, it could offer a lower‑cost alternative to traditional solar arrays.
With Poirier at the helm, Verde’s leadership team is poised to pursue partnerships with satellite operators and launch providers in the coming months. The company has not yet announced specific contracts or launch dates.
In summary, Verde Technologies appointed Jean‑Noël Poirier as CEO effective July 8 and is redirecting its commercial focus toward space applications. The firm’s lightweight, flexible perovskite panels, backed by a recent investment round and federal agency support, aim to reduce solar costs and meet the growing energy needs of orbital platforms. The transition allows co‑founder Chad Miller to concentrate on technology development as chief technology officer, while the company moves forward with securing space‑industry partnerships and demonstrating panel durability in the space environment.
Poirier, formerly a global executive at Honeywell and senior officer at First Solar and Global Solar Energy, brings a track record of commercializing advanced solar technologies. The company’s press release notes that he has led large corporations, high‑growth businesses, and early‑stage startups, managed global growth for First Solar’s cadmium telluride modules before Hanergy’s acquisition, and served as managing director of Clean Energy Venture Group and venture partner at Meliorate Partners.
"I am thrilled to join Verde at this inflection point," Poirier said in the announcement. "Verde’s perovskite technology is an enabling solution in the space market today, and it has the potential to transform solar energy everywhere."
The transition frees co‑founder and former CEO Chad Miller to focus full‑time on the company’s technology roadmap as chief technology officer. Miller added, "With him at the helm, I will be able to fully focus on what I love, developing our technology and accelerating its deployment in high‑value applications."
Verde’s perovskite panels are ultra‑lightweight and flexible, boasting a power‑to‑weight ratio that outpaces conventional silicon modules. The firm claims its roll‑to‑roll manufacturing process can be executed at a fraction of the capital cost of silicon, potentially reducing solar energy costs by up to 50%. The technology has already earned the U.S. Perovskite Startup Prize and attracted backing from the Department of Defense, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, and industry leaders such as former GE Power CEO Steve Bolze and former Maxeon CEO Jeff Waters.
In July 2026, several outlets reported Verde’s shift toward space applications. The company highlighted the thin‑film material’s light weight and high power density as ideal for powering orbital data centers and large constellations, offering a rapid path to scale production while delivering a high‑value product to a market with less competition than terrestrial rooftop deployments.
The investment round that closed earlier in 2026 brought additional capital from both existing and new investors. While the round’s size was not disclosed, the funding is expected to support expansion into new high‑value markets, including space, and to accelerate development of the company’s manufacturing infrastructure.
Industry analysts note that perovskite solar cells have seen rapid efficiency gains, with laboratory‑scale devices reaching 27 % in 2025 and tandem cells exceeding 34 %. Long‑term stability and lead toxicity remain challenges for commercial deployment. Verde’s focus on roll‑to‑roll manufacturing and lightweight design aims to address some of these barriers, though the company has not yet released performance data for space‑grade panels.
The CEO change and strategic shift arrive as the space industry expands, driving demand for power systems that can operate in high‑radiation environments. If Verde’s technology proves reliable in orbit, it could offer a lower‑cost alternative to traditional solar arrays.
With Poirier at the helm, Verde’s leadership team is poised to pursue partnerships with satellite operators and launch providers in the coming months. The company has not yet announced specific contracts or launch dates.
In summary, Verde Technologies appointed Jean‑Noël Poirier as CEO effective July 8 and is redirecting its commercial focus toward space applications. The firm’s lightweight, flexible perovskite panels, backed by a recent investment round and federal agency support, aim to reduce solar costs and meet the growing energy needs of orbital platforms. The transition allows co‑founder Chad Miller to concentrate on technology development as chief technology officer, while the company moves forward with securing space‑industry partnerships and demonstrating panel durability in the space environment.
