Dr. Stephen Sun Chiao, Authority in Technology and Economics of Photovoltaics, Joins Cleantech America Board

Business Wire, Nov 1, 2007

SAN FRANCISCO -- Silicon Valley Venture Capitalist and San Jose State University Professor Stephen Sun Chiao, PhD, has joined the board of directors of Cleantech America Inc., a national leader in the development of utility scale, emission-free solar electricity.

San Francisco-based Cleantech America Inc. was recently selected to provide environmentally clean solar electricity from what will be two of the largest photovoltaic solar farms in the world, both in California's Central Valley.

Dr. Chiao is a professor in Electrical Engineering at San Jose State University where he established the Integrated Circuits and Optical Networking Communications Lab. He has published and presented more than 80 technical articles internationally in addition to his recently published book "Alternative Energy & Energy Saving Devices and Systems." He holds several U.S. patents in semiconductors and microelectronics related technologies and is an internationally recognized expert on solar technology.

Dr. Chiao is a partner in charge of technology investments at Sycamore Ventures. He has helped many early-stage companies grow to become successfully acquired or IPO. He currently serves as a board member and as an advisor to a number of private and public companies operating in the United States and Asia, and he has established an extensive network of business contacts and working relationships throughout the world.

"We are delighted Stephen has agreed to join our board of directors," said Bill Barnes, CEO of Cleantech America Inc. "Not only does he bring enormous expertise in solar technology world-wide, but his background in venture capital make him an ideal board member to help guide our efforts to commercialize large-scale solar projects in the U.S. and potentially abroad."

"My commitment to the solar industry dates back to my early research on high efficiency thin film solar cells," said Dr. Chiao. "I believe that solar energy is now delivering on the promise to transform our electrical generation systems, benefit the environment and move our planet toward energy independence. I'm very excited to be working with Cleantech America Inc. to realize the potential for affordable, utility scale peak solar electricity as a here-and-now response to global warming and climate change."

Dr. Chiao also has an extensive background in materials, devices, circuits and system areas with an emphasis on semiconductor technology, manufacturing outsourcing, and specialty material investments, developed when he held various senior management and technical positions at Mosel, Gould / AMI, Hewlett-Packard and Varian Associates.

He is formerly Honorary Professor at The University of Shanghai for Science and Technology (USST), and was appointed Guest Professor at the China Institute of Metrology. Dr. Chiao received his bachelor of science degree from the National Cheng-Kung University, his master of science degree from the University of Southern California, and his doctoral degree from Stanford University.

Cleantech America's primary business is generating photovoltaic peak power for sale to utilities, municipalities and other customers. The company was recently awarded a long term power purchase agreement with PG&E to provide environmentally clean solar power from what is the largest photovoltaic solar project announced to date by a California investor owned utility. The firm also recently signed an agreement with the Kings River Conservation District (KRCD) for 80 MW of solar electricity. Slated to begin generating power in 2010, this is presently the largest announced solar farm in the world. For more information, visit www.cleantechamerica.com or call Cleantech America at (415) 277-5455.