Silfab Ontario Inc., a Canadian subsidiary of global photovoltaic provider Silfab Spa, has named Paolo Maccario as chief operating officer and general manager, effective January 1, 2011. 

Maccario will take over Silfab Ontario’s operations as the company begins developing its new 180 MW module manufacturing plant slated for spring 2011. Fully-automated and operated by 200 skilled workers (at plant full capacity), the new plant will manufacture mono and multi-crystalline high-efficiency PV modules with a power up to 300 Wp, suited for both rooftop and ground-mounted applications. Part of the production will also be devoted to PV module OEM manufacturing on behalf of solar companies seeking to enter the Ontario market.

“Paolo Maccario brings the ideal mix of leadership experience and photovoltaic know-how to Silfab Ontario as we move forward on installing the first production line in our new manufacturing facility and proceed on hiring our first production specialists,” said Franco Traverso, president and CEO of Silfab Ontario and Silfab Spa. 

“Over the past couple of months, we have signed preliminary contracts for 102 MW with international and domestic partners. This is an extremely busy and exciting time for our company and I believe Paolo’s outstanding set of skills will be pivotal to accelerating Silfab Ontario’s growth and productivity in the years to come,” he continued.

With 15 years of experience as CEO of international automotive and clean-tech organizations, Maccario most recently served as chief executive officer of 6N Silicon Inc., a Canadian manufacturer company. Prior to that, Maccario served as president and CEO of Meridian Technologies Inc., a company engaged in the engineering and manufacturing of magnesium products for the global automotive industry. Earlier, he held senior management positions in automotive and industrial organizations operating in the U.S., Mexico and Italy, including Teksid Aluminum Foundry.