Former U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm Joins Tandem PV Board of Directors
FREMONT, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Tandem PV, a pioneer in high-efficiency perovskite-silicon solar panels, today announced the appointment of Jennifer Granholm, former U.S. energy secretary and governor of Michigan, to its board of directors.
Granholm joins Tandem PV at a pivotal moment for the company and the U.S. energy sector, as rising energy demand and the need for resilient domestic supply chains accelerate the need for advanced solar manufacturing in the United States.
“We’re delighted to welcome Jennifer Granholm to Tandem PV’s board,” said CEO Scott Wharton. “Jennifer understands better than almost anyone how to turn clean-energy innovation into American industrial strength. Tandem PV is entering that phase now as we move breakthrough solar technology into commercial production. Her perspective will be invaluable as we scale advanced solar manufacturing in the United States.”
Tandem PV is commercializing perovskite-silicon tandem solar panels that generate more electricity than conventional silicon panels by capturing more of the solar spectrum. The technology is designed to deliver higher output while remaining compatible with utility-scale infrastructure and today’s solar supply chain.
The company has also continued to demonstrate technical momentum. As recently shared, its newest generation of tandem mini-modules achieved 30.4% efficiency in internal testing, using manufacturing processes designed to translate to commercial production. That result is now advancing through external certification.
“The idea of building the next generation of clean-energy factories in America is incredibly exciting,” said Jennifer Granholm. “Tandem PV is taking a breakthrough technology from a promising idea to real manufacturing, and doing it at exactly the moment when the country needs more affordable, reliable power. If you can generate more electricity on the same footprint and make better use of the grid and infrastructure we already have, that is a game changer. It helps solve the affordability challenge while strengthening American energy leadership.”
Granholm served as the 16th U.S. secretary of energy from 2021 to 2025 and previously served as governor of Michigan. As energy secretary, Granholm helped implement historic federal investments in clean energy and domestic manufacturing, including the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest climate and energy investment in U.S. history.
Tandem PV recently opened its commercial demonstration factory in Fremont, California, marking a major step in moving perovskite-silicon technology from lab breakthrough toward commercial-scale U.S. production. With the Fremont site now operating, Tandem PV has begun production for customer validation and market trials. The company plans to sell its first commercial panels from this facility in the coming months and is targeting high-volume manufacturing in 2028.
About Tandem PV
Tandem PV delivers next-generation perovskite-silicon solar panels that offer the market’s best combination of efficiency and durability, designed for high-volume production. The company manufactures in the United States, restoring U.S. leadership in advanced solar technology, lowering costs, and strengthening clean energy supply chain resilience. Co-founder and CTO Colin Bailie developed the world’s first perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell at Stanford University before launching Tandem PV through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Activate accelerator. To date, the company has raised $87 million in venture capital, debt, and government funding from Eclipse, Constellation Energy, Trellis Climate, the U.S. Department of Energy, the California Energy Commission (CEC), and others.
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