Robert brings more than 16 years of international business development experience in the solar industry to JA Solar. Most recently, he served as Managing Director of Yingli Green Energy Americas, overseeing sales and operations in North and South America.
Prior to joining Yingli, Robert led global silicon procurement for General Electric’s Solar Technologies business unit. He also worked at AstroPower, Inc., spearheading the company’s silicon sourcing in Asia, Europe and North America. Mr. Petrina also served at Chori America, Inc. where he managed chemical product sales in Latin America.
Mr. Petrina serves on the board of the Solar Energy Industry Association, a leading trade association focused on growing the U.S. solar energy market. He also serves on Cornell University’s Alumni Advisory Board for Sustainability.
Mr. Petrina received his bachelor’s degree in Applied Economics and Management and his master’s degree in Business Administration from Cornell University, where he was a Park Fellow.
"It is a pleasure to welcome Robert to the JA Solar team. Robert’s market expertise, extensive business development and operational experience, and outstanding professional track record make him an excellent fit for us," said Mr. Baofang Jin, Chairman and CEO of the Company. "We look forward to his valuable perspective and leadership as we continue to grow our presence and market share across North America."
