FTC Solar, Inc., a top provider of solar tracker systems, software, and engineering services, has appointed Kent James as Chief Commercial Officer for North America, effective January 6, 2025. A seasoned solar industry professional, Mr. James will lead FTC’s commercial strategy and operations in North America and will report to Yann Brandt, FTC’s CEO.
Yann Brandt, CEO, stated, “Kent is an accomplished solar executive with a demonstrated history of driving sales growth across several businesses, including solar EPC and development companies. His strategic, relationship-driven approach, along with his strong understanding of market dynamics and customer needs, will be invaluable as we look to strengthen and expand our relationships and drive significant revenue growth. I have worked alongside Kent for nearly 20 years, and I’m very pleased to welcome him to the team.”
Kent James expressed his views on his new appointment saying, “I couldn’t be more excited to join FTC Solar. I have worked with FTC Solar from a customer perspective and believe the company has built out a broad and exceptional product portfolio that is smart, easy to construct, and well-regarded in the industry. I believe this is a unique opportunity to contribute at a high level to a company with excellent products and positioning, a strong pipeline, and significant growth potential.”
Mr. James brings over 20 years of experience in sales, operations, and strategy in the solar industry to FTC Solar. He was a founding member and Senior Vice President of Sales and Development at Primoris Renewable Energy, where he played a key role in growing the company from a small EPC in 2016 to a top 5 industry leader by 2023, with revenues exceeding $1 billion. During his six years at Primoris, he led the completion of over 7 gigawatts of utility-scale solar projects and established strong partnerships with leading IPPs and developers across the U.S.
Before joining Primoris, Mr. James was the Executive Vice President at Northern Energy and Power (NEP), where he focused on strategic relationships in commercial and utility-scale solar and microgrid projects. NEP was later acquired by Primoris Service Corporation in 2016. His previous roles include leadership positions such as VP of Strategic Accounts, COO, and Chief Strategy Officer at Martifer Solar, VP of Operations at EyeOn Energy, and roles at Tectonic Network and Booz Allen Hamilton.
