Shihab Kuran
Shihab Kuran
Overview
Dr. Shihab Kuran is a serial entrepreneur and a seasoned semiconductor and cleantech executive. Reporting to the CEO of SunEdison he is responsible for energy solutions and markets that incorporate advanced grid management products and technologies. Prior to joining SunEdison, he founded Petra Solar in 2006 and served as President, CEO and board member through end of 2012. Petra pioneered “smart solar” which combines solar energy with smart grid technology. Under his leadership, Petra developed technologies and launched the world’s largest solar electric project in 2009, a 40MW installation NJ. In 2012, he led the company in launching a large solar project targeting 20,000 rooftops in Jordan. Also in 2012, he led the company in launching a Smart City project in Bahrain. He was named by Greentech Media as one of the “100 people you must know in Smart Grid in 2012.” In 2011, he was named by NJBIZ as one of “The 100 most powerful people in New Jersey business,” and Petra Solar was awarded the American Technology Award in both Smart Grid and Clean Tech. In 2010, E&Y recognized him as the NJ Green Tech Entrepreneur of the Year, and Fortnightly Magazine named him as a “top guru” in the solar industry. Prior to founding Petra, he assumed various technical, executive and board positions in the semiconductor and cleantech industries. His efforts are fueled by a vision for a peaceful world with universal access to clean and sustainable sources of food, power and water. He currently serves on the Advisory Boards of the Charles Edison Fund and the Edison Innovation Foundation. He is also on the Advisory Board at The Rothman Institute of Entrepreneurship at Fairleigh Dickinson University. He served as a Board Member of the NJTC and an External Advisory Board Member of Rutgers Innovation Park. Dr. Kuran holds a Ph.D. in EE from the City University of New York and a TGMP in Executive Management from Harvard Business School. He is an inventor and has published over 40 papers.
