Meet the Team
Kurt L. Barth, Ph.D.
Kurt L. Barth, Ph.D.
Kurt L. Barth, Ph.D.
Dr. Kurt L. Barth is the President and Founder of Direct Solar LLC.
Dr. Barth has nearly 30 years of experience in thin film PV, module development, reliability, materials science, strategic planning, program management, product development and thin film photovoltaic R&D. Dr. Barth earned his Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and D
Dr. Kurt L. Barth is the President and Founder of Direct Solar LLC.
Dr. Barth has nearly 30 years of experience in thin film PV, module development, reliability, materials science, strategic planning, program management, product development and thin film photovoltaic R&D. Dr. Barth earned his Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and Doctorate of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering from Colorado State University in Fort Collins.
A serial entrepreneur, Dr. Barth brings significant strategic leadership experience combined with innovation. He founded a leading CdTe solar photovoltaic manufacturer, developing the initial business plan, obtaining major equity financing (eventually totaling over USD $300M) and providing leadership for company growth. While Vice President of Product Development, Barth drove the product from conceptualization through deployment and achieved IEC and UL certifications within one of the shortest timeframes in history.
During his career with Colorado State University, he has made significant scientific contributions to the thin film solar research field, notably inventing a foundational semiconductor fabrication process technology and hardware.
Today, Dr. Barth is a director in the Next Generation PV Center, which is supported by the National Science Foundation. Dr. Barth is frequently invited to speak on thin film PV manufacturing and reliability topics.
Larry Maple
Kurt L. Barth, Ph.D.
Kurt L. Barth, Ph.D.
Larry Maple is a Mechanical Engineer with a broad background, over 40 years of industrial experience. He has seven patents in the diverse areas of battery compartments, high-current low-resistance battery contacts, a new key-pad and connection methodology for lower-cost manufacturing, and increasing the depth of illumination for optical
Larry Maple is a Mechanical Engineer with a broad background, over 40 years of industrial experience. He has seven patents in the diverse areas of battery compartments, high-current low-resistance battery contacts, a new key-pad and connection methodology for lower-cost manufacturing, and increasing the depth of illumination for optical scanners.
By determining root-cause and subsequently designing-out the problems, Mr. Maple capably solves long-term, industry-wide problems. Included in his extensive toolbox are Kepner-Tregoe’s Problem Analysis methodology, Design of Experiments, and Minitab for statistical analyses.
Larry is driven to make products better by solving design and process problems and enriches the team around him by teaching his methods and best practices.