Jenya Meydbray writes a tribute to a well -known and loved member of the Zonne industry, Frédéric Dross.
The solar industry has lost one of its smartest spirits and friendliest souls. Frédéric Dross was more than a scientist, more than an innovator – he was a passionate advocate for renewable energy, a dedicated family man and a dear friend for many of us. His impact stretched far beyond his work, and touched the lives of everyone who had the privilege to know him.
With a doctorate in device physics, Frédéric devoted his early career to promoting silicon -Zonne -Celefficiency at IMEC, the renowned research institute in Belgium. His curiosity and determination to push the boundaries of what was possible were clear from the start. But science was just one facet of whom he was – Frédéric was a visionary, always looking ahead to the next big leap for the solar industry.
In 2014, he and his wife, Liesbeth, made the daring move to Silicon Valley, where they raised their two daughters. But it was the mountains that really called them. Their love for outdoors led them to South Lake Tahoe, where they built a life surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, paths and the pleasures of skiing and mountain biking.
The contributions of Frédéric to the American solar industry were immeasurable. He was a driving force to guarantee the quality, reliability and sustainability of the import of solar panel, which establishes rigorous tests and quality assurance and tracetability programs of the supply chain that today remain the industrial standards. His leadership and foresight have left a permanent figure – one that will continue to form the industry for years. He also contributed many articles to PV magazine that offered real depth and insight into the industry for readers.
Frédéric always looked ahead and introduced a future in which solar energy could reach new heights. His passion for progress was realized by various roles at Qcells, DNV/Pvel, DSM and STS. His most recent work was aimed at commercializing Perovskite Tandem Solar Technology at Swift Solar. He saw the future for many of us and worked tirelessly to make a reality of it.
Tragically enough, Frédéric’s journey was demolished by a fatal ski accident on February 17, 2025. His death is an unimaginable loss – for his family, his friends and the entire solar house. His sparkle, kindness and relentless optimism will be greatly missed.
Mark Hutchins, PV Magazine’s Magazine DirectorAdded: “Over the years, Frederic has made many valuable contributions to Solar and PV Magazine. Working with him was a pleasure, and he will unfortunately be missed. ‘
In this difficult time, a fund was set up to support Liesbeth and their daughters while navigating them through this heartbreaking chapter. If you feel moved to honor Frédéric’s inheritance and offer his family support, consider donating here: https://gofund.me/c2aa8db0.
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