Last year, when we started our search for a hardware engineering leader at Swift Solar, we knew we needed someone who could operate with a systematic eye toward engineering precision, manufacturing scale, and production economics—all at once.
We found that in Michael Rivkin.
Michael has deep technical expertise and hands-on experience with scaling manufacturing, including taking cutting-edge solar technology from the lab to gigawatt-scale production. Now, he’s using this invaluable combination to help accelerate commercialization of our breakthroughs on high-efficiency perovskite tandem technology.
Over more than a decade with First Solar, Michael led the effort to adapt and scale new factories as they transitioned from making Series 4 modules to larger, more advanced Series 6 modules. That followed stints with Applied Materials and Novellus Systems (currently Lam Research), where he began developing a disciplined, physics-first approach to manufacturing.
Through it all, Michael has established a view that "if the laws of physics allow something to be done, it can be engineered for mass production." That’s exactly the mindset we need to harness the full potential of perovskite tandems, and it’s a big part of why I’m thrilled to be working with him at Swift.
– Joel
Q: Can you tell us about your background and what led you to Swift Solar?
I hold a PhD in thermal physics and have over 15 years of experience developing semiconductor manufacturing equipment at leading companies. I spent a decade at First Solar leading PV manufacturing equipment development, where I drove critical projects—including scaling their vacuum tool set for the breakthrough Series 6 production lines.
Perovskites represent the most promising path for next-generation PV efficiency gains, and I believe Swift Solar will be able to deliver real-world solutions with this challenging technology. I’m thrilled to join the Swift Solar team and bring what I’ve learned about vacuum deposition technologies to the high-volume manufacturing requirements critical for commercial success.
Q: What does "hardware engineering" mean in the context of solar technology? How is it different from what people might typically think of as hardware engineering?
My role is focused on equipment technology and engineering. At Swift Solar, this is all about making scientific breakthroughs a reality through high-volume manufacturing.
Through my time working in the semiconductor equipment industry, I came to appreciate a core principle: if the laws of physics allow something to be done, it can be engineered for mass production—on time and within budget. Companies like Applied Materials, LAM Research, and KLA proved this out through decades of innovation. The key is selecting the right technologies to minimize both capital expenditure and operating costs, while scaling production equipment to optimal output capacity.
At First Solar, I applied this approach directly to solar technology. I architected the scaling from Series 4 to Series 6 factories, demonstrating how equipment engineering drives commercial solar success.
Q: How does hardware engineering for perovskite solar cells differ from traditional silicon solar? What unique challenges does the technology present?
The main challenges we’re taking on stem from material sensitivity and precision requirements. Perovskite materials are extremely susceptible to ambient atmosphere and degrade in high temperatures. At the same time, the perovskite film stack often requires precise control of temperature and environmental conditions to achieve and maintain the right properties.
That means the equipment we build at Swift Solar must be able to maintain the same precision while scaling from lab processes with controlled conditions to high-volume manufacturing. Success will require deep understanding of the various parameters in this process, along with careful design considerations, to deliver consistency across large production volumes.
Q: You've seen the solar industry evolve significantly. How do you think perovskite technology will change the landscape, both technically and from a manufacturing standpoint?
Modern single-junction silicon wafers have already advanced dramatically over the last six years. But they are reaching the theoretical limit at which cell efficiency plateaus.
This is where perovskite tandem devices come to save the day for the industry and unlock new potential for advancement. I see perovskite-silicon tandems as the leading technology for industrial PV modules for the foreseeable future, capable of extending the life of silicon PV wafer technology for another decade at the minimum.
Q: For engineers or technologists who might be interested in joining this space, what advice would you give them? What skills or mindset are most valuable for working on next-generation solar technology?
Equipment development for perovskites involves the same fundamental issue facing any unchartered, breakthrough technology: Since nobody is producing perovskite devices in high volumes yet, there aren’t proven solutions. So you have to start broad, brainstorming and testing as many options as you can. The results of those tests allow you to narrow down the paths that could be viable.
Every challenge needs to be taken as a new problem. There’s no standard template—but with any challenge, you can begin with the critical step of defining your problem. From there, you can get methodical with problem solving. For example, using the seven-step problem solving process. Understanding and applying that kind of process is essential. And remember: Failing fast is helpful, as it allows you to quickly determine what doesn’t work.
Q: What gets you most excited about the work you're doing at Swift Solar? What impact do you hope to see from the technology you're helping to develop?
The team of scientists, engineers, and technicians at Swift is very capable. Just as important, they bring a positive attitude to the work. For my part, it’s great to leverage my successful experience with equipment development, particularly the vacuum and thermal technologies I’ve mastered over my career, and support the team as we achieve new successes.
Working together, I am confident that this team will be able to go all the way to high-volume manufacturing and bring Swift Solar’s perovskite technology to the market.
