Tom Kuster, chief executive officer and co-founder of Merit SI and Merit Controls, brings more than 30 years of leadership in the power, energy and critical infrastructure markets, with a proven track record of success in developing high-growth businesses. A seasoned renewables industry veteran with substantial global experience, Tom’s pioneering efforts contributed to the launch of the utility-scale solar market decades ago.

Early in his career, Tom co-founded DT Solar, which later became Turner Renewable Energy. As CEO, Tom directed Turner’s company strategy and business development efforts, as well as engineering and financing for all solar projects. Under Tom’s leadership, Turner Renewable Energy grew to become one of the top PV integrators in the nation.

When Turner was acquired by First Solar, Tom directed the company’s mission to safely lower the cost of delivered solar energy in North America and in emerging markets throughout the world. During this time, Tom led design and engineering activities for First Solar utility-scale power plants, and headed up the development of innovative balance of system (BOS) equipment solutions. He championed advancements in engineered solar PV power plant controls systems, successfully enabling renewables grid integration in a way that had never before been possible.

In 2016, Tom leveraged his considerable industry expertise to co-found Merit SI, and then in 2018, to launch Merit Controls. Today, Merit Controls’ grid integration products and services are used by notable enterprises such as Enel Green Power, NovaSource Power Services, and RWE Renewables.