About

Peter Faisst has over 17 years of progressive legal experience and accomplishments, including seven years leading an in-house legal department that expertly handles commercial, corporate and trade law for a large, diversified business. This role sees him serve as the head of legal for Europe and Africa for Trina Solar, a manufacturer of crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules and constructor of solar power plants with 15,000 employees and more than 15GW shipped since 2007. Faisst was hired to establish and manage legal matters for the China-based company’s foreign operations in Europe, Latin America and Africa, serving as member of executive leadership team reporting to the CEO. Upon joining he was the fifth employee in Europe, now the group of companies in Europe has more than 20 legal entities and more than 150 employees. Regarding his role, Faisst says, ‘I learned to be hands-on and achieve targets. In addition, I learned not only to create processes but also to implement them in a multicultural environment’. Amongst his most standout career activities, Faisst led the in-house legal team in a high-profile solar antidumping case in the EU, impacting a €21bn trade volume. He went on to set up an industry lobbying group that influenced member states to recommend ending the EU Commission investigation, as well as assisting in drafting the settlement between the EU Commission and the Chinese government. ‘I had to work during the investigation with many departments of my company, especially with operations and public affairs. This work helped me grow in respect of cross department coordination and thus improved my ability to communicate with all kinds of professionals. In addition I learned a lot about the decision-making of the EU Commission and its relationship with the EU Member States, even having hearings at the EU Commission in Brussels’, explains Faisst. His growth within the company has been noticed by the former head of Trina Europe, Latin America, Africa, Ben Hill, who said ‘[Faisst] is a valuable member of the leadership team and without a doubt contributes to our success and legal safety. I personally take great comfort in knowing he is looking out for Trina Solar’s best interest’. Prior to joining Trina Solar, he served as legal counsel for Hunstman Advanced Materials, providing support to its US$300m advanced materials and textile effects division in EMEA.