Kailua-based solar company Sunetric has selected as its new chief executive officer a former managing partner who oversaw the financing arm of the business.

Alex Tiller has been with the company since early 2009, and has focused on realigning operations to better serve commercial and residential customers.

“;Sunetric is growing so fast that we needed someone who knew our company and could give us 100 percent of their energy in order to guide us into the future,”; said Sean Mullen, Sunetric's founder, who will head the company's commercial and government business unit and project construction.

The company, established in 2004, has grown exponentially. In 2007 annual revenue was at $3 million. In 2008 that grew to $30 million.

Tiller said he hopes to be able to more quickly deploy photovoltaic systems for customers. He said the company is also readjusting how it responds to commercial projects.

“;Lead times on (commercial) projects are greatly different,”; Tiller said. “;Sometimes it depends on the size and scope of the project, or certain studies have to be conducted or you have to deal with a board of directors.”;

Past projects include an 803-kilowatt PV system for Kona Commons, a retail center on Hawaii island, and a 154-kilowatt PV system for apparel manufacturer Tori Richard Ltd.'s headquarters in Kalihi.

Tiller said the company is looking forward to Mullen being its “;forward-thinking innovator”; while he focuses on the business side as CEO.

“;Becoming involved in (financing) led to me really starting to get a good understanding of Sunetric and its in-house capabilities,”; Tiller said.

In November, Sunetric reached a settlement with its creditors, who initially wanted to force the company into Chapter 7 liquidation. Payment was made to three of its four creditors at the time, and Tiller said payments are “;all caught up.”;

Terms of the settlement are confidential.