Becker, Newton

Newton Becker is considered by some as “the Father” of solar thermal electric generation. In 1980, he was the founding investor and Chairman of the Board of Luz International. Luz became the largest solar company in the world by building solar electric generating power plants. From 1984 to 1991 Luz built and sold nine plants (SEGS I-IX) with 350 MW of capacity, enough to supply the residential needs of 540,000 people in the Los Angeles area. Newton also invested in and was a chairman of the Board of Directors of “Electric Fuel” during its start-up period 1993-5. Electric Fuel made Zinc Air Batteries for Electric Vehicles (about 400 miles for the EV1 and about 250 miles for a Mercedes Van) and could be refueled with new zinc plates in about 10 minutes. Newton has a long history of innovative entrepreneurial philanthropy. Newton started a CPA review course for the staff of Price Waterhouse, it quickly became the pre-eminent CPA review course the major CPA course in the U.S.A. Today, the Becker CPA Review Course,(www.BeckerCPAReview.com) is available in more than 400 cities throughout the U.S.A. and the world with more than 400,000 CPA alumni, constituting almost one-half of all CPA's in the U.S.A. Newton received his BS in Business Administration from Kent State University. Earned an MBA from Case Western Reserve University. Newton received an honorary Doctorate from Kent State University in l984.

Newton Becker, Cleantech investor Chairman of Luz International