Ronald Upmann studied journalism and communication sciences at the Free University of Berlin (FU) and has been working in association management, strategy and communications for over 20 years. He has many years of experience in press relations and publishing, having gained experience at the online service platform AOL, an e-commerce start-up, a sports image press agency and several internet agencies long before the boom in internet communication. He has also been working for the BSW and its predecessor association, the UVS, since 2001 and therefore knows the development of the German solar industry, the market and its association like few other players. As part of development cooperation, Mr Upmann has worked on international development cooperation solar PV projects and initiatives on behalf of various organisations such as GIZ, German chamber and sequa, for example in India, South Africa, Namibia, Pakistan and Jordan. Mr Upmann's areas of expertise in international projects lie in quality assurance and association development and, policy advocacy & strategy.