Dr. Björseth earned his Ph.D. degree in physical chemistry from the University of Oslo, Norway in 1979.  He subsequently worked as an associate professor at the Universities of Oslo and Bergen; subsequently he worked for contract research organizations in Norway (SI – today SINTEF) and in the U.S. (Battelle Labs).  Then Dr. Bjorseth went into industrial research and has served as Corporate Director of Research for Norsk Hydro and Director of Technology for Elkem.

In 1994, Dr. Bjorseth started ScanWafer, a company specializing in production of multicrystalline silicon wafers for the global solar industry.  Later he started another three companies, related to solar cell and module production as well as solar module installation company.  These companies were later merged into one holding company, Renewable Energy Corporation (REC), of which Dr. Bjorseth served as President from the start.  Today REC covers the whole value chain for solar energy and is one of the largest solar energy companies in the world.  In May 2006 REC went public and became the second largest IPO ever on the Oslo Stock Exchange.

In 2005, Dr. Bjorseth retired as President of REC.  He is now running his private company (SCATEC AS) where the main purpose is establishing new companies based on advanced technologies in the area of renewable energy and materials.