Videos
Loading the player ...
- Offer Profile
- Arizona State University’s
Solar Power Lab serves a staging ground for the new technologies and ideas
that will move us forward in our quest for a more sustainable society.
Over 86,000 terawatts of solar energy reach the Earth’s surface each year-
enough to satisfy current global energy demand 1000 times over. In 2008,
solar electric power amounted to a mere 0.2% of global energy produced but
it is at a tipping point with a growth rate of 40% per year. Exponential
growth, enormous solar resources and the global economy's unquenchable
demand for electricity increasingly position photovoltaic power as vital to
21st century technology.
Product Portfolio
Research
- Arizona State University’s Solar Power Lab serves a staging ground for the
new technologies and ideas that will move us forward in our quest for a more
sustainable society.
Over 86,000 terawatts of solar energy reach the Earth’s
surface each year- enough to satisfy current global energy demand 1000 times
over. In 2008, solar electric power amounted to a mere 0.2% of global energy
produced but it is at a tipping point with a growth rate of 40% per year.
Exponential growth, enormous solar resources and the global economy's
unquenchable demand for electricity increasingly position photovoltaic power
as vital to 21st century technology.
In this rapidly changing industry, the Solar Power Lab stands-out as having
some of the most experienced researchers in the field. This, coupled with
state-of-the-art facilities and institutional support, gives SPL the solid
foundation necessary to push the boundaries of what has become a $20 billion
sector of the economy. Circumnavigators Club Foundation grant
- Steven Limpert, an undergraduate working at the Solar
Power Laboratory, was recently awarded a Circumnavigators Club Foundation
grant to study the development and commercialization of solar energy
technologies in nations throughout the world during the summer of 2011.
The Circumnavigators Club Foundation awards travel-study grants in the
amount of $9,000 to four undergraduate students in their junior year of
study in the United States each year. The grant is to be used to
circumnavigate the globe visiting at least five countries and three
continents while conducting a research study of the recipient’s own design.
In giving the grant, the Circumnavigators Club Foundation hopes to foster
improved international relations through the development of friendship and
understanding.
Steven will be using the grant to visit a wide range of solar energy
technology commercial application sites and research institutions in Spain,
Germany, India, Bangladesh, Japan and Australia. In each country, he will be
meeting with policy makers, business people and academic researches to
discuss their work in the area of solar energy technology and their nation’s
relationship with solar energy technologies.
When Steven returns from his travels, he will be composing a comparative
case study containing information regarding the solar energy technology
policies, businesses and research pursuits in the nations which he will have
visited.
“The fact that solar powered electricity is highly desirable but
comparatively expensive has put government policymakers in a difficult
position and there is no precedent for the industry’s responses to some of
the recent subsidy cutbacks and policy changes that have been made. I am
very excited about the prospect of studying the solar energy technology
industry and its relationship to a variety of different government subsidy
programs throughout the world.” Fulbright Grant Awarded
- Jeremy Wendte, an undergraduate working with the Solar
Power Laboratory, was recently awarded a Fulbright grant to study solar
electrification in Bangladesh.
The Fulbright grant is an international educational exchange program
sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Affairs. The program provides fellowships for graduating seniors
and graduate students to perform research abroad for a full academic year.
The program emphasizes the need to solve shared international challenges and
is part of an effort to encourage American participation in global discourse
and research. Applicants are chosen by academic merit and the viability of
their research goals.
Jeremy’s grant is to complete a comprehensive study of the role of solar
electrification in Bangladesh. It aims specifically to analyze the
distribution, administration, usage and sustainability of photovoltaic
systems and programs in the country. Although there has been significant
research on photovoltaic use in developing nations, few investigations
encompass the full array of issues specifically affecting the implementation
and sustainability of solar electric power as an alternative energy source.
Ultimately, the study is to combine economic, social and technical
investigation to present a clear and complete picture of the role of
photovoltaic power in a developing nation.
During his stay, he will most likely live in Dhaka, and plans to travel to
several parts of the country for interviewing and to observe some of the
many different photovoltaic projects taking place under government, NGO, and
commercial supervision.
“Personally, the Fulbright grant would provide in-depth, first-hand
experience in the direct application of electrical engineering to a
sustainable form of development, as well as giving me the opportunity to
perform research in the field.” QESST Center announced
- August 17, 2011
The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced an award to Arizona State
University and its partners to establish a new Engineering Research Center (ERC)
jointly funded by NSF and the Department of Energy (DOE): the NSF -DOE ERC
for Quantum Energy and Sustainable Solar Technologies (QESST). QESST will
develop interdisciplinary research and education programs to address a
stubborn energy challenge -- how to realize a large-scale, sustainable,
domestic energy source -- by developing advanced solar photovoltaic
technologies and by providing the foundation for new industries through
innovation. Over the next five years, the NSF ERC program and the DOE Solar
Energy Technologies program together will invest $18.5 million in the
Center. Renewable Energy @ ASU
- ASU is a leader in adapting sustainable technologies
to the campus environment. To date, 1.88 MW of solar electricity has been
installed, with more on the way. By December 31, 2009, the total installed
generating capacity of the Solar PV Systems is expected to be 10.486 MW
(details). Additionally, several buildings on campus have been LEED
certified, with the Biodesign B building achieving platinum certification.
Campus energy usage is continuously monitored as part of the Campus
Metabolism project.