Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, the astronaut who piloted the Apollo 11 Lunar Module pilot that put man on the moon in 1969, has joined a U.S. solar company.
Dr. Aldrin, who is also a Doctor of Science (MIT), aeronautical engineer, retired United States Air Force Colonel and decorated fighter pilot has assumed the role of senior advisor for Principal Solar.
“It’s a privilege to work with the seasoned, high-minded team of innovators at Principal Solar as they propel self-sustaining energy solutions into the mainstream,” stated Dr. Aldrin.
“In the near future, solar energy will compete with and actually cost less than traditional sources of energy created by fossil fuels. It’s time for the United States to catch up with the rest of the world by embracing this opportunity to become free of devastating oil disasters, independent from foreign oil, and a stronger, more prosperous nation.”
Dr. Aldrin is also a supporter of the concept of developing solar farms in space. In 2010, he pointed out humanity has been harvesting solar power in space and sending it to Earth since 1962 – but just not as electricity yet.
In 2007, Space advocacy organizations and Buzz Aldrin announced the formation of Space Solar Alliance for Future Energy (SSAFE).
Principal Solar focuses on the acquisition, finance, development and management of solar power companies and is aiming to begin building solar farms with hundreds of megawatts of capacity in West Texas within the next few years.
The company’s Chief Executive, Michael Gorton, has a very hands-on background in electricity infrastructure. Prior to 1993, Mr. Gorton was a project engineer at Dallas Power & Light dealing with power plants, distribution, transformer management, and integration of renewable energy into the grid.
Principal Solar’s board includes Dallas oilman Hunter Hunt, of the Hunt oil family that inspired the TV series, Dallas.
