Two of America’s leading solar research institutions have teamed up to further the advancement of renewable energy technology.
Arizona State University (ASU) and Sandia National Laboratories have signed a formal memorandum of understanding (MOU), bringing together the best and brightest minds to tackle the renewable energy challenges of the future.
The partnership will make for easier access to federal funds and wider collaboration between solar researchers and scientists at both institutes.
According to an ASU statement, focus would likely be placed on enhancing the production of solar hybrid fuels, solar thermochemical fuels, photovoltaics and concentrating solar systems.
“Sandia and ASU are leaders in addressing the nation’s energy challenges and we are exceptionally suited to research how we can use the rich solar resource that comes with being in dry, arid regions,” said Juan Torres, senior manager of Sandia’s Renewable Energy Technologies.
“Sandia offers a number of unique capabilities and significant test facilities, and we’re thrilled to be sharing research capabilities and knowledge with ASU to advance our mutual goals.”
Located in sunbaked New Mexico, Arizona State has a shining record of solar achievement. In 2011, the University broke the 10MW mark for on-campus rooftop solar generation.
As of July this year, the campus had achieved a total generational capacity of 20.8MW from 72 separate systems; comprising almost 80,000 CPV and PV solar panels.
Like Sandia, ASU has worked closely with Department of Energy (DOE) Laboratories and others including the NREL and the National Science Foundation to address the challenge of turning solar power into a mainstream source of domestic energy.
“This partnership has great potential to make important strides toward our nation’s goals in energy security,” said Andrew Orrell, director of Energy Technologies and Systems Solutions at Sandia.
Sandia National Laboratories is wholly-owned by Lockheed-Martin and operated for the DOE’s National Nuclear Security Administration. Its photovoltaic research facilities include the Photovoltaic Systems Evaluation Lab, the Distributed Energy Technologies Laboratory and the Department of Energy’s National Solar Thermal Test Facility.
