Science Foundation Arizona Announces $4 Million Investment in Solar
Source/Type: News - Staff reports

Author: CompoundSemi News Staff

April 29, 2009... The Science Foundation Arizona announced $4 million total funding for 5 solar projects. A portion of the money will also help open the Solar Technology Institute (STI). STI will collaborate with industry and researchers of the University of Arizona and Arizona State University. Richard Powell and Robert Annan, two industry pioneers will lead STI as co-directors. The Stardust Foundation has also added its financial support. Researchers at University of Arizona (UA) and Arizona State University (ASU) are collaborating on low-cost solar reflectors that can be used in solar concentrator systems.

Global Solar, General Plasma, Prism Solar, ASU and UA are teaming up to improve thin film solar panel performance. Advalue, All Optronics, Aerospace Corporation, and Nanovoltaix will also collaborate on the project to reduce the cost of electricity from these solar panels.

ASU and UA are working with Tucson Electric Power, and TUV-Rheinland, to expand the ASU Photovoltaic Testing Laboratory to conduct more rapid product certification and testing of solar products, and help developing better performing solar products. Other partners include: Sandia National Laboratories, Reliasoft, Salt River Project, Arizona Public Service, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Spire Solar and Solan AG.

Southwest Solar Technologies, the U.S. Geological Survey, UA and ASU, Simmons, Nanovoltaix, and Eusthatia are developing compressed air solar storage technology for when the Sun is not shining. Arizona Public Service, Salt River Project, ASU and UA will also partner with: Viasol, Bright Source, Creatasoft, and Tucson Electric Power to develop smart electrical grid management software. Science Foundation Arizona News Release

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