In Arizona, a researcher recently won a prize to study solar power and a specific technology that he is working on, a project that aims to generate large-scale solar energy at lower costs.
Roger Angel, a scientist at the University of Arizona, was awarded the $1 million grant from the Science Foundation Arizona (SFAz) for his “energy telescope.” His project utilizes optics and a large telescope design to more effectively generate solar power, especially in desert areas with ample amounts of direct sunlight - like his home state of Arizona.
Angel’s telescope concentrates sunlight by 1,000 times into discrete photovoltaic cells. The telescope requires no water, has a low environmental impact and produces a higher amount of electricity per square foot of land used than typical solar technologies. William C. Harris, president and chief executive of SFAz, affirms that Angel’s solar technology has the ability to “make this state a hub of science and innovation.”
Angel will use the grant to perfect his technology and extract more solar power from his panels. Leslie Tolbert, a leader in research at the university, said Angel “can make the sorts of breakthroughs that are needed to make solar energy economical.”
