Michigan Tech dedicates solar research center

The U.P. may not get a ton of sunshine, but that doesn’t mean solar energy isn’t still useful–and a viable alternative energy option.

Michigan Technological University certainly agrees, as it recently dedicated the new Michigan Tech Solar Photovoltaic Research Facility at the Keweenaw Research Center.

A two-kilowatt solar system makes up the basis of the facility, which has the stated main purposes of supporting solar research, and introducing student engineers to solar technologies. To that end, there are a variety of solar panels at the center, for researchers to compare performance and other attributes. Other possible investigations include the applications to a larger grid, or maybe the economics of solar power.

And, it’s not only students who will benefit.

“The timing of this couldn’t be better,” says MTU president Glenn Mroz. “As we continue to fill positions in the Strategic Faculty Hiring Initiative in next-generation energy systems, this facility lets us demonstrate to potential faculty members that they can be successful here.”

The facility was made possible by donations of solar microinverter technology from SolarBridge Technologies of Austin, Texas, which convert the electricity produced from solar panels into AC electricity, usable in households and businesses. As for the solar panels themselves, they were a donation from Dow Corning and Hemlock Semiconductor, located near Midland, and part of a growing Michigan solar industry.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Glenn Mroz, Michigan Technological University