University Scientists Work to Improve Solar Power

(TNS) -- A research team led by a UW-Madison professor has received $2.6 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to improve solar power technology and make the alternative energy source more competitive with fossil fuels. The team, which is led by engineering physics professor Mark Anderson, also includes mechanical engineering professor Greg Nellis. Its other members come from outside UW, such as a professor from the Colorado School of Mines and researchers from labs and private companies.

The team will work on improving several aspects of the process solar power plants use to turn heat from the sun into a fluid with thermal energy that can be converted to electricity.

Work on the project will take place at UW-Madison and a prototype facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The Department of Energy hopes to reduce the cost of solar energy to make it cost-competitive with fossil fuels by 2020.

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