February 10, 2009
In his State of the State address on Monday night, Gov. Phil Bredesen
indicated his desire to develop a Solar Institute and to establish
Tennessee as the research leader to make solar power practical.
Bredesen pointed to the partnership between the University of Tennessee
and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, among other resources in the state,
as a catalyst for pursuing solar energy research opportunities. The goal
is to develop "a Solar Institute in Tennessee that is the basic research
leader in making solar power practical."
There are still many details to be worked out, but the concept offers
exciting potential for the University to reap the benefits of research
breakthroughs. I am pleased to share with you the insights we have at
this point.
In his message, the governor said, "Solar power today ... remains far
too expensive, and it's ripe for breakthroughs, there's a lot of basic
science to be done. We have the pieces -- the building blocks here in
Tennessee to be major players in this area."
The Lab is home to a concentration of some of the world's leading
scientists using the most powerful scientific tools, such as the
supercomputer Kraken and the Spallation Neutron Source. These resources
put Tennessee at the forefront of competitors looking to make their mark
in solar technology.
As with our own Tennessee Biofuels Initiative, which has attracted
investment and partnership from Dupont Danisco, a solar power institute
could attract further investment and partnership into another energy
frontier.
Executive Vice President David Millhorn and Oak Ridge National
Laboratory Director Thom Mason have discussed with the governor ideas
for investigating materials and processes that would reduce the costs
and increase the efficiency of using solar energy.
As Dr. Millhorn noted, approaches now "are going to focus on
third-generation technology."
"First was silicon and big solar panels. Second, there were
improvements, but still low-efficiency, high-cost technology," he said.
"Now the challenge is to develop new materials and better processes in
pursuit of high-efficiency, low-cost technology."
The considerable assets of UT and ORNL can be harnessed to overcome
these challenges, provide clean, renewable energy to Tennesseans, and
bring new, good jobs to the area. Bringing together these assets also
will mean extraordinary opportunities for research and study for UT
researchers and students.
In the next several months, UT and ORNL officials will work to identify
funding and partnership opportunities in the public and private sectors.
