QESST Hosts Delegation from Tec De Monterrey

On September 23-24, 2015, QESST faculty and scholars taught 21 architectural undergraduate students and 2 faculty members from Tecnologico de Monterrey how to design their own photovoltaic module. The visiting undergraduates worked with sixteen QESST Scholars during the two-day workshop, which was hosted by the Solar Power Lab in the ASU Research Park (Tempe, Arizona).

Beginning with an interest, but very little knowledge about solar energy, the Tecnologico  de Monterrey students ended the workshop having built and tested their own silicon cell modules. In addition to mastering the processes needed to build  and test a module, each student had an opportunity to explore every aspect of a photovoltaic system, at the level of individual cell performance to solar installation design.

A large cadre of QESST Scholars, faculty, and staff were required to provide this intense two-day workshop. QESST director, Dr. Harvey Bryan from the ASU Design School, discussed the influence of utility costs, location of solar panels, usage amounts based on demographics, as well as aesthetics of solar installation design. Dr. Marianna Bertoni brought it all home, ensuring students left with confidence in their new knowledge and a passion for photovoltaic design.