Renewable Energy University Research

[Axiom_137]

Are there any major universities doing research on renewable energy (solar power) or energy generation? It seems that many of the companies that are working on renewable energy are looking for EE degrees rather than physics degrees. Should I consider an EE degree if I want to do research in renewable energy? There are companies and government facilities pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into solar energy research, but there doesn't seem to be any university research on the topic...?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Astronuc]

Here is a quick sample of programs in reneable energy in no particular order.

www.ceere.org/rerl/

http://www1.umn.edu/iree/

www.energy.wsu.edu/renewables/

www.rso.cornell.edu/cures/

www.dundee.ac.uk/prospectus/undergrad/courses/renewable.htm

www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/el/research/crest/

www.pv.unsw.edu.au/

www.dur.ac.uk/engineering/nareg/

Search Google with "renewable energy","university", and one could add the name of particular universities or disciplines, e.g. "mechanical engineering" or "electrical engineering".

 

[Mene]

There are definitely major universities conducting research on renewable energy, including solar power. In fact, many universities have entire departments or centers dedicated to renewable energy research. Some well-known universities in this field include the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, and the University of California, Berkeley. These universities have ongoing research projects in areas such as solar cell technology, energy storage, and renewable energy integration into existing power grids.

As for the focus on EE degrees in the renewable energy industry, this is due to the fact that renewable energy systems require a strong understanding of electrical engineering principles. However, this does not mean that a physics degree is not valuable in this field. In fact, many universities offer interdisciplinary programs or research opportunities that combine physics and engineering for renewable energy research.

In terms of university research on solar energy, it is important to note that much of the funding for renewable energy research comes from government agencies and private companies. This means that universities may not always have the same level of resources to dedicate solely to solar energy research. However, many universities still have ongoing projects and collaborations in this field, and it is always worth exploring the research opportunities available at different universities.

Ultimately, the best approach for pursuing research in renewable energy, particularly solar power, would be to gain a strong understanding of both physics and electrical engineering principles. This could be achieved through a double major, a minor, or interdisciplinary research opportunities. Additionally, networking and seeking out research opportunities at universities or with companies can also be beneficial in getting involved in renewable energy research.