UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Think solar power, and your thoughts may turn to sunny California or Florida.
But the impact of solar may be even greater in the mid-Atlantic region, where the power grid is dense and demand for electricity high -- and there’s still plenty of sun, said Penn State professor Jeffrey Brownson.
Brownson is conference chair for SOLAR 2015, the national solar conference of the American Solar Energy Society (ASES). The conference, hosted this year by Penn State, is being held July 28-30 at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel.
Professionals, academics and students from across the nation and world will discuss opportunities and developments in the solar industry, including solar science and engineering, energy economics, public policy, education and energy efficient architecture. There will also be a networking event for emerging professionals.
“Solar isn’t just photovoltaics on rooftops anymore,” said Brownson, associate professor of energy and mineral engineering and lead faculty for the solar option in Penn State’s online renewable energy and sustainability systems master’s program. “It’s an entire industry, and it’s growing so fast.”