Solar research heats up at USD
By Loretta Sorensen, Journal correspondent | Posted: Monday, July 02, 2007
Sioux Cityan Dave Vickery, a senior chemistry and education major at The University of South Dakota, spends this summer researching ways to improve the efficiency of solar energy. (Photo by Loretta Sorensen)
VERMILLION, S.D. -- University of South Dakota chemistry and education senior Dave Vickery spends plenty of time with -- but not in -- the sun this summer. As an intern working with a team of 40 South Dakota researchers looking for ways to make solar energy more efficient and less costly, Vickery, a Sioux City native, conducts daily tests related to luminescent solar energy.
"There are so many great things going on in research right now," Vickery said. "There's a real boom in that area, and I am really enjoying working with solar energy. The cost of gas is such a big issue now that it's very interesting to be investigating something that will probably replace fossil fuels at some time in the future."
Vickery conducts his study under the supervision of USD Professor Mary Berry through a program funded by the South Dakota Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR).
While solar energy is utilized in the United States to some degree, the cost of creating solar panels combined with a 23 to 25 percent rate of solar power efficiency makes solar power too expensive to replace fuels such as coal. Fifty percent of electricity is currently generated by burning coal.
A process which reduces the cost of solar panels and increases the efficiency of the process used to gather solar power could have a significant positive impact on the U.S. and world economy.
"Right now the study of solar energy is in its fledgling years," Vickery said. "But scientists already can see a breakthrough in the process on the horizon."
The cooperative effort in South Dakota's study of solar energy came about through EPSCoR's funding and stimulated researchers to identify areas where different groups were conducting overlapping research.
"That's one of the great things about this research," Berry said. "You don't often see this large a group of scientists working together on a research project. It's a new research model for this area."
USD faculty and administrators have known for a long time that the experience Vickery gains through research gives him an edge in the job market. The University's Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) and Northern Plains Undergraduate Research Center are designed to engage students in research related to their discipline.
"Whether Dave works in a research field or in the classroom, this experience gives him great background for his career," Berry said.
Vickery agrees.
"I've learned more about solar energy through the research than I could ever have learned in a class," he said. "I haven't decided if I'll go on to teach or work in a chemistry research environment. I've always loved teaching, and I've really enjoyed this research. I've always believed research is the key to education. It's the only way knowledge moves forward."
"There are so many great things going on in research right now," Vickery said. "There's a real boom in that area, and I am really enjoying working with solar energy. The cost of gas is such a big issue now that it's very interesting to be investigating something that will probably replace fossil fuels at some time in the future."
Vickery conducts his study under the supervision of USD Professor Mary Berry through a program funded by the South Dakota Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR).
While solar energy is utilized in the United States to some degree, the cost of creating solar panels combined with a 23 to 25 percent rate of solar power efficiency makes solar power too expensive to replace fuels such as coal. Fifty percent of electricity is currently generated by burning coal.
A process which reduces the cost of solar panels and increases the efficiency of the process used to gather solar power could have a significant positive impact on the U.S. and world economy.
"Right now the study of solar energy is in its fledgling years," Vickery said. "But scientists already can see a breakthrough in the process on the horizon."
The cooperative effort in South Dakota's study of solar energy came about through EPSCoR's funding and stimulated researchers to identify areas where different groups were conducting overlapping research.
"That's one of the great things about this research," Berry said. "You don't often see this large a group of scientists working together on a research project. It's a new research model for this area."
USD faculty and administrators have known for a long time that the experience Vickery gains through research gives him an edge in the job market. The University's Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) and Northern Plains Undergraduate Research Center are designed to engage students in research related to their discipline.
"Whether Dave works in a research field or in the classroom, this experience gives him great background for his career," Berry said.
Vickery agrees.
"I've learned more about solar energy through the research than I could ever have learned in a class," he said. "I haven't decided if I'll go on to teach or work in a chemistry research environment. I've always loved teaching, and I've really enjoyed this research. I've always believed research is the key to education. It's the only way knowledge moves forward."
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