August 10, 2012

UAlbany NanoCollege hosts Northeast Photovoltaic Roundtable on August 9 and 10

By: Steve Janack, CNSE Vice President for Marketing and Communications

Source: College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering

Albany, NY – In accordance with Governor Andrew Cuomo’s NY-SUN initiative and energy superhighway blueprint, the progress and promise of New York’s emerging solar energy industry is taking center stage at the Northeast Photovoltaic Roundtable being held this week at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) of the University at Albany, presented in partnership with the U.S. Photovoltaic Manufacturing Consortium (PVMC) and the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) SunShot Initiative.

Robert Hallman, Deputy Secretary for Energy and the Environment in the Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, said, “With Governor Cuomo's innovative NY-Sun initiative, New York State is pursuing several avenues for increasing the contribution of solar PV to our renewable energy portfolio. Reducing the cost and time needed to implement solar PV projects is a key focus of our efforts. We commend SUNY Albany and DOE for hosting this forum to seek solutions for expediting use of this important renewable technology.”

Minh Le, Chief Engineer of the Solar Energy Technologies Program within DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, said, “Albany is creating an innovation ecosystem that has attracted research and manufacturing to the state. Leveraging on that experience, the Northeast Photovoltaic Roundtable will explore opportunities to reduce soft costs to create ecosystems around the deployment of solar energy.”

“I am honored to be part of what promises to be an important conference focusing on advancing solar power in New York and the northeast,” said Gil C. Quiniones, President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York Power Authority. “We have seen laudable gains in solar development and deployment throughout the State, and under Governor Cuomo's leadership and his recent 'NY Sun' Initiative, we will continue to propel New York towards a brighter energy future.”

“Through Governor Cuomo’s NY-Sun Initiative, the State is increasing the viability of solar power by making it a more attractive option for New Yorkers.  Solar power is an important component in the State’s diverse renewable energy portfolio and is a driver of economic development and job creation,” said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO, NYSERDA.  “NYSERDA is proud to be a partner with the Department of Energy’s (DOE) SunShot Initiative, and the Photovoltaic Manufacturing Consortium (PVMC), in identifying best practices that will ensure solar power remains a long-term solution to New York’s energy demands.”

On Friday, August 10, the conference is focused exclusively on “Solar in New York: Progress and Promise.” Capturing critical developments for New York’s solar industry over the past year, including Governor Cuomo’s NY-SUN initiative and New York energy superhighway blueprint, the day includes keynote remarks from Robert Hallman, Deputy Secretary for Energy and the Environment in the Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo; New York Power Authority President Gil Quiniones; and NYSERDA President and CEO Francis J. Murray Jr. Co-hosted by CNSE, Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, and the New York Solar Energy Society, the program provides further information on legal and policy issues that will impact the future of solar energy in New York.

The Northeast Photovoltaic Roundtable is designed to stimulate discussion and action on overcoming market barriers for photovoltaic development and deployment by identifying and implementing best practices. The event features experts and stakeholders in a variety of areas, including financing, public awareness, photovoltaic system standards, and permitting and interconnection, among others.

“With the Governor’s NY-Sun initiative, the U.S. Department of Energy’s SunShot Program, and the continuing overall decline in solar installation costs, New York is closer than ever to seeing a real boom in solar deployment throughout the State.  Whiteman Osterman & Hanna is pleased to partner again with CNSE, NYSES, and the U.S. Department of Energy, to participate in a comprehensive program of government officials and experts in private industry to hear what New York is doing now, and what it needs to do in the future, to make sure that such expansion happens quickly, and in a sustainable fashion.  We’re really excited to hear from such an illustrious panel of speakers, and thank all of our co-sponsors and presenters for the opportunity to work with them on this program,” said Peter Trimarchi of Whiteman Osterman & Hanna.

Dr. Pradeep Haldar, CNSE Vice President for Clean Energy Programs and PVMC Chief Operating and Technology Officer, said, “Guided by the vision and leadership of Governor Andrew Cuomo, New York is building a world-class ecosystem for solar energy that is enabling a vibrant and expanding green collar economy. The College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering is pleased to partner with the U.S. Department of Energy to present the Northeast Photovoltaic Roundtable, which showcases the innovative PV research, development, commercialization and manufacturing technologies being developed through the U.S. Photovoltaic Manufacturing Consortium headquartered at CNSE, and highlights New York’s growing stature as a national leader in clean energy.”

Further information is available at: www.cnse.albany.edu/Outreach/EventsCalendar/NortheastPhotovoltaicRoundtable.aspx.

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About CNSE. The UAlbany CNSE is the first college in the world dedicated to education, research, development and deployment in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience, nanoengineering, nanobioscience and nanoeconomics. With more than $14 billion in high-tech investments, CNSE represents the world’s most advanced university-driven research enterprise, offering students a one-of-a-kind academic experience and providing over 300 corporate partners with access to an unmatched ecosystem for leading-edge R&D and commercialization of nanoelectronics and nanotechnology innovations. CNSE’s footprint spans upstate New York, including its Albany NanoTech Complex, an 800,000-square-foot megaplex with the only fully-integrated, 300mm wafer, computer chip pilot prototyping and demonstration line within 85,000 square feet of Class 1 capable cleanrooms. More than 2,700 scientists, researchers, engineers, students and faculty work here, from companies including IBM, Intel, GlobalFoundries, SEMATECH, Samsung, TSMC, Toshiba, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron, ASML and Novellus Systems. An expansion now underway, part of which will house the world’s first Global 450mm Consortium, will add nearly 500,000 square feet of next-generation infrastructure, an additional 50,000 square feet of Class 1 capable cleanrooms, and more than 1,000 scientists, researchers and engineers from CNSE and global corporations. In addition, CNSE’s Solar Energy Development Center in Halfmoon provides a prototyping and demonstration line for next-generation CIGS thin-film solar cells. CNSE’s Smart System Technology and Commercialization Center of Excellence (STC) in Rochester offers state-of-the-art capabilities for MEMS fabrication and packaging. CNSE also co-founded and manages operations at the Computer Chip Commercialization Center at SUNYIT in Utica and is a co-founder of the Nanotechnology Innovation and Commercialization Excelerator in Syracuse. For information, visit www.cnse.albany.edu.

Contact: Steve Janack, Vice President for Marketing and Communications, CNSE
(518) 956-7322 | sjanack@albany.edu