UL solar farm to be part of national Department of Energy research network

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Sandia National Laboratories designated UL Lafayette’s Louisiana Solar Energy Lab as a regional test center for emerging solar technologies.

The facility, whose main building was named Antoun Hall after Acadiana area philanthropist and UL alumni Georges Antoun at a Friday ceremony, will be the DOE’s sixth Regional Test Center and will be used for research into new solar technologies to advance American energy markets. 

“It’s a network of world-class research institutions across the United States. And what we’re doing in terms of photovoltaic (solar panels) innovation and research is unparalleled,” said Laurie Burnham of Sandia National Laboratories, “We’re really proud to have the university be a part of that.”

The testing centers are strategically located across the United States to test the impact of different environments on solar panels, said Dr. Terry Chamber, director of the Louisiana Solar Lab. Sandia chose Louisiana for its high heat, humidity, frequent rainfall, and extreme weather events. 

The 4,500-square-foot solar energy lab will test U.S. manufacturer prototype commercial solar panels, research systems used for the data collection on next-generation solar cells and modules, and commercially available systems for long-term performance testing.

“This is not about solar. This is not about traditional resources. From an energy perspective, as a country, we’re on the cusp of tremendous growth when it comes to power, and it’s important for us to put all of our research together and deliver that power, ” Georges Antoun, chief commercial officer for First Solar, said.