Our Group is founded on the expertise and interaction of 16 talented individuals.
Members of the Group have diverse backgrounds in physics, engineering, chemistry, building design, remote sensing, electrical design, and material science.
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Sarah Kurtz, PhD, Acting Reliability Group Manager
SERF/W107 |
303-384-6475 |
Specializes in: |
Promoting renewable energy in whatever way is needed |
Known for: |
Developing multijunction concentrator cells and supporting the concentrator PV industry |
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 Tom demonstrates the Outdoor Test Facility (OTF) infrared camera, which he uses to help pinpoint failed cells within PV modules. |
OTF/203 |
303-384-6762 |
Task focus: |
PV Module Packaging R&D |
Specializes in: |
Testing PV arrays, modules, and cells to duplicate and diagnose field failure |
Known for: |
24 years of experience in PV research, and counting; problem solving for customers |
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Carl works on testing and analysis of PV systems like the ones shown here at the OTF. |
Carl Osterwald, Task Leader, Principal Engineer
OTF/206 |
303-384-6764 |
Task focus: |
PV Module/System Technology Testing and Validation |
Specializes in: |
Module reliability, long-term module testing, accelerated module testing, and data analysis |
Known for: |
Module reliability testing, PV metrology, PV standards development |
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 Joe has worked extensively to develop the 5-chamber PECVD system in SERF/W213. |
OTF/205 |
303-384-6104 |
Task focus: |
PV Module Packaging R&D; PV Module/System Technology Testing and Validation |
Specializes in: |
Exploratory reliability and performance R&D, as well as module design, materials, thin films materials development, and packaging research and modeling; data analysis |
Known for: |
Developing in-house materials deposition capabilities, including use of PERT, 5-chamber PECVD, HVTB |
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Ed's focus is the testing and validation of PV modules and systems. |
Ed Gelak, Research Technician
OTF/108-02 |
303-384-6230 |
Task focus: |
PV Module/System Technology Testing and Validation |
Specializes in: |
PV systems installation, testing, and maintenance; module reliability; long-term module testing |
Known for: |
PERT system module integration and monitoring; maintenance on street lamp and walkway lighting systems; maintaining equipment calibration logs and performing quality work |
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 Steve has worked together with a team of researchers to set up the 5-chamber PECVD system in SERF/W213. |
SERF/E100-02 |
303-384-6650 |
Task focus: |
PV Module Packaging R&D |
Specializes in: |
Materials science of photovoltaic module materials |
Known for: |
5-chamber PECVD task operation support; material deposition of thin-film moisture barriers; alternative encapsulant formulations development; reliability and encapsulant performance studies related to photothermal degradation |
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 Mike places samples in an environmental chamber to determine the effect of humidity on polymer adhesion. |
FTLB/168 |
303-384-6325 |
Task focus: |
PV Module Packaging R&D |
Specializes in: |
Coordinating and performing materials durability testing |
Known for: |
Interest in the role of polymer chemistry and physics in module degradation; lap-shear, water-vapor transmission, and water-solubility testing of encapsulants; using results in finite element analysis to determine length of time it takes for water to enter a module |
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 Cheryl examines data from the 3-chamber PECVD system in FTLB/153-01. |
FTLB/168-33 |
303-384-6272 |
Task focus: |
PV Module Packaging R&D; CSP Optical Materials R&D; Hydrogen Reactor Development and Design; Photolytic Reactor Materials Testing R&D |
Specializes in: |
Durability of advanced solar reflectors, absorbers, and transparent polymer films; development of advanced solar reflectors, high-temperature absorbers, and barrier coatings; thin-film PVD deposition |
Known for: |
Understanding performance and durability of optical materials, accelerated testing equipment capabilities, and applications; thin-film deposition of reflective and barrier coatings; 3- and 5-chamber deposition system capabilities and applications |
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 Bill works on systems performance modeling, shown on the computer screen behind him. |
OTF/202-01 |
303-384-6793 |
Task focus: |
Module/System Technology Testing and Validation |
Specializes in: |
Solar Radiation Resource Information and PV module and system performance modeling |
Known for: |
Advanced capability in PV modeling; IV curve translations |
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Matt is standing next to PV shingles on a roof in the OTF array field. |
OTF/209-01 |
303-384-6164 |
Task focus: |
PV Module/Array Performance Testing |
Specializes in: |
Testing building-integrated PV; implementing a high-accuracy tracker for testing CPV modules; data acquisition and analysis |
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 John applies his talent and expertise as both a chemist and a materials scientist to a range of work, including research and development of new PV encapsulants and fuel cell proton exchange membranes (FCPEM). |
John Pern, PhD, Senior Scientist
SERF/E119 |
303-384-6615 |
Task focus: |
PV Module Packaging R&D |
Specializes in: |
Encapsulant and solar cell performance reliability; PV encapsulant formulation and fuel cell proton exchange membranes (FCPEM) developments; accelerated exposure tests; molecular-level analysis |
Known for: |
PV encapsulant chemistry; PV cell degradation; polymeric materials development and testing; electrochemical, instrumental, and spectroscopic analysis |
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Jose is the newest member of our team. |
OTF/108-04 |
303-384-7819 |
Task focus: |
System Design, Installation, and Testing |
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 Bill helps design, install, and monitor PV systems such as this one, in the OTF array field. |
Bill Sekulic, Master Research Technician
OTF/123 |
303-384-6362 |
Task focus: |
PV Module/System Technology Testing and Validation |
Specializes in: |
PV systems design, testing, maintenance; data acquisition; Labview programming; computer and electrical systems development |
Known for: |
Creative solutions to data acquisition problems, organizational skills, and getting the job done right |
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 Kent works with an assortment of accelerated testing equipment, including the Atlas CI65, to troubleshoot experiments and test samples. |
FTLB/168-131 |
303-384-6254 |
Task focus: |
PV Module Packaging R&D; CSP Optical Materials R&D; Solar-Heat Glazing R&D |
Specializes in: |
Packaging/durability of thin-film modules; durability testing of solar mirrors and polymeric glazings |
Known for: |
Troubleshooting and repairing environmental test chambers |
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 David designs and builds test beds, and he has a reputation for getting it done right the first time. |
OTF/117 |
303-384-6330 |
Task focus: |
PV Module/System Technology Testing and Validation |
Specializes in: |
Designing and building effective test beds from the ground up-mechanical, electrical, electronic, cabling, data wiring, computer interfacing |
Known for: |
Assisting other national labs and industry in duplicating his test bed designs at their facilities; OATS testing and monitoring; overseeing OTF Mac server operation; RMIS monitoring |
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