A group of George Mason University students with academic disciplines ranging from electrical engineering to physics, public policy, and biology, accompanied by two GMU professors, showcased a newly designed solar panel they developed during a July 28 session at Dominion headquarters in Herndon, according to a news release.
Dr. Padhu Seshaiyer (GMU Professor and Director of the STEM Accelerator Program) and Dr. Mary Ewell (STEM Accelerator Faculty, GMU) looked on as students described GMU’s innovative renewable energy program Project PROGRESS.
Project PROGRESS is a program initiative supported by a $40,000 Dominion Foundation grant that provides students with hands-on, practical, experiential learning, including learning to design and construct applications for solar power.
GMU’s Project PROGRESS aims to promote renewable energy research on the grid to create a responsible STEM workforce in solar sustainability across the Commonwealth.
The project has two components; the first is a hands-on course that GMU students take to K-12 schools in the Northern Virginia area to educate students about solar.
The second part of the project involves students participating in self-directed research involving solar incorporation into Virginia energy issues, critical energy infrastructure, smart-grid technology, and sustainability.
State Senator David Marsden, Dominion engineers and support personnel were on hand to greet the students, take in their presentation, and Dominion engineers have vowed to mentor the students.
Students are working to develop a low-cost solar solution that will help developing nations, according to Charles E. “Chuck” Penn, Sr., Manager, Media/ Community Relations for Dominion Virginia Power/ Northern Virginia.
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<a href="http://www.bullrunnow.com/news/article/solar_power_gets_boost_from_dominion_grant_and_gmu_students_designs">Solar power gets boost from Dominion grant and GMU students’ designs</a>