EPRI joins SolarTAC - one of the world's largest solar test and demo centers

AURORA, USA: The Solar Technology Acceleration Center (SolarTAC) announced the addition of the Electric Power Research Institute Inc. (EPRI) as a sponsoring member.

EPRI conducts research and development for the electric power industry and its membership represents more than 90 percent of the electricity generated and delivered in the United States, along with an international participation extending to 40 countries.

Located in Aurora, Colorado, SolarTAC is a private, member-based, outdoor facility where the solar industry tests, validates, and demonstrates advanced solar technologies.

As a member of SolarTAC, EPRI will have access to the 74-acre SolarTAC site, allowing EPRI's membership to participate in solar research and development, utilizing SolarTAC's available infrastructure. SolarTAC members can work alone or in collaboration with other members on research and demonstration activities that support their business and membership needs.

"We are very excited to become a member of SolarTAC," said Stan Rosinski, Program Manager for EPRI's Renewable Generation R&D. "Our sponsorship affords EPRI the ability to conduct solar thermal research as well as test the performance of a variety of solar thermal and photovoltaic technologies, and through collaboration with our members, validate these technologies. SolarTAC provides a unique opportunity to transition technologies from the lab to the field through testing in a real-world environment."

According to SolarTAC's Executive Director, Dustin Smith, "Having EPRI's utility industry involved in SolarTAC is a significant step towards our memberships' goal of accelerating utility-scale solar technologies into the marketplace." Since announcing the initial launch of SolarTAC in late 2008, the site infrastructure development has progressed to the point where members can now deploy solar technology.

SolarTAC originated when six public and private sector entities -- Abengoa Solar, the City of Aurora, the Colorado Renewable Energy Collaboratory, Midwest Research Institute (MRI), SunEdison, and Xcel Energy -- joined forces to establish a site where member companies can bring their early commercial or near-commercial stage solar technologies for testing and demonstration under actual field conditions.