The SIS Lab Solar Group focuses on providing human systems engineering solutions associated with photovoltaic installations in the Solar Industry. Our work aims to assess and reduce occupational, operations, and maintenance risks through quantitative and qualitative analysis. Outcomes from this research can lead to improvements in systems design and implementation while establishing clean and affordable renewable energy choices for resilient communities. This group’s work supports Rhode Island’s goal to be 100% powered by renewable electricity by 2030.
We also conduct extensive educational outreach to K-12 students, teaching them about various aspects of solar energy, and encouraging them to pursue STEM education. The team frequently collaborates with the Science and Math Investigative Learning Experience (SMILE), OneCranston’s Explorer Center, the Solar Genome Project at Penn State, and other local outreach organizations dedicated to STEM youth education.
The solar outreach activities we have developed include the building of solar circuits, solar cars, solar cookers, and more.
Researchers
Graduate
Publications
Conference Papers
Duroha, J. C., & Macht, G. A.(2021). Solar Installations & Their Occupational Risks. Proceedings of the 2021 Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFES) Annual Meeting: Occupational Ergonomics, Virtual Conference, October 25-28.
Duroha, J. C., Brownson, J. R. S., & Macht, G. A. (2020, Jun). Occupational Risks Associated with Solar Installations: A Review. Proceedings of the 2020 American Solar Energy Society (ASES) Annual Conference, Virtual Conference.
Technical Presentations
Duroha, J. C., Carranza Cid, F., & Macht, G. A.(2021). Quality Assurance and Metrics Associated with Solar Farm Production. Proceedings of the 2021 American Solar Energy Society (ASES) Annual Conference, Virtual Conference, August 3-6.
Macht, G. A. (2021). Introduction to Solar Energy. In URI EGR 213G – Energy and Environment, Kingston, RI, March 16.
Macht, G. A. (2019). Introduction to Solar Energy. In URI EGR 213G – Energy and Environment, Kingston, RI, April 11.
Macht, G. A. (2018). Solar Energy Systems: Location, Location, Location. In URI MCE 485/585 – Solar Thermal Engineering, Kingston, RI, October 17.
Macht, G. A. (2018). Introduction to Solar Energy. In URI EGR 213G – Energy and Environment, Kingston, RI, April 12.
Macht, G. A. (2017). Introduction to Solar Energy. In URI EGR 213G – Energy and Environment, Kingston, RI, April 11.
Klingenberg, K., Macht, K., Iulo, L. D., Schiler, M. E., Witmer, L., Lowe, S. K., & Macht, G. A. (2015). Solar Decathlon: Help or Hindrance to Carbon-Neutral Buildings? Panel Forum from the 44th American Solar Energy Society (ASES) Annual National Solar Conference: Emerging Architecture, State College, PA, July 28-30.
Chandrasekharan, R., Macht, G. A. & Brownson, J. R. S. (2011). Sustainable Materials Selection in Thin Film Photovoltatics: The Potential of Tin Chalcongenides as Light Absorbing Alternatives to CdTe and CIGS. In 40th American Solar Energy Society (ASES) National Conference, Raleigh, NC, May 17-21.
In the Press
Nachbar, N. Solar Energy Competition Demonstrates Power Generated from the Sun. College of Engineering, The University of Rhode Island, Retrieved from web.uri.edu/engineering.
A Bright Future. URI Features, The University of Rhode Island, Retrieved from uri.edu/features
McCarthy, C. (2018, Nov. 7). Harvesting the Sun. URI Today, The University of Rhode Island, Retrieved from today.uri.edu.
Alumni
Undergraduate
