Richard Perez

Biography

Richard Perez has been associate editor of Solar Energy Journal since 1995 and has published more than 120 articles and reports on solar radiation, renewable energy applications, and day lighting. He built and lives in a passive solar photovoltaic home, and in 2000 received a U.S. patent for "Load Controller and Method to Enhance Effective Capacity of Photovoltaic Power Supply." Perez earned a doctorate in atmospheric science from UAlbany in 1983 and a diploma of advanced studies in external geophysics from the University of Paris in 1978.

Research Interest

Solar Energy Resource assessment Because the weather is the main driver of solar energy technologies, it is important to characterize and to quantify the influences of climate and weather on the solar resource. We have developed approaches to utilize the imagery from weather satellites to infer the amount of solar energy available at any point in time and space. We have used this capability to produce solar resource maps for the US and several other countries, and to provide operational data for solar system output quality control. Evaluating the impact of solar energy systems on utility power grids The resource information developed above can be used effectively to simulate the operation of solar power plants and to gauge their impact on utility grids' power flow. An important application of this is to detect, quantify and monitor the capability of dispersed photovoltaic systems to help utilities meet their peak demand requirements and to minimize the risks of power outages.