Sandia National Laboratories and MTU Cut the Ribbon on a New Regional Testing Center for Solar Panels

Michigan Tech and Sandia National Laboratories are partnering to work on solutions to increase the amount of solar energy generated in northern climates. Yesterday government officials, MTU facility and Sandia Labs representatives cut the ribbon for the Department of Energy’s newest regional testing center. Located in Calumet, the new center’s purpose will act as a regional testing site for solar panels for solar companies working on new tech and panel designs.

Known for it’s snowfall and sometimes strange weather, the Keweenaw Peninsula makes for a unique testing site for solar panels. The other RTC’s in the country are located in New Mexico, Florida, Colorado, and Nevada. MTU’s new facility will play a key role in driving the growth of solar energy production in northern regions. The test center will provide opportunities for research, workforce training and education to further the development of solar energy in the Upper Peninsula. The RTC also helps establish Michigan Tech as the premier research institution for solar energy at northern latitudes.

Sandia National Laboratories RTC Program