Abstract View

Sarah Toth, PhD Candidate, Environmental Engineering

SARAH TOTH, University of Colorado Boulder

Abstract Number: 629
Working Group: Meet the Job Seekers

Abstract
NSF Graduate Fellowship Runner-Up
Denver, Colorado

Ambient particulate matter in urban environments is dynamic and heterogeneous, so understanding photovoltaic (PV) energy loss due to soiling is challenging. We deployed silicon reference cells in an urban-industrial area in Colorado for one year, co-located with measurements of ambient particulate matter concentrations. We developed a model that quantified the relationships between ambient air quality and PV soiling, and showed that urban air pollution can significantly reduce the performance of PV panels. In our next year of work we will deploy similar monitoring stations in the Los Angeles basin and leverage the large amount of historical air quality and PV performance measurements in the area in order to model air pollution and PV performance across the whole region.

Experience:
I have worked at the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) in the PV Reliability group since January 2017 and began my graduate degree at the University of Colorado at Boulder (CU Boulder) in August 2017. Since then I have been researching and publishing jointly with scientists at NREL and CU Boulder. I have primarily worked in Python and Solidworks.

Research Interests:
Low-cost air quality sensors, big data analysis, renewable energy.

Tentative availability:
PhD dissertation defense slated for May 2021. Preference to stay in Colorado; willing to work-from-home full-time.

sarah.toth@colorado.edu