Issa Batarseh
Innovator in Solar Energy
Date of Birth:
1961
Amman, Jordan
Place of Birth:
Why Featured?
Issa Batarseh is recognized for his pioneering work in solar energy conversion, specifically for developing affordable and efficient solar technology that has had a profound impact on global access to renewable energy.
Brief bio
Issa Batarseh is a Palestinian-Jordanian-American engineer and inventor known for his groundbreaking work in solar energy conversion. A professor at the University of Central Florida, Batarseh has dedicated his career to making solar energy more accessible, particularly for low-income communities worldwide. His innovations in power electronics and photovoltaic technology have revolutionized the solar industry, earning him numerous awards and recognition, including his induction into the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame.
Major Milestones
Contributions
Born in Amman, Jordan (1961): Raised in a region where energy resources were scarce, Batarseh developed an early interest in finding sustainable energy solutions.
Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from University of Illinois at Chicago (1990): Completed his doctorate, focusing on power electronics, which laid the foundation for his future work in solar energy.
Joined University of Central Florida as a Professor (1991): Batarseh began his academic career at UCF, where he established the Florida Power Electronics Center (FPEC) to advance research in energy conversion technologies (Wikipedia) (UCF Engineering).
Founded Petra Systems (2007): Co-founded this company to commercialize his solar microinverter technology, which has been implemented in over 215,000 systems across the U.S., the Middle East, and North Africa (Florida Inventors Hall of Fame) (UCF).
Inducted into Florida Inventors Hall of Fame (2017): Recognized for his significant contributions to the field of solar energy, particularly for innovations that have improved the efficiency and affordability of solar power (Florida Inventors Hall of Fame) (UCF Engineering).
Expansion of Solar Energy in Palestine and the Middle East: Batarseh’s development of affordable solar microinverter technology has made solar energy more accessible in the Palestinian territories and other parts of the Middle East, providing a reliable source of energy in areas where access to electricity is limited due to the Israeli occupation...See More
Promotion of Sustainable Energy Solutions for Palestinian Communities: Through his work at Petra Systems and other initiatives, Batarseh has supported the implementation of solar power systems in Palestinian communities, helping to reduce their dependence on external energy sources and fostering energy independence...See More
Creation of Job Opportunities in Renewable Energy: Batarseh’s innovations have led to the creation of jobs in the solar energy sector within the Middle East, including Palestine. His efforts have provided Palestinians with opportunities to work in the renewable energy industry, contributing to local economic development.
Support for Palestinian Education in Engineering and Technology: Batarseh has mentored Palestinian students and engineers, helping to build local expertise in power electronics and renewable energy technologies. His educational contributions have empowered Palestinians to engage in cutting-edge research and development.
Advocacy for Renewable Energy Adoption in Palestine: Batarseh has been an advocate for the adoption of renewable energy in Palestinian territories, promoting the benefits of solar energy as a sustainable solution to the energy challenges faced by Palestinians under occupation. His advocacy has raised awareness of the potential for solar energy to transform the energy landscape in Palestine.
Date of Last Update:
September 3, 2024
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