This recognition strengthens SERC Chile's position as a leader in scientific research and the development of applied knowledge for the energy transition.

The 2025 Elsevier–Stanford Ranking recognized 15 researchers from the Solar Energy Research Center (SERC Chile), who rank among the top 2% of the world’s most-cited scientists, according to standardized indicators of productivity and impact derived from the university’s database.

The study, conducted by Stanford University and the Elsevier Data Repository, assesses the global impact of more than 200,000 researchers across various disciplines, taking into account metrics such as the number of citations, co-authorship, and relevance within each field of research.

Among the scholars affiliated with SERC Chile recognized in the 2025 edition are Sapana Jadoun (University of Tarapacá), a member of the Solar Water Treatment Research Line (RL1); Rodrigo Palma (University of Chile), from the Energy Systems Research Line (RL2); and Svetlana Ushak (University of Antofagasta), representing the Materials Science and Solar Resource Assessment Research Line (RL3).

Joining them are Samir Kouro, Marcelo Pérez, Carlos Restrepo, Mokhtar Aly, Margarita Norambuena, Sebastián Rivera, and Christian A. Rojas, all members of the Power Electronics and Energy Conversion Research Group (RL5), along with Luis Morán, José Espinoza, Willy Kracht, Rubén Peña, and Marco Rivera, who are prominent members of the Control Systems and Industrial Processes Research Group (RL7).

“It is very encouraging that SERC researchers are included in these internationally recognized and widely disseminated indicators. It helps us highlight the dedicated work that the entire SERC team is doing toward Chile’s solar future, which is informed by the science-based evidence we help to build,” said Rodrigo Palma, director of SERC Chile.

These awards reflect the thematic diversity and scientific rigor of the work carried out by SERC Chile, which ranges from the characterization of solar resources and energy conversion to advanced electrical systems management and industrial automation.

Some of the researchers were recognized for their cumulative impact over the course of their careers, while others were recognized for their recent work, highlighting the center’s ongoing relevance and international standing.

Since its creation more than 13 years ago, SERC Chile has fostered a network comprising seven national universities, promoting interdisciplinary research and the development of advanced human capital to address the challenges of the energy transition.
The advances made by its researchers have significantly contributed to Chile’s position as one of the global leaders in solar energy, with photovoltaic capacity now exceeding 11.27 GW, compared to less than 1 MW at the beginning of the 2010s.