The goal is to help undergraduate students at various universities across the country better understand the potential of solar energy in practical applications.
The Solar Energy Research Center (SERC Chile) successfully concluded the latest edition of its “Ruta del Sol” program, an initiative aimed at strengthening the development of advanced human capital and student mobility, while promoting applied research and scientific outreach related to solar energy development in northern Chile.
The program brought together undergraduate students from the universities that make up the SERC Chile consortium, with the aim of introducing them to the potential and challenges of solar energy in real-world applications.
For Lorena Cornejo, coordinator of the Science and Society Division at SERC Chile, this program opens doors for students from different parts of the country to delve deeper into applied research on solar energy. “This initiative, now in its fourth iteration, was created to promote the development of advanced human capital, interuniversity collaboration, and community engagement, linking scientific research with the local realities of the Atacama Desert.”
Thus, the first stage of the Ruta del Sol took place from September 22 to 25 in the Arica and Parinacota region, as part of the Ayllu Solar project. Twelve students from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso, the University of Concepción, the University of Chile, the University of Antofagasta, the Federico Santa María Technical University, and Adolfo Ibáñez University participated in the event.
During their stay, the students participated in an introductory workshop and took field trips to the Willka Photovoltaic Plant, the Visviri and Pampa Concordia projects run by Ayllu Solar, and the Solar Training Yard at the Pablo Neruda Bicentennial High School. They also visited the communities of Zapahuira, Putre, and Lake Chungará, where they learned about local initiatives in energy sustainability and community engagement.
Ayllu Solar and AtaMoS-Tec Projects
The second phase of the program took place from September 22 to 24 in Antofagasta, in collaboration with the AtaMoS-Tec project. This time, 14 students from various universities participated. The itinerary included workshops, laboratory visits, and tours of the PSDA and LALCKTUR facilities, where participants observed the operation of advanced photovoltaic technologies and applied research processes in the Atacama Desert.
In this context, the students had the opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of two flagship projects of SERC Chile: Ayllu Solar, in Arica, and AtaMoS-Tec, in Antofagasta, both of which aim to link scientific research with local realities and promote sustainable solutions for the country.
The program not only provided technical and practical knowledge through guided tours of laboratories and solar power plants, but also fostered interaction among students from different universities, creating opportunities for reflection, collaboration, and debate on solar energy research and challenges in Chile.
Finally, Ruta del Sol 2025 allowed participants to have an intercultural experience, learn about the social and geographic differences in the northern part of the country, and understand how solar energy can transform communities and contribute to sustainable development.
View the photo gallery of the Solar Route 2025
