The center welcomed the director of the National Science Foundation’s Division of Chemistry. Our director, Rodrigo Palma, along with associated researchers and María Eugenia Camelio, director of CONICYT’s FONDAP program, briefed Patten on developments in solar energy in Chile.

An interesting meeting was held on August 14 at SERC Chile. The guest was Timothy Patten, director of the Division of Chemistry at the National Science Foundation, who was welcomed by the center’s director, Rodrigo Palma, and researchers Rodrigo Román, Pablo Estévez, and Carlos Silva, along with the director of CONYCIT’s FONDAP program, María Eugenia Camelio.

The meeting, which began at 11 a.m., was led by Rodrigo Palma and started with a brief overview of the work carried out by SERC Chile, followed by an analysis of the country's energy situation.

The conversation focused on Chile's capacity to provide non-conventional energy sources and on the ongoing collective efforts made by the various members of SERC to advance the field of solar energy.

Timothy Patten was very interested in the work carried out by SERC, especially because of the challenges involved in developing solar energy projects in suitable locations, including communities.

One of Pattern’s concerns was how SERC Chile is connecting with the rest of the world. He proposed an exchange of researchers through CONICYT, in order to share perspectives and knowledge. The proposal was praised by our director, who said that “the only way to address the solar energy challenge—or seize the opportunities it presents—is to work together.”

After the meeting, Rodrigo Palma and María Eugenia Camelio showed Timothy Patten the facilities of the School of Electrical Engineering at the University of Chile, which include the workshop where the solar car built by a student at the university is parked.