Two solar-power innovators at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden will share this year’s $1 million Dan David Future Prize with a NASA climate scientist, according to the prize’s website.
Sarah Kurtz and Jerry Olson at NREL created a highly efficient solar cell, which converts solar energy into electricity. The technology is already in wide use in space exploration, including powering the Mars rovers – Spirit and Opportunity.
“These contributions have the potential to alleviate the world’s impending energy crisis,” according to the Dan David selection committee.
Past recipients of the Dan David Prize have included cellist Yo-Yo Ma, neuroscientist William Newsome at Stanford University, and cancer scientist William Schlessinger of Yale University.
International businessman and philanthropist Dan David established the prizes to honor achievements that have an impact on the world.
