Masdar Institute, a research-driven graduate-level institution focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies that is now a part of the Khalifa University of Science and Technology, has announced that one of its alumni is going to lead the pilot project awarded to Solar Bankers with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) undertaking as part of the Dubai Future Accelerators (DFA) program, the world’s largest government-backed accelerator.

Dr. Carlo Maragliano is a Masdar Institute Class of 2015 PhD graduate and the current Chief Technology Officer of Solar Bankers, an Arizona-based solar energy generation company that was among the three companies selected to work with DEWA for the 2017 cycle of DFA. The accelerator is an intensive 9-week program to identify and partner with emerging technology developers and government entities with the potential to address the needs of strategic partners in Dubai.

Dr. Behjat Al Yousuf, Interim Provost, Masdar Institute, said: “We are very proud of Dr. Maragliano for his role in the selection of Solar Bankers for the 2017 cycle of the DFA. Dr. Maragliano embodies MI’s human capital development goal through his efforts to build on the solar technology expertise he developed during his doctorate studies at MI to become a technology innovator who is working to bring innovation to the UAE.”

The DFA was launched in 2016 under the directive of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. The accelerator pairs innovative technology companies with strategic partners in Dubai to collaborate on and create breakthrough solutions. This year the program has 12 Dubai government entities presenting challenges for the selected startups.

Solar Bankers was selected to work with DEWA, which is seeking new technologies that can transform the utility provider's traditional business model of generating, transmitting and distributing water and electricity. The 2017 cycle for DFA began on 12 February 2017.

“My company was selected for the second round of the program and with the support of DEWA, Solar Bankers will test its technology in the field. The project will start in the following weeks and will last for six months, which will include the manufacturing, shipping, installation and testing of our technology product. Thanks to the vision of the Dubai ruler, my company has been given the resources to setup a pilot project, which is my complete focus now. I am extremely grateful to DEWA and the rulers of Dubai for giving us this opportunity,” Dr. Maragliano shared.

 

Dr. Maragliano graduated from MI in 2015 with a PhD in Interdisciplinary Engineering. During his studies he developed a device that separates the various wavelengths of light and concentrates them for energy harvesting. Publicity about his innovative research caught the attention of Solar Bankers, which approached him for a job. Today Dr. Maragliano is not only the Chief Technology Officer of Solar Bankers, but he also owns 30% of the company.

Solar Bankers is an Arizona-based company in the field of renewable energy, focusing on solar energy generation. Founded in 2008, Solar Bankers is one of the pioneers of next-generation photovoltaic solutions. With the development of its patented holographic solar module, Solar Bankers aims to play a decisive role in the expansion of the global solar energy industry and the quest to achieve grid parity. Its patented technology claims to generate up to 200% more energy than standard photovoltaic systems in high temperature environments.

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