Sarah Kurtz

Sarah Kurtz is a Professor in the School of Engineering at UC Merced, specializing in renewable energy systems and solar technology. She holds a Ph.D. in chemical physics from Harvard University and a B.A. in chemistry and physics from Manchester College. Her research focuses on advancing solar energy deployment, improving photovoltaic (PV) system performance, and addressing reliability challenges in renewable energy infrastructure.

Key areas of research include the TEAMUP project for tandem solar cell efficiency, agrivoltaics for dual-use land, and long-duration energy storage solutions. She leads interdisciplinary efforts to integrate renewable energy into transportation, agriculture, and grid systems. Collaborations with institutions like the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), UC Berkeley, and industry partners (e.g., Swift Solar) highlight her commitment to real-world impact.

Dr. Kurtz’s work emphasizes practical applications, such as optimizing solar panel performance in automotive environments and evaluating soiling effects on PV efficiency. She actively mentors students through initiatives like the Solar Energy Association (SEA) and the IEEE chapter at UC Merced. Her projects often address policy and societal challenges, such as California’s energy transition goals and equitable access to clean energy.

Notable contributions include studies on grid capacity expansion, hydrogen storage synergies, and the economic viability of solar canals. She advocates for cross-sector innovation, emphasizing the role of energy storage and demand management in achieving zero-carbon systems. Her lab hosts undergraduate and graduate researchers exploring topics from battery efficiency to agrivoltaic crop yield optimization.