A new partnership with Texas A&M University-Central Texas and the Center for Solar Energy will build a center that will host the largest assortment of photovoltaic technologies in the world. 

The partnership is meant to evaluate, develop and test practical and emergent technologies relating to renewable energy and solar technology, a press release said.

“The collaboration between A&M-Central Texas and the Center for Solar Energy is truly a market-changing partnership and will make A&M-Central Texas the premier destination for the study and advancement of solar energy,” said John Sharp, Chancellor of the Texas A&M University system in a press release.

The college is developing the project with PPA Partners from Morgan Hill, Calif. The solar company has a similar project at Arizona Western College in Yuma.

When completed, the nearly $6 million center will cover up to 800 acres and house a renewable power generation system that will power the A&M-Central Texas campus, the release said.

The land is owned by a private landowner in Killeen, Texas, said Marc Nigliazzo, the inaugural president of Texas A&M University-Central Texas in an email provided by the school. Of the 800 acres, 300 are designated for the solar array, 200 acres for offices labs and incubation sites and 300 acres have been set aside for future growth.

The center will be an incubation program for developing new solar technologies with the goal to attract the interest of capital investors to bring that technology to the marketplace.

Plans for the partnership have been ongoing for about two years, Nigliazzo said.

The partnership came after a collaboration between Nigliazzo, when he was president of Arizona Western College, and PPA to build the Arizona college’s project which became the prototype for the larger Texas project.

With the new center, the college will add curriculum to encourage research and education in renewable energy, while also enhancing business and marketing programs, the release said. The college will incorporate aspects of the project into its curriculum as soon as possible, Nigliazzo said. That could include specializations within the School of Business, or a new program in renewable energy with the School of Arts & Science. The school also expects to offer short-term certifications in specifics areas of solar technology.

The Center will serve as an incubator to bring emerging technologies from concept to market within two years through a well-rounded program that includes training, engineering, demonstration and manufacturing support.  Participants will enter the program through an awarded scholarship, venture capital partner or advisory board recommendation.