Concentrating Photovoltaics (CPV): 
The Way Forward to Solar Energy Utilization
Dr. Raed A. Sherif
General Manager, Terrestrial Photovoltaic Products
Spectrolab, Inc. - A Boeing Company

Dr. Sherif is the General Manager of Terrestrial Photovoltaic Products at Spectrolab. He has been the program manager for the NREL High Performance PV program. Under this program, several world-record efficiencies were achieved. As a Principal Investigator, he pioneered the development of a robust receiver assembly that can handle high concentration, leading to the demonstration of the world’s first grid-connected CPV system using triple-junction solar cells installed in Tempe, Arizona.

Dr. Sherif has worked closely with the key CPV module manufacturers over the last 7 years and has provided valuable insights to module manufacturers to enable them to optimize their system for best performance, reliability, and economics. This has led to the demonstration of the world’s largest system (35 kW) yet of CPV technology through the work with Solar Systems of Australia.

Prior to working at Spectrolab, he worked at IBM Microelectronics Division in East Fishkill, NY. Dr. Sherif has authored and co-authored many publications in the field of terrestrial photovoltaics and microelectronics packaging. He has given many invited presentations and plenary talks on CPV with MJ cells in international conferences. He has 29 issued patents in the field of microelectronics packaging and solar cells receivers and panels. His work at IBM has led to the development and qualification of a novel packaging technology for high-powered devices that resulted in receipt of the IBM Outstanding Innovation Achievement Award.

Dr. Sherif received his doctorate and masters degrees from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois. He got his B.Sc. degree with highest honors from Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.

 Dr. Sherif is an accomplished national chess master and a great admirer of classical music.