MOMENTUM • VIRGINIA TECH MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 13 ubiquitous integration into the electric grid . This yielded a 75 percent reduction in the cost of solar energy systems in 2017 , three years earlier than planned .
For his leadership in the development of cost-effective solar energy , Pitchumani was recognized by the American Solar Energy Society with the prestigious Hoyt Clarke Hottel Award in 2017 .
In his current position , Pitchumani directs the Advanced Materials and Technologies Laboratory , engaging a multidisciplinary approach to energy and sustainability . His research funding has come from many sources , including the Air Force Office of Scientific Research , Army Research Office , Office of Naval Research , Department of Energy , Department of Education , National Science Foundation , and industries . A prolific scholar , Pitchumani has co-authored over 240 articles with his research group . He is a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers ; a distinguished
alumnus of his alma mater , the Indian institute of Technology , Bombay ; and serves on the editorial boards of several journals in the fields of energy and materials .
“ Solar Energy is the premier journal in the field with a long legacy spanning over six decades ,” said Pitchumani . “ To be selected to steward this illustrious journal is quite humbling .”
Pitchumani sees significant growth of the journal in the coming years . “ We are at a turning point in history where , by any means , solar energy is rapidly growing and will be a major part of our sustainable future . The declining costs of solar energy present tremendous opportunities for innovation in diverse areas and also pose significant challenges that touch multiple disciplines . I see Solar Energy as the leading forum for the confluence of scientific advances from the various disciplines to create solutions that don ’ t exist today .”