Solar panel prototype wins Avaya prize
Michael Keane, senior R&D manager AVAYA, presenting Rob Finnerty, electronic engineering student, with his prize accompanied by Liam Kilmartin, NUIG and Ger Hurley engineering professor NUIG.
A final year student in electrical and electronic engineering has been awarded the Avaya Prize for the best final year project in the College of Engineering at NUI Galway.
Rob Finnerty’s project involved the development of a prototype system to allow solar panels automatically track the sun as it moves across the sky during the day in order to maximise the amount of electricity generated.
A native of Moate, Co Westmeath, Finnerty beat a number of other challengers, including a mobile app which warns car drivers of pedestrians who have crossed onto the road, and a computer system that analyses signals from the brain to determine what the user is thinking.
Professor Ger Hurley, lecturer in electrical and electronic engineering at NUI Galway and supervisor for Finnerty’s project, said: “Rob’s project on solar energy combines hardware and software to provide a solution for more efficient energy usage. Electrical and electronic engineering at NUI Galway prides itself on providing its students with the skills and knowledge to deal with current and pressing challenges for today’s world.”
