About the author

Robert Pitz-Paal

Since June 2011, Robert Pitz -Paal has been leading the Institute for Solar Research as one of two codirectors. His work focuses on technical analysis and optimisation of concentrating solar systems to generate electricity and fuel production.

Pitz -Paal, born 1963 in Kleve, studied physics at the Ludwig- Maximilians- University of Munich from 1983 to 1988. He continued on to study concentrating solar technology the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Ruhr- University, from where he graduated in 1993.

In the same year, he moved to the German Aerospace Center in Cologne, where he held various positions in the Department of energy technology in the following years.

In 2002, Pitz-Paal took over the management of the Department of Solar Research at the Institute of Technical Thermodynamics, Stuttgart and was, from 2009 to 2010, deputy director of the Institute.

Posts from Robert Pitz-Paal

Energy | 26. September 2013

Bigger is better… Solarkraftwerke in der Wüste von Nevada

Im solaren Versuchskraftwerk des DLR in Jülich werden 2.000 einzelne Spiegel der Sonne nachgeführt. Sie konzentrieren das Licht auf den Strahlungsempfänger, der sich auf der Spitze eines Turmes befindet. Können Sie sich vorstellen, dass jemand nun 150 Mal so viele Spiegel in der Wüste von Nevada aufgestellt hat? Ich ehrlich gesagt nicht wirklich. read more

Energy | 11. April 2013

How far has DESERTEC actually progressed?

In contrast to widespread public perception, DESERTEC, the desert electricity project, is not simply an investment programme of 400 billion euros or more where a start is made today on a project that will reach completion in 40 years. DESERTEC is far more about initiating sustainable development. read more