At Women+ in Concentrated Solar, we’re thrilled to celebrate a significant moment in the history of the SolarPACES conference. For the first time ever, a woman, Arantxa Fernández from CIEMAT-PSA, has been appointed as Chairperson—an exciting step forward for gender diversity in the concentrated solar community! This achievement reflects the growing recognition of the invaluable contributions of women in solar energy research, development, and implementation.
Arantxa received her BS/MEng in Industrial Engineering in 2004 from the University of Málaga, Spain, her MS degree in Solar Energy in 2007 from the University of Almería, Spain, and her PhD degree in Environmental Engineering in 2013 from the University of Almería, Spain. She has developed her entire research career at CIEMAT-Plataforma Solar de Almería, with 23 years of experience in concentrated solar thermal energy, particularly in materials for CST technology, an R&D line that she currently leads at CIEMAT. This research area, driven by Arantxa, fosters close collaboration with DLR.
The appointment of Arantxa not only highlights the progress made toward greater inclusivity but also serves as an inspiration for future generations of women pursuing careers in this field.
We extend our sincere congratulations to Arantxa and look forward to the continued advancement of SolarPACES.
You can read Arantxa’s invitation for SolarPACES 2025 in the SolarPACES conference webpage.
Here’s to a more diverse and inclusive future in concentrated solar!