Southern California Research Initiative for Solar Energy
SC-RISE connects solar-energy science, applied engineering, and stakeholder engagement to advance renewable-energy solutions across Southern California.
The initiative brings together fundamental materials research, distributed-energy systems, and regional policy collaboration to help develop, demonstrate, and deploy solar and renewable-energy technologies in real-world settings.
Research Focus Areas
The Southern California Research Initiative for Solar Energy (SC-RISE) advances solar energy research, deployment, and policy engagement through three interrelated pillars. Together, these programs support California’s clean energy transition by enabling the development, demonstration, and implementation of solar and renewable energy solutions in real-world contexts.
01 Advanced Materials and Energy Devices Laboratory (AMEDL) Fundamental research and technology development for solar-energy generation, energy conversion, and energy-storage materials and devices. Learn more
Overview
AMEDL supports experimental research spanning materials synthesis, characterization, device fabrication, measurement, and testing for photovoltaic, photoelectrochemical, battery, and related energy-device applications.
02 Distributed Energy Resources Laboratory (DERL) Applied research in grid integration, green infrastructure, distributed energy resources, and clean-energy systems. Learn more
Overview
DERL connects renewable generation, energy storage, controls, and infrastructure through applied engineering and field-based research designed to support resilient and practical clean-energy deployment.
03 Solar Valley Consortium (SVC) Regional collaboration with public and private stakeholders to advance solar innovation, policy, investment, and deployment across Inland Southern California. Learn more
Project Highlights
SC-RISE combines scientific research, applied engineering, and stakeholder engagement to accelerate the adoption of solar energy and distributed clean technologies. Through regional partnerships, interdisciplinary projects, and field-based demonstrations, the initiative addresses technical, environmental, and policy challenges that shape California’s clean energy future. The team’s work supports resilient infrastructure, equitable energy transitions, and practical solutions for large-scale solar deployment and integration.
01 Solar Deployment Strategy and Land Use Innovation Planning for solar and storage deployment by addressing land, transmission, permitting, environmental review, and infrastructure constraints. View research
Overview
SC-RISE uses initiatives such as SOLSTICE to examine land and transmission availability in the Inland Empire and develop strategies with agencies, utilities, and developers that can support California solar and storage goals while considering environmental justice and community impacts.
02 Advancing Regional and Tribal Energy Resilience Community-centered planning that connects solar energy with resilience, water security, forest health, and locally led climate adaptation. View research
Overview
SC-RISE has worked with the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians and regional partners on a Tribal Climate Resiliency Plan that integrates traditional ecological knowledge with renewable-energy strategies and community-led adaptation.
03 Solar-Powered Transportation Infrastructure Research on solar-integrated transportation infrastructure and its technical, economic, and environmental feasibility. View research
Overview
With support from Caltrans, SC-RISE researchers are assessing solar-integrated bike pathways as one potential strategy for decarbonizing transportation infrastructure and informing sustainable mobility planning.
04 International and Cross-Border Collaboration Student training and binational research that connects renewable-energy technology, IoT systems, and sustainable development. View research
Overview
Programs such as STREAM-ITL connect UCR students with the Instituto Tecnológico de Hermosillo and the Sonora Energy Cluster through technical workshops, site visits, and collaborative learning focused on renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure.
05 Thought Leadership in Renewable Energy Policy Participation in regional and global conversations on solar deployment, smart grids, integrated energy systems, and clean mobility. View research
Overview
SC-RISE researchers contribute to conferences, panels, and policy discussions that bring together academic, public-sector, and industry perspectives on renewable-energy deployment and integrated clean-energy systems.
Renewable Energy for Community Resilience
SC-RISE has partnered with GRID Alternatives on microgrid projects that demonstrate and validate advanced clean-energy technologies in communities, including projects serving Indigenous and historically underserved communities.
The Chemehuevi Microgrid Project supported the Chemehuevi Community Center, helping improve electricity reliability and resilience for a remote community that is particularly vulnerable to outages and maintenance downtime.
Solar Valley Consortium
The Solar Valley Consortium brings together regional stakeholders around solar policy, investment, infrastructure, and deployment across Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Its dedicated page remains the home for consortium information, resources, events, and regional policy work.
Faculty List
- Alfredo A. Martinez-Morales, Project Scientist
- Miroslav Penchev, Project Scientist
- Tahir Cetin Akinci, Project Scientist
- Musa Yilmaz, Affiliate Visiting Researcher
Connect With SC-RISE
Discuss solar-energy research, distributed-energy systems, regional deployment, policy collaboration, student engagement, and partnership opportunities.
alfredo.martinezmorales@ucr.edu | (951) 827-8578