Joachim Luther

Prof Luther is the Honorary Chairman of the PV Asia Pacific Conference 2012. He has always been convinced that the future lies in regenerative energy sources such as solar and wind, and has spent over 30 years engaging in the physics and the development of renewable energies.

Professor Joachim Luther has over 30 years of experience in physics and the development of renewable energies. Since 2008, he has been the Chief Executive Officer of the newly founded Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS). The institute commenced operations on 1 April 2008 and is located at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS conducts industry-oriented research and development as well as use-inspired basic research in the field of solar energy conversion. SERIS' main focus is on photovoltaic devices and modules as well as on solar and energy efficient buildings.

From 1993 until his retirement in 2006, he was the Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) in Freiburg, Germany. Prof Luther holds a PhD in atomic physics from the University of Hannover, Germany. From 1974 to 1993, he was a full professor for applied physics at the University of Oldenburg, Germany, and since 1993, a full professor for solid state physics and solar energy at the University of Freiburg. In 2006, he retired.

Prof Luther was and is still a leading member of numerous important national and international organisations. In 2005, he won the European Becquerel Prize "for outstanding merits in photovoltaics" and the German Environmental Award 2005 of the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt. In 2006, he won the Fraunhofer Coin "for outstanding merits within the Fraunhofer Society". In 2008, he was recognised by TIME magazine as a "Hero of the Environment". In 2009, he won the Achievement through Action Award, International Solar Energy Society (ISES).