David Mills

Who is David Mills?

Mills is known worldwide for pioneering Compact Linear Fresnel

Reflector (CLFR) technology and for his work in non-imaging optics,

solar thermal energy, and PV systems over 32 years. His lab at the

University of Sydney developed and licensed the evacuated-tube solar

water heater technology, which comprises 60 percent of the world's

solar collectors and is used widely throughout China for distribution

of low cost domestic hot water. Mills originated and ran the research

program that in 1991, with colleague Dr. Q-C. Zhang, developed the most

advanced sputtered double cermet selective absorber coating, which is

now used in evacuated tube receivers by China's largest solar company,

Himin. He developed or co-developed other commercial systems including

the Prism solar concentrator (Sol X) and the "S" evacuated tube

reflecting system (Solahart). A solar sterilizer design he originated

won a World Health Organization award in 2002, and he was a finalist in

the 2002 World Technology Awards for Energy.

Mills is

a former president of the International Solar Energy Society (ISES) and

served as inaugural chair of the International Solar Cities Initiative

(ISCI). While at ISES, he chaired the International Performance

Measurement and Verification Protocol for Renewable Energy in

partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy. Mills has published and

refereed numerous academic reports and articles on solar energy in such

publications as The Journal of Solar Energy and Applied Optics. At

Ausra he continues to personally innovate while coordinating the highly

talented Ausra RD team and steering the direction of the company

as chairman of the board.