Manuel Castillo

What is current occupation?

I am currently COO of the company that I founded 6 years ago with 2 other colleagues from IES-UPM and that already has about 20 workers. Company specialized in providing high added value services in the photovoltaic sector and with a large R&D component.

How has the Master impacted your career?

The master’s degree in photovoltaic solar energy at IES-UPM was the first serious academic contact I had with this technology. Previously, I had worked with small analyzes on the effects of self-consumption in dwellings, but I did not know the technology as such. During the MSc I was able to learn in depth the theoretical foundations and the main practical aspects in photovoltaics. It allowed me to fit into the sector, both at an academic and business level, delving into the aspects that most interested me. The MSc degree has undoubtedly been the basis of all my professional development in the sector.

What aspect of the Master did you like more?

Perhaps one of the main aspects is the environment where the M.Sc. is developed. This is carried out at the Solar Energy Institute of the UPM, one of the main R&D centers for PV technology, and therefore full of great experts in the technology. Not only the teachers, but for all the researchers in their different stages. This makes being in a very productive and motivating environment that allowed me to quickly fit into the sector.

How do you perceive the future of the photovoltaic technology?

Photovoltaic technology has reached a degree of maturity, both technological and industrial, that makes it the fastest growing energy source in the world. Its presence in the electrical mix continues to increase and its accumulated power means that it is no longer a minority energy source.

Everything leads the photovoltaic sector to be one of those with the best expectations for the future in all aspects: installation, maintenance, manufacturing and R&D. More and better trained professionals are going to be needed to be prepared for the maturation of technology. Having good training will be key to contributing to the sector and growing professionally. In this regard, advanced education programs in photovoltaics, such as the IES-UPM master’s degree, will enable the creation of a new generation of engineers and scientists prepared for the new challenges in the sector.