Christopher Buurma is a US Citizen who received his B.S. in both Physics and Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science in 2007 from the Ashland University. He has knowledge of many programming languages and computational concepts along with diverse experience in various aspects of photovoltaics, device and system modeling as well as computer algorithm design and image/data processing. Mr. Buurma as a Development Engineering Technician at First Solar produced a number of improvements to device characterization and automation. These include the invention of novel techniques to measure 2nd and 3rd level parameters on large-scale devices as well as both empirical and physics-based models to predict device performance in the presence of stressors coupled with data processing tools to utilize this data and automate parameter extraction.
As a Photovoltaic Test Engineer at EPIR, Mr. Buurma has also developed modeling and fitting routines for both IR and Solar applications to extract current contributing mechanisms and parameters to predict limitations and optimize PV performance from IV and CV data. A complete diode modeling package was developed (InfraRed Measurement Analyzer) to directly apply the developed models to test data in a robust and intuitive format. Other custom analysis routines and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) were also developed by Mr. Buurma to quickly utilize such fits and compare parameters across large datasets and various measurements to determine statistical significance in the presence of practical significance.
Mr. Buurma’s experience in photovoltaic systems coupled with mathematical and computational capabilities have given him unique perspective and potential in image and data processing, software and algorithm design, and modeling photovoltaic device physics. He has developed unique optical and electrical test capabilities for numerous photovoltaic systems as well.