Page 97 - ISES SWC50

Robert (Bob) Hill (Deceased)
Country: UK
Year Started Research: 1971
Title of Research: Thin Film Solar cells for Terrestrial Use
University: University of Northumbria at Newcastle (UNN)
Still Active in Research: No

Robert (Bob) Hill took a first degree in Physics at Imperial College, London, and then stayed to pursue a doctorate
in Solid State Physics. He joined Newcastle Polytechnic, now the University of Northumbria at Newcastle (UNN), in
1971. His early work at UNN focused on thin-film solar cells for terrestrial use, exploring high-efficiency coatings.
By 1978, Bob was working on satellite solar panels. In 1984 he became Professor of Opto-Electronics, and in the
same year established, and became director of, the Newcastle Photovoltaics Applications Centre, a post which he
continued to hold until his retirement in 1998. His personal academic output was large and influential, authoring and
editing 12 books, including The Future of Energy (1994) and Prospects for Photovoltaics: commercialisation, mass
production and application for development (1992), seven conference proceedings, some 200 papers in refereed
journals and major conferences and over 100 commercial reports. He was also an active member of UK-ISES. In
1989 Bob was one of the founders of the British PV Association where he was chair from 1994 to 1995 . He was
a member of the Solar Energy Advisory Committee and the Technology Foresight Energy Committee, providing
policy advice to the Government. He led the 12th European Photovoltaic Conference in 1994 and was involved in
subsequent conferences. In 1998 Hill was a founding member of the inter-disciplinary Sustainable Cities Research
Institute at the University of Northumbria, and Director of Renew North (the board for the Renewable Energy Agency
for the North East), reflecting his long-held views on the need for a holistic approach to sustainable development.
Bob was passionate about PV in Developing Countries. For the 10th EPVSEC in Lisbon, Bob, organised a workshop
on PV for Developing Countries. In memory of Bob and his passion, and instigated by Wolfgang Palz, the Robert
Hill Award for the Promotion of PV for Development was created.

Dietrich Holm
Country: South Africa
Year Started Research: 1970
Title of Research: Solar Passive Design
University: University of Pretoria
Still Active in Research: Yes

Prof Dieter Holm pioneered the first energy and water autonomous house on the African Continent. Designed
in 1973, prior to the first energy crisis, it was built in 1974 using solar passive design, PV, biogas, rainwater
harvesting, recycling and vegetation. His PhD at the University of Pretoria entitled “The thermal effect of leaf
cover on outside walls” blazed a trail for low-cost environmentally friendly exterior insulation that automatically
varies with the seasons, tempering the microclimate by 4oC in summer and 3oC in winter of semi-arid
climates. As Head of Department Architecture he introduced an eco-systemics. His staff was the most highly
qualified architectural department in the Commonwealth. He set a record by leading 18 Masters and 13 PhD
degrees with concomitant publications in referred journals. His books are focussed on Solar Passive Building
in the Developing World. The architectural practice Holm & Holm Architects, and its successors, won many
professional competitions and awards of merit. He served as ISES Board Secretary and contributed to the
success of the ISES SWC in Johannesburg. He was commissioned to write an ISES White Paper “Renewable
Energy for the Developing World” which has been translated into many languages and honoured with the
Special Service Award This was followed by Life Membership awarded after having served as Vice-President
for Conferences. His pioneer contribution to Prof. Attie van Niekerk’s “Navorsing op Verligting van Armoede”
(NOVA) was acknowledged with the Eskom ETA Energy Efficiency Award. This work renders government
low cost housing and informal settlements thermally tolerable, thereby reducing air pollution and enhancing
health. He co-founded the “Southern African Solar Thermal Training & Demonstration Initiative” (SOLTRAIN)
covering 6 countries and producing 3000 trainees, 326 demo projects, 3533 MWh of energy and saving 1222
tons CO2eq to date. Currently he serves as director of ZZ2, a leading fresh product farming initiative, applying
ecological systems theory through “Natuurboerdery.”

ISES SWC50 - The Century of Solar-Stories and Visions | 79