Alumnus Wins Million Dollar Prize

Arun Gupta, who earned his PhD in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in 2012, was recently named the grand prize winner of the 76West Clean Energy Competition – a title that would earn his company, Skyven Technologies, a $1M prize.

76West is a renewable energy development competition overseen by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. The competition focuses on growing entrepreneurs and attracting resources from the U.S. and around the world to build clean energy businesses and jobs in New York State’s Southern Tier region.

Skyven allows consumers to draw energy from the most reliable source on the planet without cost: the sun. Gupta’s New York City startup has designed a heating system that concentrates the sun’s energy into a closed, controllable piping network that is routed through existing plumbing. Extra heat is stored in hot water tanks while an internet-based monitoring system tracks the system’s activity. The technology helps lower heating bills for propane, fuel and other nonrenewable sources while reducing carbon emissions.

“We’re honored to be chosen for this award, especially among a field of so many highly-qualified competitors,” Gupta said. “The prize money will enable us to have greater impact in the fight against climate change while growing a vibrant business.”