Homayoon “Amir” Abtahi, is currently an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Florida Atlantic University.  He received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from M.I.T. in 1981 and joined Florida Atlantic University in 1983.  In addition to his academic activity, he has a wealth of practical experience, much of which has been obtained as a practicing design-build engineer installing solar energy systems. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Florida, and is a member of a number of engineering societies including (IEEE), ASES (American Solar Energy Society), and SAE.

In addition to holding LEED Certification since 2007, Abtahi is a Certified General Contractor and a Certified Solar Contractor in the State of Florida.  His interests range widely from stationary PV systems to mobile hydrogen PEM Fuel Cells, and design of integrated capacitor/battery power modules.

In 1985, Abtahi installed the first known solar power system in Venezuela and was responsible for the first known application of solar power for post-hurricane emergency in the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo, St. Croix in 1989, and for Hurricane Marilyn in St. Thomas in 1995.  In 1989, he published the first comprehensive catalog of 12-V appliances for use with PV systems.

Abtahi has installed solar powered pumping, lighting and communication systems in the Caribbean, Central and South America, Bangladesh and India.  In the 2008-2010 time period, he was responsible for design and installation of over 100 residential and 20 commercial/industrial PV systems, and over 1 Million BTU-Day of solar hot water and solar process heat systems. His more recent projects include a hot water system for a college campus in Gainesville, a PV system to support an aquaculture research center at FAU’s Harbor Branch campus and design of numerous residential and commercial solar PV systems.