Robert Foster is a solar energy pioneer who has implemented thousands of renewable energy projects over the past 35 years in 42 countries. He has been a consultant for dozens of clients including Sandia Labs, NASA, NREL, USAID, World Bank, DOD, DOE, ADB,as well as a number NGO and private sector companies and governments. He lived in Afghanistan from 2008-12 as the Chief Engineer for the USAID Afghanistan Clean Energy Program. He served as the Technical Manager for Sandia National Laboratories for the DOE/USAID Mexico Renewable Energy Program from 1992-2005 in collaboration with various Mexican states and the Mexican agricultural secretariat (SAGARPA). Professor Foster teaches solar, wind, geothermal, and hydropower classes at the New Mexico State University College of Engineering. He is the Sheladia Team Leader for the Asian Development Bank Solar Photovoltaic Pumping for Agricultural Irrigation Project for the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board. He is currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the American Solar Energy Society. He co-founded SolAqua in 1999 and has several patents on solar thermal water purification.