Who was ‘Sun Queen’ Maria Telkes? Scientist who believed solar energy could replace fossil fuels
Maria Telkes, known for her invention of the solar distiller and the first solar-powered heating system designed for homes, was one of the first people to predict the boundless possibilities of solar energy. In 1953, Tekles came to what is now NYU Tandon, and continued to work on solar energy research. Her commitment and efforts to the field gave her the title “Sun Queen.”