ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Question: What do a solar glare analysis tool, the trajectory and optimization software known as TAOS, and the quantum boom in New Mexico all have in common? Answer: They were all developed at Sandia National Laboratories and are all winners of the 2026 Federal Laboratory Consortium awards for Excellence in Technology Transfer. 2026 FLC Awards Each year, the FLC recognizes outstanding partnerships that help turn cutting-edge research at national laboratories and research centers into impactful products and services in the marketplace. This year there are 27 FLC award winners and seven honorable mentions. Three of those projects were born at Sandia. Together, the awards reflect the range of Sandia’s impact, from improving safety around solar installations and supporting aerospace flight analysis to helping build a growing quantum ecosystem in New Mexico. Solar Glare Hazard Analysis Tool/Forge Solar Solar energy installations began spreading across the country in the 2010s after the Department of Energy launched its SunShot Initiative. While it represented a huge step toward making solar more affordable, it didn’t take long for some to recognize a glaring problem, including former longtime Sandia senior scientist Cliff Ho. The massive installations, many of which were built in open areas near airports, were creating blinding glare, putting pilots, air traffic controllers, motorists and communities in danger. With the Federal Aviation Administration, DOE, Air Force and Department of Transportation all flagging safety concerns, there was a big push to quickly solve the problem. That is where Ho and Sandia came in. With the help of Sandia graduate-student intern Cianan Sims, Ho created the Solar Glare Hazard Analysis Tool. The web-based software mapping allows users to quickly locate a site, draw an outline of a proposed array, and identify hazardous glare throughout the year. If glare is found, the tool calculates