Supporting clean energy technology

DOE announces USD87 million in funding to support solar energy technologies

At the opening of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Solar Decathlon on the National Mall, Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced up to USD87 million will be made available to support the development of new solar energy technologies and the rapid deployment of available carbon-free solar energy systems. Of this funding, USD50 million comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The 47 projects with universities, electric power utilities, DOE's national laboratories, and local governments have been selected to support use of solar technologies in U.S. cities, help address technical challenges, ensure reliable connectivity with the electrical grid, and train a new generation of solar workers to install and maintain solar energy systems. These projects will help speed adoption of solar energy nationwide, while supporting development of a skilled workforce, and continuing to pursue new scientific breakthroughs to increase the efficiency and lower the cost of solar technologies.

"Today's awards are among the many investments made to create new jobs and a clean energy future with solar power. The projects will help accelerate the use of solar energy by residents, businesses and communities, and promote the long-term viability of solar energy by investing in the technologies of the future" said Secretary Chu. "I applaud each of these award winners who are vital to moving our country towards a sustainable solar infrastructure."

The selected projects will help accelerate the commercialisation of solar technologies in an effort to achieve cost-competitive solar electricity by 2015, in addition to developing advanced solar technologies for the future. Projects focus on both technology improvements and the elimination of market barriers to help make solar electricity accessible to a wide variety of consumers.