Department of Energy Funds $87 Million toward Expansion of Solar Energy Applications-

Following the commencement of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon on the National Mall, Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced up to $87 million will be presented to support the development of advanced solar energy technologies and rapid operation of available carbon-free solar energy systems. Of the funds, $50 million will come from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and will help to increase implementation of solar energy on a national scale; offering development of a skilled workforce, escalation in green jobs and advancements in scientific research to enhance efficiency and lower cost of current solar technologies. The 47 projects – comprised of local governments, universities, DOE’s National Laboratories, and electric power utilities – were chosen to support use of solar technologies in U.S. cities, help tackle mechanical difficulties, establish dependable transmission with the electrical grid, and train a new generation of solar workers to install and maintain solar energy systems. “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 developments will aid in advancing the commercialization of solar energy technologies in an effort to effectuate cost-competitive solar electricity by the year 2015, as well as to improve solar energy applications for future use. The projects concentrate on both improvements to current technology and eradication of market restraints to make solar electricity available to a diverse array of consumers. The outlined execution is divided into four categories:


-High Penetration Solar Deployment in which seven projects will model, test and assess the impact of large quantities of photovoltaic (PV) electricity on the dependability and durability of the electric power system; helping to facilitate expansive adoption and development of grid-tied solar energy systems by improving understanding of the impact of PV electricity on the grid.
-Solar America Cities Special Projects will aid in increasing solar energy acceptance and implementation at a local level; with 16 cities selected for projects that will address specific barriers to solar adoption in urban settings and support pioneering methods that can be widely reproduced. Many cities will use this funding for multiple efforts.
-Solar Installer Training in which 9 colleges, universities, and local organizations will lead regional solar installation “train-the-trainer” programs, supporting a nationwide ramp-up and coordinated network of training programs. This funding will help address the critical needs for qualified solar energy system installers.
-15 Research projects at DOE National Laboratories will seek to advance technologies, devices and processes for both the PV and Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) industry. PV projects center on development of next generation devices and processes, as well as supply chain technologies for the entire PV system. CSP projects focus on improved energy storage technologies to enable dependable and consistent energy production.