Solar projects getting $13.7M from U.S. DOE

The U.S. Department of Energy announced that it would invest up to $13.7 million in university-led solar projects as part of an overall plan to make solar energy cost-competitive with conventional forms of electricity.

The DOE said the 11 university-led projects would focus on developing advanced solar photovoltaic manufacturing processes and products.

"Harnessing the natural and abundant power of the sun and more cost-effectively converting it into energy has enormous potential to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide greater stability in electricity costs," said Alexander Karsner, DOE's assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy.

"These projects will not only bolster innovation in photovoltaic technology, but they will help meet the president's goal of making clean and renewable solar power commercially viable by 2015."

Combined with a minimum university and industry cost share of 20 percent, the DOE said up to $17.4 million would be invested in these projects.

The agency said the universities would work closely with industry partners to ensure the projects retain a commercialization focus and that results are quickly transitioned into market ready-products and manufacturing processes.

Groups picking up funds under the three-year program include Arizona State University, which is working with SolFocus and Soliant Energy; the California Institute of Technology with Spectrolab; Georgia Institute of Technology with Sixtron; and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with CaliSolar.