US Department of Energy Dishes Out $87 Million for Solar Technology and Deployment

October 12th, 2009 by Zachary Shahan

Steven Chu, US Energy Secretary, announced at the start of the Solar Decathlon on DC’s National Mall on Friday that the Department of Energy (DOE) would be dishing out an additional $87 million in new funding for the development and rapid deployment of solar energy technologies.

This money is being given to 47 projects in a range of sub-fields and sectors.

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Universities, electric power utilities, the DOE’s National Laboratories, and local governments are being awarded the money. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is providing $50 million of the funding.

The new money is supposed to “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.”

Secretary Chu said: “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.”

As Green Energy News reports: “Projects focus on both technology improvements and the elimination of market barriers to help make solar electricity accessible to a wide variety of consumers.”

All of this falls within the overall goal of achieving cost-competitive solar electricity by 2015, a goal the US is heavily in favor of.

via Green Energy News

1) Solar Takes Over Washington D.C.: Solar Decathlon 2009 Begins

2) Survey Says!.. 92% of Americans Want Solar Power

3) Solar Energy Breakthrough: Goal of MIT Team

4) Top 10 Solar Technologies to Watch Out For

Image Credit: Thai Jasmine via flickr under a Creative Commons license

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Tags: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, DC, Department Of Energy, DOE, National Laboratories, National Mall, Solar Decathlon, solar technology, Steven Chu, Washington

About the Author

Zachary Shahan spends most of his time here on CleanTechnica as the director/chief editor. Otherwise, he's probably enthusiastically fulfilling his duties as the director/editor of Solar Love, EV Obsession, Planetsave, or Bikocity. Zach is recognized globally as a solar energy, electric car, and wind energy expert. If you would like him to speak at a related conference or event, connect with him via social media. You can connect with Zach on any popular social networking site you like. Links to all of his main social media profiles are on ZacharyShahan.com.

Ian

I recognize that you recognize the link to the other story… thanks for pointing that out. Ironically, that other story ALSO mentions the funding amount.

In my view, there is really no purpose in such redundant posting.

Again, Where is the actual investigation? Where is the original contributions??
Ian

I recognize that you recognize the link to the other story… thanks for pointing that out. Ironically, that other story ALSO mentions the funding amount.

In my view, there is really no purpose in such redundant posting.

Again, Where is the actual investigation? Where is the original contributions??
Zach

@Ian: the link in the subheading goes straight to that page you sent the link for.

the difference is that the first article was covering the decathlon, but this one was covering what the DOE just awarded money for — (announced at the decathlon, but a separate topic)

thanks for your comment, otherwise.
Zach

@Ian: the link in the subheading goes straight to that page you sent the link for.

the difference is that the first article was covering the decathlon, but this one was covering what the DOE just awarded money for — (announced at the decathlon, but a separate topic)

thanks for your comment, otherwise.
Zach

@Ian: the link in the subheading goes straight to that page you sent the link for.

the difference is that the first article was covering the decathlon, but this one was covering what the DOE just awarded money for — (announced at the decathlon, but a separate topic)

thanks for your comment, otherwise.
Ian

Um… sorry, but didn’t someone already write about the Solar Decathlon? See http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/09/solar-takes-over-washington-dc-solar-decathlon-2009-begins/

I feel that CleanTechnica is becoming a trading post for regurgitation, and too many posts are just Oh-I-think-I’ll-summarize-a-press-release.

Where is the actual investigation? Where is the original contributions??
Ian

Um… sorry, but didn’t someone already write about the Solar Decathlon? See http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/09/solar-takes-over-washington-dc-solar-decathlon-2009-begins/

I feel that CleanTechnica is becoming a trading post for regurgitation, and too many posts are just Oh-I-think-I’ll-summarize-a-press-release.

Where is the actual investigation? Where is the original contributions??