WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced over $13 million for five projects to strengthen domestic solar manufacturing and speed commercialization of efficient, affordable photovoltaic and concentrating solar power technologies. As part of DOE’s SunShot Initiative, these awards aim to help lower the cost of solar electricity, support a growing U.S. solar workforce, and increase U.S. competitiveness in the global clean energy market.

“The strong, continued growth in the U.S. solar industry over the past few years is giving more and more Americans access to affordable clean energy,” said Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz. “We have a tremendous opportunity for American manufacturing to lead the global clean energy market and help pave the way to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.”

Matched by over $14 million in private cost share, DOE’s investment will help five companies in California, Colorado, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Oregon develop cost-effective manufacturing processes for photovoltaic and concentrating solar power technologies. For example, Georgia-based Suniva will develop a low-cost highly-efficient silicon photovoltaic cell, while PPG Industries, headquartered in Pennsylvania, will lead a project to cut solar module manufacturing costs in half.

More information about the projects is available here.

Publication date: 12/23/2013

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