Energy Department Invests $13 Million in U.S. Solar Manufacturing

The Energy Department on December eleven announced in excess of $13 million in backing for 5 plans to strengthen domestic solar manufacturing and speed commercialization of efficient, affordable photovoltaic and concentrating solar power technologies. As part of the Energy Department's SunShot Initiative, these awards will 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.

Matched by in excess of $14 million in private cost sharing, the Energy Department's investment will help 5 companies in California, Colorado, Georgia, Oregon, and Pennsylvania to develop cost-effective manufacturing processes for photovoltaic and concentrating solar power technologies. For example, Colorado-based Abengoa Solar will develop new methods to produce concentrating solar power trough systems, helping to lower overall production costs and support easy and quick on-site assembly. PPG Industries, headquartered in Pennsylvania, will lead a plan to cut solar module manufacturing costs in half, while Georgia-based Suniva will develop a low-cost highly efficient silicon photovoltaic cell. The investment will help drive help industry partners meet the SunShot Initiative's goal to make solar energy fully cost-competitive with traditional energy sources by the end of the decade.

According to a new U.S. solar industry report , the U.S. solar market continues to grow-reaching record-breaking levels. In the 3rd quarter of 2013, the U.S. installed 930 megawatts of photovoltaic power, up 20% over the previous quarter, and representing the 2nd biggest quarter of solar installations in U.S. history. Cumulatively, solar capacity has already surpassed ten gigawatts and by the end of the year in excess of 400,000 solar plans will be operating across the country. See the Energy Department press release and the list of companies.

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