DOE funds $71 million for research and development in solar manufacturing

– Dept. of Energy has awarded $70 million for solar technology research and development
– New entrants in solar manufacturing market will benefit from funding
– Selected projects will address gaps in the solar manufacturing supply chain, including equipment and new markets for solar technologies

The Dept. of Energy has allocated over $70 million in funding to support new technologies in the solar supply chain, with a focus on domestic manufacturing. The initiative aims to address gaps in the supply chain and open new markets for solar technologies, such as integrated-photovoltaics and agrivoltaics. The funding will enable new entrants to the solar manufacturing market to establish their technologies and access more capital.

U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm emphasized the administration’s commitment to building an American-made solar supply chain to boost innovation, drive down costs, and create jobs across the nation. The funding comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the President’s clean energy agenda, allowing for the deployment of more affordable solar power to millions of Americans stamped “made in the USA.”

The selected projects cover a range of areas within the solar supply chain, including silicon crystal pullers, back-contact silicon solar cells, single crystal silicon ingot growth, floating solar tracking systems, and rooftop-integrated PV systems. These projects aim to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve the reliability and durability of solar technologies, ultimately advancing the adoption of solar power nationwide.

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