DOE Pumps $12 Million Into Early Stage Smart Grid Solar Technologies

Judicious investment in early stage Smart Grid renewable technologies is good. It's even better when the government lends its experts to the development projects it's paying for.

DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will spend up to $12 million for the development of early stage solar technologies and to help bring them to market.

A total of $10 million of the awards comes from Recovery Act funds dedicated to energy and Smart Grid development and implementation projects. The four companies selected for the awards will work with NREL to turn prototype and pre-commercial solar technologies into pilot projects and full-scale manufacturing.

The funding, up to $3 million for each company's project, will be awarded as 18-month phased subcontracts and payments will be made as the companies complete project milestones.

"Expanding the solar power industry in the United States can create new jobs, reduce carbon pollution and save consumers money," Energy Secretary Steven Chu said. "By partnering with NREL, these companies will be able to gain from their expertise, accelerate the pace of innovation and help get technologies to market faster."

Check the DOE link below for details on the specific projects.

From the source ...

·         DOE

Related SGN channels ...

·         Smart Grid Renewables

·         Smart Grid stimulus awards

Stay connected with SGN …

·         Get LinkedIn with Jesse

·         Be a Fan on Facebook

·         Follow Us on Twitter

·         Try our RSS feed

·         Get our email digest