Saturday, February 12, 2011

Research Cost $27 million for the Purpose of Cheaper Solar

U.S. Department of Energy's SunShot initiative is a research program that focused on trimming costs for solar energy system that is cheaper with a target reduction to 75 percent ($ 1 per watt) in 2020. If successful, the research will allow for solar photovoltaic systems are as cheap as current fossil fuels to produce electricity.


The research program for the efficiency of solar cell technology will include the destination field of solar cell technology, electronics to optimize the installation of solar systems, solar manufacturing process, and installation, design, and allows for the solar system. The cooperation includes the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Office of Science, and Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E).


Meanwhile, Silicon Valley-based Sunpower have gone for a preliminary study with support from DOE for the highest efficiency solar panels today. According to Energy Minister Steven Chu, improved manufacturing techniques and existing solar cell could reduce costs by half. This can be done in a way like the efficiency of solar cells on thin film solar material or reduce the amount of silicon is wasted in the process so that it can reduce costs significantly.


Most of the allocation of funds will likely be used on a new manufacturing process in the U.S. solar industry supply chain, such as power electronics for solar installations.

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