Saturday, March 10, 2007

Michigan Companies Win D.O.E. Solar Energy Grants

13 Solar Projects Chosen for Federal Funding nationwide, 2 major employers in Michigan

Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman Thursday announced the selection of 13 industry-led solar technology development projects for negotiation for up to $168 million in funding over three years, subject to appropriation from Congress. The corporations involved invlude some of the largest in the energy business - General Electric, BP Solar, Dow Chemical, Powerlight, and United Solar Ovonic.

The Konarka project will focus on manufacturing research and product reliability assurance for extremely low-cost photovoltaic cells using organic dyes that convert sunlight to electricity. Other projects include a low-cost, high-concentration photovoltaic system for utility markets; a high-efficiency concentrating photovoltaic power system; and a project reducing silicon wafer thickness while improving yield of multi-crystalline silicon PV for commercial and residential markets. Another project will develop a high-powered, ultra-high-efficiency solar module that contains an inverter, eliminating the need to install a separate inverter and facilitating installation by homeowners. Yet another team will develop low-cost thin-film building-integrated photovoltaic systems.

Dow Chemical: PV-integrated residential and commercial building solutions.
This project will employ Dow’s expertise in encapsulates, adhesives, and high volume production to develop integrated PV-powered technologies for roofing products. Partners include Miasole, SolFocus, Fronius, IBIS Associates, and the University of Delaware. Subject to negotiations, funding for the first year of the project is expected to be roughly $3,300,000, with approximately $9,400,000 available over three years if the team meets its goals.

United Solar Ovonic: Low-cost thin-film building-integrated PV systems.
This project will focus on increasing the efficiency and deposition rate of multi-bandgap, flexible, thin-film photovoltaic cells and reducing the cost of inverters and balance-of-system components. Partners include SMA America, Sat Con Technology Corporation, PV Powered, the ABB Group, Solectria Renewables, Developing Energy Efficient Roof Systems, Turtle Energy, Sun Edison, the University of Oregon, Syracuse University, the Colorado School of Mines, and NREL. Subject to negotiations, funding for the first year of the project is expected to be roughly $2,400,000, with approximately $19,300,000 available over three years if the team meets its goals.

For a complete list of grant recipients, see the Department of Energy press release.

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