# Energy Department Invests $13 Million to Drive Innovative U.S. Solar Manufacturing

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2013/12/energy-department-invests-13-million-to-drive-innovative-u-s-solar-manufacturing/
- Published: 2013-12-29T04:37:48-05:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

First of all, holy solar energy investment!  Wow to these grants!  Let’s gooo!

December 11, 2013 – 10:44am

WASHINGTON — Building on the Energy Department’s all-of-the-above energy strategy
to continue U.S. leadership in clean [energy innovation](https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/05/trump-budget-cedes-u-s-global-leadership-in-clean-energy-innovation/).
For the Department today announced over $13 million for five projects.  All to strengthen
domestic solar manufacturing and speed commercialization.  For that’s of efficient,
affordable photovoltaic and concentrating solar power technologies. As part of the
Department’s [SunShot](https://greenlivingguy.com/2012/02/doe-offers-12-million-to-spur-solar-energy-innovation/)
Initiative. Because 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.

“The strong, continued growth in the U.S. solar industry over the past few years
is giving more and more Americans access to affordable clean energy,” said Energy
Secretary Ernest Moniz. “We have a tremendous opportunity for American manufacturing
to lead the global clean energy market and help pave the way to a cleaner, more 
sustainable energy future.”

According to a new [U.S. solar industry report](https://www.seia.org/research-resources/solar-market-insight-2013-q3),
the U.S. solar market continues to grow – reaching record-breaking levels.

### In Q3 2013, the United States installed 930 megawatts of photovoltaic, up 20 percent over Q2 2013 and representing the second largest quarter in solar installations in U.S. history.

![Solar power for your home](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/
2018/12/Solar-Power-For-Your-Home.jpeg?resize=202%2C250&quality=52&ssl=1 "Solar 
Power For Your Home - The Green Living Guy")

Cumulatively, solar capacity has already surpassed 10 gigawatts and by the end of
the year more than 400,000 solar projects will be operating across the country.

During President Obama’s first term, the United States more than doubled generation
of electricity from renewable energy.  I mean wind, solar and [geothermal](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/06/department-of-energy-announces-up-to-70-million-to-advance-technology-and-reduce-cost-of-geothermal-energy/)
sources. To ensure America’s continued leadership position in clean energy.  Because
the President has set a goal to double renewable electricity generation once again
by 2020. As the cost of solar continues to fall and deployment expands.  For then
strong domestic manufacturing will help make solar technologies even more affordable,
while giving more and more American families and businesses access to affordable,
clean energy.

#### Matched by over $14 million in private cost share, the Energy Department’s investment will help five companies in California, Colorado, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Oregon 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.  Thereby helping to lower overall production costs. 
In addition to supporting easy and quick on-site assembly. PPG Industries for example
headquartered in Pennsylvania.  it will lead a project to cut solar module manufacturing
costs in half.  All the while Georgia-based Suniva will develop a low-cost highly
efficient silicon photovoltaic cell.

Broadly, the Energy Department investment announced today will help drive affordable,
efficient solar power in the United States.  Moreover it will help industry partners
meet the [SunShot Initiative’s goal to make solar energy.  That’s fully cost-competitive with traditional energy sources by the end of the decade](https://web.archive.org/web/20190518051345/https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/solar-energy-technologies-office).
These awards also support the Department’s broader Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative.
That’s to increase the efficiency of the U.S. manufacturing sector and ensure that
clean energy technologies continue to be made in America.

Find additional information on these efforts.  In conclusion and as well as the 
Energy Department’s American Energy and Manufacturing Competitiveness Summit. For
that’s in Washington, D.C. this week.

Source: US Department of Energy
 photo source information: Solar photovoltaic panels
on the State Capitol Building, Carson City, Nevada, USA, wikimedia commons

[⌊20131228-233603.jpg⌉⌊20131228-233603.jpg⌉[

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
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