Advances in photovoltaics could make solar cost competitive

The Department of Energy has estimated that BIPV technology could

potentially generate 50% of the electrical needs of the U.S. and other

developed countries, and the DOE’s Solar America Initiative has set the

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goal of making solar cost-competitive with grid electricity by 2015.

In this continuing effort the Department of Energy just announced the selection of 24 new solar projects

to advance photovoltaic technology research, development, and design,

ultimately lowering the cost of photovoltaic generation. The

competitively-selected projects will be eligible for up to $22 million

from the President’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and will be

matched by more than $50 million in cost shared funding from private

partners.

Many of the projects selected focus on improving the effectiveness of the materials used to capture the sun’s rays.

Agrivoltaics: Synergizing Solar Power and Agriculture for a Sustainable Future – Technology Review