SPI 2014: DOE puts US$53m into solar cost-cutting drive

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

The US Department of Energy (DOE) is to provide US$53 million to fund 40 R&D projects aimed at slashing the cost of solar.

The funding was announced by energy secretary Ernest Moniz at Solar Power International in Las Vegas today.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

The DOE hopes the funding will support the next generation of PV technologies and manufacturing processes as well as helping develop the soft costs of solar installation.

Among the beneficiaries of the funding, 10 research institutions will receive a share of US$14 million for R&D programmes aimed at improving the performance and efficiency of PV technologies.

Another US$14 million will be invested through the DOE’s Sunshot initiative in 20 projects exploring new ways to drive down the hardware and non-hardware soft costs of solar.

And a further US$24 million will be awarded to 10 US-based solar manufacturers to develop new technologies to reduce costs and increase efficiency in manufacturing processes. These will focus on reducing cost in raw materials, labour-intensive processes and capital expenses.

Moniz said: “As US solar installation increases and the cost of solar electricity continues to decline, solar energy is becoming an increasingly affordable clean energy option for more American families and businesses.

“Today, the US has 15.9GW of installed solar power – enough to power more than 3.2 million average American homes. The projects announced today will help the US solar energy industry continue to grow, ensuring America can capitalise on its vast renewable energy sources, cut carbon pollution, and continue to lead in the world in clean energy innovation.”

Read Next

May 22, 2025
The New York State Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) has contracted 2.2GW of solar PV across 18 projects.
May 22, 2025
SMA Solar will begin local assembly of power systems for large-scale solar and energy storage systems in the US.
May 22, 2025
Prefabricated solar structure provider 5B has become the first recipient of the Australian government’s AU$1 billion Solar Sunshot Program, securing up to AU$46 million for its “Maverick” automated solar deployment system.
May 21, 2025
There is potential for cPPAs to deliver the energy transition, according to speakers at the Renewables Procurement and Revenue Summit.
May 21, 2025
US PV module manufacturer Silfab Solar has acquired a patent portfolio for back-contact (BC) solar cells from solar research firm EnPV.
May 21, 2025
The US International Trade Commission has voted unanimously to impose AD/CVD tariffs on solar cells from Southeast Asia.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
June 17, 2025
Napa, USA
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
July 8, 2025
Asia
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece