DOE to Invest in New Technologies

Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced that the department plans to invest more than $200 million in new solar and water power technologies. Over the next five years, the DOE will use these funds to facilitate a clean-energy economy and reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels.

The new funding will also create new jobs. Secretary Chu said, “Expanding the U.S. clean-energy manufacturing base is an important part of the Administration’s goals to diversify electricity supply options, increase national security, and accelerate green job development.”

“These investments will help strengthen American competitiveness in renewable energy and transform the U.S. into a lasting manufacturing presence in the 21^st century clean-energy economy.”

Some of these investments include photovoltaic manufacturing, photovoltaic supply chain development, national administrator of the solar instructor training network, and marine and hydrokinetic technologies. Applications and papers have various due dates starting as soon as June 7, 2010.