The Department of Energy is investing $53M to fund 53 early-stage solar technology projects with the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office.Selected participants will work within the areas of photovoltaics and concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP), aiming to develop technologies that support a growing workforce for renewable energy, the DOE said Tuesday.
Photovoltaics directly transform sunlight into electric power, while the CSP approach gathers sunlight-based heat that produces electricity like standard power plants.
“Developing new skills through workforce training is critical to expanding job opportunities in the renewable sector, which is why we are following through on our program to reach out to military veterans with new projects that will target this committed workforce,” said Rick Perry, the secretary of energy.
The projects will be grouped into three research areas: photovoltaics R&D; concentrating solar power R&D; and improving and expanding the solar industry through workforce initiatives.
