Government Grants for Solar Energy Research

Solar energy researchers use advanced technology to develop innovative approaches for harnessing the sun's energy to power homes, offices and utilities. In an effort to reduce the nation's dependency on fossil fuels, government agencies such as the U.S. Department of Energy have allocated significant sums of money for solar-energy research projects. In 2010, the U.S. Department of Energy provided $62 million in grant funding for solar power research and development.

Purpose

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the increase in energy prices and environmental concerns surrounding greenhouse gas emissions has led to a growing interest in alternatives to fossil fuels, particularly nuclear and renewable sources. The administration predicts that between 2007-2035 the demand for renewable energy to generate electricity will grow rapidly. The most important renewable sources include wind, hydropower, solar geothermal and biomass. Government agencies like the U.S. Department of Energy anticipate that advances in solar research will eventually displace traditional coal-burning plants. In 2010 the Department of Energy's science and technology program developed a 5-year plan to develop a Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) system, which is capable of providing low-cost electrical power to homes and businesses nationwide.

Government Programs

Government-funded solar energy research grants support a variety of research initiatives; the grants are designed to meet the objectives of specific funding agencies. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory is the nation's primary laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development programs. NREL works in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy and is dedicated to meeting the agency's energy needs in addition to supporting solar energy research and development. The agency also provides funding for various alternative energy projects including wind and geothermal energy. The U.S. -- China Clean Energy Research Center is a joint government program that supports energy efficient projects. The program seeks to reduce the use of coal-powered plants in the U.S. and China by investing in energy-efficient research projects including solar energy.

Funding Areas

Among several funding areas, leading government energy programs like NREL provide grants for solar research like California's energy grid integration project. In 2010 NREL awarded California's Public Utilities Commission $2 million in grant funding to help the state's energy-efficiency research and development programs. In 2010 the Department of Energy's Concentrating Solar Power Systems Studies program awarded solar research grants to private organizations for a variety of projects including solar energy feasibility studies, construction of transportable turbine power systems, thermal energy storage and solar concentrators.

Benefits

Government programs that support solar energy research and development projects help to expand the solar industry nationally and globally. Successful solar technologies create job growth as well as stimulating the economy. The U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Technologies Program has transformed the nation's energy use through solar research grants and by installing state-of-the-art solar plants in states like Nevada and California. In 2010, the U.S. Department of Interior approved the world's largest solar project, which will be built in Riverside, California. The facility will produce up to 1,000 megawatts of solar power and is enough to power 300,000-750,000 homes.

References

• U.S. Department of Energy: Secretary Chu Announces Up To $62 Million For Concentrating Solar Power Research And Development
• U.S. Energy Information Administration: International Energy Outlook 2010-Highlights
• Research Gate: Third Grant for U.S. China Clean Energy Research Center
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory: NREL To Help California Tackle Energy Grid Integration