The US Department of Energy has announced about $60m to support innovative solar energy research and development. As part of the Department's SunShot Initiative, these awards will help lower the cost of solar electricity, advance seamless grid integration, and support a growing U.S. solar workforce. The Department of Energy is awarding approximately $16m to four projects that will help develop solar devices that near the theoretical efficiency limits of single junction solar cells, or about 30% efficiency. The Department is also awarding about $7m to develop stronger, more reliable solar components as well as dependable performance tests for microinverters and microconverters. They provide easier installation and more effective capture of energy for both photovoltaic and concentrating solar power systems.
Since 2007, more than 50 American start-ups have participated in the SunShot Incubator Program— attracting more than $1.7bn in private sector backing, or nearly $18 for every $1 of government support. As part of the announcement, the Energy Department is investing more than $12m across 17 companies to help commercialize a wide range of technologies and services—from online tools that can map a rooftop's solar potential in seconds to automated installation systems for utility scale photovoltaic plants.