The Solar Energy Technology Program of the USDOE

Preparing photovoltaic (PV) panels for installation

With prices for solar power dropping rapidly (by 2020, the cost of solar energy will be less than 20 percent of its price in 1980), and both efficiency and government incentives increasing, its time to take note of the potential of this renewable energy resource.

Here in the United States, the federal Department of Energy, through its Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy works to accelerate viable, efficient and cost-effective solar technology in its Solar Energy Technology Program (SETP).

Another important purpose of the program is to educate the public with information about the numerous benefits of solar power.  For example, the following video, explaining PV technology, was produced by the USDOE:

Example of concentrating solar power (CSP)

There are several reasons the government is investing in solar R&D and education.  Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is an important national interest, as are creation of new, green jobs.  Improvement of air quality is an important side benefit of the push to go solar, as are the added security and cost-savings associated with reduced power outages.

Through the Solar Energy Technology Program, new solar technologies will help move us to reliance on our own independent energy resources and away from use of finite fossil fuels.  At the Department of Energy, advances are being made in the areas of photovoltaic (PV) cells, concentrating solar power (CSP) – also known as solar thermal, and low temperature solar collectors.

When new solar technology is developed, staff hired to support the Solar Energy Technology Program also work to make sure that potential marketplace barriers, such as outdated codes and standards, are removed. Staff also provides assistance with respect to interconnection agreements between utilities and customers and determining utility value capacity credits.

In order that the department lead by example, a 205 kilowatt (kW) solar panel system has been installed on the rooftop of the Department of Energy’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.

According to the official website:

The Solar Energy Technologies Program (SETP or Solar Program) works to develop cost-competitive solar energy systems for America. More than $170 million is spent each year in research and development (R&D) on two solar electric technologies with the greatest potential to reach cost competitiveness by 2015.

The SETP works with industry, national laboratories, and universities to perform research and development and support program management. Its laboratory partners include the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Brookhaven National Laboratory.

Among recent awards in 2009 in R&D, the following SETP program partners have achieved recognition for the noted inventions, per information on the SETP website:

• Nanocrystal Solar Cells: Ultra-thin solar cells based on dense nanocrystal films, without any organic materials. Efficiency potential of 25%, matching that of silicon cells. (Berkeley Lab and Solexant)
• PulseForge 3100 with Pulse Thermal Processing: Unique thermal processing technique applies extremely high-intensity radiant heat to the surface of materials quickly (milliseconds to microseconds). The PulseForge 3100 is a commercial tool that employs this technology for high-speed drying, curing, sintering, or annealing high-temperature materials on plastic and paper, enabling inexpensive and flexible electronics and solar applications. (ORNL)
• SkyTrough™ Parabolic Trough Solar Concentrating Collector: Uses reflector material to create a ground-breaking and low-cost system for utility-sized power generation. (NREL and SkyFuel)
• Ultra-Accelerated Weathering System: Multifaceted ultraviolet solar concentrator that is used to speed up the exposure of coatings, paints, and other materials to determine their durability and resistance to weathering. (NREL)

For consistent updates about the SETP, its research partners, or solar technology updates in general, visit the site and consider subscribing to the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) News Updates.