DOE Shines $14M on Solar Energy Research

coondoggie writes "Eleven university solar research projects aimed at developing advanced solar photovoltaic (PV) technology manufacturing processes and products got a $14 million boost today from the Dept. of Energy. Photovoltaic-based solar cells convert sunlight directly into electricity, and are made of semiconductor materials similar to those used in computer chips. When sunlight is absorbed by these materials, the solar energy knocks electrons loose from their atoms, allowing the electrons to flow through the material to produce electricity."

Comments

Re:What will $14 million achieve?

[erroneus]

Yes, and I would guess that this number pales in comparison to what is being given to oil companies to research alternative energy sources... and oddly, we haven't heard a damned thing from THEM... we do hear from non-government funded research and we do hear from government funded universities.

Re:On the basis of the evidence...

[polar red]

If you want cheap clean energy, go nuclear. Do you have sources for that ?

Re:On the basis of the evidence...

[polar red]

they can't go into meltdown is that 100% sure ? or just 99.999% ? that's a BIG difference.

Re:What will $14 million achieve?

[Bombula]

when you compare it to the $2 billion the DOE was going to spend in developing new rural coal plants you have to ask where their priorities lie.

Or to the $14 billion/month the DOD and pentagon are spending in Iraq to "secure our strategic interests" (read "oil"). 1/1000th the amount we burn every month in Iraq, and we're supposed to cheer about this? Ridiculous. Come back to me when DOE gives $14 million each to a thousand different universities, research think tanks and private technology firms, then we'll have something to get excited about.