WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today
announced $22.7 million in basic research projects aimed at
improving the capture, conversion and use of solar energy. The
research will help increase the amount of solar power in the
nation’s energy supply. “These projects are part of our
aggressive basic research in the physical sciences—what I call
'transformational science'—aimed at achieving a new generation
of breakthrough technologies that will push the cost-
effectiveness of renewable energy sources to levels comparable
to petroleum and natural gas sources,” Under Secretary for
Science Dr. Raymond L. Orbach said. DOE’s Office of Science
selected 27 projects that will focus on fundamental science to
support enhanced use of solar energy. Universities and national
laboratories in 18 states will conduct the research. The
projects are part of a department-wide, comprehensive, balanced
portfolio of basic and applied research and technology
development aimed at significantly advancing the use of sunli