Solar energy company United Solar Ovonic, based in California, yesterday announced that it has been awarded a cost-shared, three-year cooperative agreement by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for the development of low-cost building-integrated photovoltaic systems via the Solar America Initiative (SAI).
The Solar America Initiative (SAI) is part of the President’s Advanced Energy Initiative, and its goal is to make solar energy cost-competitive wth conventional forms of electricity by 2015.
United Solar Ovonic will receive $4.6 million in federal funding through the completion of its first project budget period, which will be implemented through June 2008.
A further $14.74m will be available upon successful completion of the project through June 2010, making the total potential funding from the agency around $19.3 million.
According to United Solar Ovonic’s President and COO, Sybhendu Guha, their “lightweight, flexible solar panels are ideal for building integration, and we look forward to taking part in the SAI program at reducing the cost of solar electricity to 10-15 c/kWh by 2010.”
I think when mortgage companies allow people to add energy efficient appliences to a home loan we will see more aceptance. People are willing to change but not if business cant integrate.