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Solar Energy Technologies Program
 
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The Solar Energy Technologies program focuses on developing cost-effective solar-energy technologies that have the greatest potential to benefit our nation and the world. Solar technologies diversify our energy supply, reduce our dependence on imported fuels, improve air quality, and offset greenhouse gas emissions. A growing solar industry also stimulates our economy by creating jobs in solar manufacturing and installation.

Concentrating Solar Power
CSP systems use reflective materials that concentrate the sun's heat energy to drive a generator that produces electricity.

photovoltaics
PV systems use semiconductor materials that convert sunlight directly to electricity.

Solar Heating
Solar collectors absorb the sun's energy to provide low-temperature heat used directly for hot water or space heating for residential or commercial buildings.

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Solar America Initiative Solar America Initiative

The Solar America Initiative (SAI) accelerates the development of photovoltaic (also known as PV or solar electricity) technologies with the goal of making solar electricity from PV cost competitive with conventional grid electricity by 2015. SAI works through partnerships between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and industry, universities, federal, state, and local government, and non-governmental agencies to achieve the goal of lower-cost solar energy.

Solar America Cities Solar America Cities

Solar America Cities is an activity of the Solar America Initiative. Twenty-five cities across the U.S. are partnering with DOE to support the goals of SAI. These cities are committed to accelerating the adoption of all solar energy technologies (not just PV) at the local level.