Michigan Schools Advancing Solar Research and Development

Photo credit: University of Michigan

I’m not sure why it makes me feel better when universities get big lumps of government dollars than when companies do, but it does. There’s just something way more justifiable about money getting pumped into our institutes of learning – it brings hope and encouragement to heart, instead of the overwhelming sense of corruption and misuse that the bailouts of late have connoted to me.

The University of Michigan recently landed a five-year $19.5 million grant from the Department of Energy for advancing the research and development of innovations in solar technology. Likewise, Michigan State University is currently involved in a $12.5 million project that is focused on solar power.

Photo credit: Michigan State

The two institutes are collaborating and working on finding new advances in solar technology that could make creating and supplying solar power simpler and less expensive.

These efforts have helped to bring solar power to the forefront of alternative energy in the state of Michigan – it is now the most heavily funded alternative energy initiative in that state.

While the U of M is focusing their research on developing new ideas that will increase the efficiency of the materials used in solar panels, MSU’s project is “designed to improve thermoelectricity efficiency technology.”

While the research is ongoing at the two Michigan universities, their discoveries and innovations could have a profound benefit to state-based solar panel companies like Evergreen Solar and United Solar Ovonic.

The projects at U of M and MSU are just two of 46 projects specified by The White House as Energy Frontier Research Centers. It is expected that over the next five years the DOE will spend approximately $777 million dollars on those 46 projects in the hopes of bringing great strides and breakthroughs in solar technology.

Posted on May 12th in Solar Funding by Jennifer.