8.08 - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to provide funding and technical assistance for green buildings and renewable energy development on former brownfield sites

WASHINGTON - August 2008 - The U.S. Department of Energy announced that DOE will invest up to $24 million in Fiscal Year 2008 and beyond-subject to the availability of funds-to develop solar energy products to significantly accelerate penetration of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in the United States. The Solar Energy Grid Integration Systems (SEGIS) projects will provide critical research and development (R&D) funding to develop less expensive, higher performing products to enhance the value of solar PV systems to homeowners and business owners. These projects are integral to President Bush's Solar America Initiative, which aims to make solar energy cost-competitive with conventional forms of electricity by 2015. Increasing the use of alternative and clean energy technologies such as solar energy is critical to diversifying the Nation's energy sources to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on foreign oil. .