Putting solar panels on your home could be a much simpler, one-day process if researchers at North Carolina State University can deliver on the promise of a new project.
On Friday, the U.S. Energy Department awarded NCSU a $9 million grant for development of solar power panels that can be purchased, installed and made operational in one day.
NCSU is among the leaders in research and development of solar power with recent projects focusing on nanotechnology that university scientists will make solar power less expensive and more pervasive.
The grant will be spread over five years, assuming funding is approved by Congress.
“The price of solar panels has fallen dramatically in recent years, but we also need to reduce the cost and time required to actually install them in homes and businesses, and help utility companies better integrate renewable energy into the grid.” said Energy Secretary Steven Chu in announcing the NCSU grant as well as another $12 million for other programs.
“Projects like these can help reduce the cost of solar power and make it easier for American families and businesses to access clean, affordable energy,” Chu said.
The Energy Department defined the NCSU-led project as “to create standard solar photovoltaic (PV) components and system designs that can adapt simply to any residential roof and can be installed and connected to the grid quickly and efficiently.”
The grant is part of the Energy Department’s SunShot Initiative.
