The Obama administration is leaving no stone unturned in its quest to build the country into a greentech power. Today Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced (Happy Earth Day!) a five year, $200 million financing to support “manufacturing-focused research projects that will have near and mid-term impact on the U.S. solar industry.”
After supporting manufacturers of thin-film photovoltaics or CSP parabolic through as well as power project developers that buy them, the DOE is now looking to finance cleantech’s less glamorous, but nonetheless crucial, back office. It’s making money available to developers of manufacturing processes that actually make these panels and CSP parabolic through also get a cut of the government monies — see full press release.
The announcement comes comes at a time of growing concern that China and its cheap manufacturing costs is edging ahead in the greentech race, at it attracts a growing of investments by clean energy companies eager to cut their production costs and grow their margins.
To be able to manufacturer in the U.S. clean energy companies says they need long-term government backing and as such they have been pressing the Obama administration and Congress to extend the manufacturing cleantech tax credits implemented as part of the stimulus program.
Of the $200 million announced today the DOE plans to spend $125 million over the next five years to support projects that develop manufacturing processes that cut the production cost involved in making PV panels. The DOE has also earmarked about $40 million for companies that can develop new photovoltaic supply chain solutions processes, for example developing equipment that improves the manufacturing of PV panels.
Included in today’s annoucment is $40 million to back marine power technology.