2008 Solar Energy Technology Report - Current Department of Energy Achievements in Solar Electricity, Thermal Space Heating, Hot Water, Power Production (Ringbound)

This up-to-date ringbound book presents a comprehensive status report on Department of Energy progress in the Solar Energy Technology Program (SETP). The Solar Energy Technologies Program, within the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), is responsible for developing solar energy technologies that can convert sunlight to useful energy and make that energy available to satisfy a significant portion of our nation's electricity needs in a cost-effective way. The Solar Program supports research and development that addresses a wide range of applications, including on-site electricity generation, thermal energy for space heating and hot water, and large-scale power production. In the body of this report, you will read about R&D and achievements from across the Solar Program. The work performed at the participating DOE national laboratories National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Sandia National Laboratories, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and Brookhaven National Laboratory is highlighted, along with the vital contributions of our industry and university partners. The recognition by the U.S. public and our national, state, and local leaders that domestically produced solar and other renewable energy options are synonymous with energy security and economic prosperity grows more palpable each day. The demand for solar energy systems is soaring. Backing that demand is a strong commitment to allocate Federal research dollars to continuing to advance the science underlying solar technologies and move those technologies to the marketplace. Based in large part on 30 years of accomplishments within the Solar Program's research facilities and partnerships, photovoltaic (PV) systems are being installed in the United States and around the world at a record pace. Contents include: Photovoltaic R&D Subprogram Overview * Fundamental Research * Measurements and Characterization * Solar Resource Characterization * Environmental Health and Safety * Crystalline Silicon Project * Electronic Materials and Devices * High-Performance Photovoltaics * Advanced Materials and Devices * Thin Film PV Partnership * PV Module Reliability R&D * Inverter and BOS Development * PV Manufacturing R&D * Technology Development * PV System Evaluation and Optimization * PV Systems Engineering and Performance * Domestic PV Applications * PV Systems Analysis * Building-Integrated Photovoltaics * Million Solar Roofs Initiative * Regional Experiment Stations * Solar Thermal R&D Subprogram Overview * Concentrating Solar Power * Dish/Engine System R&D * Parabolic Trough R&D * Advanced Optical Reflector R&D * CSP Systems Analysis * Solar Heating and Lighting * Low-Cost Polymers * Materials Durability * Industry Manufacturing Assistance * Hybrid Solar Lighting * Systems Integration and Coordination * Systems-Driven Approach * Communications and Outreach * International Activities * Process Integration, Capital Equipment, and Facilities * EERE Crosscutting Activities * Small Business Innovation Research * Congressionally Directed Projects * Conductive Coatings for Solar Cells Using Carbon Nanotubes * Dynamic Shading System with Integrated Concentrator Solar Module * Missouri Alternative and Renewable Energy Technology Center * Carbon Nanostructure-Based Screens for PV Panels * Tools for Nanotechnology Education Development Program.. * PV Charging System for Remote Area Operations * Brightfield Solar Energy * National Orange Show Photovoltaics Demonstration * Photonics Research and Development * Performing Organizations by Name * Performing Organizations by State * Acronyms and Abbreviations