The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's (EERE) successes in developing more efficient and less expensive solar energy technologies translate into easy access and large-scale energy savings. Explore EERE's solar energy success stories below.
February 6, 2019
EERE Success Story—Material Mash-Up Could Increase Efficiency of Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power Plants
A new metal composite for heat exchangers could improve energy conversion and cut costs in CSP plants.
October 29, 2018
EERE Success Story—X Marks the Spot: Solar Site Design Goes High Tech
Utility-scale solar plants can power thousands of homes but finding an ideal location for them isn’t easy.
February 28, 2018
EERE Success Story—Researchers Illuminate Solar Panel Wear and Tear to Improve Longevity
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University use electroluminescence and machine learning to reveal the evolution of solar module degradation.
January 10, 2017
EERE Success Story—Empire State Strikes Back: Solar Will Help New York City Rebound After National Disasters
With the help of the SunShot Initiative, Sustainable CUNY began work on the Smart Distributed Generation (DG) Hub-Resilient Solar Project, a roadma...
December 16, 2016
EERE Success Story—The Future's So Bright, You've got to Wear Shades: The Roles of the Department of Energy, National Laboratories, and Industry in Evolving the Solar Market
In 1975, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) decided to harness the power of the sun, launching the Solar Energy Research Institute, which later became the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Over the subsequent 40 years, DOE, its Solar Ene...
December 12, 2016
EERE Success Story—EPRI Lays Foundation for Smart Inverter Technology
Advanced inverters are a critical enabler of high solar photovoltaic (PV) penetrations because of their smart functionalities and ability to mainta...
November 8, 2016
EERE Success Story—Setting the PACE for Commercial Solar Growth
EERE Success Story—Setting the PACE for Commercial Solar Growth
October 24, 2016
EERE Success Story—Sun Number Partnership with Zillow Brings Solar Potential Scores to Millions of Americans
Millions of Americans looking to buy a home have a new resource to help them go solar in the process. Thanks to a partnership between SunShot Initiative awardee Sun Number and real estate company Zillow, homeowners and prospective buyers across the cou...
October 7, 2016
EERE Success Story – Silicon Solar Wafers Enter a New Dimension
EERE Success Story – Silicon Solar Wafers Enter a New Dimension
June 29, 2016
EERE Success Story—Solar Receiver Redesign Enables CSP to Beam Ahead
EERE Success Story—Solar Receiver Redesign Enables CSP to Beam Ahead