Solar Energy Investing

Contra Costa Times reports that oil giant BP has put up $500 million in funding for scientists at UC Berkeley and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The funding commits millions of dollars for research to find new ways to make solar energy less costly and more powerful.

SemiconductorToday reports that Austin-based HelioVolt Corp. and Fort Worth-based Exeltech have announced a joint venture agreement to develop and commercialize systems for reliable and cost-effective generation of solar power.