Environmental Leader

In order to accelerate the commercialization of solar power technology, six public- and private-sector entities announced that they have signed an agreement committing $5 million toward a three-year effort to build solar test and evaluation facilities, Denver Business Journal reports.

The Solar Technology Acceleration Center will have common areas for testing of new solar energy system components, with costs and results shared by all SolarTAC companies. It also will have custom-made, company-specific test sites for proprietary testing by member companies.

The members include SunEdison, Xcel Energy Inc., Abenogoa Solar, the city of Aurora, Midwest Research Institute and the Colorado Renewable Energy Collaboratory.

Midwest Research Institute will serve as the management and operating contractor for SolarTAC.

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