$5 billion in Recovery Act funds for weatherization have now been dispersed to all 50 US states, the largest investment home energy efficiency in history.
The funds are weatherizing homes for low-income families.
The Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that 15,000 – 20,000 homes have been weatherized so far, and states are now ramping up efforts to weatherize 20,000 to 30,000 homes a month.
Smart Grid Funding
DOE says the $3.3 billion in smart grid stimulus has lead to $4.7 billion in private funding.
Electricity metering is also expanding very rapidly. Advanced meters
Over 250 million smart meters will be installed worldwide by 2015, representing a penetration rate of 18% of all electrical meters, up from 46 million in 2008, says Pike Research.
While Europe is currently the top region for smart meter adoption, North America will become the leading market in 2010, reaching 55% penetration of all electric meters by 2015.
DOE Recovery Act Funds
About 85% of the recipients of DOE’s total allocation of stimulus funds have been identified – $28 billion of its $32.7 billion. And as of the end of September, $16.7 billion has been awarded.
DOE says the funding has resulted in triple the amount in private investment. It points to the $249 million grant to battery-maker A123 Systems (AONE), which helped the company have a successful IPO.
Solar manufacturer Solyndra, which received the first DOE loan, has since raised additional capital.
Loading...