It has cross-cutting responsibilities in the areas of trade, technology, entrepreneurship, economic development, environmental stewardship, tourism and statistical research and analysis.

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"Future environmental and economic success will be determined by sustained investment in new technology, research and development, infrastructure and consumer incentives, " said SMMT's chief executive, Paul Everitt.

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As important as the funding is, DOE will also partner with the award winners to address issues such as market analysis, technology development, deployment, instrumentation and data analysis, the mitigation of environmental impacts, and grid interconnection.

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Meanwhile, on Wednesday Applied Materials and China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Group announced they have agreed to explore projects for accelerating the development and deployment of solar photovoltaic technology.

FORBES