WITH A FINAL DECISION ON GRANT APPLICATION JUST AROUND THE CORNER&SCHUMER ANNOUNCES FINAL PUSH TO SECURE HIGH TECH GRANT THAT WOULD MAKE ALBANY A NATIONAL CENTER IN SOLAR CELL RESEARCH AND CREATE THOUSANDS OF JOBS COULD MIRROR CHIP FAB SUCCESS WITHIN A FEW YEARS

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced his final push to secure a $100 million federal grant that would be a huge boost to the U.S. Photovoltaic Manufacturing Consortium (PVMC), a partnership between SEMATECH and the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) at UAlbany, along with the University of Central Florida. Following a tour of the CNSE Albany NanoTech complex, Schumer announced his push for approval of the application to form a new photovoltaic manufacturing consortium with support from the Department of Energy's Photovoltaic Manufacturing Initiative. The partnership could massively increase the United States' share of the photovoltaic technology and products market, potentially creating millions of jobs over the next decade.

"The photovoltaic manufacturing consortium has unlimited potential when it comes to advancing our technological capabilities, increasing our competitiveness abroad, and most importantly - creating jobs for middleclass families in the Capital Region," said Senator Schumer. "Simply put, this award could electrify our economy in Upstate New York, and I'm pushing as hard as I possibly can to give New York the jolt we need and deserve. We're in the 9th inning of the decision process and I'm going to be pushing the Department of Energy so that we have a winning application. It will be a walk off homer for jobs and the economy in the region."

Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros, Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of CNSE, said, "On behalf of the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, we thank our Senior Senator, Chuck Schumer, a true champion and advocate for New Yorkers, for providing extraordinary leadership in further advancing New York's worldclass nanotechnology initiative to target the emerging clean energy sector, one of the most exciting and important industries of the 21 ^st century. In building on the successful partnerships and pioneering model through which CNSE has established New York as the global capital for nanotechnology, and by dedicating these worldclass resources and nextgeneration technological capabilities to support photovoltaic manufacturing, we have an unparalleled opportunity to accelerate renewable energy technologies while advancing national competitiveness, driving the creation of new hightech jobs, companies and private investment, and fueling the innovation that is essential to fostering U.S. economic development and growth."

PVMC is a joint venture led by SEMATECH and CNSE, as well as the University of Central Florida. Over 80 companies, universities, and high tech laboratories have committed to join the alliance that will provide a major boost to the United States' photovoltaic manufacturing industry. The consortium would help develop new photovoltaic manufacturing technologies, streamline their introduction into the global market, and help the United States gain a greater market share in the fast growing industry. The consortium currently has financial commitments totaling $400 million from state and corporate entities. With an additional $100 million from the Department of Energy the consortium could hit the ground running with more than half a billion dollars, providing an immediate boost to this critical manufacturing sector.

Schumer was joined on the tour and announcement by Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros, Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of CNSE.

"We know that alternative energy technologies are the key to our future energy independence and to clean energy jobs as well. Since the beginning of this project, I've known that Dr. Alain Kaloyeros is absolutely the man for this job.  Just as he has made the Capital Region the epicenter for cutting edge semiconductor research, I know he can do the same for the photovoltaic industry," Schumer added.

The U.S. Photovoltaic Manufacturing Consortium (PVMC) is a partnership between SEMATECH and the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering at UAlbany, as well as with the University of Central Florida. Over 80 companies, universities, and high tech laboratories have committed to join the alliance that will provide a major boost to the United States' photovoltaic manufacturing industry. The consortium will help develop new photovoltaic manufacturing technologies, streamline their introduction into the global market, and help the United States gain a greater market share. The consortium currently has financial commitments totaling $400 million from state and corporate entities, including $125 million from New York State. With an additional $100 million from the Department of Energy the consortium could hit the ground running with approximately half a billion dollars, providing an immediate boost to this critical manufacturing sector.

The College of Nanoscale Science at the University of Albany focuses on nanotechnology education, research and development, and technology deployment. It works with a variety of governmental and private enterprises to develop new technologies, and help these technologies enter the marketplace. The College was the first ever institution to issue a Ph.D. in nanoscience, and has a faculty of 48 instructing 184 students. The center hosts 2,500 employees on site and partners with 250 partner organizations across the globe.

Solar photovoltaic technologies convert solar energy into useful energy forms by directly absorbing solar photons and either converting part of the energy to electricity or storing part of the energy in a chemical reaction. Solar photovoltaic technologies produce clean power from domestic renewable energy, provide a source of reliable solar power, are more easily built than conventional power plants, and boost the national economy by creating new solar companies and jobs of the future.

During his visit, Senator Schumer described the partnership, and how it could massively increase the United States' share of the photovoltaic technology and products market, potentially creating millions of jobs over the next decade. This progress hinges on the receipt of Department of Energy's $100 million federal grant, which Schumer pledged to push across the finish line.