
FAST Development 267
by HEM was very uniform throughout the ingot, and solar cells
made from this material exhibit high efficiency. There was a down
selection process, and funding for most silicon sheet programs was
terminated. Programs that had shown the best potential for reducing
costs were chosen for further funding. CSI, Westinghouse and Mobil
Solar were selected for continued funding. CZ, which came to the
program later, was also selected for continued funding.
In 1980, there was a change of administration. Jimmy Carter
lost the presidency to Ronald Reagan who was not an advocate
of renewable energy. President Reagan’s idea of renewable energy
was ...