DNR seeks to harness the power of the sun

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources Energy Bureau has won a federal grant to study the use of the sun as a means of power. Energy Bureau spokesperson Angela Chen says they’ll focus on the use of “photovoltaic” technology. The photovoltaic technology turns the light of the sun directly into electricity to supply power to homes. Chen says some solar power is used in Iowa to heat homes or water, but photovoltaic use is limited.Chen says they’ll use the 400-thousand dollar federal grant to determine how to increase the use of photovoltaic cells. She says they want to harness the sun’s light in homes and businesses.Chen says they’ll study photovoltaic technology over three years.