USAID collaborate with GE to improve India’s solar standards

The Dollar Business Bureau

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) on Friday announced it would provide funds and encourage research in collaboration with General Electric (GE) to enhance standards of the Indian solar industry. 

“The U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) U.S. Global Development Lab today announced more than $10 million for 49 new research partnerships to address critical areas of development. Funded through the Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) program, the individual projects will address gaps in scientific knowledge ranging from disaster preparedness to maternal and child health to food security,” USAID said in a statement.

"Collaboration is key for accelerating the impact of scientific research on development," said Ann Mei Chang, USAID's Chief Innovation Officer and Executive Director of the US Global Development Lab. 

Through programs such as PEER, the USAID envisages to strengthen the existing global scientific research community by entending opportunities for the best scientific minds to cooperate on crucial development issues, Chang said. 

The PEER program has also awarded research projects in Morocco. This programmed focuses on the integration of solar energy micro-grid into smart buildings in collaboration with National Instruments. 

The programme will also facilitate research in Peru on the adoption of climate strategies with an aim to inform solutions to water quality, water sustainability and water quality research in Lebanon to regulate how pollutants could affect refugee populations. 

“PEER provides opportunities for scientists in developing countries to conduct research with their U.S.-funded counterparts, and leverage nearly $90 million in existing research awards. The goal of the program is to build capacity among local scientists and research institutions, strengthen research partnerships worldwide, and better translate data and evidence into policy. It is implemented by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine,” it said.

Since its commencement in 2011, PEER has strengthened over 200 researchers in more than 45 countries, with an investment of over $50 million.