Binghamton University’s increasing efforts in solar powering has garnered the University a $4.5 million grant, meant just for going green.

BU was nationally recognized for its solar initiatives on Aug. 10 when Congressman Maurice Hinchey, of the 22nd District of New York, arrived at the University with the promise of a federal grant for Binghamton’s Center for Autonomous Solar Power (CASP).

“This $5 million in federal funding comes at a critical time when the federal government is looking to invest heavily in research in solar and other renewable energy fields. Binghamton University has already established itself as a leading research university and these federal funds will help make the school an even bigger player in the solar energy field,” according to a press release from Hinchey’s office.

CASP is headed by Seshu Desu, the executive director and former dean of Watson School of Engineering.

“We started close to a year back,” Desu said. “We identified the needs of the industry … and developed solar cells based on sustainable materials.”

CASP has developed a method of developing flexible solar cells from recycled material that promises to become a major a source of renewable and sustainable energy.

“[The technology will] enhance strategic and societal applications in transportation, homeland security, health care, communication, education and industry,” Desu said.

The University will be working with The Solar Energy Consortium to develop a new integrated electrical storage.

According to Hinchey’s press release, the consortium will be an “extraordinary organization” that will combine the efforts of New York academic institutions and industry specialists, including General Electric, Corning and Prism Solar.

A press release from CASP mentioned that one of the most beneficial aspects of CASP during these economic times is its promise of employment.

According to the release, CASP technology will “seed new industries and infuse new manufacturing jobs in the New York state thereby spurring intense economic activity. CASP will help establish New York state as a regional leader in solar energy generation and a hub for energy technology development.”

This isn’t the only time that Binghamton has made technological innovations on a public scale. Launched in March 2008, the Binghamton Wi-Fi network is the result of a study conducted by Binghamton Professor Angelo Mastrangelo and his students.