Who says President George Bush isn't green? Alright, well, most of you — but in a day and age when it's hip to be environmentally-friendly for all the right (and wrong) reasons, the current administration is making green headlines on a more consistent basis. From the Associated Press comes news this morning that Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman is set to announce funding from Bush's Solar America Initiative for growing technology company, Konarka.

Konarka is a leading developer of flexible plastic solar strips — technology that could be embedded in everything from your laptop computer case to clothing to the underside of an iPod. The U.S. military (a major initial backer of the six-year-old company) is especially interested in harnessing the material for field operations and uniforms.

While the award amount has yet to be announced, Konarka is sure to get some fantastic exposure on top of the already $60 million raised through venture capital funding. From the article,

"The company says its solar cells are efficient across a much broader spectrum of light than traditional cells, allowing them to draw energy from both the sun and indoor lighting.

Konarka says its material is lightweight and flexible so that it can be colored, patterned and cut to fit almost any device. The firm envisions embedding its material in cell phones, laptops and toys to provide power on the go. Clothing could be woven with the material to supply power for handheld electronics, and signboards, traffic lights and rooftops could be fitted with solar strips."

The only remaining question on the mind of industry experts is whether Konarka's technology can be mass-produced in sufficient, stable quantities. It would be great to see more jackets and other items come with a flexible solar option that doesn't break down within a year. Let's hope such advances become a reality and that the White House continues to support them. It would do well to clarify an environmental image so hotly debated over the past six years.

Source: Solar Technology Gets White House Boost