University of North Carolina to study solar paint

CHAPEL HILL — What if you could paint your home with a special paint that would power for your house?

Scientists at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill are going to work on just such an idea. A first-generation version has been created, but is far too expensive for most people.

The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Wednesday that the school has obtained $17.5 million in federal stimulus funds to try to make the idea affordable.

UNC chemist Tom Meyer is the lead investigator on a team of scientists who will work on the project.

Researchers from N.C. State, Duke, North Carolina Central and the University of Florida will work on the idea.

The team hopes to make solar paint possible and affordable. It also will study how to store solar energy for later use.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)