(KJZZ file photo)

Solar panels on a rooftop.

The United States Department of Energy is going to invest in 17 projects across the country at a cost of $21 million.

At its core, the goal is to increase the pace at which people are turning to solar in their homes and as part of their lifestyles. One of the projects is being led by Jacqueline Hettel of ASU’s School for the Future of Innovation in Society.

We talked with Hettel about her goals.