Why aren't we offering a large, tax-free prize to companies to develop an efficent and little cost energy ?

Question

Why doesn't the US government simply offer a 1 billion dollar tax-free prize for those who develop solar power?

I know we have certain degrees of solar energy usage going on now, but why aren't going for the big ticket winner for everyone here and even for the world? Why aren't we trying to prod and persuade scientist and corporations to go after this with a really big, savory carrot like a 1 billion dollar tax-free grand prize for finding a solar or fuel cell alternative that is relatively cheap and could power a vast majority of homes and vehicles in the USA?

If that isn't a demand for something, I don't know what is...

And don't tell me we can't afford it either. If we can billions of dollars out of nowhere to issue tax-refund checks, space programs to Mars, and pointless wars/occupations in Iraq, then we can fund this worthwhile and beneficial incentive.

Answer 1

If someone can develop an "efficient and little cost energy" he will not need a prize as he will be able to sell it at an enormous profit.

Answer 2

One billion dollars would be a drop in the bucket (seeing as how they make 50-100 billion dollars a year in profits), not enough to entice oil companies to develop something that would make their main source of income (fossil fuels) obsolete.

Answer 3

big business in oil  money is the name of the game  our officials in government

Answer 4

google 'disruptive innovation'. think on.