The purpose of the program established by section 8272 of this title is to—

(1) accelerate the growth of a commercially viable and competitive industry to make photovoltaic solar electric systems available to the general public as an option in order to reduce national consumption of fossil fuel;

(2) reduce fossil fuel costs to the Federal Government;

(3) stimulate the general use within the Federal Government of methods for the minimization of life cycle costs; and

(4) develop performance data on the program established by section 8272 of this title.