This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) aims to reduce the soft costs of solar deployment through two approaches, referred to as Topic 1 and Topic 2 in the FOA. The first topic, “Topic 1” is targeted at increasing our foundational understanding of technology evolution, soft costs, and barriers to solar deployment in the US. By combining cutting edge research tools with the creation, analysis and functionalization of data and information, this second round of the Solar Energy Evolution and Diffusion Studies (SEEDS) program will examine how solar technologies, the electric grid system, and the institutions that create the solar business marketplace support or impede the evolution and diffusion of solar by partnering researchers with data and energy practitioners. “Topic 2” will directly tackle soft costs and market barrier challenges at the state and regional level by maximizing the benefits of solar electricity through energy and economic strategic planning. This program targets partnerships between states and utilities/electricity sector entities that look to increase solar deployment in their region. This will be achieved through analytical support to develop and implement strategies to: determine or expand renewable energy and other goals, such as: maximizing emissions reductions; hedging against fuel price volatility; creating jobs; expanding access to electricity; and/or increasing grid resiliency, among others.
To view questions and answers pertaining to this FOA, please find the DE-FOA-0001496 FOA FAQs document in the "FOA Documents" section below.
Informational Webinar:
The Solar Energy Technologies Office will be hosting a webinar on February 11, 2016, beginning at 2:00 PM (EST). Use the following link to register for attendance:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8675297748629652993
Full Application Webinar:
Monday, April 4, 2016 12:00 - 1:00 PM (MST): Use the following link to register for attendance:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7067108062457525763