EERE Funding Opportunity Announcements

Topic Area 1: Small Innovative Projects in Solar (SIPS):

This topic area intends to fund focused projects in novel and emerging areas of photovoltaics research which have the potential to produce dramatic progress towards a solar LCOE of $0.03/kWh by 2030 through improvements in any combination of the areas represented in Figure 1 (cost, reliability and efficiency/performance). Applications of interest will propose targeted, well-defined projects that can produce motivating results within the first year of performance. If successful, the outcomes will open up new avenues for continued study.

Topic Area 2: Module Design, Fabrication, and Characterization:

Topic Area 2A. Advanced Module Design and Fabrication.

This Topic Area intends to fund projects that will develop new module technologies with the potential to significantly improve the performance, fielded energy output, reliability, and manufacturability of completed PV modules.

Topic Area 2B: Module Characterization, Modeling, and Analysis.

This Topic Area intends to fund projects that advance the knowledge base for advanced PV modules and systems through the use of new and unique characterization, diagnostic, and modeling methods.

Topic Area 3: Rapid PV System Deployment:

This Topic Area intends to fund projects that will increase the speed and ease of PV system deployment, including permitting, inspection, and interconnection. Automated or mechanized installation methods, system designs that require reduced on-site assembly (i.e. partially pre-fabricated arrays), and other strategies to enhance installation speed and quality control while reducing manual on-site operations are appropriate for this Topic Area.

Informational Webinars:

The Solar Energy Technologies Office will be hosting an Informational Full Application and Small Innovative Projects in Solar (SIPS) Application Webinar (Relevant to All Topic Areas) on February 7, 2017, beginning at 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM (EST). Use the following link to register for attendance:

Registration URL: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6350503563278504708

The Solar Energy Technologies Office hosted an Informational Concept Paper Phase Webinar (Relevant to All Topic Areas) on November 21, 2016.  Slides from that webinar are found below.

The purpose of this Notice is to provide potential applicants advance notice that the Solar Energy Technologies Office on behalf of the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), intends to issue a FOA titled, "Photovoltaics Research and Development (PVRD) 2: Modules and Systems". NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED THROUGH THIS NOTICE. Please do not submit questions or respond to this Notice of Intent. Prospective applicants to the FOA should begin developing partnerships, formulating ideas, and gathering data in anticipation of the issuance of this FOA. It is anticipated that this FOA will be posted to EERE Exchange October 2016. 

The planned FOA supports improvements in module design as well as approaches to reduce installation and interconnection time, which represent important development avenues for reducing the cost of PV electricity and energizing the future growth of the U.S. PV industry. This funding opportunity encourages project teams to optimize the completed product by considering the holistic module and system architecture rather than focusing on individual components.

Applicant eligibility is anticipated to follow the same criteria as provided in the previous PVRD funding opportunity, which was released in September, 2015. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and Government-Owned Government Operated institutions (GOGOs) are not expected to be eligible to apply as primary applicants, but may be included as sub-recipients on proposals to this funding opportunity. Comprehensive details on eligibility will be released in the funding opportunity announcement.

Projects are expected to range in size from $100,000 to 225,000 in Topic Area 1 and $500,000 to $2,000,000 in Topic Areas 2 and 3. Cost Share is anticipated to be 20% for all Topic Areas, with academic and non-profit institutions able to apply for a waiver to reduce the cost share to 10%.