Solar Snapshot: New Investments in Grid Decarbonization, Community Solar, and Workforce Equity

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Energy dot gov Office of Energy Efficiency and renewable energy

Solar Energy Technologies Office

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What's Inside: Solar Snapshot, the newsletter of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO), shares recent announcementsupcoming events; products and publicationsand more.

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Estimated read time: 5 minutes, 26 seconds


Funding Opportunities and Prizes

New Funding to Support Grid Decarbonization

SETO, in conjunction with the Wind Energy Technologies Office, announced $26 million in funding for projects that demonstrate the reliable operation of a decarbonized electrical grid. The Solar and Wind Grid Services and Reliability Demonstration funding opportunity will support the development of controls and methods for resources like solar and wind to provide the same grid services as traditional generation. Register for an informational webinar on Aug. 17 and submit a mandatory concept paper by Sep. 1 at 5 p.m. ET.

grid services

New Funding to Advance Workforce Equity

DOE announced $10 million in funding for the development of multi-stakeholder solar workforce programs. The Advancing Equity Through Workforce Partnerships funding opportunity seeks projects that identify common challenges and opportunities to facilitate the rapid deployment of solar energy technologies while supporting an inclusive workforce. Register for an informational webinar on Aug. 4 and submit a mandatory letter of intent by Sept. 13 at 5 p.m. ET.

workforce foa

Submit Your Letter of Intent for Photovoltaics Funding

Hurry! Mandatory letters of intent are due Aug. 5 at 5 p.m. ET for the Photovoltaics (PV) Research and Development funding opportunity. Academic institutions, for- and not-for-profit businesses, and state and local governments are all eligible to apply. SETO is interested in projects that reduce costs and supply chain vulnerabilities, further develop durable and recyclable solar technologies, and advance perovskite PV technologies toward commercialization.

Deadline Approaching for Funding to Study Solar and Agriculture

Applicants who submitted concept papers have until Aug. 30 at 5 p.m. ET to submit full applications for the Foundational Agrivoltaic Research for Megawatt Scale funding opportunity. SETO is interested in projects that examine how agrivoltaics can scale up to provide new economic opportunities to farmers, rural communities, and the solar industry.


Summer Solar Savings Spotlight 🌟

This summer, DOE is highlighting its work to expand access to solar power so more families can save on their electricity bills. Learn more about the recent Summer Solar Savings announcements.

summer solar savings

New Award Program for Equitable Community Solar

The Sunny Awards for Equitable Community Solar (The Sunny Awards) will recognize community solar projects and programs that increase equitable access to the meaningful benefits of community solar for subscribers and their communities. Up to $100,000 in prizes and several special recognition awards will be shared with prize winners. Register for an informational webinar on Aug. 18 and apply by Oct. 7 at 5 p.m. ET.

The Sunnys

New Community Solar Subscription Platform

DOE and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are developing a digital platform that will connect low-income households to money-saving community solar projects. Colorado, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, and Washington, D.C. will provide feedback, coordination, and data to test the operability, security, and performance of the platform during the pilot phase.

Request for Information (RFI) on the Community Solar Subscription Platform

DOE is seeking feedback on the structure of the community solar subscription platform from community-based organizations, community solar subscription managers and developers, state and local governments, researchers, and others. Responses are due Aug. 31 at 5 p.m. ET.

New Community Solar Utility Allowance Guidance

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced new guidance that expands access to community solar programs among families living in HUD-assisted rental housing. Learn how states can request guidance and the implications for the equitable expansion of community solar.


Some Light 🌞 Reading

New Initiative to Expand Thin-Film PV Production

Earlier this week, DOE launched the Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) Accelerator Consortium, a $20 million initiative designed to spur innovations in and boost manufacturing of CdTe solar cells. This research group seeks to make CdTe solar cells less expensive and more efficient while developing new markets for solar cell products, bolstering the domestic supply chain, and enhancing U.S. competitiveness.

CdTe

New Program to Expand Access to the National Labs

The Vouchers to Enable Laboratory and Organizational Collaboration for Innovation and Technology Improvements (VELOCITI) program connects solar entrepreneurs to research expertise and facilities at the national labs. VELOCITI provides vouchers for lab access to help with the development of innovative solar technologies.

Reminder: Vehicle-Integrated PV RFI

DOE seeks public input on challenges and opportunities for vehicles with integrated or attached PV systems. Submit your response by Aug. 22 at 5 p.m. ET.


Upcoming Events

Webinar: Advancing Equity Through Workforce Partnerships Funding Opportunity

August 4 | 2 p.m. ET
SETO will host an informational webinar to discuss the new funding opportunity and the areas of focus.

Webinar: Advancing an Equitable Solar Workforce

August 16 | 1 p.m. ET
SETO will host a webinar with presentations on workforce challenges and opportunities, efforts to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion within the solar sector, and potential ways for solar employers and labor unions to work together to ensure quality jobs and a stable workforce.

Webinar: Solar and Wind Grid Services and Reliability Demonstration Funding Opportunity

August 17 | 1 p.m. ET
SETO will host an informational webinar to discuss the new funding opportunity and the areas of focus.

Webinar: The Sunny Awards for Equitable Community Solar

August 18 | 3 p.m. ET
The National Community Solar Partnership (NCSP) will host an informational webinar to discuss the new prize program and how to participate.

Workshop on Solar Energy: Heliostats, Metrology Challenges, and Heliostat Consortium Funding Opportunities

August 24 | 3:30 p.m. ET
The Heliostat Consortium for Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power is hosting a workshop at the SPIE conference to bring together heliostat metrology experts and discuss challenges and funding opportunities.

Webinar: Solar District Cup Collegiate Design Competition

August 25 | 12 p.m. ET
SETO will host an informational webinar to go over details about the Class of 2022-2023, including competition goals, participation options, rules, timeline, participation benefits, and more.

Webinar: Community Solar Resources for Multifamily Affordable Housing Providers

August 25 | 2 p.m. ET
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will host a webinar to introduce the resources developed to support Multifamily Affordable Housing providers in their efforts to accelerate deployment of community solar.


Products and Publications


In Case You Missed It

SolarAPP+ Industry Roundtable for Local Authorities and Installers

Watch the recording of a roundtable to learn from solar industry leaders and government officials about how SolarAPP+, a platform designed to improve the solar permitting process, can save communities time and money.

Webinar: Low-Income Community Solar Subscription Platform RFI

Watch the recording of this webinar to learn about the new Community Solar Subscription Platform and its goals to increase access to community solar that lowers energy bills, support customer acquisition, and accelerate low-income community solar development.

Webinar: Solar Manufacturing Incubator Funding Opportunity

A recording of this webinar about the new $27 million funding opportunity for projects that advance innovative product ideas, increase U.S. solar manufacturing, and expand private investment, especially in CdTe PV, will be posted soon.


Learn more about SETO or DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.