|
DOE seeks stakeholder feedback on a draft roadmap that addresses interconnection challenges on the transmission grid. Responses will help DOE’s Interconnection Innovation e-Xchange (i2X) develop a resource on long- and near-term solutions and best practices for interconnecting clean energy resources to the bulk power system. Grid operators, utilities, state and local governments, Tribal governments, clean energy developers, energy justice organizations, nonprofits, trade associations, and other stakeholders can submit feedback by November 22.
SETO has issued a request for information (RFI) on technical challenges and opportunities for grid integration of solar energy systems, including photovoltaics (PV) and energy storage facilities connected to the bulk power systems, distribution systems, microgrids, and behind-the-meter customer premises. Feedback will help SETO determine research needs and priorities and develop new research, development, and demonstration initiatives to support rapid solar deployments and the smooth transition to a reliable, secure, resilient, and decarbonized grid of the future. You can submit responses until November 30.
Don't forget to participate in these funding opportunities, prizes, and solicitations:
On October 14, an annual solar eclipse blocked up to 90% of the sun across parts of the United States. With U.S. solar energy generation capacity on the rise to meet the country’s decarbonization goals, solar eclipses could have more of an impact on the power grid than they did in the past. This is one reason why DOE’s investments in grid resilience and reliability are vital to keeping the lights on even when the sun doesn’t shine.
In the past, it hasn’t been easy for rural electric cooperatives and municipal electric utilities to offer community solar to their customers because they often lack the funding or expertise needed to develop community solar cost-effectively while navigating their existing rules and rates. Learn how a SETO-funded project developed several tools and resources that make it easier than ever before for states in the Southeast to make community solar more readily available.
The National Community Solar Partnership (NCSP) recently published a guide that shares high-level best practices, successful strategies, and key resources for providing meaningful benefits to households and communities through community solar. The guide draws from the work of the 2022 Sunny Awards for Equitable Community Solar winners and materials developed during the ‘Building with Benefits: Meaningful Benefits as a Foundation for Equitable Community Solar’ webinar series.
Software tools are an important part of developing community solar projects and there is a range of online (cloud-based) community solar software toolkits, known as software as a service. A new NCSP report provides information about what to consider when choosing a software provider, how to work with the developers who are the primary clients for most platform providers, and how to customize platform tools to meet local needs.
 Community solar platforms provide cloud-based tools and services to support the developer, owner, and stakeholders in a community solar program. Variations in how these relationships work may be affected by policy. Source: SAAS Report
DOE announced the 29 recent graduates and early career energy professionals who have been matched with critical energy organizations as part of the Clean Energy Innovator Fellowship (CEIF). The CEIF program helps advance clean energy solutions while providing fellows with training and professional development opportunities that will help kickstart their careers.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has released its annual cost breakdown of installed solar PV and battery storage systems. The report reflects price data from the first quarter of 2023. Read about the impacts of manufacturing credits, changes in costs for community solar, and a new cost model.
October 30 – November 3 | Washington, D.C. and hybrid
SETO is participating in DOE’s Justice Week 2023, a five-day hybrid event dedicated to empowering each other to move toward a more equitable, clean, and just energy future.
October 31 – November 1 | Alexandria, VA
Join SETO for this two-day, in-person workshop on the solar applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Learn more and register.
Learn more about SETO or DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
Â
|
