Solar Snapshot: 🎇 Projects Selected for Renewable Energy Siting and Permitting; Funding for Concentrating Solar Technologies

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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 announcements; deadlines; upcoming events; and more.

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Reach out to us at solar@ee.doe.gov with any inquiries or suggestions.

Estimated read time: 3 minutes, 48 seconds


What's New?

New Funding for Concentrating Solar Technologies for Heat and Power Applications

DOE issued a $30 million funding opportunity for research, development, and demonstration projects to advance concentrating solar-thermal technologies. The areas of focus include solar collectors, supercritical carbon dioxide-based power cycles, and solar receivers and reactors. Interested applicants should submit mandatory concept papers by May 16.

FY24 CSP FOA

Six Projects to Improve Siting and Permitting for Large-Scale Renewable Energy and Energy Storage

DOE announced up to $22 million to improve planning, siting, and permitting processes for large-scale renewable energy facilities. Six state-based collaboratives will receive $10 million through the Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP) program to develop and expand statewide initiatives that provide expertise, trainings, and technical resources to local governments and communities as they plan for and evaluate large-scale renewable energy and energy storage projects. DOE also announced $12 million from the Inflation Reduction Act will fund round two of the program.


Upcoming Deadlines

Don't forget to participate in these funding opportunities, prizes, and solicitations:

Solar Photo competition

Some Light 🌞 Reading

Seeking Projects to Support Accelerating CdTe Technology

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has issued a new request for proposals for projects in support of the Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) Accelerator Consortium, which seeks to accelerate the development of CdTe technologies by lowering the cost and increasing the efficiency of the thin-film solar cells. Submit your project proposal by April 29.

Nextracker and NREL Partnership Inspires New Look at PV Tracker Industry Design Standards

Learn how an interaction at the 2020 Durable Module Materials Consortium workshop led to a partnership between NREL and a major U.S. photovoltaics (PV) tracker supplier, Nextracker. The two are working together to test and improve their products in high-wind conditions, boosting energy system resiliency.

Teams Win $100,000 Each to Support Clean Energy Innovation for Underserved Communities 

Congratulations to the 23 winning teams in the CONCEPT Phase of the American-Made Community Energy Innovation Prize. Each winning team has been awarded $100,000 through the prize’s Manufacturing Ecosystem Track or Clean Energy Ecosystem Track. See how these teams will get support and strengthen relationships in their local communities to advance the clean energy transition on the HeroX website.

Peer-Learning Cohort on Agrivoltaics Open for Applications

DOE’s Clean Energy to Communities program is now accepting applications for a peer-learning cohort focused on implementing agrivoltaics projects. This cohort will support community-based organizations, local nonprofit organizations, and Tribes in navigating the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing successful agrivoltaics projects. The application is open until April 30 and the peer-learning cohorts will start in July.


Products & Publications


Upcoming Events

Total Solar Eclipse Impact on the U.S. Power System – Livestream

April 8 | 1:30-4 p.m. ET
NREL is demonstrating the real-time impacts of the eclipse on the three main power grids in a live Zoom event. Join directly at: https://nrel.zoomgov.com/j/1613941597

Webinar: Clean Energy Connector: How States Can Provide Community Solar to Low-Income Communities

April 10 | 12 p.m. ET
States interested in piloting the Clean Energy Connector can find out how to get involved. 

Webinar: National Community Solar Partnership Annual Update

April 25 | 3-4 p.m. ET
The National Community Solar Partnership is hosting a webinar to share progress on the partnership’s activities and key metrics on its impact. The team will also discuss ways to get involved in the partnership’s projects and activities.

Solar District Cup Class of 2024 Pitch Championship

April 29 | 2-3:15 p.m. ET | Virtual
Student teams in the Solar District Cup Collegiate Design Competition have been working on their big ideas to meet the solar or solar+storage energy needs of college campus mixed-use districts. Watch the division winners pitch their solar proposals in a live virtual event and see who the panel of industry judges crowns the Pitch Champion.


In Case You Missed It

Webinar Materials: Virtual Tutorial Series: Open-source Tools & Open-access Solar Data


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

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