Unlock $20.9M for Solar Innovation & State Energy Strategies

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) intends to issue, on behalf of the Solar Energy Technologies Office, a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) entitled “Solar Energy Evolution and Diffusion Studies II – State Energy Strategies.” EERE will issue a Funding Opportunity Announcement for approximately $20.9 million to cover two distinct topics. “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 inhibit 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 that look to develop and implement strategies to: determine or expand renewable energy targets, maximize emissions reductions, hedge against fuel price volatility, create jobs, expand energy access, and increase grid resiliency, etc. EERE plans to issue a FOA in February, 2016 via the EERE Exchange website https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/. If Applicants wish to receive official notifications and information from EERE regarding this FOA, they should register in EERE Exchange. When the FOA is released, applications will be accepted only through EERE Exchange.