In celebration of Earth day, the DOE announced today that it will invest over $200 million to the development of solar and water power technologies.
“Expanding the U.S. clean-energy manufacturing base is an important part of the Administration’s goals to diversify electricity supply options, increase national security, and accelerate green jobs development,” says Secretary Steven Chu. “These investments will help strengthen American competitiveness in renewable energy and transform the U.S. into a lasting manufacturing presence in the 21st century clean-energy economy.”
- Photovoltaic Manufacturing Initiative – up to $125 million over five years. Funding will be available for applicants in two topic areas: University-Focused Development and Industry-Focused Development. This funding opportunity requires that each applicant organization submit a concept paper in addition to standard application materials. Concept papers are due June 3, 2010, with full applications due in early August.
- Photovoltaic Supply Chain Development – up to $40 million over three years. The DOE is seeking projects focused on component and manufacturing technologies that show a strong potential to impact a substantial segment of the photovoltaic industry within two to five years. Examples include engineering lower cost coating materials, electrical components to improve performance, processes that reduce manufacturing waste, or equipment that dramatically improves manufacturing or installation speed. The Department plans to select both large and small companies that can quickly develop new photovoltaic supply chain solutions. The Department anticipates that approximately $10-$15 million annually will be available to fund these PV supply chain projects. Applications are due July 2, 2010.
- National Administrator of the Solar Instructor Training Network – up to $4.5 million over five years. This funding opportunity will select a National Administrator that will act as a central coordinating body for the Training Network. The National Administrator will manage the collaboration of the Training Network members, disseminating their products and conducting other outreach efforts such as providing recommendations for the adoption of best practices. Applications are due June 15, 2010.
For more information on these Funding Opportunity Announcements, please visit the Solar Energy Technologies Program’s Financial Opportunities.
The water power funding opportunity includes the following:
- Marine and Hydrokinetic Technologies – up to $39 million over four years. This funding opportunity seeks to leverage private-sector investment in MHK technologies by providing cost-shared funding to industry and industry-led partnerships in order to advance the technological and operational readiness of MHK systems and components. The goal is to effectively transition leading MHK system and component designs toward commercialization. Applications are due June 7, 2010.