Author: US DOE Staff Published: 4/19/2023 Solar Snapshot
Solar Energy Technologies Office
What’s Inside: Solar Snapshot, the newsletter of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO), shares recent announcements; upcoming events; connect the dots on solar energy campaign resources; and more.
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Estimated read time: 4 minutes, 7 seconds
What’s New?
New Funding for Novel Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power (CSP) and Photovoltaic (PV) Technology
SETO just announced its Small Innovative Projects in Solar 2023 funding opportunity, a $6.5 million program for seedling research and development projects that focus on innovative and novel ideas in PV and CSP. Diverse teams from universities, federally funded research and development centers, nonprofits, community-based organizations, state agencies, local governments, and solar developers are encouraged to apply by June 1.
Two Finalists Advance to the Perovskite Startup Prize’s Liftoff Contest
The final Countdown Contest in the Perovskite Startup Prize has concluded, and two teams were just named finalists! American Perovskites and Perotech Energy were awarded $200,000 each for their novel, cost-effective technologies that will help accelerate the growth of the U.S. perovskite industry. They join four other finalists in the Liftoff Contest, where they will be asked to demonstrate substantial progress and validation of their technology and develop a network of mentors and partners
Upcoming Deadlines
Don’t forget to participate in these funding opportunities, prizes, and solicitations:
- Clean Energy Innovator Fellowship Host Institutions – State public utility commissions, grid operators, and cooperative and municipal utilities are encouraged to apply by April 27.
- Solarpunk Futures Scholarship Competition – Current undergraduate students are encouraged to enter this competition by April 30.
- Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) Program Peer-Learning Cohorts – Local governments can apply to learn from each other and national lab experts by May 8.
- C2C Program In-Depth Partnerships – Community teams consisting of representatives from local governments, community-based organizations, and electric utilities are encouraged to apply by May 17.
- Energizing Rural Communities Prize – Individuals and organizations can submit applications for Phase 1 until May 24.
Some Light ? Reading
Input Requested on the U.S. Solar Manufacturing Workforce
SETO is seeking information and feedback from industry, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, manufacturers, suppliers, education and training providers, community-based organizations, and workers’ rights organizations on scaling the U.S. solar manufacturing workforce. Submit feedback by June 2.
The Potential of U.S. Agrivoltaics
Agrivoltaics, the co-location of solar energy installations and agriculture beneath or between rows of PV panels, has many potential benefits for the U.S. solar industry, farmers, and communities at large. Learn about the positive potential impacts of agrivoltaics: from creating clean energy jobs to easing land-use conflict.
Products & Publications
- Addressing Regulatory Challenges to Tribal Solar Development – National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
- Queued Up: Characteristics of Power Plants Seeking Transmission Interconnection – Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Upcoming Events
American-Made Earth Day Event
April 25 | 11:30 a.m. ET
The American-Made program is hosting an Earth Day event to celebrate the innovators and entrepreneurs supercharging the clean energy revolution. Hear from key energy industry players, past prize winners sharing their success stories, and prize administrators who will give updates on the latest winner announcements and new prize launches.
Interconnection Innovation e-Xchange (i2X) Meeting Series
April 26 & 27
i2X is hosting a new meeting series, the Solution e-Xchange, to facilitate open dialogue across the U.S. electricity ecosystem on important interconnection issues. Join the upcoming sessions:
- How to Determine Hosting Capacity on the Bulk Electric System | April 26 at 3 p.m. ET
- Distributed Energy Resources Grid Readiness and Network Upgrades | April 27 at 2 p.m. ET
Systems Integration Webinar Series 2023
April 26 | 4 p.m. ET
SETO’s Systems Integration team is hosting a monthly webinar series. Register for their next webinar, titled, ‘Secure Monitoring and Control of Solar Power Distribution System Through Dynamic Watermarking.’
Solar District Cup Project Pitch Championship
May 1 | 2 p.m. ET
Student teams in the Solar District Cup Collegiate Design Competition Class of 2022-2023 have been working hard on their designs to meet the solar-plus-storage needs of campus, tribal, and suburban mixed-use districts. The winning team for each division will compete in a head-to-head pitch championship. Register for this energetic virtual event and vote on your favorite team to win.
Webinar: AgriSolar Ownership, Lease, and Land Planning
May 4 | 1 p.m. ET
Join the AgriSolar Clearinghouse for a webinar series on agrivoltaics, the co-location of solar and agriculture on the same land. Additional webinars are scheduled in the coming months.
Power Electronics Grid Interface (PEGI) Industry Workshop
May 24-25 | Golden, CO
Join NREL for an in-person workshop and demonstration of the new PEGI Platform, which allows vendor technologies to plug into megawatts of grid infrastructure. Register by April 20.
Continuing Education Course: Community Solar Program and Subscription Design
May 23-24 | 12 p.m.ET
Learn and discuss the various elements of community solar program design, as well as ownership options relevant to municipal utilities in this new continuing education course presented in partnership with the American Public Power Association and NREL
Connect the Dots on Solar Energy
SETO is connecting the dots on solar innovation. Check out some of the SETO-funded innovations that benefit consumers, communities, and the solar industry:
- PV System Design and Energy Yield
- Solar-Plus-Storage 101
- Researchers Illuminate Solar Panel Wear and Tear to Improve Longevity
- Sun Number Partnership with Zillow Brings Solar Potential Scores to Millions of Americans
Follow along with our Connect the Dots content on social media and join the conversation using the hashtag #ConnectSolar
Learn more about SETO or DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
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