Sec. 2. Solar energy technology program

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The Secretary shall carry out a solar energy program to conduct research, development, testing, and evaluation of solar energy technologies. In carrying out such program, the Secretary shall, in accordance with subsection (b), award grants and enter into contracts and cooperative agreements under this section, and sections 3, 4, and 5 for each of the following purposes: To improve the energy efficiency, reliability, resilience, security, and capacity of solar energy generation.

To optimize the design and adaptability of solar energy systems to the broadest practical range of geographic and atmospheric conditions. To reduce the cost of manufacturing, installation, operation, and maintenance of solar energy systems. To create and improve conversion of solar energy to useful forms. In carrying out the program established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall award grants on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis to eligible entities for projects that the Secretary determines would best achieve the goals of the program.

In carrying out the program established under subsection (a), the Secretary may enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with eligible entities and Federal agencies for projects that the Secretary determines would further the purposes of the program. An entity seeking a grant or a contract or agreement under this Act shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. The program established under subsection

(a)shall focus on the research, development, testing, and evaluation of each of the following subject areas: Photovoltaic devices and related electronic components, including converters, sensors, energy monitors, communication and control equipment, and protocols. Concentrated solar power, including solar thermal and concentrating solar photovoltaic technologies. Low cost, high-quality solar energy systems. Low cost, thin-film solar technologies, including the use of perovskite materials in solar cells. Solar heating and cooling systems, including distributed solar-powered air conditioning. Solar technology products that can be easily integrated into new buildings, existing buildings, agricultural and aquatic environments, and other infrastructure. Solar technology that is resilient to extreme weather events. Solar technology products integrated into transportation applications in coordination with vehicle technologies research and development activities supported by the Department of Energy. Storage technologies to address the transience and intermittency of solar energy resources, including batteries, supercapacitors, and thermal storage. Microgrids using solar technology. Solar technologies enabling safe grid operating conditions, such as fast-disconnect during an emergency. Distributed solar energy technologies, such as rooftop solar panels. Technologies and designs that enable a broad range of scales for solar power production. Advanced solar manufacturing technologies and best practices, including— materials and processes; development of industry standards; design and integration practices; and optimized packaging methods and new device designs. Advanced analytic and computing capabilities for better modeling and simulations of solar energy systems. Electrical grid integration, including— integration of solar technologies into smart grid, transmission, and distribution; coordination of solar with other distributed and large-scale energy resources; electrical power smoothing; microgrid integration; community solar; solar resource forecasting; regional and national electric system balancing and long distance transmission options, including direct current and superconducting transmission and long-term storage options; ways to address system operations over minutes, hours, days, weeks, and seasons with respect to the full range of project scales; and electric grid security, including cyber and physical security. Non-hardware and information-based advances in solar energy system design, installation, and operation. Solar energy technology as a part of strategies commonly referred to as behind-the-meter strategies , including with respect to electricity generation, load, energy efficiency, controls, storage, and electric vehicles. Methods to reduce the total volume of water used in the manufacture, construction, operation, and maintenance of solar energy technologies. Next generation demonstration facilities. Other subject areas determined by the Secretary. In carrying out the program established under subsection (a), the Secretary may also conduct, for purposes of supporting technical, non-hardware, and information-based advances in solar energy systems development and operations, including activities expanding access to solar energy for low-income individuals and communities— technical assistance and analysis activities with eligible entities; and workforce development and training activities, including activities that support the dissemination of standards and best practices for enabling solar power production. The program established under subsection

(a)shall address near-term (up to 2 years), mid-term (up to 7 years), and long-term (up to 15 years) challenges to the advancement of solar energy systems. Each entity receiving a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this section shall endeavor, in carrying out activities under such grant, contract, or cooperative agreement, to incorporate, where appropriate, sustainable and green chemistry and engineering principles, practices, and methodologies. In carrying out the activities described in subsection (c), the program established under subsection

(a)shall support wildlife impact mitigation technologies and strategies, including the use of distributed solar technologies, to reduce the potential negative impacts of solar energy systems on wildlife, including bird species and local flora and fauna. In awarding grants and entering into contracts and cooperative agreements under this Act, the Secretary shall steward relevant capabilities and programs of the National Laboratories. The following provisions of law are hereby repealed: The Solar Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1974 ( 42 U.S.C. 5551 et seq.), except for section 10. The Solar Photovoltaic Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1978 ( 42 U.S.C. 5581 et seq.). Paragraphs

(2)and

(3)of section 4(a) of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology Competitiveness Act of 1989 ( 42 U.S.C. 12003(a) ). Subparagraph

(A)of section 931(a)(2) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16231(a)(2) ). Sections 606 and 607 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 ( 42 U.S.C. 17174 and 17175). In this Act: The term eligible entity means any of the following entities: An institution of higher education. A National Laboratory. A Federal research agency. A State research agency. A nonprofit research organization. An industrial entity or a multi-institutional consortium thereof. The term institution of higher education has the meaning given such term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 ). The term National Laboratory has the meaning given such term in section 2(3) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 15801(3) ). The term photovoltaic device includes photovoltaic cells and the electronic and electrical components of such devices. The term Secretary means the Secretary of Energy.

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