Sec. 3. Solar energy technology demonstration projects
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In carrying out the program established under section 2(a), the Secretary shall award grants on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis to eligible entities for demonstration projects to advance the development of solar energy technologies and systems production. In awarding grants under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give priority to projects that— are located in geographically diverse regions of the United States; can be replicated in a variety of regions and climates; demonstrate technologies that address intermittency, variability, storage challenges, behind-the-meter operations, and independent operational capability; coordinate solar technologies with other distributed and large-scale energy resources; facilitate identification of optimum approaches among competing solar energy technologies; include business commercialization plans that have the potential for production of solar energy equipment at high volumes; support the development of advanced manufacturing technologies that have the potential to improve United States competitiveness in the international solar energy manufacturing sector; provide the greatest potential to reduce energy costs, as well as promote accessibility and community implementation of demonstrated technologies, for consumers; increase disclosure and transparency of information to all market participants to help in making optimal decisions; promote overall electric infrastructure reliability and resilience should grid functions be disrupted or damaged; promote solar energy in low-income communities and those disproportionately burdened by environmental pollution; and satisfy any other criteria that the Secretary determines appropriate.
Grants under this section may be used, to the extent that funding is not otherwise available through other Federal programs or power purchase agreements, for— any necessary site engineering study; an economic assessment of site-specific conditions; appropriate feasibility studies to determine whether the demonstration can be replicated; installation of equipment, service, and support; operation for at least the minimum amount of time required to fully assess the project’s results and objectives, as determined by a peer-reviewed process; and validation of technical, economic, and environmental assumptions and documentation of lessons learned.
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall conduct a national solicitation for applications for grants under this section.