Sec. 2502. Solar energy research and development
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The Secretary shall carry out a solar energy program to conduct research, development, demonstration, and commercial application 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 2503, 2504, and 2505 for each of the following purposes: To improve the energy efficiency, siting, reliability, resilience, security, capacity, and environmental performance 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, maintenance, and decommissioning 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 part shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. With respect to applications under paragraph (3), the Secretary shall give special consideration to applications from minority-serving institutions or a multi-institutional consortium which includes a minority-serving institution.
The program established under subsection
(a)shall focus on the research, development, demonstration, and commercial application 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 and cadmium telluride 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 siting, design, installation, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning. 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. Siting of solar energy on previously disturbed lands, including landfills, former mines, and other areas requiring environmental management. Durable, low-cost solar-powered sensors, equipment, and machinery for off-grid use, with special consideration for agricultural applications, such as solar powered smart agricultural monitoring and irrigation systems. Other subject areas determined by the Secretary. In carrying out the program established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall 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 and disadvantaged 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; and through the use of proven techniques to expand the number of individuals from underrepresented groups pursuing and attaining skills relevant to solar energy. 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 program established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall support wildlife impact mitigation technologies and strategies, including the use of distributed solar technologies, to avoid, minimize, and offset the potential negative impacts of solar energy systems on wildlife, including bird species, habitat, and local flora and fauna. In awarding grants and entering into contracts and cooperative agreements under this part, 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). The table of contents in section 1 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 is amended by striking the items relating to sections 606 and 607.
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- 42 USC 5551
- 42 USC 5581
- 42 USC 17174
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Sec. 2502
Solar energy research and development
Cite42 USC 5551
Cite42 USC 5581
Cite42 USC 17174
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