DOE Opens $38M for Fiscal Year 2024 Solar Energy Supply Chain Incubator
Submission deadline for full application is 5pm (EST), October 7, 2024
Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity (this program is accepting applications)
Opportunity: FY 2024 Solar Energy Supply Chain Incubator
Overview and Eligible Uses:
The FY 2024 Solar Energy Supply Chain Incubator FOA funds research, development, and demonstration activities that drive innovation in clean energy technologies. This funding opportunity aims to advance solar hardware, software, and manufacturing processes from lab-scale research to pilot-scale testing and prototype demonstration, promoting environmental justice and clean energy job creation.
Topic Area 1 focuses on advancing solar technologies from proof-of-concept to manufacturing-relevant prototypes, targeting U.S.-based companies with technologies at TRL 3 to 5. The goal is to reduce technical and business risks through lab-based prototyping, feasibility testing, and demonstration tasks like pilot-scale manufacturing and field testing.
Topic Area 2 funds pilot-scale demonstrations for U.S.-based companies or start-ups to advance solar prototypes to at least TRL 7. Projects should focus on demonstrating solar components, software, or manufacturing processes at a commercially relevant scale, with a strong emphasis on domestic manufacturing and robust field testing.
Topic Area 3 funds U.S.-based nonprofits, companies, or startups to expand, educate, or develop solar permitting software that automates code compliance for rooftop solar PV systems. The goal is to streamline permitting, reduce costs, and increase adoption among local governments.
Amount: DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) provides a total amount of $38 million with approximately 11-23 awards, ranging from $1 million to $ 5 million.
Topic Area 1: Solar Research and Technology Development
5 – 10 awards ranging from $1 million to $2 million with total amount of $10 million for projects with 18 to 24 months performance period.
Topic Area 2: Solar Technology Demonstration
5 – 10 awards ranging from $1 million to $2 million with total amount of $23 million for projects with 18 to 36 months performance period.
Topic Area 3: Solar permitting Software Outreach, Education, and Development
1-3 awards ranging from $1 million to $5 million with total amount of $5 million for projects with 24 to 36 months performance period.
Award Type: Cooperative Agreements
Eligible Applicants: The prime recipient must be a domestic, for-profit entity, performing over 50% of the project work based on total project costs.
Eligible Subrecipients include:
Institutions of higher education
For-profit entities
Nonprofit entities
State and local governments, federally recognized Indian Tribes
DOE/NNSA FFRDCs (as subrecipients only)
Non-DOE/NNSA FFRDCs (as subrecipients only)
Federal agencies (as subrecipients only)
Domestic Entity Requirements: Must be organized in the U.S., majority-owned and controlled domestically, and have a physical U.S. presence.
Ineligible Entities:
Entities banned from U.S. government business (e.g., debarred or suspended)
Nonprofits under 501(c)(4) that engaged in lobbying after December 31, 1995
Foreign Entities: May participate as prime or subrecipients only with an approved waiver, which must be requested in the Full Application.
Key Dates: Submission deadline for full application is 5pm (EST), October 7, 2024
Key Links:
Department of Energy Technology Readiness Levels
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