Key Dates:   Applications Due: July 30, 2009; 11:59 p.m. EST
Anticipated Award Announcment: August 2009

Program Information: The mission of the Department of Energy's (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Program (SETP) is to conduct research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D) activities to accelerate widespread commercialization of clean solar energy technologies across America, diversifying the nation's electricity supply options while increasing national security and improving the environment.  Photovoltaics (PV) are one of four RDD&D program areas within SETP.

Grant Information: This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) only addresses the impacts from PV-sourced solar electricity.  As solar electricity continues to gain its share in the U.S. electricity generation mix, it becomes increasingly important to better understand the effects of high-penetration solar electricity on the reliability and stability of the electric power system.  The objectives of this grant are to:
 
1) develop the needed modeling tools and database of experience with high penetration scenarios of PV on a distribution system,

2) develop monitoring, control and integration systems to enable cost-effective widespread deployment of small modular PV systems, and

3) demonstrate the integration of PV and energy storage into Smart Grid applications.  This will accelerate the placement of high levels of PV penetration into existing or newly designed distribution circuits.

The achievement of these goals will facilitate increased growth of grid-tied PV installations, thus supporting the SETP's mission to accelerate widespread commercialization of clean solar energy technologies in the United States.

For More Information: A full grant description and application can be found through www.fedconnect.net, search Funding Opportunity Number: DE-FOA-0000085.