**Selections for this funding program were announced on October 13, 2021. View a list of the solar projects.**
Offices: Building Technologies Office, Solar Energy Technologies Office, Vehicle Technologies Office, Office of Electricity
Funding Number: DE-FOA-0002206
Funding Amount: Up to $65 million
Description
On October 13, 2020, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced up to $65 million in funding through its Connected Communities funding opportunity announcement (FOA) to expand DOE’s network of grid-interactive efficient building communities nationwide.
The Connected Communities funding program will select projects that will demonstrate how groups of buildings combined with other types of distributed energy resources (DERs), such as electric vehicle (EV) charging and photovoltaic (PV) generation, can reliably and cost‐effectively serve as grid assets by strategically deploying efficiency and demand flexibility. It is a collaborative effort across three Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) offices—the Solar Energy Technologies Office, Vehicle Technologies Office, and Building Technologies Office—and the Office of Electricity.
DOE expects to make up to $65 million of federal funding available for new awards under this FOA, subject to the availability of appropriated funds. EERE anticipates making approximately 6-8 awards under this FOA. EERE may issue one, multiple, or no awards. Individual awards may vary between $3 million and $7 million, but DOE reserves the right to adjust these amounts depending on the applications submitted.
Key Dates
| FOA Issue Date: | October 13, 2020 |
| Informational Webinar: | November 10, 2020 |
| Submission Deadline for Concept Papers: | March 3, 2021, 5:00 p.m. ET |
| Submission Deadline for Full Applications: | March 17, 2021, 5:00 p.m. ET |
| Expected Submission Deadline for Replies to Reviewer Comments: | May 18, 2021, 5:00 p.m. ET |
| Expected Date for EERE Selection Notifications: | July 15, 2021 |
| Expected Timeframe for Award Negotiations: | September 30, 2021 |
Additional Information
Download the full funding opportunity on the EERE Exchange website.
Learn how to apply for a funding opportunity.
Read the DOE press release about this funding opportunity announcement.
For FOA-specific support, contact CCPilotsFOA@ee.doe.gov.
Sign up for our newsletter to stay current with the latest SETO news.