The Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) funds research and development in three technology areas: photovoltaics (PV), concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP), and systems integration with the goal of improving the affordability, reliability, and domestic benefit of solar technologies on the grid. Learn more about the office's work at our next stakeholder webinar.
Solar Energy Technologies Office Newsletter
Solar Energy Basics
Research Areas
The Solar office supports development of low-cost, high-efficiency photovoltaic (PV) technologies to make solar power more accessible.
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SETO supports CSP research and development to improve the performance, reduce the cost, and improve the lifetime and reliability of CSP technologies.
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Systems integration research in SETO helps advance the reliable, resilient, secure, and affordable integration of solar energy onto the nation's grid.
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Soft costs research in SETO addresses challenges associated with non-hardware cost components of a solar energy system.
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SETO supports solar manufacturing and competitiveness R&D to develop pathways to commercialization for disruptive innovation in the solar industry.
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The Solar Energy Technologies Office partners with the national labs and its researchers to develop innovations that lower the costs of solar energy.
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News and Success Stories
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June 10, 2021
The U.S. Department of Energy announced $5 million for the American-Made Solar Prize Round 5, and announced a new tool that connects innovators.
May 19, 2021
The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office issued a request for information to gather stakeholder input on sustainable, cost-effective end-of-life practices for photovoltaic (PV) systems.
May 12, 2021
SETO’s Multi-Year Program Plan features 16 specific goals spanning the office’s five research areas: photovoltaics (PV), concentrating solar-thermal power, systems integration, soft cost reduction, and manufacturing and competitiveness.
May 4, 2021
New efforts include $15.5 million to tackle barriers to solar deployment, increased focus on expanding clean energy access to low- and moderate-income communities and fostering a diverse solar workforce,
Learn more about active and inactive SETO-funded projects at national laboratories, state and local governments, universities, nonprofit organizations, and private companies in the solar energy research database.
Blog Posts
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Learn about the roadmap to use renewable energy to jump-start the grid by using an essential piece of connection equipment known as an inverter.
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Learn how Energy Materials Corporation (EMC) has been developing a low-cost process to manufacture perovskite photovoltaic (PV) modules.
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The Department of Energy is committed to supporting and empowering American workers, especially servicemembers separating from active duty.
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What happens to the electricity in your home during a power outage when you have rooftop solar panels installed?
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