Solar Energy Technologies Office

Finalists Selected in Competition Designed to Accelerate Innovation and Boost Solar Manufacturing

Energy Department Selects Five Winning Teams for Solar in Your Community Challenge Prizes

DOE Announces $130 Million for Early-Stage Solar Research Projects

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What's next for solar?

The Solar Energy Technologies Office supports early-stage research and development in the technology areas of photovoltaics, concentrating solar-thermal power, and systems integration with the goal of improving the affordability, reliability, and performance of solar technologies on the grid. Learn more about the SETO FY2019 Funding Opportunity that will help achieve the office’s goals.

Solar Subprograms

Concentrating Solar Power

Systems Integration

Technology to Market

National Laboratory Research

News

EERE Helps American Small Businesses with $21.6 Million for Phase I Innovation Projects

American small businesses got nearly a $22 million boost from EERE with Phase 1 Release II selections

Energy Department Selects Five Winning Teams for Solar in Your Community Challenge Prizes

DOE announces winners of Solar In Your Community Challenge, a competition aiming to advance affordable solar solutions in underserved communities.

SETO Awardees Gain Special Recognition

SETO extends its appreciation to all of its awardees for their performance and continuing dedication to advancing solar energy technologies.

Department of Energy Announces $130 Million for Early-Stage Solar Research Project

Projects will help to achieve affordable and reliable energy to enhance America’s economic growth and energy security.

Department of Energy Selects $36 Million to Advance Solar Energy Integration

Projects will help advance solar energy’s role in strengthening the resilience of the Nation’s electricity grid.

Department of Energy Launches Round Two of $3 Million Solar Manufacturing Prize

Energy Department launches second round of the American-Made Solar Prize, a $3 million competition designed to revitalize U.S. solar manufacturing.

Innovators Selected to Advance in Competition Designed to Boost Solar Manufacturing

A group of 20 teams will advance to the next stage in the American-Made Solar Prize, a $3 million competition to revitalize U.S. solar manufacturing.

EERE Success Story—Material Mash-Up Could Increase Efficiency of Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power Plants

A new metal composite for heat exchangers could improve energy conversion and cut costs in CSP plants.

DOE Announces $40 Million for Grid Modernization Initiative

Funding will go toward innovations and technologies designed to increase the resilience, reliability and security of an integrated grid.

Revised IEEE 1547 Standard Will Aid Solar Integration

IEEE 1547-2018 will help utilities better communicate with distributed energy resources, like solar, on the grid.

Blog Posts

Solar-Plus-Storage 101

This blog post will explain the terminology around solar-plus-storage, how many solar-plus-storage systems are in the country, and what they cost.

Activating American Solar Movers and Makers

The solar industry is on the move—expanding into new states and creating new business opportunities across the country.

Research Helps Texas Renewables Work Better Together

New NREL research will help ERCOT better manage its solar power and integrate it with the 20 gigawatts of wind capacity already installed in the state

Solar as the Solution: 3 Ways Solar Can Step Up its Grid Services Game

Solar energy provides as much as 15% of generation on the grid in some states, solar energy can provide grid services to maintain system balance.

Extending Solar Energy System Lifetime with Power Electronics

Power electronics are essential to the safe and efficient operation of solar PV systems, serving as a critical gateway between solar and the grid.

Ask a Scientist - Dr. Sarah Kurtz

In this new blog series, we ask Energy Department researchers about their life as scientists working with energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Concentrating Solar Power Could Provide the Flexibility and Reliability the U.S. Electric Grid Needs

Developments in concentrating solar thermal power could improve grid flexibility by unlocking new choices to better meet grid operator needs.

Confronting the Duck Curve: How to Address Over-Generation of Solar Energy

Energy Department research is taming the duck curve by helping utilities better balance energy supply and demand on the grid.

New Solar Collector Tech Could Lower Costs for Concentrating Solar Power

For the first time ever, ganged heliostats could be a viable option for new concentrating solar power systems.

Step by Step: How SunShot Influences the “Going Solar” Process

Should I make the leap to solar energy? Is my home suitable for solar? Does it make financial sense to go solar? Who should I go to for installation?

Solar Projects Map

Want to know where the Solar Energy Technologies Office funds solar energy projects in the United States? Check out the Solar Projects Map to sort through all current projects, and visit the Funding Opportunities webpage to apply for research and development funding.

Quick Links

Success Stories

Solar Energy Technology Basics

Solar Energy Glossary

Homeowner’s Guide to Going Solar

Farmer's Guide to Going Solar

Community and Shared Solar

Solar Powering America

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