The Solar Energy Technologies Office funds early-stage research and development in three technology areas: photovoltaics (PV), concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP), and systems integration with the goal of improving the affordability, performance, and value of solar technologies on the grid. Learn about the office’s latest work in the next quarterly stakeholder webinar to be held on April 23, 2020.
News
New Solar Energy Innovation Network Teams Announced
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DOE selects 8 teams for the Solar Energy Innovation Network, a program supporting solar energy adoption in rural areas and at the commercial scale.
EERE Success Story — “Solar in Your Community Challenge” Brings Solar—and Savings—to More Americans
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“Solar in Your Community Challenge” Brings Solar—and Savings—to More Americans
DOE Announces 20 New Competitors for the American-Made Solar Prize
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DOE announces 20 competitors will advance to next phase of American-Made Solar Prize, a competition designed to strengthen U.S. solar manufacturing.
DOE Announces $125.5 Million in New Funding for Solar Technologies
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DOE continues to advance research and development of solar technologies.
Solar Energy Technologies Office Announces New Job Opening
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The Solar Energy Technologies Office is hiring a program manager for the strategic analysis and institutional support team.
Department of Energy Announces $128 Million in New Projects to Advance Solar Technologies
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Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced selections for $128 million in new projects to advance solar technologies.
EERE Success Story—Spreading Sunshine: SolSmart Recognizes 300th Community for Going Solar
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In October 2019, the city of Anchorage became the 300th community in the United States to receive a SolSmart designation.
United States to Host 2020 SolarPACES Conference
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Albuquerque, New Mexico, Chosen for International Concentrating Solar Power Conference.
U.S. Department of Energy Announces Winners of Solar Prize and Two New Innovative Solar Initiatives
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DOE announced the winners of the American-Made Solar Prize Round 1, a $3 million competition designed to revitalize U.S. solar manufacturing.
Department of Energy Selects National Alliance for Water Innovation to Lead Energy-Water Desalination Hub
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Hub will focus on early-stage research and development (R&D) for energy-efficient and cost-competitive desalination technologies.
Blog Posts
American-Made Network: Launching Innovations
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One of the ways the Energy Department is driving innovation in the solar technologies is through prizes such as the American-Made Challenges.
PV Cells 101, Part 2: Solar Photovoltaic Cell Research Directions
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Part 2 of the PV Cells 101 primer, exploring new materials and cell designs that can improve conversion and performance.
PV Cells 101: A Primer on the Solar Photovoltaic Cell
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Part 1 of the PV Cells 101 primer explains how a solar cell turns sunlight into electricity and why silicon is the semiconductor that usually does it.
New Solar Design Competition Announced: Solar District Cup
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Universities and community colleges can join the inaugural DOE Solar District Cup, to re-imagine how solar energy is generated, managed, and used.
Solar-Plus-Storage 101
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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In this new blog series, we ask Energy Department researchers about their life as scientists working with energy efficiency and renewable energy.
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