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.
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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