The Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) accelerates the advancement and deployment of solar technology in support of an equitable transition to a decarbonized economy. Learn more about the office's work at our events and webinars.
Learn how the Inflation Reduction Act could help you save on solar and review our federal solar tax credit resources.
Solar Energy Technologies Office Newsletter
News and Success Stories
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March 24, 2023
DOE expansion of its SolSmart program to support and recognize local governments across the country who are taking steps to reduce barriers to solar energy access
March 9, 2023
DOE has issued a request for information on the technology needs and cost targets for renewable fuels produced using solar-thermal energy and thermal energy storage.
February 17, 2023
DOE celebrates the groundbreaking of its Generation 3 concentrating solar-thermal pilot facility at Sandia National Laboratories
February 14, 2023
SETO and VTO released the summary of responses to the Challenges and Opportunities for Vehicle-Integrated Photovoltaics request for information.
February 6, 2023
Fellowship funds energy professionals to help regional organizations make community solar more accessible.
January 31, 2023
DOE announced that 45 teams from 39 schools are advancing as finalists in the Solar District Cup Class of 2023.
January 26, 2023
Operant Networks developed a networking technology that strengthens cybersecurity for clean energy resources on the grid
January 19, 2023
DOE’s Community Power Accelerator™ Will Help Create Pipeline of Projects Ready for Financing, Award-Winning Projects Demonstrate Best Practices in Community Solar
December 8, 2022
Coast to Coast Agrivoltaic Research Projects Will Enhance Economic Opportunities for Farmers and Reduce Barriers to Solar Energy Adoption in Rural Communities
December 1, 2022
It used to take weeks to get a permit to install rooftop solar panels. Now permit approval is instant, benefitting consumers, contractors, and local governments that adopt the tool that speeds up the process.
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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Solar workforce development includes online training, on-the-job training, curriculum development, and other activities that prepare people for solar.
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Despite unprecedented solar deployment, many Americans still lack access to affordable solar electricity. SETO funds research to improve solar access for all.
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Every day, Americans are making the choice to power their lives with solar energy. SETO is connecting the dots for you, demonstrating how solar energy investments accrue over years to benefit individuals, communities, and the nation.
Solar Energy Basics
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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As millions of Americans decide to power their homes with solar energy and take advantage of its numerous benefits, consumers should be on the lookout for warning signs of scams.
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Breaking Barriers to Community Solar Development with the Community Power Accelerator ™ Learning Lab
The new community solar training program is designed to provide solar developers with critical resources and know-how to help them launch new equity-focused community solar projects.
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The amount of solar connected to the grid has grown exponentially in the past several years, and with all of this interest and so much information available, let’s take a moment to highlight their benefits.
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SETO is Connecting the Dots on Solar Energy: making connections between solar energy investments and their enduring, long-term benefits and offer a resource hub so that the public can learn about how solar will positively impact our country's future.
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The Midwest Renewable Energy Association developed programs to grow Wisconsin’s solar workforce capacity and replicated their successful programs in surrounding states.
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Ceramic particles may be the key to making concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP) plants more efficient.
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DOE launched the SolarAPP+ Prize to encourage local governments to adopt SolarAPP+ and ease the permitting process for residential solar.
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The Climate Access Fund is developing innovative, mission-driven solutions to provide affordable solar energy to historically underserved communities in Maryland.
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The giant mirrors used in concentrating solar-thermal power, known as heliostats, are often the most expensive parts of a CSP plant. The possibilities to innovate on heliostats and help reduce costs are endless.
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Solar energy can play an important role in increasing the resilience of the nation’s grid and the communities served by the grid.
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