The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office supports early-stage research and development to improve the affordability, reliability, and performance of solar technologies on the grid. Learn more.
News
Innovators Selected to Advance in Competition Designed to Boost Solar Manufacturing
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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
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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
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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
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IEEE 1547-2018 will help utilities better communicate with distributed energy resources, like solar, on the grid.
EERE Success Story—Small Wonder: New Converter and Wiring Setup Can Improve Photovoltaic Module Performance
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eIQ Energy’s power electronics device enables modules to work independently while increasing power output.
The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Announces $20 Million Available for Small Business Innovation Research and Technolog...
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EERE expects to fund more than 100 new projects, totaling approximately $20 million
EERE Success Story—Inspector Gadget: New Device Can Spot Defects in Photovoltaic Modules
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Startup Tau Science’s scanner shows signs of module damage and keeps repair crews safe.
EERE Success Story—X Marks the Spot: Solar Site Design Goes High Tech
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Utility-scale solar plants can power thousands of homes but finding an ideal location for them isn’t easy.
Department of Energy Announces $53 Million in New Projects to Advance Solar Technologies
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The projects announced today span across 21 states, help lower solar electricity costs and support a growing solar workforce.
Department of Energy Announces $46 Million to Improve Resiliency of Solar Generation
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DOE announced $46 million in funding to advance solutions that provide grid operators mitigation strategies against cyber and physical threats.
Blog Posts
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.
Concentrating Solar Power Could Provide the Flexibility and Reliability the U.S. Electric Grid Needs
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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
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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
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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
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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?
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