Description
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program encourages U.S.-based small businesses to engage in high-risk, innovative research and technology development with the potential for future commercialization. The program is managed by the Energy Department’s Office of Science and awards projects in technology areas across the entire department. It is part of the larger SBIR program across the federal government, which is administered by the Small Business Administration.
SBIR/STTR is an ongoing funding program. Topic 12 in the Fiscal Year 2018 Phase 1 Release 2 covers solar energy technologies and has four specific subtopics:
- 12a: Devices and Methods for De-Energizing a Photovoltaic System
- 12b: Cybersecurity for Solar Energy Devices
- 12c: Peer-to-Peer Energy Transactions
- 12d: Research in Autonomous and Augmented Systems to Reduce Solar Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE)
Read full descriptions for all of the solar topics within this release of SBIR/STTR here.
| FOA Issue Date: | November 27, 2017 |
| Informational Webinar: | Click here for a recording of the webinar |
| Deadline for Mandatory Letter of Intent: | January 8, 2018 |
| Deadline for Full Applications: | February 26, 2018 |
| Expected Date for Selection Notifications: | May 21, 2018 |
Additional Information
Download the full funding opportunity announcement here (PDF), which contains application instructions
Learn more about all of the topics for FY 2018 Phase 1 Release 2
Read the press release about this funding opportunity announcement
For FOA-specific support, contact solar.sbir@ee.doe.gov
See more funding opportunities from SETO and sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date with the latest news.
Frequently Asked Questions
Those technologies are not relevant to Topic 12. However, this does not constitute a final determination (which will be made based on all the info provided in the letter of intent). The decision of submitting a letter of intent remains on the applicant.
Yes, that is acceptable. However, it should be clearly demonstrated that simulated solar devices have similar communication features as actual devices.
Yes, that would be considered relevant to the subtopic, as long as it is clear how the new components can be integrated into existing platforms.
Yes, that would be considered relevant to the subtopic.
Based on the information provided in the question, that type of project does not appear to be relevant to the subtopic. However, this does not constitute a final determination (which will be made based on all the info provided in the letter of intent). The decision of submitting a letter of intent remains on the applicant.
Yes, it does.
Yes, that would be considered respondent to the subtopic, as long as it clearly addresses the challenges and metrics discussed in the subtopic language.
The proposed research project does not need to address all the issues listed in the subtopic language. However, the application should clearly discuss the impact of the proposed technology against those metrics, and whether the other issues cannot be addressed or could be addressed in a future development of the project.
DOE does not provide support with stakeholder engagement during the application and review process. It is the applicant’s responsibility to build up the necessary connections and form a strong team to successfully execute the proposed research project.
No, the goal of this topic is not to further develop VOLTTRON, although applications leveraging VOLTTRON functionalities are welcome. The research project can build upon any existing technology platform. Please clearly discuss in the application the state of the art and how the proposed research project will advance it.
The focus of subtopic 12c is on peer-to-peer transactions. Any solution within this kind of transactions will be relevant to the subtopic.
Yes, that would be considered relevant to the subtopic.
Yes, that would be acceptable, as long as the proposed solution addresses all the metrics stated in the subtopic and the application clearly explains the advantages and innovation provided by this solution compared to the state of the art.
Yes, field testing with pilot clients is acceptable. However, given the small budget available for a Phase I project, that would not be required. A clear path to conduct field testing in a Phase II of the project, if awarded, is encouraged.
Based on the information provided in the question, the project does not appear to be relevant to topic 12d. However, this does not constitute a final determination (which will be made based on all the info provided in the letter of intent). The decision of submitting a letter of intent remains on the applicant.
Based on the information provided in the question, a project focused on solar-based heating systems could be of interest. However, we recommend reading the subtopic description, especially the technical and cost metrics that DOE expects all projects will meet.
Current installation costs vary between residential and utility scale installations, but they are always a relatively large percentage of the total cost. We are looking for significant decreases in that section of the overall price tag.
Yes, technologies to automate roofs as well as ground-mounted systems will be considered.
The focus of this subtopic is automation of the installation process. New approaches to the photovoltaic technologies are not relevant to this subtopic.
Yes, as long as the soft cost reduction is related to the installation procedures and achieved to automation of processes.
The language of this subtopic is quite broad because we do not have any specific preferred technology. Human augmented technologies applied to the installation process would be considered respondent to the subtopic.
Yes, if that implies substantial improvement of the installation processes compared to the current state of the art. Automation of siting processes/project management/workflow with no impact on installation procedures and costs would not be of interest within this subtopic.