With intensifying need for sustainable technologies across the energy industry, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has recently announced raising about USD 45 million for a study to develop solar systems and hardware integrations, encompassing the creation of consortium assigned for the development of technologies for rationalized electric grid.

A main motive behind this initiative is to increase solar energy generation by 18% by the end of 2025. In order to realize this, the DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy is currently looking out for new and advanced solutions that can constantly bring large quantities of solar energy onto the grid while ensuring the American-built hardware is used in such installations.

It has been reported that EERE’s Solar Energy Technologies Office F.Y. 2021 Hardware Incubator and Systems Integration funding initiative would develop solar in two broad areas including hardware incubator and systems integration.

According to official sources, considering the area of hardware incubator, DOE is currently planning on developing two innovative projects with potential funding of USD 6 million and USD 8 billion respectively.

The goal of first project (Product Development) is to introduce novel technologies and production processes to the prototype stage while also authenticating a pathway to commercial success. While the second one (Product Development and Demonstration) would allow products or solutions to undergo pilot-scale testing and demonstration.

In addition to this, DOE seeks development of innovative projects in domains of Integrating Behind-the-Meter Solar Resource into Utility Data Systems and Grid-Forming Technologies Research Consortium. It has been claimed that these projects have called in for a funding of USD 6 million and USD 25 million respectively and are likely to lead to an improved PV system visibility and superior reliable and flexible control and operation of the overall power system.

Commenting on this novel initiative and the fundings raised, Secretary of Energy, Dan Brouillette announced that investment in innovative R&D projects is anticipated to help ensure that the technologies being used by the department are helping the U.S economy while firmly distributing reliable power to all the residents.

Source Credit: https://www.energy.gov/articles/energy-department-announces-45-million-funding-solar-technologies