Funding: Up to $7 million

Open Date: 11/15/2011

Close Date: 03/05/2011

Funding Organization: Solar Energy Technologies Program

Funding Number: DE-FOA-0000607

Summary:

DOE is supporting the development of tools and approaches that will reduce balance of system non-hardware costs for solar energy systems. These soft costs—expenses associated with permitting, financing, interconnection, and inspection—can account for approximately half of the total expense of photovoltaic installations.

As part of the SunShot Incubator program, this funding opportunity is designed to help small businesses and entrepreneurs develop data-driven tools, innovative programs, and streamlined processes that will make solar more accessible for Americans. This solicitation builds on the Incubator program’s proven success with photovoltaic technologies to begin targeting market barriers. By addressing all sectors of the solar energy economy, the SunShot Initiative works to reduce the total installed cost of photovoltaic systems.

For more information, see the full solicitation.

Additional Information:

Submission Deadline for Concept Papers: January 16, 2012, 5 p.m. EST

Full Applications Due: March 5, 2012, 5 p.m. EST

More information is available in the DOE press release.