Hello Solar Enthusiasts,
When venturing into the world of solar, whether it’s deciding to install solar panels for your home or diving deeper into the industry’s innovations, it’s important to stay updated. Information is your best tool in navigation, and that’s why I’m here. Today, we are discussing some exciting updates from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO).
Recently, SETO announced the 2024 Photovoltaics Research and Development program – a new initiative that’s set to be a game-changer. With plans to distribute a whopping $20 million across eight to fifteen teams, this program aims to breathe new life into the ever-evolving landscape of solar technology.
The fund’s usage has two primary focal points: Photovoltaic Advances in Cell Efficiency, Reliability, and Supply Chain, and Building Academic Capabilities in Cadmium Telluride.
The first focus area is all geared towards progressing solar cell and “minimodule” prototypes. The ultimate aim here is to lower the costs of the module and the carbon footprint of manufacturing and supply chains. If successful, the impact on solar companies could be significant, from those that manufacture solar panels for your home to those developing larger solar array for home projects.
SETO is not only looking to traditional formats but also exploring exciting avenues like building-integrated and vehicle-integrated solar systems. Particularly promising are projects that propose low-carbon synthesis of metallurgical-grade silicon and innovative designs for crystalline, III-V, and organic solar photovoltaic cells.
Shifting gears to the second focus area, we find a concentration on Cadmium Telluride technology. Potential advancements in this field could prove to be a windfall for America’s leading solar panel manufacturers. By developing or improving cadmium telluride research facilities, SETO hopes to accelerate design and testing processes, thereby fast-tracking advancements in solar technology.
As solar enthusiasts, we realize the importance of the rate of learning and speed of advancement, efficiency, durability, and energy yield of these technologically advance CdTe PV cells. Not to mention, the potential of new CdTe PV cell designs and the necessity for the high-quality production of materials in academic institutions to be pushed into the industry.
The sun shines bright for this program with key dates set from the start of May 2024. Deadlines for mandatory letters of intent, concept papers, full applications, and reviewer comment replies extend to November 2024. The anticipated selection notifications are scheduled for early 2025, setting the stage for tug of war of award negotiations by spring 2025.
As SETO paves the way for the innovative next step in solar technology, solar companies, and contrarily, us as individuals are set to benefit significantly. This investment emphasizes the potential of solar and the stride our nation is taking towards a sustainable future.
Join me in this fascinating journey as I keep you updated on the latest happenings and advancements in the solar industry. Together, we can better understand this sun-kissed world of solar that is lighting up our homes and lives in the most eco-friendly way! Stay tuned, solar explorers, the future looks bright!
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/05/09/20-million-federal-initiative-targets-low-emission-silicon-and-thin-film-research/
