The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) plans to invest $40 million into projects across the solar energy supply chain. The funding will be used to maximize the environmental benefit of solar energy technologies by increasing system longevity and facilitate material recovery once the system is decommissioned. Additionally, the DOE has announced:

• A prize program that will open new markets for solar energy system equipment
• The winners of the American-Made Solar Prize Round 7
• A notice of intent for up to $20 million to advance solar manufacturing 

The DOE has selected four research and development projects that are designed to reduce the costs and impacts of solar energy technologies. These projects will receive $16 million in funding, including $8 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  

Additionally, the DOE introduced the American-Made Promoting Registration of Inverters and Modules with Ecolabel (PRIME) Prize. The program offers $3 million in funding and is engineered to incentivize the registration of solar PV module and inverter products through the Global Electronics Council’s Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) ecolabel standard.  

The DOE has also announced the winners of the American-Made Solar Prize, a program that aims to spur innovations in U.S. solar hardware and software technologies and address challenges to rapid, equitable solar energy deployment. The two winning teams from round seven will each receive $500,000 for their early-stage innovations addressing challenges to the rapid deployment of equitable solar energy. 

What people are saying

In a recent quote, U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm said, “The Biden-Harris Administration is investing in a clean energy future that’s built to last. The U.S. has doubled annual solar installations over the past four years, and today's announcement further supports manufacturers as they create more resilient solar energy technologies and maximize the life of their products.” 

DOE in the news

U.S. government invests $63 million to advance battery recycling and smart manufacturing
The program will be administered by the DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC).

Heat pump manufacturers receive $85 million to ramp up production 
The DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) will oversee the projects, which have the potential to generate over 500 new jobs.

U.S. government spends $24 million to increase clean energy workforce training programs for manufacturers 
The 21 projects will also expand the U.S. Department of Energy’s Industrial Training and Assessment Centers network. 

Learn more about solar energy

Decarbonization as a Business Priority Is Here to Stay
Four questions for manufacturers to ask themselves about the energy transition.

Here Comes the Sun: Manufacturers Share Their Solar Power Journeys
How Hormel Foods and R.A Jones optimized their plants to meet ESG goals and support renewable energy.

Testing the Waters With Floating Solar Plants
With new advancements in solar technology, floating solar power plants may finally break free from the restrictions that are preventing them from greater adoption worldwide.