The U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) supports solar energy development primarily through research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) aimed at making solar power more affordable, reliable, and accessible. Key ways SETO supports solar energy development include:
Driving Technology Innovation and Cost Reduction
- SETO funds cooperative RD&D projects across areas such as photovoltaics (PV), concentrating solar power (CSP), balance of systems technologies, and systems integration. These projects aim to improve solar cell efficiency, reduce manufacturing and installation costs, and advance new materials and processes for solar technologies.
- The office emphasizes lowering the levelized cost of electricity from solar sources to make solar power competitive with other electricity forms, in line with goals set by the SunShot Initiative.
Enabling Grid Reliability, Resilience, and Security
- SETO works to integrate solar energy with energy storage and advanced grid technologies to support the reliability and resilience of the electric grid. This includes ensuring solar can support grid security under increasing solar penetration.
- Research in systems integration helps manage solar’s variability and enables seamless incorporation into the power infrastructure.
Facilitating Market Transformation and Outreach
- Beyond technology RD&D, SETO supports market transformation efforts to help novel solar technologies gain acceptance and adoption in the marketplace.
- The office provides technical information and works to reduce regulatory barriers (“cut red tape”) to accelerate solar deployment in response to growing electricity demands.
Supporting a Collaborative and Competitive Ecosystem
- SETO funds over 400 active projects led by diverse partners, including national labs, universities, industry, non-profits, and government entities, fostering innovation through collaboration.
- Funding opportunities are offered through an open and competitive solicitation process encouraging partnerships across sectors to achieve strategic solar energy goals.
Advancing Equitable and Decarbonized Energy Transition
- SETO’s mission includes enabling an equitable transition to a decarbonized economy by 2050, starting with decarbonizing the power sector by 2035.
- The office supports job growth, manufacturing competitiveness, and circular economy principles in solar technologies, ensuring broad benefits across society.
In summary, SETO supports solar energy development by funding cutting-edge research, reducing costs, enabling grid integration, fostering market acceptance, and driving an equitable clean energy transition through collaboration and innovation. These efforts collectively improve solar affordability, reliability, and accessibility nationwide.
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