On May 19-22, 2014, in Anaheim, California, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) gathering brought together more than 800 members of the solar community to review the progress made toward the SunShot goal and discuss the challenges ahead to make solar energy more affordable and widespread across America. SunShot-funded project teams, industry leaders, innovative researchers and scientists, and policymakers celebrated the accomplishments across more than 300 SunShot-funded projects and discussed the path forward for the U.S. solar energy industry. At the time of the Summit in 2014, only three years into the decade-long initiative, the solar industry was more than 60 percent of the way to achieving SunShot’s cost target of $0.06 per kilowatt-hour for utility-scale PV.
The 2014 SunShot Grand Challenge Summit and Peer Review featured a variety of exhibits and sessions providing opportunities for learning and networking with other thought leaders in the U.S. solar community.
About the Event
Plenary Sessions and Keynote Speakers – Top leaders from the business, research, and energy policymaking communities provided unique perspectives on the future of the U.S. solar energy industry.
Grand Challenge Breakout Sessions – Solar industry leaders and subject matter experts across 16 breakout sessions provide insights and perspectives on the “grand challenges” to achieve the SunShot 2020 affordability goal in order to speed deployment, enable growth of the U.S. solar market, and deliver affordable and accessible solar energy to all Americans.
SunShot Workshops – Focused workshops and discussions will provide an opportunity for stakeholder feedback across various high-impact areas in DOE’s solar energy project portfolio, and to identify the barriers and opportunities associated with SunShot’s goals.
Peer Review – SunShot awardee projects and SunShot portfolio were evaluated by independent peer reviewers.
Technology Forum – Event attendees had a unique opportunity to view interactive technology demonstrations and poster displays from SunShot awardees, foster new partnerships with innovators in the solar industry, and walk away with a comprehensive update on the latest in solar research and development.
Resources
Media Resources
- Video: SunShot Initiative overview
- Video: Photovoltaics subprogram overview
- Video: Concentrating Solar Power subprogram overview
- Video: Technology to Market subprogram overview
- Video: Balance of Systems-Soft Costs subprogram overview
- Video: Inside the White House Solar Panels
- Photo: Opening Session Photos
- Photo: Day 2 Photos
SunShot Portfolio Presentations
- SunShot Initiative Overview, Minh Le, Director, SunShot Initiative
- Soft Costs Subprogram Overview, Elaine Ulrich, Acting Program Manager, Soft Costs
- Concentrating Solar Power Subprogram Overview, Ranga Pitchumani, Chief Scientist and Program Manager
- Photovoltaics Subprogram Overview, Becca Jones-Albertus, Program Manager
- Systems Integration Subprogram Overview, Ranga Pitchumani, Chief Scientist and Program Manager
- Technology to Market Subprogram Overview, Lidija Sekaric, Program Manager
Keynote Presentations
- Revitalizing American Competitiveness in Solar Technologies, Ramamoorthy Ramesh, Deputy Director for Science and Technology, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- Utility Scale PV Perspective on SunShot Progress and Opportunities, Raffi Garabedian, Chief Technology Officer, First Solar
- 100% Clean Energy For and By The People, Billy Parish, Founder and President, Mosaic
- Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) Overview, Cheryl Martin, Acting Director, ARPA-E
- Innovation: Enabling a Sustainable Energy Future, Dan Arvizu, Director, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Breakout Session Presentations
- The New Science of Soft Costs: Tutorials in Big Data, Social Physics, and Randomized Pilots
- Looking Forward: The Solar Market in 2040
- A Look Ahead: PV Manufacturing in 10 Years
Learn More
- Download the agenda and event booklet.
- Download the 2014 SunShot Initiative Portfolio Book.
- View other past SETO meetings and workshops.