Discover the latest information, projects, and funding opportunities for the solar topics in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.

Subprogram: Technology to Market
Funding Program: Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR)
Apply: A link will be provided after November 28, 2016

Description

The Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) program is managed by the Department of Energy’s Office of Science. This program encourages U.S.-based small businesses to engage in research and technology development with the potential for future commercialization of their innovations. Learn more about this program's past awards in solar energy.

The 2017 Phase 1, Release 2 of SBIR/STTR includes four topics for solar energy:

  1. Next Generation Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) Components For High Temperature Molten Chloride Salt Development: This topic is focused on research and development that leads to demonstrating major subcomponents for CSP (i.e. solar concentrators, receivers, thermal energy storage systems) that can operate at high efficiency and low cost. The development of the next generation of components will require demonstration in a fully integrated facility at a commercially relevant scale.
  2. CSP Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Innovation: This topic is focused on improvements in O&M practices to ensure performance at nameplate ratings. Advances are sought in detection and correction of heliostat aiming and mirror canting that is rapid, accurate, and cost effective.
  3. Photovoltaic (PV) Performance and Reliability Tools and Characterization Methods: This topic is focused on the primary drivers of the levelized cost of photovoltaic electricity and investor return on investment, which are the lifetime and reliability of system components. Applications are sought in detailed, active monitoring of PV systems from small residential to large utility scale, as well as hardware/software tools to facilitate O&M of PV systems.
  4. Solar Building Energy Storage Management: This joint topic with the Building Technologies Office is focused on the development and wider deployment of software solutions that unlock the potential for battery energy storage in commercial and industrial buildings. As battery technology continues to develop, the building sector would benefit from software solutions that enable the integration of battery storage with connected electric loads and/or distributed generation technologies.

Learn more about the four topics for this release.

SBIR/STTR Topics ReleasedOctober 31, 2016
Informational WebinarNovember 8, 2017, 2:00-3:30pm ET
Applications AcceptedNovember 28, 2016
Letter of Intent DeadlineDecember 19, 2016
Application DeadlineFebruary 7, 2017
Award NotificationsMay 2017
Budget Period BeginsSummer 2017

 

Additional Information

Download the topics for this funding opportunity announcement

For FOA specific support, contact solar.sbir@ee.doe.gov.

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