Government Financing Update – May 4, 2010

U.S. Department of Energy
Golden Field Office

Photovoltaic (PV) Manufacturing Initiative

The concept paper (10 page limit) is due on June 3, 2010 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Please note: Important information re registration and other pre-submission requirements are included in the funding opportunity announcement (FOA). Please refer to the FOA for details.

Anticipated DOE Feedback to Concept Paper: 15 business days after concept paper deadline

Anticipated Full Application Deadline: TBD

Anticipated Notice of Selection: September 2010

Anticipated Award Date: Six months after full application deadline

Total Funding Available: Approximately $125,000,000 is expected to be available for new awards under this FOA over five years

Award Instrument: Cooperative agreements or technology investment agreement (TIA)

Program Description
The Department of Energy's (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Program (SETP) seeks to support the creation of a robust U.S. photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing base and supply chain, develop a highly trained workforce with the required technical skills, and speed the implementation of new cutting-edge technologies. The mission of SETP is to accelerate the widespread adoption of solar electric technologies across the United States through a program of applied research and development (R&D), demonstration, and market transformation activities. This mission aims to diversify U.S. electricity supply options, increase national security, and improve the environment.

Topic Areas
Topic areas for this FOA include the following:

Topic I – University-Focused: This topic area will support universities conducting industry-relevant research and development projects related to PV manufacturing. Projects should be based on a consortium structure providing funding to multiple universities and involving PV manufacturing and supply chain companies as advisors. Universities are expected to be the recipients of a majority of the funding, and to be the central focus for research activities, but not necessarily the lead or administrator of the consortium. Industry members are expected to provide significant guidance and feedback. To this end, at least 75% of the research work is required to be performed by universities in university facilities. The remaining 25% could be performed in the facilities of partner companies, in shared consortium facilities, in fee-for-use manufacturing facilities, and/or in other facilities deemed appropriate.

Topic II – Industry-Focused: This topic area will support industry in accelerating the development and implementation of PV manufacturing-related technologies through both collaborative and non-collaborative models. Projects should be based on either of the following model structures or a combination of each: (1) an Industry Consortia Model, in which a consortium of participants defines and pursues pre-competitive and collaborative industry product and process development projects, and/or (2) a Manufacturing Development Facility Model, in which a multi-user facility is used to demonstrate manufacturing-scale commercial viability of new PV device tools or process technologies.

Cost Sharing

Topic I - University-Focused: The cost share must be at least 20% of the total allowable costs for research and development projects and must come from non-Federal sources unless otherwise allowed by law. The mandatory cost share must be achieved on an annual basis.

Topic II - Industry-Focused: The cost share must be at least 50% of the total allowable costs and must come from non-Federal sources unless otherwise allowed by law. DOE may agree to share at a higher rate in the early stages of the project, with the expectation that the recipient shall share at a higher rate during later stages, in order to achieve the required overall recipient cost share percentage of the total allowable project costs, as required by DOE. By accepting Federal funds under the award, the Recipient would agree that, notwithstanding the budget period cost share percentages, the recipient is liable for the required percentage of the total allowable project costs, even if the project is terminated early or is not funded to completion. If the recipient has not achieved required cost sharing at the time of project termination or discontinuance, the recipient shall refund sufficient funds to the Government in order to achieve the required cost-share percentage based on total allowable project cost.

General Information