PV System at DOE Headquarters Linking Light, 

Weather to Energy Performance 

The photovoltaic (PV) installation on the roof of the U.S. Department of Energy 

(DOE) headquarters building is now serving double-duty: providing energy to the 

building complex and collecting valuable data about solar radiation, weather, and 

system performance.

The 205-kilowatt (kW) installation at the Forrestal building, comprised of five 

systems representing four different PV technologies, now includes a solar radiation 

and weather monitoring station from Precision Solar Technologies. The new 

equipment, installed by DOE’s Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), will gather 

solar radiation and weather data in parallel with SunPower’s system performance 

data. Estimates of solar radiation based on satellite data will also be provided by 

Clean Power Research.

Solar Energy Technologies Program Newsletter

PV System at DOE Headquarters Linking 

Light, Weather to Energy Performance..........................1

Program Happenings & Highlights

DOE Awards $11M for SEGIS Projects.............................2

CSP Gets $52.5 Million Boost .............................................3

Solar Program Funds R&D 100 Award Winners .......4

SETP to Publish Results of Program Peer Review....4

SETP to Evaluate Results of PV 

Manufacturing Initiative RFI ................................................5

Event News

Solar Village to Rise on Nat’l Mall for Decathlon....5

SETP to Exhibit, Present at Solar Power Int’l .......... 6

Workshop Highlights Role of Storage 

in PV Grid Integration......................................................... 6

SETP Partners with SEMI PV Group 

on Industry Effort ................................................................. 6

DOE EERE Sponsors Utility Solar Conference .......7

International PV Workshop Addresses 

Reliability, Safety....................................................................7

National Academies Event Focuses 

on U.S. PV Manufacturing..................................................8

More Solar-Related DOE, Policy Updates

Interior Department Works to 

“Fast-Track” Solar Energy.....................................................8

Small Business Programs to Fund Clean 

Energy Research, Including Solar ....................................9

Solar America Cities Notes

DOE Announces Up to $10.5 Million in Solar 

Energy Education for Local Governments...................9

“Train the Trainer” Event Seeks to 

Accelerate Green Jobs .......................................................10

Solar America Cities Provides Guide 

for Local Governments........................................................10

Houston Convention Center Unveils 

100kW PV System....................................................................11

Nine Oregon Schools Look to the 

Sun for Power .....................................................................11

Industry Updates

IREC Releases Solar Market Report, 

University Directory .............................................................. 12

eSolar Launches First Operating U.S. 

Solar Thermal Power Tower Plant .................................. 12

DOE Solar Program & Partner Publications...............13

Solar Program Funding Opportunities.........................14

SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM

SEPTEMBER 2009

The new solar radiation and weather monitoring station on DOE’s Forrestal building will 

provide valuable feedback for solar program researchers.

Continued on following page
P. 2

SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2009

SNL will use the collected data to generate statistical comparisons of predicted 

to measured output. The results will allow researchers to validate and improve 

solar radiation, energy output, and performance models. Data will also be made 

available to researchers outside the Solar Energy Technologies Program (SETP). 

Because sunlight in Washington, D.C. is more diffuse than at DOE research sites 

conducting similar work in Golden, Colorado, and Albuquerque, New Mexico, 

the results from Forrestal’s PV system will expand DOE’s understanding of solar 

performance in varying light conditions.

The PV installation went live in September 2008. Total energy generation is estimated 

at 200 megawatt-hours per year. A monitoring kiosk is available in the building’s 

lobby so that DOE staff and visitors can observe the system’s energy generation.

For more information about the Forrestal system, download the DOE fact sheet at 

www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/pdfs/forrestal_pv_system.pdf.

Program Happenings and Highlights

DOE Awards $11M for Solar Grid Integration Projects

The DOE recently announced the investment of up to $11.8 million, including $5 

million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, for Solar Energy Grid 

Integration Systems (SEGIS) projects. The award represents the advancement of 

five of the 12 Stage 1 SEGIS contractors to 

Stage 2 of the solicitation. Stage 2 focuses 

on development of prototype hardware, 

such as inverters, controllers, and balanceof-system components. This hardware will 

support intelligent PV systems, using twoway communications and “smart” energy 

management to enhance the value of the 

PV systems to the grid.

The five advancing contractors are:

PVPowered (Bend, Oregon)

Project focus: Innovative systems integration to optimize interconnections across 

the full range of emerging PV module technologies. Partners include Portland 

General Electric, South Dakota State University, Northern Plains Power 

Technologies, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, and SENSUS. 

Petra Solar (South Plainfield, New Jersey)

Project focus: To advance widespread adoption of solar energies through improved 

systems reliability and resiliency. Partners include University of Central Florida 

and 15 electric utilities with service in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Delaware, 

Maryland, Washington D.C., Florida, and Texas. 

Continued on following page

NATIONAL LABORATORY UPDATES 

Sandia Wins Five R&D 100 

Awards, Plays Role in Sixth 

Researchers at Sandia National 

Laboratories (SNL) have received 

five R&D 100 Awards this year, 

including one award for a hightemperature silicon carbide power 

module that more efficiently converts 

electrical energy from one form to 

another. SNL also contributed to a 

sixth award-winning project, a 

multi-lab and industry artificial 

retina project funded by DOE. 

R&D Magazine presents the 

awards each year to researchers 

who have developed the year’s 

100 most outstanding advances 

in applied technologies.

Details about Sandia’s awards 

can be found at: 

www.sandia.gov/news/resources/

releases/2009/rd_2009.html.

“By integrating more 

renewable energy into the 

grid now, we can deliver 

power more reliably and 

effectively, lower utility bills 

for American families, and 

help rebuild our economy 

along the way.”

Energy Secretary Steven Chu
P. 3

SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2009

Princeton Power (Princeton, New Jersey)

Project focus: Development of new inverter designs and reduction of 

manufacturing costs through integrated controls for energy storage. Partners 

include: Transistor Device Inc., LaGuardia Community College, Idyllwild 

Municipal Water District, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric 

Administration, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Premier Power, 

SPG Solar, and Spire. 

Apollo Solar (Bethel, Connecticut)

Project focus: Creation of inverters that use energy storage and two-way 

communication between utilities and solar electrical systems. Partners include 

Saft Batteries, the Electric Power Research Institute, and California Independent 

System Operator.

Florida Solar Energy Center at University of Central Florida (Orlando, Florida)

Project focus: Identifying and solving technical challenges that currently serve 

as barriers to higher PV penetration levels in larger electrical systems. Partners 

include Satcon Technology Corporation, SENTECH, Inc., SunEdison, Cooper 

Power Systems EAS, Northern Plains Power Technologies, and Lakeland 

Electric Utilities.

The SEGIS program is a three-year partnership effort that includes DOE, Sandia 

National Laboratories, industry, utilities and universities. 

For more about the awards, visit www.energy.gov/news2009/7720.htm.

Concentrating Solar Power Gets $52.5 Million Boost

As part of the Administration’s continued focus on diversifying domestic 

energy sources and creating new jobs, DOE has released a funding opportunity 

announcement (FOA) to provide up to $52.5 million to research, develop, and 

demonstrate advances in concentrating solar power (CSP) technology. DOE 

anticipates up to 13 project awards.

Funds will be awarded to projects supporting improved technology and novel 

system designs that can extend CSP plant operation to an average of 18 hours per 

day, a level that makes it possible for a CSP power plant to displace a traditional 

coal one.

Projects will be evaluated for a 42- to 60-month performance period and split into 

three phases: (1) system feasibility and preliminary design work, (2) engineering 

design, and (3) expanded design work and prototype testing and evaluation.

Applications are due by October 15.

Current funding opportunities and subscriptions to funding updates are available on 

DOE’s SETP Web site www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/financial_opportunities.html.

NATIONAL LABORATORY UPDATES 

Telecom Giant Partners 

with NREL Solar Group 

The recent signing of a multiyear Cooperative Research 

and Development Agreement 

(CRADA) marks the pairing of 

the National Renewable Energy 

Laboratory’s (NREL) Concentrating 

Photovoltaics Group (CPV) with 

telecommunications company 

RF Micro Devices (RFMD). The 

relationship marries the research 

expertise of NREL’s CPV and its 

innovative inverted metamorphic 

multi-junction (IMM) solar cell with 

RFMD’s expertise in mass production 

of semiconductor devices.

Successful execution of the multiyear CRADA is expected to result 

in the production of PV cells in 

RFMD’s high-volume compound 

semiconductor fabrication facilities 

as early as 2012. 

The CRADA will be accomplished in 

three phases. The final phase of the 

project will be production readiness, 

marked by manufacturing of PV 

cells with high yield, reliability, and 

reproducibility at low cost in RFMD’s 

fabrication facilities.

NREL’s IMM cell is engineered to 

capture energy from a significant 

portion of the solar spectrum 

and achieve high efficiency in 

conversion. The technology won 

an R&D 100 Award in 2008 and 

has demonstrated one of the 

world’s highest reported solar cell 

conversion efficiencies at 40.8%. 

Researchers anticipate additional 

efficiency improvements as the 

technology is refined. 

NREL Principal Scientist Mark 

Wanlass, inventor of the IMM cell, is 

the CRADA’s principal investigator. 
P. 4

SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2009

Solar Program Funds R&D 100 Award Winners 

An ultra-accelerated weathering system, a parabolic trough solar concentrating 

collector, and a high-efficiency solar cell—all developed with funds from DOE 

SETP—were honored in July with R&D 100 Awards. 

The first two innovations were devised by NREL and its research partners. The 

Ultra-Accelerated Weathering System is an ultraviolet (UV) solar concentrator 

designed by NREL, Atlas Material Testing Technology, and the Institute of 

Laser Optical Technology to evaluate the durability of coatings, paints, and other 

materials by hastening exposure to UV light. The SkyTroughTM Parabolic Trough 

Solar Concentrating Collector uses a glass-free reflector material developed by 

NREL and research partner SkyFuel Inc. to create a low-cost system for utilitysize parabolic trough power generation. 

The third project, Nanocrystal Solar Cells, is part of DOE’s Next Generation 

Photovoltaic Devices and Processes program, which is aimed at the development 

of innovative photovoltaic cells and/or processes by 2015. The DOE’s Lawrence 

Berkeley National Laboratory and San Jose, California-based Solexant developed the 

Nanocrystal Solar Cells. These ultra-thin solar cells are based on dense nanocrystal 

films—without any organic material—and have an efficiency potential of about 25%. 

The R&D 100 Awards are given annually by R&D Magazine to the year’s top 100 

innovations. The criterion is “demonstrable technological significance compared 

with competing products and technologies.” NREL and SNL both won additional 

R&D 100 Awards for research outside solar power. Awardees will be recognized at 

a banquet in November. 

For more information about NREL’s solar-related R&D 100 Awards, visit 

www.nrel.gov/news/press/2009/704.html.

For more information about LBL’s R&D 100 Awards, visit 

http://newscenter.lbl.gov/press-releases/2009/07/20/rd-100-award-2009/.

For more information about the R&D 100 awards, visit 

www.rdmag.com/Awards/RD-100-Awards/R-D-100-Awards/.

SETP to Publish Results of Program Peer Review

The DOE SETP has released notice that it will be publishing the results of its 2009 

Program Peer Review Meeting, held in March 2009. The results will be available 

online and will offer an overview of the meeting, feedback from reviewers for each 

project, and information on how SETP may integrate feedback into current and 

future Program activities. 

It is anticipated that results will be available to download later this year at 

www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/review_meeting/program_review_meeting_2009.html.
P. 5

SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2009

SETP to Evaluate Results of PV Manufacturing 

Initiative RFI

DOE SETP recently closed a Request for Information (RFI), which sought 

stakeholder input about the Program’s proposed PV Manufacturing Initiative. 

This initiative is aimed at accelerating development and providing a strong base 

for a domestic PV industry.

The RFI requested feedback about three models that might be supported by the 

PV Manufacturing Initiative: (1) a University-led consortia guided by industry; 

(2) a collaborative industry-led consortia using shared intellectual property (IP); 

and (3) manufacturing development programs in which companies maintain 

exclusive ownership of IP. Respondents were also asked to weigh in on the effect 

the PV Manufacturing Initiative can and should have on the U.S. PV industry 

and the most efficient ways to allocate funding.

DOE will use the feedback from the RFI to help determine the best approach 

to the PV Manufacturing Initiative. Funding for this initiative is expected to 

be up to $30 million in FY10. For updates on funding opportunities in this 

area, visit SETP’s Financial Opportunities link: www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/

financial_opportunities.html. 

Event News

Upcoming Events

Solar Village to Rise on National Mall for Decathlon

For three weeks in October 2009, the DOE will host the Solar Decathlon—a 

competition in which 20 teams of college and university students compete to 

design, build, and operate the most attractive, effective, and energy-efficient 

solar-powered house.

Teams build the original houses on their campuses and then disassemble 

them to be delivered and re-built on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. 

Once constructed, the houses will be judged on 10 aesthetic, engineering, and 

environmental criteria, including architecture, net metering, lighting design, 

home entertainment, and comfort zones. Houses will be open to the public for 

much of the event.

The Solar Decathlon is an educational project of DOE, designed to increase 

awareness about energy efficiency and renewable energy, foster collaboration 

among students from varying academic disciplines, advance solar energy 

technology research and development, and promote integrated building 

approaches to construction. The event is supported by NREL as well as by 

event and team sponsors from the private sector. 

The 2009 Solar Decathlon is open to the public October 9-13 and 15-18. For 

more information and a complete schedule, visit www.solardecathlon.org.

NATIONAL LABORATORY UPDATES 

New SunCatcherTM Power 

System Unveiled at Sandia 

Stirling Energy Systems (SES) and 

Tessera Solar recently unveiled 

four newly designed solar power 

collection dishes at SNL’s National 

Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF) 

in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The 

dishes, called SunCatchersTM, have 

a refined design that will be used 

in commercial-scale deployments 

beginning in 2010. 

Sandia’s concentrating solar-thermal 

power team has been working 

with SES over the last five years 

to improve the system design and 

operation. Last year one of the 

original SunCatchers set a new solarto-grid system conversion efficiency 

record by achieving a 31.25 percent 

net efficiency rate.

Among Sandia’s contributions to the 

new design was the development 

of a tool capable of evaluating 

the performance of the mirrors in 

less than 10 seconds—a significant 

improvement over the hour 

required for the previous design to 

accomplish the same task.

For more information about NSTTF, 

visit www.sandia.gov/Renewable_

Energy/solarthermal/nsttf.html.
P. 6

SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2009

SETP to Exhibit, Present at Solar Power International

SETP will participate at the Solar Power International (SPI) conference in 

Anaheim, California, October 27-29. SPI, the largest solar conference of its type 

in the United States, is organized by the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) 

and the Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA). 

Program representatives will join more than 750 other exhibitors for the trade show, 

and several speakers from SETP and DOE’s national laboratories will present during 

the conference sessions. Attendees and exhibitors include global representatives from 

all sectors of the solar supply chain, sustainable building materials manufacturers, 

industry associations, and testing and certification organizations.

For information and an agenda, visit www.solarpowerinternational.com.

DOE is seeking participants for the Solar Vision Study Workshop on October 26. 

For more information, and to register, please visit

www.sentech.org/SolarVision/registration.aspx

Past Events

Workshop Highlights Role of Storage 

in PV Grid Integration

Nearly 100 attendees from industry, DOE, and the national labs gathered June 

24-25 in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico, for the Solar Energy Grid Integration 

Systems Energy Storage Workshop. Dubbed SEGIS-ES, the workshop brought 

stakeholders together to discuss needs related to energy storage for high 

penetration PV applications, both residential and commercial, and to identify 

priorities in research, development and demonstration (RD&D) activities for 

those needs.

Representatives from SETP presenting at the event included JoAnn Milliken, 

Acting Program Manager, and Dan Ton, former Systems Integration Lead. 

Members of the PV industry also gave presentations at the event. 

To view the agenda and presentations from the workshop, visit 

www.e2rg.com/segis-es.

SETP Partners with SEMI PV Group on Industry Effort

The DOE SETP and SEMI PV Group co-hosted a workshop in July to discuss the 

development of a global PV industry roadmap. The agenda featured presentations 

about roadmapping experiences in other countries and industries, followed by 

breakout sessions to foster participant input.

With DOE support, SEMI PV Group will continue this effort (now called “industry 

collaboration”) through a series of surveys and webinars. The objective is to help 

systems suppliers reduce prices by identifying and developing a strategy for common 

components and costs.

Proceedings from the July 12 event are available at 

www.pvgroup.org/events/ctr_030091.
P. 7

SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2009

DOE EERE Sponsors Utility Solar Conference 

Tours for the SEPA utility solar conference included this PV solar array at Applied Materials.

SEPA held its first Utility Solar Conference July 27-30 in San Jose, California, 

as a forum for utility representatives to share information and discuss business 

strategies for bringing solar to utility scale. The event was targeted for utilities with 

retail customers and a small group of industry sponsors. DOE’s Office of Energy 

Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) was a sponsor for the event, and several 

representatives from SETP attended.

Topics included distribution planning and impacts, utility solar business models, 

project valuation and finance, metering practices, and design of rates and 

incentives. Pre-conference tours of local PV manufacturing facilities and a PV 

installation were also available. 

Information and a copy of the event agenda are available at 

www.utilitysolarconference.myevent.com.

Participants of the PV Reliability Workshop tour a PV installation at Arizona State University.

International PV Workshop Addresses Reliability, Safety

SETP and two of DOE’s national labs recently partnered with industry 

organizations and international PV experts to host the second of two workshops to 

address long-term PV reliability qualification and testing needs. The International 

Photovoltaic Reliability Workshop II, held in July, focused on how reliability 

codes and standards might help remove barriers to PV technology adoption. The 

workshop was a follow-up to the first, held in Shanghai, China, in December 2008.

NATIONAL LABORATORY UPDATES 

New Director for National 

Center for Photovoltaics 

Dr. Ryne P. Raffaelle became NREL’s 

new Center Director for the National 

Center for Photovoltaics (NCPV) 

in August. Rafaelle comes to NREL 

with nearly 20 years of experience 

and leadership in science R&D teams 

at university laboratories and with 

photovoltaics or high-technology 

start-up companies.

Recently, Raffaelle served as 

Academic Director for the Golisano 

Institute for Sustainability, Director 

of the NanoPower Research 

Laboratory, and as professor of 

Physics, Microsystems Engineering, 

and Sustainability at Rochester 

Institute of Technology (RIT). While 

at RIT, he led or co-led more than 

$20 million in research grants 

in PV, thin-film processing, and 

nanomaterials research. 

Raffaelle has also worked at 

NASA-Glenn Research Center, the 

Florida Institute of Technology, and 

Oak Ridge National Laboratory. 

He is co-founder of Wakonda 

Technologies, Inc. and Alpha V, Inc.

Full story available at www.nrel.gov/

news/press/2009/707.html.

Continued on following page
P. 8

SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2009

The July workshop was hosted by SNL and NREL, and sponsored by TÜV 

Rheinland®, a provider of testing and certification services. The audience of 100 

participants included representatives from all facets of PV manufacturing and use: 

research and development, cells and modules, inverters, installation, applications, 

and marketing. The workshop was preceded by a full day of site tours at local PV 

installations and test facilities.

Proceedings from the event will be available soon at 

www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/past_meetings_workshops.html.

National Academies Event Focuses on U.S. 

PV Manufacturing

The National Academies’ Board on Science, Technology, and Economic Policy 

hosted “Partnering for Photovoltaic Manufacturing in the United States” on July 

29 in Washington, D.C. The symposium was the second in a series planned by the 

Academies’ Technologies, Innovation and Entrepreneurship program, which is part 

of the Board. The symposia are designed to encourage high-level discussions about 

the current state of PV manufacturing in the United States and means by which to 

grow the industry domestically.

Presentations by public and private PV stakeholders highlighted partnerships, 

industry roadmapping, and other activities that might contribute to the long-term 

growth of the U.S. PV industry. Alicia Jackson from the U.S. Senate Committee 

on Energy & Natural Resources led a panel of DOE representatives that included 

Kristina M. Johnson, Under Secretary for Energy; John Lushetsky, Acting Deputy 

Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency in EERE; and Carol Battershell, Senior 

Adviser, Commercialization and Deployment in EERE.

The agenda, presentations, and audio from the event are posted on the National 

Academies’ Web site http://sites.nationalacademies.org/PGA/step/index.htm.

More Solar-Related DOE, Policy Updates

Interior Department Works to “Fast-Track” Solar Energy

In July, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) announced initiatives to speed 

development of solar energy on Western U.S. lands. The main plan involves 24 

tracts of land administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Arizona, 

California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. DOE will help evaluate these 

“Solar Energy Study Areas” for environmental and resource sustainability for largescale solar production. Areas selected as prime large-scale solar development regions 

will be made available for proposed solar projects of 10 megawatts (MW) or more.

DOI is also working with states to expedite permitting for several solar projects 

nearing approval. The BLM currently has about 470 renewable energy project 

applications in its pipeline, including solar applications representing a combined 

power capacity of up to 97,000 MW. 

For more information about renewable energy at BLM and DOI, visit 

www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/energy.html or www.doi.gov/renewable/.
P. 9

SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2009

Small Business Programs to Fund Clean Energy 

Research, Including Solar 

A total of $37 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will 

be allocated to support clean energy research at small U.S. businesses over two 

grant phases. The grants are being administered through DOE’s Small Business 

Innovations and Small Business Technology Transfer programs, which target 

companies with fewer than 500 employees.

DOE recently closed Phase I grant applications. Topic areas that include solar 

opportunities are: water usage in electric power production and industrial 

processes; smart controllers for smart grid applications; advanced solar 

technologies; and advanced industrial technologies development. 

For technical topic descriptions and status of the awards, visit 

www.science.doe.gov/sbir/.

Solar America Cities Notes

DOE Announces Up to $10.5 Million in Solar Energy 

Education for Local Governments

DOE is expanding support for the Solar America Cities program by releasing a 

FOA of up to $10.5 million for solar energy education for local governments. This 

funding will be used to provide comprehensive technical outreach to municipalities 

across the United States, with the intent of helping local governments build 

sustainable solar infrastructures and accelerate solar energy adoption. 

Under this opportunity, Solar America Cities will partner with one or more 

organizations that can help foster peer-to-peer communication to provide solar 

information for county and city officials, sustainability and environmental staff, 

planners, local businesses, utilities, schools, and other stakeholders. Award partners 

will help broaden the reach of Solar America Cities tools developed by DOE, 

including guides, tool kits, and case studies.

Through this outreach, local governments will learn comprehensive approaches to 

solar energy adoption, including workforce development, support for local solar 

businesses, and effective financial incentives for residents. 

Maximum funding for the first phase of each project, which is three years, is 

$6 million. Maximum funding for the second phase, which is two years, is $4.5 

million. Applications are due by October 15. 

Current funding opportunities and subscriptions to funding updates are available 

on SETP’s Web site www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/financial_opportunities.html.

NATIONAL LABORATORY UPDATES 

Sandia’s Distributed 

Energy Technologies Lab 

Gets Upgrades 

The Distributed Energy Technologies 

Lab (DETL) at SNL has recently 

begun planning and implementing 

facility upgrades, supported by 

DOE funds from the American 

Recovery and Reinvestment Act. 

These upgrades will increase the 

capabilities of DETL to provide 

support for a new line of U.S. 

industry-developed Solar Energy 

Grid Integration Systems (SEGIS) 

products as they are delivered for 

evaluation in 2010. Upgrades will 

also facilitate the development 

of algorithms to address high PV 

penetration issues and will provide 

support for storage-based stability 

and ancillary service developments 

of PV systems. 

The lab has already conducted a 

system upgrade to its three-phase 

microgrid-enabling enhanced 

communications and control 

capabilities for various generators 

(including photovoltaic) and loads 

on the system. 

Other upgrades will include 

construction of a new test facility, 

refurbishments and upgrades to 

existing facilities, and the installation 

of individually monitored test bays 

and a multi-node test bed.

Continued enhancements will 

expand the laboratory’s capabilities, 

which include assessment of high 

PV penetration scenarios and 

development of solutions through 

systems integration, predictive 

controls, and system-level 

performance standards. 

For more information about DETL, 

visit http://detl.sandia.gov/.
P. 10

SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2009

“Train the Trainer” Event Seeks to Accelerate Green Jobs 

DOE’s Solar America Cities program recently held a “Train the Trainer” event at 

the Florida Solar Energy Center at University of Central Florida to help continue 

the growth of solar jobs. Eighteen attendees from eight cities participated in the 

training, held July 20-24. The goal was to educate representatives about solar 

technologies and guide them in developing solar training curricula and programs 

within their communities.“

The “Train the Trainer” program encourages participants to develop unique plans 

that will expand the solar workforce in their cities, creating a “domino effect” to 

alleviate the shortage of qualified solar installers in the U.S.

Participating cities were Boston, Massachusetts; Knoxville, Tennessee; Milwaukee, 

Wisconsin; Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and San 

Francisco, San Jose, and Santa Rosa, California. SETP administers Solar America 

Cities and sponsored the training. 

For a video about the Florida event, visit 

www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/video (scroll to August 12, 2009). 

For more information about Solar America Cities, visit 

www.solaramericacities.energy.gov.

Solar America Cities Provides Guide for 

Local Governments

A guide to assist local governments in building sustainable solar communities has 

been released by DOE’s Solar America Cities. The guide details solar policies and 

programs that have been tested in cities throughout the United States and includes 

case studies and tips for implementation. Information can be applied at any level 

of solar involvement, from conceptual stages to full-scale solar infrastructure.

The guide is divided into topic areas such as job creation, policies and regulations, 

outreach and education, and working with utilities. Case studies of installations on 

government facilities are also included. 

Details and the guide download are available at 

www.solaramericacities.energy.gov/GuideForLocalGovernments.aspx.

(left) Train the Trainer” participants 

dive into five days of solar technology 

education. Photo courtesy Florida 

Solar Energy Center.
P. 11

SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2009

Houston Convention Center Unveils 100kW PV System

A solar education kiosk at the George R. Brown Convention Center is unveiled by (L to 

R) Houston City Council Member James G. Rodriguez, DOE’s Charlie Hemmeline, John 

Berger from Standard Renewable Energy, Houston City Council Member Wanda Adams, 

and Houston Architecture Foundation Chair Mike Lewter. Photo courtesy City of Houston.

A 100-kW PV system on the 16-acre rooftop of Houston’s George R. Brown 

Convention Center was unveiled during a ceremony to mark the occasion on 

June 9. SETP’s Charlie Hemmeline was joined by Houston Mayor and former 

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Bill White, John Berger of Standard Renewable 

Energy, Mike Lewter of the Houston Architecture Foundation, and members of 

Houston’s City Council.

The 100-kW project is designed to test two PV technologies: crystalline silicon modules 

mounted on steel beams and amorphous silicon thin film panels adhered directly to 

the rooftop. The system meets two of four key objectives for the convention center’s 

sustainability project: designing and installing a 100-kW system, and demonstrating 

how an existing facility can be retrofitted for solar. The other two objectives pertain to 

comparing the performance of the two technologies in Houston’s climate.

For more information about Houston’s Solar America Cities activities, visit 

www.solaramericacities.energy.gov/Cities.aspx?City=Houston.

Nine Oregon Schools Look to the Sun for Power

Sunshine will help keep the power going at nine Portland schools this fall. Through 

a partnership that includes substantial support from a private investor and more 

than a dozen management, construction, and energy companies, the Portland 

school district is working to complete the largest K-12-based solar panel project 

in the state thus far. The district intends to have a total of 757 kW installed 

throughout the district, using 175,000 square feet of thin film and providing 18% 

of the schools’ total needs. The project includes plans for educational kiosks where 

students can learn about the systems and solar power in general.

For more information about the school solar project, visit 

www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2009/08/sun_will_help_power_nine_portl.html.

For information about Portland’s Solar America City activities, see 

www.solaramericacities.energy.gov/Cities.aspx?City=Portland.

NATIONAL LABORATORY UPDATES 

Infinia Installs Two PreProduction 3-kWe Dish 

Stirling Systems at Sandia 

In August, Washington-based 

Infinia Corporation completed the 

installation of two pre-production 

ISS 3.0 dish Stirling systems at SNL’s 

NSTTF. The installed systems utilize 

Infinia’s 3-kWe free-piston Stirling 

engine/linear alternator technology. 

Sandia provided technical support 

for the systems, including openand closed-loop tracking and 

collector optical design. The intent 

is for SNL to continue to provide 

assistance through a memorandum 

of understanding with Infinia.
P. 12

SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2009

Industry Updates

IREC Releases Solar Market Report, 

University Directory

The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) has released its 2008 U.S. 

Solar Trends Report, which aggregates public data on U.S. solar installations by 

technology, state, and market sector. The report, funded by DOE SETP, can be 

downloaded at www.irecusa.org (click “2008 US Solar Trends Report” on the 

home page). 

DOE SETP also helped develop and fund IREC’s university directory, which 

provides information on four-year universities offering undergraduate- and graduatelevel courses in renewable energy and energy efficiency. Users can search by state 

and/or technology and access a map of course availability throughout the United 

States. The directory will be updated as providers send information to IREC. 

More details and a link to the map are available at 

www.irecusa.org/universityDirectory/.

eSolar Launches First Operating U.S. Solar Thermal 

Power Tower Plant

In August, California-based eSolar began supplying concentrating solar power 

(CSP)-generated electricity to the grid at its 5 MW Sierra SunTower demonstration 

plant. DOE SETP provided component testing and technical analysis for the plant 

through SNL. 

The Sierra plant covers 20 acres and includes 24,000 mirrors, two towers, and 

a refurbished 1947 General Electric steam turbine generator. The system’s 

sophisticated computer controls are enabled by 100-foot cell phone towers with 

sensors that constantly scan the field. Currently the only operating solar thermal 

power tower in the United States, the plant supplies power to 4,000 homes through 

a power purchase agreement with Southern California Edison.

eSolar is a utility-scale solar power start-up. 

For more information about the Sierra system, visit

www.esolar.com/our_projects/.
P. 13

SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2009

DOE Solar Program & Partner Publications

Solar: A Clean Energy Source for Utilities

DOE Solar Energy Technologies Program (SETP), 2009

Fact sheet summarizes SETP’s activities to work with utilities to accelerate adoption 

of solar technology.

www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/pdfs/46259.pdf

Solar Powering Your Community: A Guide for Local Governments

DOE Solar Energy Technologies Program (SETP), 2009

Information and case studies about developing sustainable solar communities.

www.solaramericacities.energy.gov/GuideForLocalGovernments.aspx

Solar America Cities Spread the Wealth

American City & Council magazine, June 2009

Media article discussing the peer-to-peer collaboration approach of Solar America Cities.

http://americancityandcounty.com/topics/green/local-regional-solar-planning-20090629/

Rate Analysis of Two Photovoltaic Systems in San Diego

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), July 2009

Investigates impact of rate structure on the economics of two PV systems.

www.nrel.gov/docs/fy09osti/43537.pdf

Solar Market Trends Report

Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), 2009

Aggregates data on U.S. solar installations by technology, state, and market sector.

http://www.irecusa.org/fileadmin/user_upload/NationalOutreachDocs/SolarTrendsReports/

IREC_Solar_Market_Trends_Report_2008.pdf

Directory of University Courses in Renewable Energy

Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), 2009

Provides information on universities offering courses in renewable energy and 

energy efficiency. 

www.irecusa.org/universityDirectory/

NATIONAL LABORATORY UPDATES 

NREL Installs Research Tool 

Aimed at Reducing PV Cost 

NREL has installed its first 

Atmospheric Processing Platform 

to prototype lower-cost thin film 

solar cells from inks and other 

solutions. This unique tool allows 

NREL scientists to work directly 

with industry partners to test novel 

thin film designs and manufacturing 

techniques. Ultimately, the intent is 

to reduce the cost of finished thin 

film solar cells.

The samples produced by the 

platform are larger than those in 

traditional laboratory experiments, 

making them easier to work with 

and evaluate. The system’s glove 

boxes allow researchers to work 

directly with samples in controlled 

conditions and to test innovative 

methods for utilizing commercially 

available solution deposition 

techniques.

The platform also includes work 

stations in which researchers can 

assess prototype PV cells under 

controlled conditions, including 

X-ray fluorescence for compositional 

analysis and X-ray diffraction for 

structural analysis.

The Atmospheric Processing 

Platform is located in the Process 

and Development Integration 

Laboratory at NREL’s Scientific and 

Technology Facility. 

Feature story available at www.nrel.

gov/features/20090710_pv.html.
P. 14

SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2009

Solar Program Funding Opportunities

Pipeline of Program Activities

The Solar Energy Technologies Program (SETP) is engaged with a range of stakeholders and activities along the solar pipeline. 

From Materials and Device Concepts to key Market Transformation efforts, SETP is supporting the development of innovative 

projects to accelerate the growth of the U.S. solar industry.

Summary of DOE Solar Program Funding Opportunities

FOA or Solicitation CLOSING

DATE

FUNDING

AMOUNT DESCRIPTION

Solar America 

Cities - Technical 

Outreach

October 15, 

2009

$10.5M Maximum 

per Award 

During 5-Year 

Performance 

Period

This project will provide comprehensive outreach to local 

governments to help them build sustainable solar infrastructures 

and expand their solar markets. The project will help accelerate 

solar energy deployment by proactively addressing the needs of 

local governments for technical information and guidance, focusing 

on many areas such as policies and regulations, financial incentives, 

training, and community engagement.

Baseload 

Concentrating Solar 

Power Generation

October 15, 

2009

Up to $52.5M 

Total; Maximum 

Per Award Varies 

By Topic

The objective is to develop and evaluate Concentrating Solar Power 

(CSP) components and/or systems that will lead to solar power 

plants with a capacity to generate electricity at costs competitive 

to fossil-fired generators.

The announcement includes two topic areas: 

• Research and development of concepts and components 

that can be part of a CSP baseload system 

• Evaluation of the feasibility of a complete CSP baseload 

system and development of a prototype system that can be 

implemented in the field.

The projects will be conducted in three phases during the 

performance period of 42 to 60 months. 

Solar America 

Showcases

December 31, 

2009

Up to $500K per 

award

Solar America Showcases are designed to help facilitate 

large-scale installations that involve cutting edge solar 

technologies, novel applications of solar, high visibility sites, 

and/or high likelihood of replicability. Solar America Showcase 

is a Notice of Opportunity for Technical Assistance (NOTA) for 

proposed installations more than 250 kW and does not include 

direct federal funding for any recipient. Instead, showcase 

projects include technical assistance through teams of DOEfunded solar experts from national laboratories.

To view all current opportunities, visit www.solar.energy.gov/financial_opportunities.html.

To view all past opportunities, visit www.solar.energy.gov/past_opportunities.html.

OPEN PROPOSED
P. 15

SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2009

For More Information

Contact the EERE Information Center 

1-877-EERE-INF (1-877-337-3463) or 

visit eere.energy.gov/informationcenter.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

This DOE Solar Energy Technologies Program Newsletter is for you—the 

participants and stakeholders in the DOE Solar Program and the Solar 

America Initiative. We envision sending this newsletter at least every 

quarter. If you have any comments or suggestions about the newsletter, 

e-mail solar@ee.doe.gov.