Solar Energy Research and Advancement Act of 2007

Bill: 110-hr-2774
Sponsor: Rep. Giffords, Gabrielle [D-AZ-8]
Introduced: 2007-06-19 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Air conditioning
Alternative energy sources
Commerce
Commercialization
Congressional reporting requirements
Economics and Public Finance
Electric power transmission
Energy industries
Energy storage
Federal aid to research
Grants-in-aid
Labor and Employment
Lighting
Research and development
Research grants
Science, Technology, Communications
Solar energy
Technological innovations
Vocational and technical education
Water Resources Development
Water conservation
Water use

Summary:
action_date: 2007-06-19
text: 
Solar Energy Research and Advancement Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a research and development program to provide lower cost and more viable thermal energy storage technologies to enable the shifting of electric power loads on demand and extend the operating time of concentrating solar power electric generating plants.
 
Instructs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on methods to: (1) integrate concentrating solar power into regional electricity transmission systems, identifying new transmission or transmission upgrades needed to bring electricity from high concentrating solar power resource areas to growing electric power load centers throughout the United States; and (2) reduce the amount of water consumed by concentrating solar power systems. 

action_date: 2007-08-03
text: 
Solar Energy Research and Advancement Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a research and development program to provide lower cost and more viable thermal energy storage technologies to enable the shifting of electric power loads on demand and extend the operating time of concentrating solar power electric generating plants. Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2012.
 
Instructs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on methods to: (1) integrate concentrating solar power into regional electricity transmission systems, identifying new transmission or transmission upgrades needed to bring electricity from high concentrating solar power resource areas to growing electric power load centers throughout the United States; and (2) reduce the amount of water consumed by concentrating solar power systems.
 

 

 
Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) a competitive grant program in the Office of Solar Energy Technologies to create and strengthen solar industry workforce training and internship programs in installation, operation, and maintenance of solar energy products; (2) a research and development program to assist in demonstration and commercial application of direct solar renewable energy sources to provide alternatives to traditional power generation for lighting and illumination, including light pipe technology; (3) a research, development, and demonstration program to promote less costly and more reliable decentralized distributed solar-powered air conditioning for individuals and businesses; and (4) a program of grants to states to demonstrate advanced photovoltaic technology.
 
Authorizes appropriations for all these programs for FY2008-FY2012.
 

 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-05-06
text: Hearing Held by Subcommittee on Energy and Environment Prior to Introduction and Referral (June 19, 2007).
action_date: 2007-08-03
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 190.
action_date: 2007-08-03
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science and Technology. H. Rept. 110-303.
action_date: 2007-08-03
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science and Technology. H. Rept. 110-303.
action_date: 2007-06-27
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended).
action_date: 2007-06-27
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2007-06-21
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2007-06-21
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2007-06-20
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.
action_date: 2007-06-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science and Technology.
action_date: 2007-06-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-06-19
text: Introduced in House