An Act to authorize a vigorous Federal program of research, development, and demonstration to assure the utilization of solar energy as a viable source for our national needs, and for other purposes.
PL 93-473 (S.3234), enacted 10/26/1974

88 STAT. 1 
PUBLIC LAW 93-473-OCT. 26, 1974 
1431 
Public Law 93-473 
AN ACT 
To authorize a vigorous Federal program of researcli, development, and demon-
stration to assure the utilization of solar energy as a viable source for our 
national energy needs, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled^ That this Act may 
be cited as the "Solar Energy Research, Development, and Demonstra-
tion Act of 1974". 
DECLARATION OF FINDINGS AND POLICY 
SEC. 2. (a) The Congress hereby finds that— 
(1) the needs of a viable society depend on an ample supply of 
energy; 
(2) the current imbalance between domestic supply and demand 
for fuels and energy is likely to persist for some time; 
(3) dependence on nonrenewable energy resources cannot be 
continued indefinitely, particularly at current rates of consump-
tion; 
(4) it is in the Nation's interest to expedite the long-term devel-
opment of renewable and nonpoUuting energy resources, such 
as solar energy; 
(5) the various solar energy technologies are today at widely 
differing stages of development, with some already near the stage 
of commercial application and others still requiring basic 
research; 
(6) the early development and export of viable equipment 
utilizing solar energy, consistent with the established preeminence 
of the United States in the field of high technology products, can 
make a valuable contribution to our balance of trade; 
(7) the mass production and use of equipment utilizing solar 
energy will help to eliminate the dependence of the United States 
upon foreign energy sources and promote the national defense; 
(8) to date, the national effort in research, development, and 
demonstration activities relating to the utilization of solar energy 
has been extremely limited; therefore 
(9) the urgency of the Nation's critical energy shortages and 
the need to make clean and renewable energy alternatives com-
mercially viable require that the Nation undertake an intensive 
research, development, and demonstration program with an 
estimated Federal 
investment which may reach or exceed 
$1,000,000,000. 
(b) The Congress declares that it is the policy of the Federal Govern-
ment to— 
(1) pursue a vigorous and viable program of research and 
resource assessment of solar energy as a major source of energy 
for our national needs; and 
(2) provide for the development and demonstration of prac-
ticable means to employ solar energy on a commercial scale. 
October 26, 1974 
[S. 3234] 
Solar Energy 
Research, De-
velopment, and 
Demonstration Act 
of 1974. 
42 u s e 5551 
note. 
42 u s e 5551. 
DEFINITIONS 
SEC. 3. For the purposes of this Act— 
(1) the term "solar energy" means energy which has recently 
originated in the Sun, including direct and indirect solar radia-
tion and intermediate solar energy forms such as wind, sea thermal 
gradients, products of photosynthetic processes, organic wastes, 
and others; 
42 u s e 5552. 
1432 
PUBLIC LAW 93-473-OCT. 26, 1974 
[88 STAT. 
(2) the term "byproducts" includes, with respect to any solar 
energy technology or process, any solar energy products (includ-
ing energy forms) other than those associated with or constitut-
ing the primary product of such technology or process; 
(3) the term "insolation" means the rate at which solar energy 
is received at the surface of the Earth; 
(4) the term "Project" means the Solar Energy Coordination 
and Management Project; and 
(5) the term "Chairman" means the Chairman of the Project. 
SOLAR ENERGY COORDINATION AND MANAGEMENT PROJECT 
Establishment. 
SEC. 4. (a) There is hereby established the Solar Energy Coordina-
42 use 5553. 
^^^^ ^^^ Management Project. 
(b) (1) The Project shall be composed of six members as follows: 
(A) an Assistant Director of the National Science Foundation; 
(B) an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Develop-
ment; 
(C) a member of the Federal Power Commission; 
(D) an Associate Administrator of the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration; 
(E) the General Manager of the Atomic Energy Commission; 
and 
(F) a member to be designated by the President. 
(2) The President shall designate one member of the Project to 
serve as Chairman of the Project. 
(3) If the individual designated under paragraph (1) (F) is an 
officer or employee of the Federal Government, he shall receive no 
additional pay on account of his service as a member of the Project. 
If such individual is not an officer or emplovee of the Federal Govern-
ment, he shall be entitled to receive the daily equivalent of the annual 
rate of basic pay in effect for level IV of the Executive Schedule 
(5 U.S.C. 5315) for each day (including traveltime) during which he 
is engaged in the actual performance of duties vested in the Project. 
(c) The Project shall have overall responsibility for the provision 
of effective management and coordination with respect to a national 
solar energy research, development, and demonstration program, 
including— 
(1) the determination and evaluation of the resource base, 
including its temporal and geographic characteristics; 
(2) research and development on solar energy technologies; 
and 
(3) the demonstration of appropriate solar energy technologies. 
(d) (1) The Project shall carry out its responsibilities under this 
section in cooperation with the following Federal agencies: 
(A) the National Science Foundation, the responsibilities of 
which shall include research; 
(B) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the 
responsibilities of which shall include tne provision of manage-
ment capability and the development of technologies; 
(C) the Atomic Energy Commission, the responsibilities of 
which shall include the development of technologies; 
(D) the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the 
responsibilities of which shall include fostering the utilization of 
solar energy for the heating and cooling of buildings, pursuant 
to the Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration Act of 1974 
^ 42 use 5501 
(p.L. 93-409; 88 Stat. 1069); and 
"°'^' 
(E) the Federal Power Commission, the responsibilities of 
which shall include fostering the utilization of solar energy for 
88 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 93-473-OCT. 26, 1974 
1433 
the generation of electricity and for the production of synthetic 
fuels. 
(2) Upon request of the Chairman, the head of any such agency is 
authorized to detail or assign, on a reimbursable basis or otherwise, any 
of the personnel of such agency to the Project to assist it in carrying 
out its responsibilities under this Act. 
(e) The Project shall have exclusive authority with respect to the 
establishment or approval of programs or projects initiated under this 
Act, but the agency involved in any particular program or project 
shall be responsible for the operation and administration of such pro-
gram or project. 
(f) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is author-
ized to undertake and carry out those programs assigned to it by the 
Project. 
RESOURCE DETERMINATION AND ASSESSMENT 
42 u s e 5554. 
SEC. 5. (a) The Chairman shall initiate a solar energy resource deter-
mination and assessment program with the objective of making a 
regional and national appraisal of all solar energy resources, includ-
ing data on insolation, wind, sea thermal gradients, and potentials 
for photosynthetic conversion. The program shall emphasize identifi-
cation of promising areas for commercial exploitation and develop-
ment. The specific goals shall include— 
(1) the development of better methods for predicting the avail-
ability of all solar energy resources, over long time periods and 
by geographic location; 
(2) the development of advanced meteorological, oceano-
graphic, and other instruments, methodology, and procedures 
necessary to measure the quality and quantity of all solar resources 
on periodic bases; 
(3) the development of activities, arrangements, and proce-
dures for the collection, evaluation, and dissemination of informa-
tion and data relating to solar energy resource assessment. 
(b) The Chairman, acting through the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin-
istration, and other appropriate agencies, shall— 
(1) develop and carry out a general plan for inventorying all resoL^cerin-^ 
forms of solar energy resources associated with Federal lands ventory pian. 
and (where consistent with property rights) non-Federal lands; 
(2) conduct regional surveys based upon such general plan, 
using innovative meteorological, oceanographic, and space-related 
techniques, in sufficient numbers to lead to a national inventory 
of solar energy resources in the United States; 
(3) publish and make available maps, reports, and other docu- 
"^^P^ ^n^ re. 
ments developed from such surveys to encourage and facilitate the catloA.^"^^" 
commercial development of solar energy resources; and 
(4) make such recommendations for legislation as may appear 
to be necessary to establish policies for solar resources involving 
Federal lands and waters, consistent with known inventories of 
various resource types, with the state of technologies for solar 
energy development, and with evaluation of the environmental 
impacts of such development. 
RESEARCH AND 
DEVELOPMENT 
SEC. 6. (a) The Chairman shall initiate a research and development 
program for the purpose of resolving the major technical problems 
inhibiting commercial utilization of solar energy in the United States. 
42 u s e 5555. 
1434 
PUBLIC LAW 93-473-OCT. 26, 1974 
[88 STAT. 
(b) In connection with or as a part of such program, the Chairman 
shall— 
(1) conduct, encourage, and promote scientific researcli and 
studies to develop effective and economical processes and equip-
ment for the purpose of utilizing solar energy in an acceptable 
manner for beneficial uses; 
(2) carry out systems, economic, social, and environmental 
studies to provide a basis for research, development and demon-
stration planning and phasing; and 
(3) perform or cause to be performed technology assessments 
relevant to the utilization of solar energy. 
(c) The specific solar energy technologies to be addressed or dealt 
with in the program shall include— 
(1) direct solar heat as a source for industrial processes, 
including the utilization of low-level heat for process and other 
industrial purposes; 
(2) thermal energy conversion, and other methods, for the gen-
eration of electricity and the production of chemical fuels; 
(3) the conversion of cellulose and other organic materials 
(including wastes) to useful energy or fuels; 
(4) photovoltaic and other direct conversion processes; 
(5) sea thermal gradient conversion; 
(6) windpower conversion; 
(7) solar heating and cooling of housing and of commercial 
and public buildings; and 
(8) energy storage. 
DEMONSTRATION 
42 use 5556. 
g^,^^ >
j
- ^^^ rpj^^ Chairman is authorized to initiate a program to 
design and construct, in specific solar energy technologies (including, 
but not limited to, those listed in section (6) (c), facilities or power-
plants of sufficient size to demonstrate the technical and economic 
feasibility of utilizing the various forms of solar energy. The specific 
goals of such programs shall include— 
(1) production of electricity from a number of powerplants, on 
the order of one to ten megawatts each; 
(2) production of synthetic fuels in commercial quantities; 
(3) large-scale utilization of solar energy in the form of direct 
heat; 
(4) utilization of thermal and all other byproducts of the solar 
facilities; 
(5) design and development of hybrid systems involving the 
concomitant utilization of solar and other energy sources; and 
(6) the continuous operation of such plants and facilities for 
a period of time. 
(b) For each of the technologies for which a successful and appro-
priate development program is completed, the Chairman shall make 
a determination to proceed to demonstration based on criteria includ-
ing, but not necessarily limited to, the following: 
(1) the technological feasibility of the project; 
(2) the costs and benefits of the project, as determined by an 
economic assessment; 
(3) the immediate and the potential uses of the solar energy 
utilized in the project; 
(4) long-term national need for the technology; 
(5) environmental impact; 
88 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 93-473-OCT. 26, 1974 
1435 
(6) potential for technology transfer to other applications; 
and 
(7) the nature and extent of Federal participation, if any, in 
the project. 
(c) In carrying out his responsibilities under this section, the 
Chairman, acting through the appropriate Federal agencies, may 
provide for the establishment of one or more demonstration projects 
utilizing each form of solar energy, which shall include, as appro-
priate, the specific research, development, pilot plant construction and 
operation, demonstration plant construction and operation, and other 
facilities and activities which may be necessary to show commercial 
viability of the specific solar technology. 
(d) The Chairman, acting through the appropriate Federal agen-
cies, is authorized to investigate and enter into agreements for the 
cooperative development of facilities to demonstrate solar technol-
ogies. The responsible Federal agency may consider— 
(1) cooperative agreements with non-Federal entities for con-
struction of facilities and equipment to demonstrate solar energy 
technologies; and 
(2) cooperative agreements w4th other Federal agencies for the 
construction of facilities and equipment and operation of facilities 
to produce energy for direct Federal utilization. 
(e) The Chairman, acting through appropriate Federal agencies 
is authorized to construct and operate demonstration projects without 
entering into cooperative agreements with respect to such projects, if 
the Chairman finds that— 
(1) the nature of the resource, the geographical location, the 
scale and engineering design of the facilities, the techniques of 
production, or any other significant factor of the specific demon-
stration project offers opportunities to make important contribu-
tions to the general knowledge of solar resources, the techniques 
of its development, or public confidence in the technology; and 
(2) there is no opportunity for cooperative agreements with 
any non-Federal entity willing and able to cooperate in the 
demonstration project under subsection (d) (1), and there is no 
opportunity for cooperative agreements with other Federal agen-
cies under subsection (d) (2). 
(f) If the estimate of the Federal investment with respect to con-
struction and operation costs of any demonstration project proposed 
to be established under this section exceeds $20,000,000, no amount may 
be appropriated for such project except as specifically authorized by 
legislation hereafter enacted by the Congress. 
(g) (1) At the conclusion of any demonstration project established 
under this section, or as soon thereafter as may be practicable, the 
responsible Federal agencies shall, by sale, lease, or otherwise, dispose 
of all Federal property interests which they have acquired pursuant 
to this section in accordance with existing law and the terms of the 
cooperative agreements involved. 
(2) The agency involved shall, under appropriate agreements or 
other arrangements, provide for the disposition of electricity, syn-
thetic fuels, and other byproducts of the project administered by such 
agency. 
SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGY 
UTILIZATION 
SEC. 8. (a)(1) In carrying out his functions under this Act the 
soiar Energy 
Chairman, utilizing the capabilities of the National Science Founda- 3!°™^''°" ""^^^ 
tion, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Depart- 
Establishment. 
ment of Commerce, the Atomic Energy Commission, and other 
"
^
^ ^^^ ^^^''' 
appropriate Federal agencies to the maximum extent possible, shall 
1436 
PUBLIC LAW 93-473-OCT. 26, 1974 
[88 STAT. 
establish and operate a Solar Energy Information Data Bank (here-
inafter in this subsection referred to as the "bank") for the purpose of 
collecting, reviewing, processing, and disseminating information and 
data in all of the solar energy technologies referred to in section 7(c) 
in a timely and accurate manner in support of the objectives of this 
Act. 
(2) Information and data compiled in the bank shall include— 
(A) technical information (including reports, journal articles, 
dissertations, monographs, and project descriptions) on solar 
energy research, development, and applications; 
(B) similar technical information on the design, construction, 
and maintenance of equipment utilizing solar energy; 
(C) general information on solar energy applications to be 
disseminated for popular consumption; 
(D) physical and chemical properties of materials required for 
solar energy activities and equipment; and 
(E) engineering performance data on equipment and devices 
utilizing solar energy. 
(3) In accordance with regulations prescribed under section 12, the 
Chairman shall provide retrieval and dissemination services with 
respect to the information described under paragraph (2) for— 
(A) Federal, State, and local government organizations that 
are active in the area of energy resources (and their contractors); 
(B) universities and colleges in their related research and con-
sulting activities; and 
(C) the private sector upon request in appropriate cases. 
(4) In carrying out his functions under this subsection, the Chair-
man shall utilize, when feasible, the existing data base of scientific and 
technical information in Federal agencies, adding to such data base 
any information described in paragraph (2) which does not already 
reside in such base. He shall coordinate or merge this data bank with 
other Federal energy information data banks as necessary to assure 
efficient and effective operation. 
(b) In carrying out his functions under this Act the Chairman 
shall perform or cause to be performed studies and research on incen-
tives to promote broader utilization and consumer acceptance of solar 
energy technologies. 
(c) The Chairman shall enter into such arrangements and take such 
other steps as may be necessary or appropriate to provide for the effec-
tive coordination of solar energy technology utilization with all other 
technology utilization programs within the Federal Government. 
42 u s e 5558. 
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL 
EDUCATION 
SEC. 9. The Chairman, acting through the National Science Foun-
dation, is authorized and directed to support programs of education 
in the sciences and engineering to provide the necessary trained per-
sonnel to perform the solar energy research, development, and dem-
onstration activities required imder this Act. Such support may 
include fellowships, traineeships, technical training programs, tech-
nologist training programs, and summer institute programs. 
SOLAR ENERGY RESEARCH 
INSTITUTE 
42 usctsTg"*" 
SEC. 10. (a) There is established a Solar Energy Research Insti-
tute, which shall perform such research, development, and related 
functions as the Chairman may determine to be necessary or appro-
priate in connection with the Project's activities under this Act or to 
be otherwise in furtherance of the purpose and objectives of this Act. 
(b) The Institute may be located (as designated by the Chairman) 
88 STAT.] 
PUBUC LAW93-473~OCT. 26, 1974 
1437 
at any new or existing Federal laboratory (including a non-Federal 
laboratory performing functions under a contract entered into with 
the Project or with any of the agencies represented in the Project as 
well as a laboratory whose personnel are Federal employees). 
INTERNATIONAL 
COOPERATION 
SEC. 11. (a) The Chairman, in furtherance of the objectives of this 
Act, is authorized to cooperate and participate jointly with other 
nations, especially those with agreements for scientific cooperation 
with the United States, in the following activities: 
(1) interinstitutional, bilateral, or multilateral research proj-
ects in the field of solar energy; and 
(2) agreements and programs which will facilitate the exchange 
of information and data relating to solar energy resource assess-
ment and solar energy technologies. 
(b) The National Science Foundation is authorized to encourage, to 
the maximum extent practicable and consistent with the other objec-
tives of this Act, international participation and cooperation in the 
development and maintenance of programs of education to carry out 
the policy set forth in section 9. 
42 u s e 5560,. 
REGULATIONS 
SEC. 12. The Chairman, in consultation with the heads of the Federal 
agencies having functions under this Act and with other appropriate 
officers and agencies, shall prescribe such regulations as may be neces-
sary or appropriate to carry out this Act promptly and efficiently. 
Each such officer or agency, in consultation with the Chairman, may 
prescribe such regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to carry 
out his or its particular functions under this Act promptly and 
efficiently. 
ANNUAL REPORTS 
SEC. 13. The Chairman shall report, on an annual basis, to the Presi-
dent and the Congress all actions taken under the provisions of this 
Act, all action planned for the ensuing year, and, to the extent practi-
cal, a projection of activities and funding requirements, for the 
ensuing five years. The Chairman also shall recommend, as he deems 
appropriate, any legislation or reorganization which might further 
the purposes of this Act. 
42 u s e 5561. 
Report to 
President and 
Congress. 
42 u s e 5562. 
INFORMATION TO CONGRESS 
SEC. 14. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Chairman 
(or the head of any agency which assumes the functions of the Project 
pursuant to section 16) shall keep the appropriate committees of the 
House of Kepresentatives and the Senate fully and currently informed 
with respect to all activities under this Act. 
42 u s e 5563. 
COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM DEFINITION 
SEC. 15. (a) The Chairman is authorized and directed to prepare 
a comprehensive program definition of an integrated effort and com-
mitment for effectively developing solar energy resources. The Chair-
man, in preparing such program definition, shall utilize and consult 
with the appropriate Federal agencies. State and local government 
agencies, and private organizations. 
(b) The Chairman shall transmit such comprehensive program 
definition to the President and to each House of the Congress. An 
42 u s e 5564. 
Transmittal to 
President and 
Congress. 
1438 
PUBLIC LAW 93-474-OCT. 26, 1974 
[88 STAT. 
interim report shall be transmitted not later than March 1, 1975. The 
comprehensive program definition shall be transmitted as soon as 
possible thereafter, but in any case not later than June 30, 1975. 
42 u s e 5565, 
42 u s e 5566. 
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS 
SEC. 16. Within sixty days after the effective date of the law creat-
ing a permanent Federal organization or agency having jurisdiction 
over the energy research and development functions of the United 
States (or within sixty days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act if the effective date of such law occurs prior to the date of the 
enactment of this Act), all of the authorities of the Project and all of 
the research and development functions (and other functions except 
those related to scientific and technical education) vested in Federal 
agencies under this Act along with related records, documents, per-
sonnel, obligations, and other items, to the extent necessary or appro-
priate, shall, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Office 
of Management and Budget, be transferred to and vested in such orga-
nization or agency. 
AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS 
SEC. 17. To carry out the provisions of this Act, there are authorized 
to be appropriated— 
(1) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1976, $75,000,000; 
(2) for subsequent fiscal years, only such sums as the Congress 
hereafter may authorize by law; 
(3) such amounts as may be authorized for the construction of 
demonstrations pursuant to section 7(f) of this Act; and 
(4) to the National Science Foundation for the fiscal year end-
ing June 30, 1975, not to exceed $2,000,000 to be made available 
for use in the preparation of the comprehensive program defini-
tion under section 15. 
Approved October 26, 1974. 
Public Law 93-474 
October 26, 1974 
A.N A C T 
^^' ^^^^ 
To amend chapter 83 of title 5, United States Code, to eliminate tlie annuity 
reduction made, in order to provide a surviving spouse with an annuity, during 
periods when the annuitant is not married. 
eivil service 
retirement. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled^ That section 8339 (j) 
surviv'orannuity of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end thereof 
reduction, eiim- 
^^ foUowlug: "Au auuuity which is reduced under this subsection 
or any similar prior provision of law shall, for each full month dur-
ing which a retired employee or Member is not married, be recomputed 
and paid as if the annuity had not been so reduced. Upon remarriage 
of the retired employee or Member, the annuity shall be reduced by 
the same percentage reductions which were in effect at the time of 
retirement.". 
5 use 8339 
gj,,^ 2. The amendment made by this Act shall apply to annuities 
which commence before, on, or after the date of enactment of this 
Act, but no increase in annuity shall be paid for any period prior to 
the first day of the first month which begins on or after the date of 
enactment of this Act. 
Approved October 26, 1974. 
note.