Advanced Systems Integration for Solar Technologies | DE FOA 0001987

Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0001987

The Department of Energy (DOE), through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and specifically the Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO), planned to release a discretionary Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) titled "Advanced Systems Integration for Solar Technologies" (Funding Opportunity Number: DE FOA 0001987). The opportunity is centered on early-stage research and development that improves how solar technologies perform and, just as importantly, how flexibly they can operate as part of a modern electric grid. The overall intent is to help solar contribute to a U.S. grid that is reliable and resilient, meaning it can deliver power consistently during normal operations and continue functioning during disruptions.

A major theme of the FOA is "systems integration" rather than basic solar cell research alone. SETO highlights work that enables higher levels of solar penetration while maintaining grid stability, security, and controllability. That includes technical approaches that make it easier and safer to connect more solar generation to the grid, to better use solar energy across different conditions, and to improve the ability to store and dispatch solar power when it is needed instead of only when the sun is shining. The DOE also frames affordability as a core goal, so projects that reduce the cost of solar electricity or reduce integration-related costs (like interconnection, controls, communications, and operational complexity) align with the purpose of the program.

Resilience and security are also explicit priorities. The description emphasizes strengthening the energy sector against cyber and physical threats, including natural disasters and coordinated disruptions. In practical terms, the FOA points to the value of improving the strategic placement of solar assets and increasing situational awareness of solar systems, which can mean better monitoring, control, and visibility into system status during emergencies. The opportunity also signals interest in innovations that speed the transfer of workable solutions into real-world use, implying an emphasis on approaches that can be adopted and deployed by industry, utilities, and other grid stakeholders to measurably improve energy sector resilience.

From an administrative standpoint, the expected funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates substantial federal involvement during the project period (for example, active collaboration, milestones, and technical direction consistent with DOE practices). The FOA is associated with the Energy funding activity category and CFDA number 81.087. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning the opportunity is open to a broad range of applicant types (such as companies, universities, national laboratories, nonprofits, state and local governments, and others), subject to any additional eligibility clarifications that would have been included in the full FOA text. The issuing agency office is the DOE Golden Field Office.

Key dates and high-level award information provided in the source data include a creation date of October 15, 2018, and an original closing date of December 7, 2018. The listing indicates an expected number of awards of 1 and shows an award ceiling of 1 (as written in the source), which likely reflects the way the summary fields were captured rather than a typical dollar ceiling, since the ceiling is not presented with a currency value here. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a focused DOE SETO effort to fund R&D that makes solar a stronger, more controllable, more secure grid resource, with particular attention to integration, storage/dispatch enablement, cost reduction, and resilience against cyber, physical, and natural hazards.

• The Department of Energy, Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Advanced Systems Integration for Solar Technologies" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.087.
• This funding opportunity was created on Oct 15, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 07, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

Apply for DE FOA 0001987

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