[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2668 Reported in Senate (RS)]
<DOC>
Calendar No. 358
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2668
To establish a program for research, development, and demonstration of
solar energy technologies, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
October 22, 2019
Ms. Sinema (for herself and Ms. McSally) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources
December 17, 2019
Reported by Ms. Murkowski, with an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a program for research, development, and demonstration of
solar energy technologies, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> This Act may be cited as the ``Solar Energy Research and
Development Act of 2019''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> In this Act:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Economically distressed area.--The term
``economically distressed area'' means an area described in
section 301(a) of the Public Works and Economic Development Act
of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3161(a)).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity''
means--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) an institution of higher
education;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) a National Laboratory;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) a Federal research agency;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) a State research agency;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) a nonprofit research
organization;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) an industrial entity; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (G) a consortium of 2 or more entities
described in subparagraphs (A) through (F).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' has
the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Native American
Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25
U.S.C. 4103).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the
term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) National laboratory.--The term ``National
Laboratory'' has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the
Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) Photovoltaic device.--The term ``photovoltaic
device'' means--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) a device that converts light directly
into electricity through a solid-state, semiconductor
process;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) the photovoltaic cells of a device
described in subparagraph (A); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) the electronic and electrical
components of a device described in subparagraph
(A).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) Program.--The term ``program'' means the
program established under section 3(a)(1).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (8) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the
Secretary of Energy.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 3. SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Program.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a
solar energy technology program under which the Secretary
shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) award grants on a competitive, merit-
reviewed basis to eligible entities to conduct
research, development, testing, and evaluation of solar
energy technologies; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) carry out other activities in
accordance with this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Purposes.--The purposes of the program are the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) To improve the energy efficiency,
reliability, resilience, security, and capacity of
solar energy generation.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) To optimize the design and
adaptability of solar energy systems to the broadest
practical range of geographic and atmospheric
conditions.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) To reduce the cost of manufacturing,
installation, operation, and maintenance of solar
energy systems.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) To create and improve conversion of
solar energy to useful forms.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Targets.--In carrying out the program, the
Secretary shall address near-term (up to 2 years), mid-term (up
to 7 years), and long-term (up to 15 years) challenges to the
advancement of solar energy systems.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Stewardship of national laboratory
resources.--In awarding grants under the program, the Secretary
shall steward relevant capabilities and programs of the
National Laboratories.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Technical assistance and workforce
development.--In carrying out the program, for purposes of
supporting technical, nonhardware, and information-based
advances in solar energy systems development and operations,
the Secretary may--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) provide technical assistance and carry
out analysis activities with eligible entities,
including activities that support expanding access to
solar energy for low-income individuals and
communities, including in economically distressed
areas; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) carry out workforce development and
training activities, including to support the
dissemination of standards and best practices for
enabling solar power production.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) Wildlife impact mitigation.--In carrying out
the program, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent
practicable, support wildlife impact mitigation technologies
and strategies, including the use of distributed solar
technologies, to reduce the potential negative impacts of solar
energy systems on fish or wildlife, or plants (as those terms
are defined in section 3 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973
(16 U.S.C. 1532)).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) Sustainable chemistry.--Each entity receiving
a grant under the program shall endeavor, in carrying out
activities under the grant, to incorporate, where appropriate,
sustainable and green chemistry and engineering principles,
practices, and methodologies.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Grant Subject Areas.--In addition to awarding the
grants described in subsections (c) through (e), the Secretary shall
award grants under the program to eligible entities to carry out
research, development, testing, and evaluation in the following subject
areas:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Photovoltaic devices and related electronic
components, including converters, sensors, energy monitors,
communication and control equipment, and protocols.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Concentrated solar power, including solar
thermal and concentrating solar photovoltaic
technologies.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Low cost, high-quality solar energy
systems.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Solar heating and cooling systems, including
distributed solar-powered air conditioning.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Low cost, thin-film solar technologies,
including the use of perovskite materials in solar
cells.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) Solar technology products that can be easily
integrated into new buildings, existing buildings, agricultural
and aquatic environments, and other infrastructure.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) Solar technology that is resilient to extreme
weather events.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (8) Solar technology products integrated into
transportation applications in coordination with vehicle
technologies research and development activities supported by
the Department of Energy.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (9) Storage technologies that address the
transience and intermittency of solar energy resources,
including batteries, supercapacitors, and thermal
storage.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (10) Microgrids using solar technology.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (11) Solar technologies enabling safe grid
operating conditions, such as fast-disconnect during an
emergency.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (12) Distributed solar energy technologies, such
as rooftop solar panels.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (13) Technologies and designs that enable a broad
range of scales for solar power production.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (14) Advanced solar manufacturing technologies and
best practices, including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) materials and processes;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) development of industry
standards;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) design and integration practices;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) optimized packaging methods and new
device designs.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (15) Advanced analytic and computing capabilities
for better modeling and simulations of solar energy
systems.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (16) Electrical grid integration, including--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) integration of solar technologies into
smart grid, transmission, and distribution;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) coordination of solar with other
distributed and large-scale energy resources;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) electrical power smoothing;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) microgrid integration;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) community solar;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) solar resource forecasting;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (G) regional and national electric system
balancing and long-distance transmission options,
including direct current and superconducting
transmission and long-term storage options;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (H) ways to address system operations over
minutes, hours, days, weeks, and seasons with respect
to the full range of project scales; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) electric grid security, including
cyber and physical security.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (17) Nonhardware and information-based advances in
solar energy system design, installation, and
operation.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (18) Solar energy technology relating to behind-
the-meter strategies, including with respect to electricity
generation, load, energy efficiency, controls, storage, and
electric vehicles.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (19) Next generation demonstration
facilities.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (20) Any other subject area determined by the
Secretary.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Solar Energy Technology Demonstration Grants.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--In carrying out the program, the
Secretary shall award multiyear grants to eligible entities to
carry out demonstration projects to advance the development of
solar energy technologies and systems production.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Priority.--In awarding grants under paragraph
(1), the Secretary shall give priority to projects that--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) are located in geographically diverse
regions of the United States;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) can be replicated in a variety of
regions and climates;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) demonstrate technologies that address
intermittency, variability, storage challenges, behind-
the-meter operations, and independent operational
capability;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) coordinate solar technologies with
other distributed and large-scale energy
resources;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) facilitate identification of optimum
approaches among competing solar energy
technologies;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) include business commercialization
plans that have the potential for production of solar
energy equipment at high volumes;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (G) support the development of advanced
manufacturing technologies that have the potential to
improve United States competitiveness in the
international solar energy manufacturing
sector;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (H) provide the greatest potential to
reduce energy costs for consumers and promote
accessibility and community implementation of
demonstrated technologies;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) increase disclosure and transparency
of information to all market participants;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (J) promote overall electric
infrastructure reliability and resilience in the event
of grid functions being disrupted or damaged;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (K) support the development or
demonstration of projects in collaboration with Indian
tribes and in economically distressed areas;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (L) satisfy any other priority that the
Secretary determines appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Use of funds.--To the extent that funding is
not otherwise available through other Federal programs or power
purchase agreements, grants awarded under paragraph (1) may be
used for--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) any necessary site engineering
study;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) an economic assessment of site-
specific conditions;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) appropriate feasibility studies to
determine whether the demonstration project may be
replicated;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) installation of equipment, service,
and support;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) operating the demonstration project
for not less than the minimum period required to fully
assess the results and objectives of the project, as
determined by a peer-reviewed process; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) validation of technical, economic, and
environmental assumptions and documentation of lessons
learned.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Solicitation.--Not later than 90 days after
the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the
Secretary shall conduct a national solicitation for
applications for grants described in paragraph (1).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Organic photovoltaic cell technologies.--At
least 1 grant awarded under paragraph (1) during fiscal year
2020 shall be for a project to demonstrate organic photovoltaic
cell technologies.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Next Generation Solar Energy Manufacturing
Initiative.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Grants.--In carrying out the program, the
Secretary shall award multiyear grants to eligible entities for
research, development, and demonstration projects to advance
new solar energy manufacturing technologies and techniques,
including to manufacture solar cells, hardware, and enabling
devices.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Priority.--In awarding grants under paragraph
(1), to the extent practicable, the Secretary shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) follow the recommendations in the
report described in paragraph (3)(B)(ii); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) give priority to solar energy
manufacturing projects that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) reduce capital expenditures or
provide lower-cost manufacturing
options;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) eliminate manufacturing
process steps;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) reduce energy, water, and
material inputs;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iv) establish alternative supply
chains for materials and components;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (v) are located on land owned by
Indian tribes;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (vi) are located on land in
economically distressed areas; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (vii) take advantage of rapid
prototyping, small batch manufacturing, and
roll-to-roll processing.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Strategic vision study.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--The Secretary shall
conduct a study on the viable market opportunities
available for solar energy technology manufacturing in
the United States, including solar cells, hardware, and
enabling technologies.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Report.--Not later than September 1,
2020, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the
House of Representatives, and any other relevant
Committee of Congress a report containing the results
of the study under subparagraph (A), including--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) a description of--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) the ability of
relevant businesses or other entities
to competitively manufacture solar
technology in the United States,
including the manufacture of--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (aa) new and
advanced materials, such as
cells made with new, cost-
effective, high-efficiency
materials;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (bb) solar module
equipment and enabling
technologies, including smart
inverters, sensors, and
tracking equipment;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (cc) innovative
solar module designs and
applications, including designs
and applications that can
directly integrate with new and
existing buildings and other
infrastructure; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) opportunities and
barriers in solar energy technology
supply chains in the United States and
internationally;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) policy recommendations for
enhancing solar energy technology manufacturing
in the United States;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) an aggressive 10-year target
and plan, beginning in calendar year 2021, to
enhance the competitiveness of solar energy
technology manufacturing in the United States;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iv) needs for future research,
development, and demonstration projects in
solar manufacturing and related areas, as
determined by the Secretary.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Evaluation.--Not later than 3 years after the
date on which the report under paragraph (3)(B) is submitted,
and every 4 years thereafter, the Secretary shall conduct, and
make available to the public and the relevant committees of
Congress, an independent review of the progress of the grants
awarded under paragraph (1) in meeting the recommendations and
targets included in the report.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Photovoltaic Device Recycling Research, Development,
and Demonstration Grants.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--In carrying out the program, the
Secretary shall award multiyear grants to eligible entities for
research, development, and demonstration projects to create
innovative and practical approaches to increase the reuse and
recycling of photovoltaic devices, including by addressing--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) technology to increase the efficiency
of photovoltaic device recycling and maximize the
recovery of valuable raw materials for use in new
products while minimizing the lifecycle environmental
impacts, such as greenhouse gas emissions and water
usage;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) expanded uses for materials from
recycled photovoltaic devices;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) the development and demonstration of
environmentally responsible alternatives to the use of
hazardous materials in photovoltaic devices and the
production of those devices;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) the development of methods to separate
and remove hazardous materials from photovoltaic
devices and to recycle or dispose of those materials in
a safe manner;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) product design and construction to
facilitate disassembly and recycling of photovoltaic
devices;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) tools and methods to aid in assessing
the environmental impacts of the production of
photovoltaic devices and photovoltaic device recycling
and disposal;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (G) product design and construction and
other tools and techniques to extend the lifecycle of
photovoltaic devices, including methods to promote the
safe reuse of those devices;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (H) strategies to increase consumer
acceptance and practice of recycling of photovoltaic
devices;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) the development or demonstration of
projects in collaboration with Indian tribes and in
economically distressed areas; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (J) processes to reduce the costs and
environmental impact of disposal of toxic materials
used in photovoltaic devices.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Applications.--An eligible entity seeking a
grant under paragraph (1) shall submit to the Secretary an
application at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Secretary may require, including a
description of--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) the proposed project and the
contributions of each participating entity;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) the applicability of the project to
increasing the reuse and recycling of photovoltaic
devices with the least environmental impacts as
measured by lifecycle analyses;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) the potential for incorporating the
research results into industry practice; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) the manner in which the project will
promote collaboration among scientists and engineers
from different disciplines, such as the electrical
engineering, materials science, and social science
disciplines.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Dissemination of results.--The Secretary shall
publish the results of the projects carried out through grants
awarded under paragraph (1) through--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) best practices or training materials
relating to those grants, for use in the photovoltaics
manufacturing, design, installation, refurbishing, or
recycling industries;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) coordination with information
dissemination programs relating to general recycling of
electronic devices; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) educational materials for the public,
produced in conjunction with State and local
governments or nonprofit organizations, on the problems
and solutions relating to the reuse and recycling of
photovoltaic devices.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (f) Photovoltaic Materials Physical Property Database.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Not later than September 1, 2021,
the Secretary shall establish a comprehensive physical property
database of materials for use in photovoltaic devices, which
shall include--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) identification of materials used in
photovoltaic devices;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) the quantity of each commercially
available material identified under subparagraph (A)
and the country of origin of that material;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) the quantity of materials used in
photovoltaic devices projected to be available through
mining or recycling of photovoltaic and other
electronic devices; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) a list of other significant uses for
each material identified under subparagraph
(A).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Priorities.--Not later than September 1, 2020,
the Secretary, in collaboration with private industry, shall
develop a plan to establish priorities and requirements for the
database described in paragraph (1), including the protection
of proprietary information, trade secrets, and other
confidential business information.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Coordination.--The Secretary shall coordinate
with the Director of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency, and the Secretary of the Interior to facilitate the
incorporation of the database under paragraph (1) with any
existing database for materials involved in electronic
manufacturing and recycling.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the program such sums
as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 4. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) The Solar Energy Research, Development, and
Demonstration Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5551 et seq.) is
repealed.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Section 6(b)(3) of the Federal Nonnuclear Energy
Research and Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5905(b)(3)) is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) by striking subparagraph (L); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by redesignating subparagraphs (M) through (S)
as subparagraphs (L) through (R), respectively.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) The Solar Photovoltaic Energy Research, Development,
and Demonstration Act of 1978 (42 U.S.C. 5581 et seq.) is
repealed.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Section 4(a) of the Renewable Energy and Energy
Efficiency Technology Competitiveness Act of 1989 (42 U.S.C. 12003(a))
is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking ``photovoltaics, and solar thermal energy'' and
inserting ``alcohol from biomass, and other
technologies'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3);
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as
paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Section 931 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42
U.S.C. 16231) is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in subsection (a)(2)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) by striking subparagraph (A);
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by redesignating subparagraphs (B)
through (E) as subparagraphs (A) through (D),
respectively;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by striking subsection (d); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) by redesignating subsections (e) through (g)
as subsections (d) through (f), respectively.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (f) Sections 606 and 607 of the Energy Independence and
Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17174, 17175) are repealed.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 5. SAVINGS PROVISION.</DELETED>
<DELETED> The repeal of the Solar Energy Research, Development, and
Demonstration Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5551 et seq.) under section 4(a)
shall not affect the authority of the Secretary to conduct research and
development on solar energy.</DELETED>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Solar Energy Research and
Development Act of 2019''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Economically distressed area.--The term ``economically
distressed area'' means an area described in section 301(a) of
the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42
U.S.C. 3161(a)).
(2) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
(A) an institution of higher education;
(B) a National Laboratory;
(C) a Federal research agency;
(D) a State research agency;
(E) a research agency associated with a territory
or freely associated state;
(F) a tribal energy development organization;
(G) an Indian tribe;
(H) a tribal organization;
(I) a Native Hawaiian community-based organization;
(J) a nonprofit research organization;
(K) an industrial entity;
(L) any other entity, as determined by the
Secretary; and
(M) a consortium of 2 or more entities described in
subparagraphs (A) through (L).
(3) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' has the
meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(4) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the
term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001).
(5) National laboratory.--The term ``National Laboratory''
has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Energy
Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).
(6) Native Hawaiian community-based organization.--The term
``Native Hawaiian community-based organization'' has the
meaning given the term in section 6207 of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517).
(7) Photovoltaic device.--The term ``photovoltaic device''
means--
(A) a device that converts light directly into
electricity through a solid-state, semiconductor
process;
(B) the photovoltaic cells of a device described in
subparagraph (A); and
(C) the electronic and electrical components of a
device described in subparagraph (A).
(8) Program.--The term ``program'' means the program
established under section 3(a)(1).
(9) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Energy.
(10) Solar energy.--The term ``solar energy'' means--
(A) thermal or electric energy derived from
radiation from the Sun; or
(B) energy resulting from a chemical reaction
caused by radiation recently originated in the Sun.
(11) Territory or freely associated state.--The term
``territory or freely associated state'' has the meaning given
the term ``insular area'' in section 1404 of the Food and
Agriculture Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103).
(12) Tribal energy development organization.--The term
``tribal energy development organization'' has the meaning
given the term in section 2601 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992
(25 U.S.C. 3501).
(13) Tribal organization.--The term ``tribal organization''
has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
SEC. 3. SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a program to
conduct research, development, testing, evaluation,
demonstration, and commercialization of solar energy
technologies in accordance with this section.
(2) Purposes.--The purposes of the program are the
following:
(A) To improve the energy efficiency, cost
effectiveness, reliability, resilience, security,
integration, manufacturability, and recyclability of
solar energy technologies.
(B) To optimize the performance and operation of
solar energy components, cells, and systems, and
enabling technologies, including through the
development of new materials, hardware, and software.
(C) To optimize the design and adaptability of
solar energy systems to the broadest practical range of
geographic and atmospheric conditions.
(D) To support the integration of solar energy
technologies with the electric grid and complementary
energy technologies.
(E) To create and improve the conversion of solar
energy to other useful forms of energy or other
products.
(F) To reduce and mitigate any potential negative
impacts of solar energy technologies on humans,
wildlife, and wildlife habitats.
(G) To address barriers to the commercialization
and export of solar energy technologies.
(H) To support the domestic solar industry,
workforce, and supply chain.
(3) Targets.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish targets
for the program to address near-term (up to 2 years), mid-term
(up to 7 years), and long-term (up to 15 years) challenges to
the advancement of solar energy systems.
(b) Activities.--
(1) Types of activities.--In carrying out the program, the
Secretary shall carry out research, development, demonstration,
and commercialization activities, including--
(A) awarding grants and awards, on a competitive,
merit-reviewed basis;
(B) performing precompetitive research and
development;
(C) establishing or maintaining demonstration
facilities and projects, including through stewardship
of existing facilities;
(D) providing technical assistance;
(E) entering into contracts and cooperative
agreements;
(F) providing small business vouchers;
(G) establishing prize competitions;
(H) conducting education and outreach activities;
and
(I) conducting analyses, studies, and reports.
(2) Subject areas.--The Secretary shall carry out research,
development, testing, evaluation, demonstration, and
commercialization activities in the following subject areas:
(A) Advanced solar energy technologies, including--
(i) new materials, components, designs, and
systems, including perovskites;
(ii) advanced photovoltaic and thin-film
devices;
(iii) concentrated solar power;
(iv) solar heating and cooling; and
(v) enabling technologies for solar energy
systems, including hardware and software.
(B) Solar energy technology performance,
operations, and security.
(C) Integration of solar energy technologies with--
(i) the electric grid, including
transmission, distribution, microgrids, and
distributed energy systems;
(ii) other energy technologies, including--
(I) other generation sources;
(II) demand response technologies;
and
(III) energy storage technologies;
and
(iii) other nonelectric applications, such
as in the agriculture, transportation,
industrial, and fuels sectors.
(D) Advanced solar energy manufacturing
technologies and practices, including materials,
processes, and design.
(E) Methods to improve the lifetime, maintenance,
recycling, and reuse of solar energy components and
systems.
(F) Solar energy forecasting, modeling, and
atmospheric measurement systems, including for small-
scale, large-scale, and aggregated systems.
(G) Hybrid solar energy systems that incorporate
diverse--
(i) generation sources;
(ii) loads; and
(iii) storage technologies.
(H) Reducing market barriers to the adoption of
solar energy technologies, including impacts on, or
challenges relating to--
(i) distributed solar technologies,
including the development of best practices,
models, and voluntary streamlined processes for
local permitting of distributed solar energy
systems to reduce costs;
(ii) local communities;
(iii) wildlife and wildlife habitats; and
(iv) any other appropriate matter, as
determined by the Secretary.
(I) Transformational technologies for harnessing
solar energy.
(J) Other research areas that advance the purposes
of the program, as determined by the Secretary.
(3) Prioritization.--In carrying out activities under the
program, the Secretary shall give priority to projects that--
(A) are located in a geographically diverse range
of eligible entities;
(B) support the development or demonstration of
projects--
(i) in collaboration with tribal energy
development organizations, Indian tribes,
tribal organizations, Native Hawaiian
community-based organizations, or territories
or freely associated states; or
(ii) in economically distressed areas;
(C) can be replicated in a variety of regions and
climates;
(D) include business commercialization plans that
have the potential for--
(i) domestic manufacturing and production
of solar energy technologies; or
(ii) exports of solar energy technologies;
and
(E) satisfy any other priority that the Secretary
determines to be appropriate.
(4) Coordination.--To the maximum extent practicable, the
Secretary shall coordinate activities under the program with
other relevant programs and capabilities of the Department of
Energy and other Federal research programs.
(5) Use of funds.--To the extent that funding is not
otherwise available through other Federal programs or power
purchase agreements, funding awarded under this subsection may
be used for additional nontechnology costs, as determined to be
appropriate by the Secretary, such as engineering or
feasibility studies.
(c) Advanced Solar Energy Manufacturing Initiative.--
(1) Grants.--In addition to the program activities
described in subsection (b), in carrying out the program, the
Secretary shall award multiyear grants to eligible entities for
research, development, and demonstration projects to advance
new solar energy manufacturing technologies and techniques.
(2) Priority.--In awarding grants under paragraph (1), to
the extent practicable, the Secretary shall give priority to
solar energy manufacturing projects that--
(A) increase efficiency and cost effectiveness in--
(i) the manufacturing process; and
(ii) the use of resources.
(B) support domestic supply chains for materials
and components;
(C) identify and incorporate nonhazardous
alternative materials for components and devices;
(D) operate in partnership with tribal energy
development organizations, Indian tribes, tribal
organizations, Native Hawaiian community-based
organizations, or territories or freely associated
states; or
(E) are located in economically distressed areas.
(3) Evaluation.--Not later than 3 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, and every 4 years thereafter, the
Secretary shall conduct, and make available to the public and
the relevant committees of Congress, an independent review of
the progress of the grants awarded under paragraph (1).
(d) Solar Energy Technology Recycling Research, Development, and
Demonstration Program.--
(1) In general.--In addition to the program activities
described in subsection (b), in carrying out the program, the
Secretary shall award multiyear grants to eligible entities for
research, development, and demonstration projects to create
innovative and practical approaches to increase the reuse and
recycling of solar energy technologies, including--
(A) by increasing the efficiency and cost
effectiveness of the recovery of raw materials from
solar energy technology components and systems,
including enabling technologies such as inverters;
(B) by minimizing environmental impacts from the
recovery and disposal processes;
(C) by addressing any barriers to the research,
development, demonstration, and commercialization of
technologies and processes for the disassembly and
recycling of solar energy devices;
(D) by developing alternative materials, designs,
manufacturing processes, and other aspects of solar
energy technologies and the disassembly and resource
recovery process that enable efficient, cost effective,
and environmentally responsible disassembly of, and
resource recovery from, solar energy technologies; and
(E) strategies to increase consumer acceptance of,
and participation in, the recycling of photovoltaic
devices.
(2) Dissemination of results.--The Secretary shall make
available to the public and the relevant committees of Congress
the results of the projects carried out through grants awarded
under paragraph (1), including any educational and outreach
materials.
(e) Solar Energy Technology Materials Physical Property Database.--
(1) In general.--Not later than September 1, 2021, the
Secretary shall establish a comprehensive physical property
database of materials for use in solar energy technologies,
which shall identify the type, quantity, country of origin,
source, significant uses, and physical properties of materials
used in solar energy technologies.
(2) Coordination.--In establishing the database described
in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall coordinate with--
(A) the Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology;
(B) the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency;
(C) the Secretary of the Interior; and
(D) relevant industry stakeholders, as determined
by the Secretary.
(f) Solar Energy Technology Program Strategic Vision.--
(1) In general.--Not later than September 1, 2021, and
every 6 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to
Congress a report on the strategic vision, progress, goals, and
targets of the program, including assessments of solar energy
markets and manufacturing.
(2) Preparation.--The Secretary shall coordinate the
preparation of the report under paragraph (1) with--
(A) existing peer review processes;
(B) studies conducted by the National Laboratories;
and
(C) the multiyear program planning required under
section 994 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C.
16358).
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the program $270,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024.
SEC. 4. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.
(a) The Solar Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act
of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5551 et seq.) is repealed.
(b) Section 6(b)(3) of the Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and
Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5905(b)(3)) is amended--
(1) by striking subparagraph (L); and
(2) by redesignating subparagraphs (M) through (S) as
subparagraphs (L) through (R), respectively.
(c) The Solar Photovoltaic Energy Research, Development, and
Demonstration Act of 1978 (42 U.S.C. 5581 et seq.) is repealed.
(d) Section 4 of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Technology Competitiveness Act of 1989 (42 U.S.C. 12003) is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``photovoltaics,
and solar thermal'' and inserting ``alcohol from biomass, and
other technology'';
(2) in subsection (a)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking ``photovoltaics, and solar thermal energy''
and inserting ``alcohol from biomass, and other energy
technology'';
(B) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3); and
(C) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as
paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively; and
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking ``the Photovoltaic Energy Systems Program, the
Solar Thermal Energy Systems Program,'';
(B) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking subparagraph (A); and
(ii) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and
(C) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively;
and
(C) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by striking subparagraph (A); and
(ii) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and
(C) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively.
(e) Section 931 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16231)
is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(2)--
(A) by striking subparagraph (A); and
(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (E)
as subparagraphs (A) through (D), respectively;
(2) by striking subsection (d); and
(3) by redesignating subsections (e) through (g) as
subsections (d) through (f), respectively.
(f) Sections 606 and 607 of the Energy Independence and Security
Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17174, 17175) are repealed.
SEC. 5. SAVINGS PROVISION.
The repeal of the Solar Energy Research, Development, and
Demonstration Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5551 et seq.) under section 4(a)
shall not affect the authority of the Secretary to conduct research and
development on solar energy.
Calendar No. 358
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2668
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a program for research, development, and demonstration of
solar energy technologies, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
December 17, 2019
Reported with an amendment
Solar Energy Research and Development Act of 2019
#2668 | S Congress #116
Policy Area: Energy
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovationsAlaska Natives and HawaiiansAlternative and renewable resourcesChemistryCongressional oversightEconomic developmentElectric power generation and transmissionEnergy efficiency and conservationEnergy pricesEnergy researchEnergy storage, supplies, demandEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsHazardous wastes and toxic substancesManufacturingMaterialsResearch administration and fundingResearch and development
Last Action: By Senator Murkowski from Committee on Energy and Natural Resources filed written report. Report No. 116-202. (1/9/2020)
Bill Text Source: Congress.gov
Summary and Impacts
Original Text