,,ib ,union ,calendar ,no4 #djj #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #ceig ,report ,no4 #aaf-dii ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,june #bh1 #bjai,mr4 ,mc,adams 7for himself and ,mr4 ,fortenberry7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology ,september #aa1 #bjbj;,additional sponsors3 ,mr4 ,crist1 ,ms4 ,escobar1 and ,mrs4 ,axne ,september #aa1 #bjbj,reported with amendments1 committed to the ,committee of the ,whole ,house on the ,state of the ,union1 and ordered to be printed,strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic,for text of introduced bill1 see copy of bill as introduced on ,june #bh1 #bjai ,a ,,bill ,to guide and authorize basic research programs in the ,united ,states for research1 development1 and demonstration of solar energy technologies1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,solar ,energy ,research and ,development ,act of #bjai4 #b4 ,solar energy technology program 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall carry out a solar energy program to conduct research1 development1 testing1 and evaluation of solar energy technologies4 ,in carrying out such program1 the ,secretary shall1 in accordance with subsection 7b71 award grants and enter into contracts and cooperative agreements under this section1 and sections #c1 #d1 and #e for each of the following purposes3 7#a7 ,to improve the energy efficiency1 reliability1 resilience1 security1 and capacity of solar energy generation4 7#b7 ,to optimize the design and adaptability of solar energy systems to the broadest practical range of geographic and atmospheric conditions4 7#c7 ,to reduce the cost of manufacturing1 installation1 operation1 and maintenance of solar energy systems4 7#d7 ,to create and improve conversion of solar energy to useful forms4 7b7 ,grants1 contracts1 and cooperative agreements 7#a7 ,grants ,in carrying out the program established under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall award grants on a competitive1 merit-reviewed basis to eligible entities for projects that the ,secretary determines would best achieve the goals of the program4 7#b7 ,contracts and cooperative agreements ,in carrying out the program established under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary may enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with eligible entities and ,federal agencies for projects that the ,secretary determines would further the purposes of the program4 7#c7 ,application ,an entity seeking a grant or a contract or agreement under this ,act shall submit to the ,secretary an application at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require4 7c7 ,solar energy research subject areas ,the program established under subsection 7a7 shall focus on the research1 development1 testing1 and evaluation of each of the following subject areas3 7#a7 ,photovoltaic devices and related electronic components1 including converters1 sensors1 energy monitors1 communication and control equipment1 and protocols4 7#b7 ,concentrated solar power1 including solar thermal and concentrating solar photovoltaic technologies4 7#c7 ,low cost1 high-quality solar energy systems4 7#d7 ,low cost1 thin-film solar technologies1 including the use of perovskite materials in solar cells4 7#e7 ,solar heating and cooling systems1 including distributed solar-powered air conditioning4 7#f7 ,solar technology products that can be easily integrated into new buildings1 existing buildings1 agricultural and aquatic environments1 and other infrastructure4 7#g7 ,solar technology that is resilient to extreme weather events4 7#h7 ,solar technology products integrated into transportation applications in coordination with vehicle technologies research and development activities supported by the ,department of ,energy4 7#i7 ,storage technologies to address the transience and intermittency of solar energy resources1 including batteries1 supercapacitors1 and thermal storage4 7#aj7 ,microgrids using solar technology4 7#aa7 ,solar technologies enabling safe grid operating conditions1 such as fast-disconnect during an emergency4 7#ab7 ,distributed solar energy technologies1 such as rooftop solar panels4 7#ac7 ,technologies and designs that enable a broad range of scales for solar power production4 7#ad7 ,advanced solar manufacturing technologies and best practices1 including-- 7,a7 materials and processes2 7,b7 development of industry standards2 7,c7 design and integration practices2 and 7,d7 optimized packaging methods and new device designs4 7#ae7 ,advanced analytic and computing capabilities for better modeling and simulations of solar energy systems4 7#af7 ,electrical grid integration1 including-- 7,a7 integration of solar technologies into smart grid1 transmission1 and distribution2 7,b7 coordination of solar with other distributed and large-scale energy resources2 7,c7 electrical power smoothing2 7,d7 microgrid integration2 7,e7 community solar2 7,f7 solar resource forecasting2 7,g7 regional and national electric system balancing and long distance transmission options1 including direct current and superconducting transmission and long-term storage options2 7,h7 ways to address system operations over minutes1 hours1 days1 weeks1 and seasons with respect to the full range of project scales2 and 7,i7 electric grid security1 including cyber and physical security4 7#ag7 ,non-hardware and information-based advances in solar energy system design1 installation1 and operation4 7#ah7 ,solar energy technology as a part of strategies commonly referred to as behind-the-meter strategies1 including with respect to electricity generation1 load1 energy efficiency1 controls1 storage1 and electric vehicles4 7#ai7 ,methods to reduce the total volume of water used in the manufacture1 construction1 operation1 and maintenance of solar energy technologies4 7#bj7 ,next generation demonstration facilities4 7#ba7 ,other subject areas determined by the ,secretary4 7d7 ,technical assistance and workforce development ,in carrying out the program established under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary may also conduct1 for purposes of supporting technical1 non-hardware1 and information-based advances in solar energy systems development and operations1 including activities expanding access to solar energy for low-income individuals and communities-- 7#a7 technical assistance and analysis activities with eligible entities2 and 7#b7 workforce development and training activities1 including activities that support the dissemination of standards and best practices for enabling solar power production4 7e7 ,program targets ,the program established under subsection 7a7 shall address near-term 7up to #b years71 mid-term 7up to #g years71 and long-term 7up to #ae years7 challenges to the advancement of solar energy systems4 7f7 ,sustainable chemistry ,each entity receiving a grant1 contract1 or cooperative agreement under this section shall endeavor1 in carrying out activities under such grant1 contract1 or cooperative agreement1 to incorporate1 where appropriate1 sustainable and green chemistry and engineering principles1 practices1 and methodologies4 7g7 ,wildlife impact mitigation ,in carrying out the activities described in subsection 7c71 the program established under subsection 7a7 shall support wildlife impact mitigation technologies and strategies1 including the use of distributed solar technologies1 to reduce the potential negative impacts of solar energy systems on wildlife1 including bird species and local flora and fauna4 7h7 ,stewardship of ,national ,laboratory resources ,in awarding grants and entering into contracts and cooperative agreements under this ,act1 the ,secretary shall steward relevant capabilities and programs of the ,national ,laboratories4 7i7 ,conforming repeals ,the following provisions of law are hereby repealed3 7#a7 ,the ,solar ,energy ,research1 ,development1 and ,demonstration ,act of #aigd 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eeea et seq471 except for section #aj4 7#b7 ,the ,solar ,photovoltaic ,energy ,research1 ,development1 and ,demonstration ,act of #aigh 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eeha et seq474 7#c7 ,paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c7 of section #d7;a7 of the ,renewable ,energy and ,energy ,efficiency ,technology ,competitiveness ,act of #aihi 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abjjc7;a774 7#d7 ,subparagraph 7,a7 of section #ica7;a77#b7 of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afbca7;a77#b774 7#e7 ,sections #fjf and #fjg of the ,energy ,independence and ,security ,act of #bjjg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #agagd and #agage74 7j7 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,the term eligible entity means any of the following entities3 7,a7 ,an institution of higher education4 7,b7 ,a ,national ,laboratory4 7,c7 ,a ,federal research agency4 7,d7 ,a ,state research agency4 7,e7 ,a nonprofit research organization4 7,f7 ,an industrial entity or a multi-institutional consortium thereof4 7#b7 ,the term institution of higher education has the meaning given such term in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja74 7#c7 ,the term ,national ,laboratory has the meaning given such term in section #b7c7 of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aehja7c774 7#d7 ,the term photovoltaic device includes photovoltaic cells and the electronic and electrical components of such devices4 7#e7 ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,energy4 #c4 ,solar energy technology demonstration projects 7a7 ,in ,general ,in carrying out the program established under section #b7;a71 the ,secretary shall award grants on a competitive1 merit-reviewed basis to eligible entities for demonstration projects to advance the development of solar energy technologies and systems production4 7b7 ,priority ,in awarding grants under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall give priority to projects that-- 7#a7 are located in geographically diverse regions of the ,united ,states2 7#b7 can be replicated in a variety of regions and climates2 7#c7 demonstrate technologies that address intermittency1 variability1 storage challenges1 behind-the-meter operations1 and independent operational capability2 7#d7 coordinate solar technologies with other distributed and large-scale energy resources2 7#e7 facilitate identification of optimum approaches among competing solar energy technologies2 7#f7 include business commercialization plans that have the potential for production of solar energy equipment at high volumes2 7#g7 support the development of advanced manufacturing technologies that have the potential to improve ,united ,states competitiveness in the international solar energy manufacturing sector2 7#h7 provide the greatest potential to reduce energy costs1 as well as promote accessibility and community implementation of demonstrated technologies1 for consumers2 7#i7 increase disclosure and transparency of information to all market participants to help in making optimal decisions2 7#aj7 promote overall electric infrastructure reliability and resilience should grid functions be disrupted or damaged2 7#aa7 promote solar energy in low-income communities and those disproportionately burdened by environmental pollution2 and 7#ab7 satisfy any other criteria that the ,secretary determines appropriate4 7c7 ,use of funds ,grants under this section may be used1 to the extent that funding is not otherwise available through other ,federal programs or power purchase agreements1 for-- 7#a7 any necessary site engineering study2 7#b7 an economic assessment of site-specific conditions2 7#c7 appropriate feasibility studies to determine whether the demonstration can be replicated2 7#d7 installation of equipment1 service1 and support2 7#e7 operation for at least the minimum amount of time required to fully assess the project's results and objectives1 as determined by a peer-reviewed process2 and 7#f7 validation of technical1 economic1 and environmental assumptions and documentation of lessons learned4 7d7 ,solicitation ,not later than #ij days after the date of enactment of this ,act and annually thereafter1 the ,secretary shall conduct a national solicitation for applications for grants under this section4 #d4 ,next generation solar energy manufacturing initiative 7a7 ,in ,general ,in carrying out the program established under section #b7;a71 the ,secretary shall conduct research1 development1 and demonstration projects1 in accordance with section #b7;b71 to advance new solar energy manufacturing technologies and techniques1 including those that manufacture solar cells1 hardware1 and enabling devices4 7b7 ,strategic vision report 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than ,september #a1 #bjbj1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives1 the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate1 and any other committees of ,congress deemed appropriate by the ,secretary a report on the results of a study that examines the viable market opportunities available for solar energy technology manufacturing in the ,united ,states1 including solar cells1 hardware1 and enabling technologies4 7#b7 ,report requirements ,the report under paragraph 7#a7 shall include-- 7,a7 a description of-- 7i7 the ability to competitively manufacture solar technology in the ,united ,states1 including the manufacture of-- 7,i7 new and advanced materials1 such as cells made with new1 cost-effective1 high efficiency materials2 7,,ii7 solar module equipment and enabling technologies1 including smart inverters1 sensors1 and tracking equipment2 7,,iii7 innovative solar module designs and applications1 including those that can directly integrate with new and existing buildings and other infrastructure2 and 7,,iv7 other research areas as determined by the ,secretary2 and 7ii7 opportunities and barriers within the ,united ,states and international solar energy technology supply chains2 7,b7 policy recommendations for enhancing solar energy technology manufacturing in the ,united ,states2 and 7,c7 an aggressive #aj-year target and plan1 beginning in #bjba1 to enhance the competitiveness of solar energy technology manufacturing in the ,united ,states4 7c7 ,program implementation ,in carrying out the research1 development1 and demonstration program under this section1 to the extent practicable1 the ,secretary shall follow the recommendations included in the report under subsection 7b7 and award grants and enter into contracts and cooperative agreements for solar energy manufacturing projects that-- 7#a7 reduce capital expenditures or provide lower-cost manufacturing option2 7#b7 eliminate manufacturing process steps2 7#c7 reduce energy1 water1 and material inputs2 7#d7 establish alternative supply chains for materials and components2 and 7#e7 take advantage of rapid prototyping1 small batch manufacturing1 and roll-to-roll processing4 7d7 ,program evaluation ,beginning not later than #c years after the completion of the report under subsection 7b71 and every #d years thereafter1 the ,secretary shall provide1 and make available to the public and the relevant authorizing and appropriations committees of ,congress1 an independent review of the program authorized under this section to evaluate its progress toward meeting the policy recommendations and targets determined in the report4 #e4 ,photovoltaic device recycling research1 development1 and demonstration 7a7 ,in general ,in carrying out the program1 the ,secretary shall conduct research1 development1 and demonstration projects1 in accordance with section #b7;b71 to create innovative and practical approaches to increase reuse and recycling of photovoltaic devices4 7b7 ,purpose ,the ,secretary shall award grants and enter into contracts and cooperative agreements under subsection 7a7 for projects that address-- 7#a7 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 life-cycle environmental impacts such as greenhouse gas emissions and water usage2 7#b7 expanded uses for materials from recycled photovoltaic devices2 7#c7 development and demonstration of environmentally responsible alternatives to the use of hazardous materials in photovoltaic devices and the production of such devices2 7#d7 development of methods to separate and remove hazardous materials from photovoltaic devices and to recycle or dispose of those materials in a safe manner2 7#e7 product design and construction to facilitate disassembly and recycling of photovoltaic devices2 7#f7 tools and methods to aid in assessing the environmental impacts of the production of photovoltaic devices and photovoltaic device recycling and disposal2 7#g7 product design and construction and other tools and techniques to extend the life cycle of photovoltaic devices1 including methods to promote their safe reuse2 7#h7 strategies to increase consumer acceptance and practice of recycling of photovoltaic devices2 and 7#i7 processes to reduce the costs and environmental impact of disposal of toxic materials used in photovoltaic devices4 7c7 ,applications ,an eligible entity seeking a grant1 contract1 or cooperative agreement under this section shall submit to the ,secretary an application that includes a description of-- 7#a7 the project that will be undertaken and the contributions of each participating entity2 7#b7 the applicability of the project to increasing reuse and recycling of photovoltaic devices with the least environmental impacts as measured by life-cycle analyses1 and the potential for incorporating the research results into industry practice2 and 7#c7 how the project will promote collaboration among scientists and engineers from different disciplines1 such as electrical engineering1 materials science1 and social science4 7d7 ,dissemination of results ,the ,secretary shall publish the results of projects supported under this section through-- 7#a7 development of best practices or training materials for use in the photovoltaics manufacturing1 design1 installation1 refurbishing1 or recycling industries2 7#b7 dissemination at industry conferences2 7#c7 coordination with information dissemination programs relating to recycling of electronic devices in general2 7#d7 demonstration projects2 and 7#e7 educational materials for the public produced in conjunction with ,state1 ,tribal1 and local governments or nonprofit organizations on the problems and solutions related to reuse and recycling of photovoltaic devices4 7e7 ,photovoltaic materials physical property database 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than ,september #a1 #bjba1 the ,secretary shall establish a comprehensive physical property database of materials for use in photovoltaic devices4 ,such database shall include-- 7,a7 identification of materials used in photovoltaic devices2 7,b7 a list of commercially available amounts of these materials and their country of origin2 7,c7 amounts of these materials projected to be available through mining or recycling of photovoltaic and other electronic devices2 and 7,d7 a list of other significant uses for each of these materials4 7#b7 ,priorities ,not later than ,september #a1 #bjbj1 the ,secretary1 working with private industry1 shall develop a plan to establish priorities and requirements for the database under this subsection1 including the protection of proprietary information1 trade secrets1 and other confidential business information4 7#c7 ,coordination ,the ,secretary shall coordinate with the ,director of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology1 the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency1 and the ,administrator of the ,department of ,interior to facilitate the incorporation of the database under this subsection with any existing database for materials involved in electronic manufacturing and recycling4 #f4 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out this ,act-- 7#a7 #bgj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbj2 7#b7 #bhc1ejj1jjj for fiscal year #bjba2 7#c7 #big1fge1jjj for fiscal year #bjbb2 7#d7 #cab1eeh1gej for fiscal year #bjbc2 and 7#e7 #cbh1ahf1fhh for fiscal year #bjbd4 #g4 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that in order to reduce emissions and meet #ajj percent of the power demand in the ,united ,states through clean1 renewable1 or zero-emission energy sources1 the ,secretary must prioritize research and development for all innovative energy technologies1 including research to develop and improve the efficiency of fossil and nuclear power technologies4 ,amend the title so as to read3 ,a bill to provide for a program of research1 development1 and demonstration of solar energy technologies1 and for other purposes44 ,september #aa1 #bjbj,reported with amendments1 committed to the ,committee of the ,whole ,house on the ,state of the ,union1 and ordered to be printed