,,ii #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #bffh ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,october #bb1 #bjai,ms4 ,sinema introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources ,a ,,bill ,to establish a program 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 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,economically distressed area ,the term economically distressed area means an area described in section #cja7;a7 of the ,public ,works and ,economic ,development ,act of #aife 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cafa7;a774 7#b7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means-- 7,a7 an institution of higher education2 7,b7 a ,national ,laboratory2 7,c7 a ,federal research agency2 7,d7 a ,state research agency2 7,e7 a nonprofit research organization2 7,f7 an industrial entity2 and 7,g7 a consortium of #b or more entities described in subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,f74 7#c7 ,indian tribe ,the term ,indian tribe has the meaning given the term in section #d of the ,native ,american ,housing ,assistance and ,self-,determination ,act of #aiif 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #dajc74 7#d7 ,institution of higher education ,the term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja74 7#e7 ,national ,laboratory ,the term ,national ,laboratory has the meaning given the term in section #b of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aehja74 7#f7 ,photovoltaic device ,the term photovoltaic device means-- 7,a7 a device that converts light directly into electricity through a solid-state1 semiconductor process2 7,b7 the photovoltaic cells of a device described in subparagraph 7,a72 and 7,c7 the electronic and electrical components of a device described in subparagraph 7,a74 7#g7 ,program ,the term program means the program established under section #c7;a77#a74 7#h7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,energy4 #c4 ,solar energy technology program 7a7 ,program 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall establish a solar energy technology program under which the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 award grants on a competitive1 merit-reviewed basis to eligible entities to conduct research1 development1 testing1 and evaluation of solar energy technologies2 and 7,b7 carry out other activities in accordance with this section4 7#b7 ,purposes ,the purposes of the program are the following3 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 7#c7 ,targets ,in carrying out the program1 the ,secretary 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 7#d7 ,stewardship of ,national ,laboratory resources ,in awarding grants under the program1 the ,secretary shall steward relevant capabilities and programs of the ,national ,laboratories4 7#e7 ,technical assistance and workforce development ,in carrying out the program1 for purposes of supporting technical1 nonhardware1 and information-based advances in solar energy systems development and operations1 the ,secretary may-- 7,a7 provide technical assistance and carry out analysis activities with eligible entities1 including activities that support expanding access to solar energy for low-income individuals and communities1 including in economically distressed areas2 and 7,b7 carry out workforce development and training activities1 including to support the dissemination of standards and best practices for enabling solar power production4 7#f7 ,wildlife impact mitigation ,in carrying out the program1 the ,secretary shall1 to the maximum extent practicable1 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 fish or wildlife1 or plants 7as those terms are defined in section #c of the ,endangered ,species ,act of #aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aecb774 7#g7 ,sustainable chemistry ,each entity receiving a grant under the program shall endeavor1 in carrying out activities under the grant1 to incorporate1 where appropriate1 sustainable and green chemistry and engineering principles1 practices1 and methodologies4 7b7 ,grant subject areas ,in addition to awarding the grants described in subsections 7c7 through 7e71 the ,secretary shall award grants under the program to eligible entities to carry out research1 development1 testing1 and evaluation in 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 ,solar heating and cooling systems1 including distributed solar-powered air conditioning4 7#e7 ,low cost1 thin-film solar technologies1 including the use of perovskite materials in solar cells4 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 that 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 ,nonhardware and information-based advances in solar energy system design1 installation1 and operation4 7#ah7 ,solar energy technology relating to behind-the-meter strategies1 including with respect to electricity generation1 load1 energy efficiency1 controls1 storage1 and electric vehicles4 7#ai7 ,next generation demonstration facilities4 7#bj7 ,any other subject area determined by the ,secretary4 7c7 ,solar energy technology demonstration grants 7#a7 ,in ,general ,in carrying out the program1 the ,secretary shall award multiyear grants to eligible entities to carry out demonstration projects to advance the development of solar energy technologies and systems production4 7#b7 ,priority ,in awarding grants under paragraph 7#a71 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 costs for consumers and promote accessibility and community implementation of demonstrated technologies2 7,i7 increase disclosure and transparency of information to all market participants2 7,j7 promote overall electric infrastructure reliability and resilience in the event of grid functions being disrupted or damaged2 7,k7 support the development or demonstration of projects in collaboration with ,indian tribes and in economically distressed areas2 and 7,l7 satisfy any other priority that the ,secretary determines appropriate4 7#c7 ,use of funds ,to the extent that funding is not otherwise available through other ,federal programs or power purchase agreements1 grants awarded under paragraph 7#a7 may be used 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 project may be replicated2 7,d7 installation of equipment1 service1 and support2 7,e7 operating the demonstration project for not less than the minimum period required to fully assess the results and objectives of the project1 as determined by a peer-reviewed process2 and 7,f7 validation of technical1 economic1 and environmental assumptions and documentation of lessons learned4 7#d7 ,solicitation ,not later than #ij days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter1 the ,secretary shall conduct a national solicitation for applications for grants described in paragraph 7#a74 7#e7 ,organic photovoltaic cell technologies ,at least #a grant awarded under paragraph 7#a7 during fiscal year #bjbj shall be for a project to demonstrate organic photovoltaic cell technologies4 7d7 ,next generation solar energy manufacturing initiative 7#a7 ,grants ,in carrying out the program1 the ,secretary shall award multiyear grants to eligible entities for research1 development1 and demonstration projects to advance new solar energy manufacturing technologies and techniques1 including to manufacture solar cells1 hardware1 and enabling devices4 7#b7 ,priority ,in awarding grants under paragraph 7#a71 to the extent practicable1 the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 follow the recommendations in the report described in paragraph 7#c77;,b77ii72 and 7,b7 give priority to solar energy manufacturing projects that-- 7i7 reduce capital expenditures or provide lower-cost manufacturing options2 7ii7 eliminate manufacturing process steps2 7iii7 reduce energy1 water1 and material inputs2 7iv7 establish alternative supply chains for materials and components2 7v7 are located on land owned by ,indian tribes2 7vi7 are located on land in economically distressed areas2 and 7vii7 take advantage of rapid prototyping1 small batch manufacturing1 and roll-to-roll processing4 7#c7 ,strategic vision study 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall conduct a study on the viable market opportunities available for solar energy technology manufacturing in the ,united ,states1 including solar cells1 hardware1 and enabling technologies4 7,b7 ,report ,not later than ,september #a1 #bjbj1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate1 the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives1 and any other relevant ,committee of ,congress a report containing the results of the study under subparagraph 7,a71 including-- 7i7 a description of-- 7,i7 the ability of relevant businesses or other entities to competitively manufacture solar technology in the ,united ,states1 including the manufacture of-- 7aa7 new and advanced materials1 such as cells made with new1 cost-effective1 high-efficiency materials2 7bb7 solar module equipment and enabling technologies1 including smart inverters1 sensors1 and tracking equipment2 and 7cc7 innovative solar module designs and applications1 including designs and applications that can directly integrate with new and existing buildings and other infrastructure2 and 7,,ii7 opportunities and barriers in solar energy technology supply chains in the ,united ,states and internationally2 7ii7 policy recommendations for enhancing solar energy technology manufacturing in the ,united ,states2 7iii7 an aggressive #aj-year target and plan1 beginning in calendar year #bjba1 to enhance the competitiveness of solar energy technology manufacturing in the ,united ,states2 and 7iv7 needs for future research1 development1 and demonstration projects in solar manufacturing and related areas1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7#d7 ,evaluation ,not later than #c years after the date on which the report under paragraph 7#c77;,b7 is submitted1 and every #d years thereafter1 the ,secretary shall conduct1 and make available to the public and the relevant committees of ,congress1 an independent review of the progress of the grants awarded under paragraph 7#a7 in meeting the recommendations and targets included in the report4 7e7 ,photovoltaic device recycling research1 development1 and demonstration grants 7#a7 ,in general ,in carrying out the program1 the ,secretary shall award multiyear grants to eligible entities for research1 development1 and demonstration projects to create innovative and practical approaches to increase the reuse and recycling of photovoltaic devices1 including by addressing-- 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 lifecycle environmental impacts1 such as greenhouse gas emissions and water usage2 7,b7 expanded uses for materials from recycled photovoltaic devices2 7,c7 the development and demonstration of environmentally responsible alternatives to the use of hazardous materials in photovoltaic devices and the production of those devices2 7,d7 the 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 lifecycle of photovoltaic devices1 including methods to promote the safe reuse of those devices2 7,h7 strategies to increase consumer acceptance and practice of recycling of photovoltaic devices2 7,i7 the development or demonstration of projects in collaboration with ,indian tribes and in economically distressed areas2 and 7,j7 processes to reduce the costs and environmental impact of disposal of toxic materials used in photovoltaic devices4 7#b7 ,applications ,an eligible entity seeking a grant under paragraph 7#a7 shall submit to the ,secretary an application at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require1 including a description of-- 7,a7 the proposed project and the contributions of each participating entity2 7,b7 the applicability of the project to increasing the reuse and recycling of photovoltaic devices with the least environmental impacts as measured by lifecycle analyses2 7,c7 the potential for incorporating the research results into industry practice2 and 7,d7 the manner in which the project will promote collaboration among scientists and engineers from different disciplines1 such as the electrical engineering1 materials science1 and social science disciplines4 7#c7 ,dissemination of results ,the ,secretary shall publish the results of the projects carried out through grants awarded under paragraph 7#a7 through-- 7,a7 best practices or training materials relating to those grants1 for use in the photovoltaics manufacturing1 design1 installation1 refurbishing1 or recycling industries2 7,b7 coordination with information dissemination programs relating to general recycling of electronic devices2 and 7,c7 educational materials for the public1 produced in conjunction with ,state and local governments or nonprofit organizations1 on the problems and solutions relating to the reuse and recycling of photovoltaic devices4 7f7 ,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 devices1 which shall include-- 7,a7 identification of materials used in photovoltaic devices2 7,b7 the quantity of each commercially available material identified under subparagraph 7,a7 and the country of origin of that material2 7,c7 the quantity of materials used in photovoltaic devices 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 material identified under subparagraph 7,a74 7#b7 ,priorities ,not later than ,september #a1 #bjbj1 the ,secretary1 in collaboration with private industry1 shall develop a plan to establish priorities and requirements for the database described in paragraph 7#a71 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 ,secretary of the ,interior to facilitate the incorporation of the database under paragraph 7#a7 with any existing database for materials involved in electronic manufacturing and recycling4 7g7 ,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 #bjbj through #bjbd4 #d4 ,conforming amendments 7a7 ,the ,solar ,energy ,research1 ,development1 and ,demonstration ,act of #aigd 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eeea et seq47 is repealed4 7b7 ,section #f7;b77#c7 of the ,federal ,nonnuclear ,energy ,research and ,development ,act of #aigd 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eije7;b77#c77 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking subparagraph 7,l72 and 7#b7 by redesignating subparagraphs 7,m7 through 7,s7 as subparagraphs 7,l7 through 7,r71 respectively4 7c7 ,the ,solar ,photovoltaic ,energy ,research1 ,development1 and ,demonstration ,act of #aigh 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eeha et seq47 is repealed4 7d7 ,section #d7;a7 of the ,renewable ,energy and ,energy ,efficiency ,technology ,competitiveness ,act of #aihi 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abjjc7;a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking photovoltaics1 and solar thermal energy and inserting alcohol from biomass1 and other technologies2 7#b7 by striking paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c72 and 7#c7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#d7 and 7#e7 as paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c71 respectively4 7e7 ,section #ica of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afbca7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a77#b7-- 7,a7 by striking subparagraph 7,a72 and 7,b7 by redesignating subparagraphs 7,b7 through 7,e7 as subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,d71 respectively2 7#b7 by striking subsection 7d72 and 7#c7 by redesignating subsections 7e7 through 7g7 as subsections 7d7 through 7f71 respectively4 7f7 ,sections #fjf and #fjg of the ,energy ,independence and ,security ,act of #bjjg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #agagd1 #agage7 are repealed4 #e4 ,savings provision ,the repeal of the ,solar ,energy ,research1 ,development1 and ,demonstration ,act of #aigd 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eeea et seq47 under section #d7;a7 shall not affect the authority of the ,secretary to conduct research and development on solar energy4