Last week, SunShot announced $15 million in available funding to help integrate distributed, on-site solar energy systems into the nations electrical grid. This funding is specifically aimed at supporting projects that enable low-cost, flexible and reliable solutions that successfully integrate solar PV power plants and energy storage.
The funding opportunity will tackle the challenge of creating cost-effective and reliable distributed PV and energy storage solutions to help overcome the challenges associated with increased amounts of renewables. Eligible projects include solutions that will help revolutionize distributed PV and energy storage through advanced operation in conjunction with smart loads and demand response, incorporation of solar and load forecasting, innovative uses of smart components and functionalities, and easily interoperable hardware, software and firmware technologies. Learn more about the funding opportunity, and join us for a webinar on Nov. 13 to find out more about how to apply.
SunShot Prize: Learn more then submit feedback
The SunShot Prize competition aims to spur faster, easier, and cheaper solar deployment in the U.S. by offering a total of $10 million in cash awards to make the permit to plug-in process more efficient than ever before. Contestants will work towards improving the time it takes to get from permit to plug-in from its current duration often as much as six months to a swift seven days (small systems) or seven weeks (large systems). The SunShot Prize: Race to 7-Day Solar challenges the ingenuity of America's businesses, organizations and communities to make installing solar energy systems in the U.S. faster, easier, and cheaper. Join us to improve the customer experience of "going solar." In order maximize participation, SunShot is soliciting feedback from the solar community about the new draft rules for the SunShot Prize. Join us for an upcoming webinar (Nov. 12, 14, or 19) to learn more about the new rules, then send feedback to sunshot.prize@ee.doe.gov by Nov. 28.
Catalyst video deadline this week Nov. 7
SunShot Catalyst is an open innovation program that aims to catalyze the rapid creation and development of products and solutions that address near-term challenges in the U.S. solar marketplace. Catalysts fast-paced innovation cycle allows crowd-sourced engagement and strong partnerships with the nations growing networks of technology mentors, incubators, and accelerators. This Friday, Nov. 7 marks the end of the business pitch contest of Catalyst, during which anyone interested can submit a five-minute video pitch to address any of the more than 130 solar problem statements the crowd identified. The winners of this contest will receive $25,000 in software development services from Topcoder, and next spring, up to five winners will demonstrate their solutions before a panel of investors, judges and their peers for a chance to win $100,000. Upload your pitch by Nov. 7 and read more about Catalyst.
