Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0001818
The Department of Energy's Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO), housed within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), issued this Request for Information (RFI) to gather detailed stakeholder input on where better data, better analytics, and better integration of information are most needed across the full solar "value chain." In practical terms, DOE is trying to map out the biggest information gaps that slow down planning, deployment, financing, and operation of solar projects, and then use that feedback to shape near- to mid-term work that supports the SunShot 2030 goals. Rather than funding a typical project proposal right away, the RFI is focused on collecting real-world perspectives and priority needs from the people who build, buy, regulate, finance, study, and operate solar.
A central theme of the RFI is the development of "information-based" tools that can make solar deployment more scalable and reliable. DOE points specifically to network planning tools (to help plan and manage how solar connects and interacts with the grid), real-time optimization tools (to improve operational performance using live or frequently updated data), and bankability tools (to help investors and lenders evaluate risk and expected returns with more confidence). The intent is to understand what kinds of datasets, models, assumptions, and performance metrics stakeholders need in order to make better decisions faster, and where existing information is fragmented, inaccessible, inconsistent, or not trusted enough for high-stakes use like financing and permitting.
The RFI also emphasizes that DOE wants input spanning many different stakeholder groups, not just researchers. It explicitly calls out manufacturers, project developers, financiers, engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firms, state and local jurisdictions, researchers, analysts, and others involved in advancing solar technology and supporting wide-scale adoption. That broad scope signals that DOE is interested in end-to-end issues such as supply chain and manufacturing data, project development and siting considerations, interconnection and grid impacts, performance and reliability tracking, permitting and codes, operations and maintenance practices, and the financial and risk frameworks that determine whether projects pencil out. In other words, the goal is to understand where decision-makers are missing the information they need, what questions they repeatedly struggle to answer, and what types of analysis would most improve confidence and reduce soft costs.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is identified as "RFI: Solar Energy Technology Analysis & Data Needs" with funding opportunity number DE FOA 0001818. It is listed under DOE's Golden Field Office and is categorized under Energy (CFDA 81.087). The posting lists a cooperative agreement as the funding instrument type and shows an award ceiling of $1 with one expected award, which is typical of an RFI record because the real purpose is to solicit information rather than to award meaningful funding for project execution. Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning any type of entity could respond, subject to any additional clarifications in the full text.
Submissions were required to be sent by email to solaranalysis@ee.doe.gov. The opportunity was created on September 8, 2017, with an original closing date of October 6, 2017. Overall, the RFI functions as a planning and listening exercise: DOE is collecting targeted feedback to prioritize future analytical capabilities, data infrastructure, and decision-support tools that can improve grid integration, operational performance, and investment confidence for solar as the U.S. moves toward SunShot 2030 objectives.Apply for DE FOA 0001818
- The Department of Energy, Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "RFI: Solar Energy Technology Analysis & Data Needs" 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 Sep 08, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 06, 2017. (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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): RFI - Solar Energy Technology Analysis & Data Needs (DE FOA 0001818)
1) What is this opportunity?
This opportunity is a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO), within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). It is focused on collecting stakeholder input about solar energy data and analysis needs across the full solar value chain.
2) Is this a grant solicitation for project funding?
No. Based on the posting details, this is an RFI intended to gather feedback rather than fund a typical project proposal. The record shows an award ceiling of $1 and one expected award, which is common for RFI listings because the main goal is information collection, not project execution funding.
3) What is DOE trying to learn from responses?
DOE is seeking detailed, real-world input on where better data, better analytics, and better integration of information are most needed to reduce information gaps that slow solar planning, deployment, financing, and operations. The intent is to identify priority needs and help shape near- to mid-term work supporting SunShot 2030 goals.
4) What does DOE mean by the solar "value chain" in this RFI?
The RFI describes interest in end-to-end issues across solar. This includes areas such as supply chain and manufacturing data, project development and siting, interconnection and grid impacts, performance and reliability tracking, permitting and codes, operations and maintenance practices, and financial and risk frameworks that affect whether projects are financeable.
5) What types of tools or capabilities are emphasized in the RFI?
The RFI highlights "information-based" tools intended to make solar deployment more scalable and reliable. DOE specifically points to network planning tools (for grid connection and interaction planning), real-time optimization tools (to improve operational performance using live or frequently updated data), and bankability tools (to help investors and lenders evaluate risk and returns more confidently).
6) What kinds of gaps or problems is DOE concerned about?
DOE is focused on situations where information is fragmented, inaccessible, inconsistent, or not trusted enough for high-stakes decisions like financing and permitting. The RFI seeks input on the datasets, models, assumptions, and performance metrics stakeholders need to make better decisions faster.
7) Who is the issuing office within DOE?
The RFI is issued by DOE's Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO), which is housed within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).
8) What is the official title and funding opportunity number?
The opportunity is identified as "RFI: Solar Energy Technology Analysis & Data Needs" with funding opportunity number DE FOA 0001818.
9) Which DOE office is associated with the posting?
The posting lists the DOE Golden Field Office.
10) What is the CFDA number and category?
The opportunity is categorized under Energy with CFDA 81.087.
11) What funding instrument type is shown in the listing?
The listing shows a cooperative agreement as the funding instrument type.
12) How many awards and what award amount are indicated?
The posting indicates one expected award and an award ceiling of $1. This aligns with the RFI nature of the opportunity (primarily for collecting information, not funding execution).
13) Who is eligible to respond?
Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning any type of entity could respond, subject to any additional clarifications in the full text.
14) Which stakeholder groups does DOE explicitly want to hear from?
The RFI explicitly calls out manufacturers, project developers, financiers, engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firms, state and local jurisdictions, researchers, analysts, and others involved in advancing solar technology and enabling wide-scale adoption.
15) What kinds of topics could a response address?
Based on the scope described, responses could address recurring questions and information needs in areas such as supply chain and manufacturing, siting and project development, interconnection and grid planning, operational performance and reliability, permitting and codes, operations and maintenance, and financial/risk assessment for project bankability.
16) How were submissions required to be submitted?
Submissions were required to be sent by email.
17) What email address was provided for submissions?
Responses were required to be emailed to solaranalysis@ee.doe.gov.
18) When was the opportunity created and when did it close?
The opportunity was created on September 8, 2017, with an original closing date of October 6, 2017.
19) What is the purpose of this RFI in DOE's broader planning?
This RFI functions as a planning and listening exercise. DOE is collecting targeted feedback to prioritize future analytical capabilities, data infrastructure, and decision-support tools that can improve grid integration, operational performance, and investment confidence for solar deployment in support of SunShot 2030 objectives.
20) What decisions is DOE trying to make easier through improved data and analytics?
DOE is targeting improvements that help decision-makers move faster and with greater confidence in planning, deploying, financing, and operating solar projects, particularly where current information gaps create delays, added risk, or higher soft costs.
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| Notice of Intent to Issue Funding Opportunity Announcement entitled “Innovative Technology Development to Enhance Fossil Power System Operability, Reliability, and Economic Performance” Apply for DE FOA 0001877 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001877 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| STEWARDSHIP SCIENCE ACADEMIC ALLIANCES (SSAA) Apply for DE FOA 0001831 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001831 Agency: Department of Energy, NNSA Category: Energy Funding Amount: $900,000 |
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| Innovative Technology Development to Enhance Fossil Power System Operability, Reliability, and Economic Performance Apply for DE FOA 0001854 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001854 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
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