Accomplishments

The tables below summarize key accomplishments for the Solar America initiative for research and development and market transformation activities.

Key R&D Accomplishments
Technology Area	Accomplishments	Date
Systems Development	Awarded $340 million in cost-shared industry-led R&D projects for PV systems development and manufacturing.	March 2007
New Devices and Processes	Completed solicitations for new photovoltaics (PV) device concepts and university support to industry process/product development.	June 2007
New Module Development	Awarded next set of cost-shared projects to incubate PV module prototype development and pilot manufacturing demonstrations.	June 2007
Supply-Chain Development	Formulated a program to fund development and optimization of the upstream PV supply chain, including new feedstock materials, module-packaging solutions, and PV manufacturing tools standardization and accelerated delivery times.	July 2007
PV-Grid Integration	Developed concepts for a set of activities to address grid reliability and economic issues associated with PV market penetration above 5%-10% of served load on grid distribution systems.	July 2007
Technology Roadmap	Released technology roadmaps for each major PV material system and processing approach that will be used to coordinate R&D among industry, universities, and national laboratories. Roadmaps will be reviewed on a biannual basis.	July 2007

Key Market Transformation Accomplishments
Market Area	Accomplishments	Date
National	Funded the development of the Solar America Board of Codes and Standards to address national and international code issues. Initiated a study to map out scenarios for wide-scale market penetration of PV in U.S. electricity markets.	March 2007
States	Engaged key state and utility organizations to help create rebate programs, as well as favorable regulatory frameworks such as net metering and improved interconnection agreements with utilities.	March 2007
Cities	Awarded 13 Solar America Cities that DOE will help to develop local markets for PV installations.	July 2007
Industry	Working with the Solar Energy Industry Association to create a new PV industry roadmap that will cover projections for supply/demand, cost/pricing, product standards, areas for collaboration between companies, and policy needs.	July 2007