The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office supports early-stage research and development to improve the flexibility and performance of solar technologies that contribute to a reliable and resilient U.S. electric grid. The office invests in innovative research efforts that securely integrate more solar energy into the grid, enhance the use and storage of solar energy, and lower solar electricity costs. Learn more.
News
EERE Success Story—Sun Number Partnership with Zillow Brings Solar Potential Scores to Millions of Americans
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Sun Number Scores show a home’s solar potential and are now available on Zillow’s website for more than 84 million homes across the United States.
Energy Department Launches Up to $15 Million to Tackle Solar Desalination
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DOE announced funding to develop solar desalination technologies that will help create freshwater from otherwise unusable waters.
Energy Department Invests up to $32 Million to Improve Resilience of the Nation’s Power Grid
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DOE announced up to $32 million for research and development that will further improve the resilience of the nation's electric grid.
Energy Department Announces Achievement of SunShot Goal, New Focus for Solar Energy Office
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Average price of utility-scale solar is now 6 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
2020 Utility-Scale Solar Goal Achieved
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The solar industry has achieved the 2020 utility-scale solar cost target set by the SunShot Initiative.
“Hit Me with Your SunShot” Photo Contest Winners Announced
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Hit Me with Your SunShot photo contest winners
SunShot Sponsors Start-Up Alley at Solar Power International
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The SunShot Initiative will sponsor Start-Up Alley at Solar Power International in Las Vegas, Nevada from September 10–13.
Energy Department Announces Eleven Projects to Boost Private-Sector Support of Energy Innovation
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Projects address systemic barriers currently preventing the private sector from more fully supporting energy innovation.
SunShot Launches Solar Energy Photo Contest
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Hit Me with Your SunShot photo contest that will award prizes up to $2,500 to those who submit the best photos that contain solar energy technologies
SunShot Program Manager Honored for Solar Contributions
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Dr. Elaine Ulrich honored by Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) with an Energy Hero award for her contributions to the solar industry.
Blog Posts
Ask a Scientist - Dr. Sarah Kurtz
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In this new blog series, we ask Energy Department researchers about their life as scientists working with energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Concentrating Solar Power Could Provide the Flexibility and Reliability the U.S. Electric Grid Needs
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Developments in concentrating solar thermal power could improve grid flexibility by unlocking new choices to better meet grid operator needs.
Confronting the Duck Curve: How to Address Over-Generation of Solar Energy
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Energy Department research is taming the duck curve by helping utilities better balance energy supply and demand on the grid.
New Solar Collector Tech Could Lower Costs for Concentrating Solar Power
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For the first time ever, ganged heliostats could be a viable option for new concentrating solar power systems.
Step by Step: How SunShot Influences the “Going Solar” Process
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Should I make the leap to solar energy? Is my home suitable for solar? Does it make financial sense to go solar? Who should I go to for installation?
Total Eclipse of the Sun: How Will Changing Solar Power Output Impact the Grid?
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While only lasting about two minutes in each location, the eclipse will dramatically decrease output of photovoltaic power plants across the U.S.
4 Unusual Uses of Solar Power
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As costs drop and energy production rises, solar technologies will be put to more work. Here are 4 unusual uses for solar power today.
Installed Capacity vs. Energy Generation: What's the Difference?
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Capacity is the maximum output of electricity that a generator can produce. Generation is the amount of electricity that is produced over a set time.
4 Fast Facts about Solar Prosumers
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Four fast facts that every solar prosumer should know.
Making Progress on Solar Energy Storage
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The Energy Department is working toward maximizing the use of solar energy to produce electricity—even when the sun isn’t shining.