Solar Market Transformation

This goals of this FOA are to address impediments within the market to adopting solar technologies and to establish a national training effort for solar installation. This FOA includes two topics: Solar America Cities special projects and Solar Workforce Development. Solar America Cities special projects is restricted to previous DOE Solar America Cities (including Boston) and is for discrete projects involving scale-up of innovative solar projects that target barriers to reaching solar energy goals that are shared by other local governments, can be replicated in other Solar Cities, and complement the activities under the current Solar America Cities award. Cities can propose new projects or new partners (including non-Solar America Cities) beyond the scope of their original proposals, but only one city can serve as lead. The lack of qualified personnel for installation of solar equipment is also identified as a barrier. Funding for solar workforce development will be provided to successful applicants from Regional Resource & Training Providers and for the creation and management of the National Consortium for Solar Installer Instructor Training. DOE anticipates making 5-20 awards up to $100,000 to $2 million for the Solar America Cities Special Projects, 6-10 awards for up to $2 million to $3.5 million for regional training, and 1 award of up to $2.5 million to $6 million for the National Consortium.

The application due date is July 30.
Click here for the full announcement and amendments.

There are several actions that applicants must complete prior to submitting an application. These actions can take several days, so applicants are urged to complete the following as soon as possible:

1. Applicants must obtain a DUNS number. If your organization does not have a DUNS number, go to the Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) online registration located at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/ to receive a number free of charge or call 1-866-705-5711.

2. Applicants must register with FedConnect to submit their application. FedConnect website: www.fedconnect.net

3. Applicants must register with the CCR. CCR website: http://www.ccr.gov/. The Central Contractor Registration (CCR) collects, validates, stores, and disseminates business information about the Federal Government's trading partners in support of the contract award, grants, and the electronic payment processes.