DOE and NREL Announce Open PV Mapping Project
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the release of the Open PV Mapping Project. The Project is a collaborative effort between government, industry, and the public to develop a comprehensive database of photovoltaic (PV) installation data for the United States.
The Project will provide a Web-based resource for users to easily understand the current status and past progress of the PV industry from the data that show current and recent trends of the PV market. Users can also add their own PV installation data, browse PV data input by others, and view statistics. NREL plans to add additional data and use the information to monitor and analyze market growth.
$52.5 Million for Concentrating Solar Power Research and Development
The U.S. Department of Energy (‘DOE”) today announced plans to provide up to $52.5 million to research, develop, and demonstrate Concentrating Solar Power systems capable of providing electrical power both day and night at low cost. This is a competitive funding opportunity which focuses on:
1. Research and development of concepts and components for a CSP system that enables a plant to produce low-cost electricity at least 18 hours of the day; and
2. Evaluation of the feasibility and development of a prototype complete CSP system capable of operating at least 18 hours per day while generating low-cost power.
The DOE will award money for research and development of solar systems that produce power at least 18 hours a day.Funding depends on continuing annual appropriations. DOE anticipates making up to 13 project awards totaling up to $52.5 million.
Interior Department Expedites Solar Energy Development in the West
The U.S. Interior Department has instigated initiatives to accelerate the development of solar energy on Western lands. About 670,000 acres currently administered by the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah will be evaluated for the development of large-scale solar energy production. These areas of land will be reserved for solar projects producing 10 megawatts or more of electricity and the goal is to fast-track the permit applications.
Each piece of land is at least 2,000 acres and has been selected for its solar resources, slope, proximity to roads and transmission lines or designated corridors. The evaluation will be funded with Stimulus monies under an ongoing federally-funded evaluation of solar energy development on public lands in six Western States. The evaluation should be completed in late 2010.
