The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has committed $40 million to investments throughout the solar supply chain, including funding for four projects designed to enhance the lifecycle of photovoltaic (PV) solar systems.
DOE Funds Solar Research for Extended Lifespan
This investment directs $16 million—half from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—to four R&D projects focused on extending solar system lifespans and improving material recovery.
The initiatives will be led by Case Western Reserve University ($4 million), kWh Analytics ($2.4 million), the University of North Carolina at Charlotte ($1.3 million), and the Electric Power Research Institute ($8 million). These DOE solar projects are crucial for developing more durable and sustainable PV technologies.
Separately, the DOE issued a notice of intent to provide up to $20 million for projects that advance solar module technologies and reduce risks associated with solar hardware.
“The Biden-Harris administration is investing in a clean energy future that’s built to last. The U.S. has doubled annual solar installations over the past four years and today’s announcement further supports manufacturers as they create more resilient solar energy technologies and maximize the life of their products,” said Jennifer M. Granholm, U.S. Secretary of Energy.
DOE Launches $3 Million Prize to Promote Solar Product Registration
Last week, the DOE also unveiled the $3 million American-Made Promoting Registration of Inverters and Modules with Ecolabel (PRIME) Prize. The prize is designed to encourage the registration of solar PV modules and inverters under the Global Electronics Council’s EPEAT ecolabel standard.
The PRIME Prize is part of the broader American-Made Solar Prize, a multimillion-dollar initiative that drives innovation in U.S. solar hardware and software while addressing challenges in rapid, equitable deployment. Through seven rounds, the DOE has awarded $21.6 million in cash prizes to advance solar technologies.
Most recently, after a live demo day at RE+, Solar Prize Round 7 finalists Fram Energy and Gritt Robotics were each awarded $500,000. SETO announced the winners, recognizing their early-stage innovations that tackle key deployment challenges.
Solar PARC to Enhance PV Recycling and Lifecycle Practices
A key part of the DOE’s investment is the Solar Partnership to Advance Recycling and Circularity (Solar PARC), a cornerstone of the MORE PV program. Led by the Electric Power Research Institute, Solar PARC brings together around 30 organizations from both academic and industrial sectors to refine material recovery and develop effective end-of-life management practices for photovoltaic components.
Recycling PV modules (Image: Collected)
The initiative aims to reduce the cost of recycling PV modules by 50% by 2030 and minimize their environmental impact. Extending the lifespan of Department of Energy solar panels by improving their durability and repairability is a major focus. The partnership also seeks to decrease the number of panels entering the waste stream by addressing causes of early failure, such as damage from extreme weather.
Ultimately, Solar PARC works to improve the circularity and lifecycle impact of photovoltaic systems through technological solutions, strategic collaborations, and community benefits.