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The US Department of Energy (DOE) has introduced a $12 million research and development fund aimed at reducing costs and expanding domestic manufacturing of solar panels designed for space applications. The initiative, managed by the DOE’s Integrated Energy Systems Office, is open to university and industry research laboratories working on advanced space-based photovoltaic projects, including characterization, stress testing, and near-commercial pilot-scale solutions.
The fund is divided into two areas: one focusing on next-generation cell innovation, covering manufacturing methods and improvements in solar cell performance and durability, and another on rapid production and demonstration, targeting scalable manufacturing processes for module prototypes in space or near-space environments. Individual applicants can receive up to $1.5 million for projects in the first area and up to $2 million for those in the second.
Applications are open immediately and close on 8 October. The DOE, in collaboration with TECHWERX, will host a webinar on 15 September to provide more details. Winning applicants are expected to be selected in December, with negotiations for awards concluding between January and February next year.
While federal support for an early-stage sector like space-based solar power may seem unexpected from the current administration, the government has emphasized energy security as a key priority. Assistant Secretary of Energy Audrey Robertson stated that the funding aims to bolster national security and establish American leadership in next-generation space-based photovoltaics, enhancing economic competitiveness.
A report from Clean Tomorrow, published last year, indicated that the DOE would need to invest $25 billion across energy sectors to achieve greater energy security. The $12 million fund is a small part of this broader effort.
Space-based solar power has also drawn private sector interest. In April, Meta signed an agreement with startup Overview Energy to gain early access to a 1GW fleet of space-based solar panels planned for launch in 2030.
The topic will be discussed at the PV CellTech USA conference, hosted by Solar Media in San Francisco on 13-14 October. Timothy Siegler, technology manager at the IESO, will present on how space-based solar power is driving photovoltaic innovation.
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