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Funding Opportunities
On August 31, 2026, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Integrated Energy Systems Office (IESO) announced the Space Photovoltaics Research and Development Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) opportunity which will award up to $12 million for research and development (R&D) projects that support growing demand through lowering the cost of and expanding domestic manufacturing capabilities for solar panels in space applications. The PIA opportunity is designed to accelerate United States leadership in next-generation space-based PV and support growing demand through lowering the cost of and expanding domestic manufacturing capabilities for solar panels in space applications. University and industry research laboratories developing advanced space-applicable photovoltaic (PV) technologies or specializing in PV characterization and stress testing, as well as industry teams advancing near-commercial pilot-scale space PV solutions with testing partnerships and the capability to fly PV prototypes or panels in space, are encouraged to apply. Expected individual awards are up to $1,500,000 for Topic 1 and up to $2,000,000 for Topic 2. 
Topic Area 1: Projects will focus on the advancement of state-of-the-art, low-cost fabrication methods and the improvement of performance and durability in lab-scale PV cells. 
Topic Area 2: Projects will focus on advancing innovative manufacturing processes capable of scaling to high-volume production and demonstrating third party-validated performance of module prototypes in space or near-space environments. 
IESO and TechWerx will host an informational webinar on September 15, 2026, at 1 p.m. ET to discuss the funding opportunity and the areas of focus. Register for the webinar. 
The Space PV R&D initiative is managed by TECHWERX in partnership with DOE, a collaboration made possible through an innovative Partnership Intermediary Agreement set up by DOE’s Office of Technology Commercialization. This agreement enables TECHWERX to broaden DOE’s engagement with innovative organizations and non-traditional partners, facilitating the rapid development, scaling, and deployment of energy solutions. 
Learn more about the Integrated Energy Systems Office and sign up for the IESO newsletter to stay current on the latest IESO news and funding opportunities.  
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