[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3597 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3597
To guide and authorize basic research programs in the United States for
research, development, and demonstration of solar energy technologies,
and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 28, 2019
Mr. McAdams (for himself and Mr. Fortenberry) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To guide and authorize basic research programs in the United States for
research, development, and demonstration of solar energy technologies,
and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Solar Energy Research and
Development Act of 2019''.
SEC. 2. SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall carry out a solar energy
program to conduct research, development, testing, and evaluation of
solar energy technologies. In carrying out such program, the Secretary
shall award grants under this section and sections 3, 4, and 5 on a
competitive, merit-reviewed basis to eligible entities for each of the
following purposes:
(1) To improve the energy efficiency, reliability,
resilience, security, and capacity of solar energy generation.
(2) To optimize the design and adaptability of solar energy
systems to the broadest practical range of geographic and
atmospheric conditions.
(3) To reduce the cost of manufacturing, installation,
operation, and maintenance of solar energy systems.
(4) To create and improve conversion of solar energy to
useful forms.
(b) Solar Energy Research Subject Areas.--The program established
under subsection (a) shall focus on the research, development, testing,
and evaluation of each of the following subject areas:
(1) Photovoltaic devices and related electronic components
including converters, sensors, energy monitors, communication
and control equipment, and protocols.
(2) Concentrated solar power, including solar thermal and
concentrating solar photovoltaic technologies.
(3) Low cost, high-quality solar energy systems.
(4) Solar heating and cooling systems, including
distributed solar-powered air conditioning.
(5) Solar technology products that can be easily integrated
into new buildings, existing buildings, agricultural and
aquatic environments, and other infrastructure.
(6) Solar technology that is resilient to extreme weather
events.
(7) Solar technology products integrated into
transportation applications in coordination with vehicle
technologies research and development activities supported by
the Department of Energy.
(8) Storage technologies to address the transience and
intermittency of solar energy resources, including batteries,
supercapacitors, and thermal storage.
(9) Micro-grids using solar technology.
(10) Solar technologies enabling safe grid operating
conditions, such as fast-disconnect during an emergency.
(11) Distributed solar energy technologies, such as rooftop
solar panels.
(12) Technologies and designs that enable a broad range of
scales for solar power production.
(13) Advanced solar manufacturing technologies and best
practices, including--
(A) materials and processes;
(B) development of industry standards;
(C) design and integration practices; and
(D) optimized packaging methods and new device
designs.
(14) Advanced analytic and computing capabilities for
better modeling and simulations of solar energy systems.
(15) Electrical grid integration, including--
(A) integration of solar technologies into smart
grid, transmission, and distribution;
(B) coordination of solar with other distributed
and large-scale energy resources;
(C) electrical power smoothing;
(D) microgrid integration;
(E) community solar;
(F) solar resource forecasting;
(G) regional and national electric system balancing
and long distance transmission options, including
direct current and superconducting transmission and
long-term storage options;
(H) ways to address system operations over minutes,
hours, days, weeks, and seasons with respect to the
full range of project scales; and
(I) electric grid security, including cyber and
physical security.
(16) Non-hardware and information-based advances in solar
energy system design, installation, and operation.
(17) Solar energy technology as a part of strategies
commonly referred to as ``behind-the-meter strategies'',
including with respect to electricity generation, load, energy
efficiency, controls, storage, and electric vehicles.
(18) Next generation demonstration facilities.
(19) Other subject areas determined by the Secretary.
(c) Technical Assistance and Workforce Development.--In carrying
out the program established under subsection (a), the Secretary may
also conduct, for purposes of supporting technical, non-hardware, and
information-based advances in solar energy systems development and
operations--
(1) technical assistance and analysis activities with
eligible entities, including activities that support expanding
access to solar energy for low-income individuals and
communities; and
(2) workforce development and training activities,
including to support the dissemination of standards and best
practices for enabling solar power production.
(d) Program Targets.--The program established under subsection (a)
shall address near-term (up to 2 years), mid-term (up to 7 years), and
long-term (up to 15 years) challenges to the advancement of solar
energy systems.
(e) Wildlife Impact Mitigation.--In carrying out the activities
described in subsection (b), the program established under subsection
(a) shall support wildlife impact mitigation technologies and
strategies, including the use of distributed solar technologies, to
reduce the potential negative impacts of solar energy systems on
wildlife, including bird species and local flora and fauna.
(f) Stewardship of National Laboratory Resources.--In awarding
grants under this Act, the Secretary shall steward relevant
capabilities and programs of the National Laboratories.
(g) Conforming Repeals.--The following provisions of law are hereby
repealed:
(1) The Solar Energy Research, Development, and
Demonstration Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5551 et seq.), except for
section 10.
(2) The Solar Photovoltaic Energy Research, Development,
and Demonstration Act of 1978 (42 U.S.C. 5581 et seq.).
(3) Paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 4(a) of the Renewable
Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology Competitiveness Act of
1989 (42 U.S.C. 12003(a)).
(4) Subparagraph (A) of section 931(a)(2) of the Energy
Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16231(a)(2)).
(5) Sections 606 and 607 of the Energy Independence and
Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17174 and 17175).
(h) Definitions.--In this Act:
(1) The term ``eligible entity'' means any of the following
entities:
(A) An institution of higher education.
(B) A National laboratory.
(C) A Federal research agency.
(D) A State research agency.
(E) A nonprofit research organization.
(F) An industrial entity or a multi-institutional
consortium thereof.
(2) The term ``institution of higher education'' has the
meaning given such term in section 101 of the Higher Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).
(3) The term ``National Laboratory'' has the meaning given
such term in section 2(3) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42
U.S.C. 15801(3)).
(4) The term ``photovoltaic device'' includes photovoltaic
cells and the electronic and electrical components of such
devices.
(5) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Energy.
SEC. 3. SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.
(a) In General.--In carrying out the program established under
section 2(a), the Secretary shall award grants on a competitive, merit-
reviewed basis to eligible entities for demonstration projects to
advance the development of solar energy technologies and systems
production.
(b) Priority.--In awarding grants under subsection (a), the
Secretary shall give priority to projects that--
(1) are located in geographically diverse regions of the
United States;
(2) can be replicated in a variety of regions and climates;
(3) demonstrate technologies that address intermittency,
variability, storage challenges, behind-the-meter operations,
and independent operational capability;
(4) coordinate solar technologies with other distributed
and large-scale energy resources;
(5) facilitate identification of optimum approaches among
competing solar energy technologies;
(6) include business commercialization plans that have the
potential for production of solar energy equipment at high
volumes;
(7) support the development of advanced manufacturing
technologies that have the potential to improve United States
competitiveness in the international solar energy manufacturing
sector;
(8) provide the greatest potential to reduce energy costs,
as well as promote accessibility and community implementation
of demonstrated technologies, for consumers;
(9) increase disclosure and transparency of information to
all market participants to help in making optimal decisions;
(10) promote overall electric infrastructure reliability
and resilience should grid functions be disrupted or damaged;
and
(11) satisfy any other criteria that the Secretary
determines appropriate.
(c) Use of Funds.--Grants under this section may be used, to the
extent that funding is not otherwise available through other Federal
programs or power purchase agreements, for--
(1) any necessary site engineering study;
(2) an economic assessment of site-specific conditions;
(3) appropriate feasibility studies to determine whether
the demonstration can be replicated;
(4) installation of equipment, service, and support;
(5) operation for at least the minimum amount of time
required to fully assess the project's results and objectives,
as determined by a peer-reviewed process; and
(6) validation of technical, economic, and environmental
assumptions and documentation of lessons learned.
(d) Solicitation.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall
conduct a national solicitation for applications for grants under this
section.
(e) Organic Photovoltaic Cell Technologies.--At least 1 grant
awarded under this section during fiscal year 2020 shall be for a
project to demonstrate organic photovoltaic cell technologies.
SEC. 4. NEXT GENERATION SOLAR ENERGY MANUFACTURING INITIATIVE.
(a) In General.--In carrying out the program established under
section 2(a), the Secretary shall provide multi-year grants on a
competitive, merit-reviewed basis to eligible entities for research,
development, and demonstration projects to advance new solar energy
manufacturing technologies and techniques, including those that
manufacture solar cells, hardware, and enabling devices.
(b) Strategic Vision Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than September 1, 2020, the
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology of the House of Representatives, the Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, and any other
committees of Congress deemed appropriate by the Secretary a
report on the results of a study that examines the viable
market opportunities available for solar energy technology
manufacturing in the United States, including solar cells,
hardware, and enabling technologies.
(2) Report requirements.--The report under paragraph (1)
shall include--
(A) a description of--
(i) the ability to competitively
manufacture solar technology in the United
States, including the manufacture of--
(I) new and advanced materials,
such as cells made with new, cost-
effective, high efficiency materials;
(II) solar module equipment and
enabling technologies, including smart
inverters, sensors, and tracking
equipment;
(III) innovative solar module
designs and applications, including
those that can directly integrate with
new and existing buildings and other
infrastructure; and
(IV) other research areas as
determined by the Secretary; and
(ii) opportunities and barriers within the
United States and international solar energy
technology supply chains;
(B) policy recommendations for enhancing solar
energy technology manufacturing in the United States;
and
(C) an aggressive 10-year target and plan,
beginning in 2021, to enhance the competitiveness of
solar energy technology manufacturing in the United
States.
(c) Program Implementation.--In carrying out the research,
development, and demonstration program under this section, to the
extent practicable, the Secretary shall follow the recommendations
included in the report under subsection (b) and make grants for solar
energy manufacturing projects that--
(1) reduce capital expenditures or provide lower-cost
manufacturing option;
(2) eliminate manufacturing process steps;
(3) reduce energy, water, and material inputs;
(4) establish alternative supply chains for materials and
components; and
(5) take advantage of rapid prototyping, small batch
manufacturing, and roll-to-roll processing.
(d) Program Evaluation.--Beginning not later than 3 years after the
completion of the report under subsection (b), and every 4 years
thereafter, the Secretary shall provide, and make available to the
public and the relevant authorizing and appropriations committees of
Congress, an independent review of the program authorized under this
section to evaluate its progress toward meeting the policy
recommendations and targets determined in the report.
SEC. 5. PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE RECYCLING RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND
DEMONSTRATION.
(a) In General.--In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall
award, on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis, multiyear grants to
eligible entities for research, development, and demonstration projects
to create innovative and practical approaches to increase reuse and
recycling of photovoltaic devices.
(b) Purpose.--The Secretary shall award grants under subsection (a)
for projects that address--
(1) technology to increase the efficiency of photovoltaic
device recycling and maximize the recovery of valuable raw
materials for use in new products while minimizing the life-
cycle environmental impacts such as greenhouse gas emissions
and water usage;
(2) expanded uses for materials from recycled photovoltaic
devices;
(3) development and demonstration of environmentally
responsible alternatives to the use of hazardous materials in
photovoltaic devices and the production of such devices;
(4) development of methods to separate and remove hazardous
materials from photovoltaic devices and to recycle or dispose
of those materials in a safe manner;
(5) product design and construction to facilitate
disassembly and recycling of photovoltaic devices;
(6) tools and methods to aid in assessing the environmental
impacts of the production of photovoltaic devices and
photovoltaic device recycling and disposal;
(7) product design and construction and other tools and
techniques to extend the life cycle of photovoltaic devices,
including methods to promote their safe reuse;
(8) strategies to increase consumer acceptance and practice
of recycling of photovoltaic devices; and
(9) processes to reduce the costs and environmental impact
of disposal of toxic materials used in photovoltaic devices.
(c) Applications.--An eligible entity seeking a grant under this
section shall submit to the Secretary an application that includes a
description of--
(1) the project that will be undertaken and the
contributions of each participating entity;
(2) the applicability of the project to increasing reuse
and recycling of photovoltaic devices with the least
environmental impacts as measured by life-cycle analyses, and
the potential for incorporating the research results into
industry practice; and
(3) how the project will promote collaboration among
scientists and engineers from different disciplines, such as
electrical engineering, materials science, and social science.
(d) Dissemination of Results.--The Secretary shall publish the
results of projects supported under this section through--
(1) development of best practices or training materials for
use in the photovoltaics manufacturing, design, installation,
refurbishing, or recycling industries;
(2) dissemination at industry conferences;
(3) coordination with information dissemination programs
relating to recycling of electronic devices in general;
(4) demonstration projects; and
(5) educational materials for the public produced in
conjunction with State and local governments or nonprofit
organizations on the problems and solutions related to reuse
and recycling of photovoltaic devices.
(e) Photovoltaic Materials Physical Property Database.--
(1) In general.--Not later than September 1, 2021, the
Secretary shall establish a comprehensive physical property
database of materials for use in photovoltaic devices. Such
database shall include--
(A) identification of materials used in
photovoltaic devices;
(B) a list of commercially available amounts of
these materials and their country of origin;
(C) amounts of these materials projected to be
available through mining or recycling of photovoltaic
and other electronic devices; and
(D) a list of other significant uses for each of
these materials.
(2) Priorities.--Not later than September 1, 2020, the
Secretary, working with private industry, shall develop a plan
to establish priorities and requirements for the database under
this subsection, including the protection of proprietary
information, trade secrets, and other confidential business
information.
(3) Coordination.--The Secretary shall coordinate with the
Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology,
the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and
the Administrator of the Department of Interior to facilitate
the incorporation of the database under this subsection with
any existing database for materials involved in electronic
manufacturing and recycling.
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry
out this Act--
(1) $270,000,000 for fiscal year 2020;
(2) $283,500,000 for fiscal year 2021;
(3) $297,675,000 for fiscal year 2022;
(4) $312,558,750 for fiscal year 2023; and
(5) $328,186,688 for fiscal year 2024.
<all>