[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 95 (Wednesday, May 17, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26416-26417]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-12036]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Golden Field Office; Notice of Federal Assistance Award to 
Utility Photovoltaic Group

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of Financial Assistance Award in Response to an 
Unsolicited Financial Assistance Application; Initiating PV 
Commercialization Through TEAM-UP, DE-FC36-93CH10560.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), pursuant to the DOE 
Financial Assistance Rules, 10 CFR 600.7, is announcing its intention 
to grant funding to the Utility PhotoVoltaic Group, which represents 
interested members of the power production industry, to continue a 
multi-year program entitled ``Technology Experience to Accelerated 
Markets in Utility Photovoltaics (TEAM-UP)''. The objective of this 
joint effort between DOE and the Utility PhotoVoltaic Group (UPVG), as 
identified by Congress, is the establishment of an accelerated market 
for suppliers of photovoltaic systems that encourages investments in 
larger manufacturing facilities, thus reducing photovoltaic unit costs 
through economies of scale and creating even broader market potential. 
The UPVG organization will develop credible PV technical and 
educational information for utilities, assist utility purchases through 
market buyer teams, encourage a greater array of potential system 
applications, and provide the foundation and implementation of the 
TEAM-UP program. The prime objective of TEAM-UP is achieving a 
sustainable, domestic PV market and increased manufacturing capability 
through this joint commercialization effort by the year 2000.

ADDRESSES: Questions regarding this announcement may be addressed to 
the U.S. Department of Energy, Golden Field Office, 1617 Cole Blvd., 
Golden, Colorado 80401, Attention: John K. Lewis, Contract Specialist. 
The telephone number is 303-275-4739. The Contracting Officer for this 
action is John W. Meeker.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOE has evaluated, in accordance with the 
DOE Federal Assistance Regulations, 10 CFR section 600.14, the 
unsolicited proposal entitled ``Initiating PV Commercialization Through 
TEAM-UP'' and recommends that the unsolicited proposal be accepted for 
support without further competition in accordance with section 600.7 of 
the Federal Assistance Regulations.
    The program involves cost sharing with industry, through the 
Utility PhotoVoltaic Group (UPVG), for the implementation of the multi-
year, 50 MW hardware initiative known as TEAM-UP. The proposed 
agreement implements TEAM-UP, serving as the mechanism for implementing 
small-scale industry funded PV applications and grid-connected cost-
shared programs, as well as continuing technology transfer and market 
conditioning activities.
    DOE, as directed by Congress, is actively pursuing a program of 
solar energy technology commercialization in conjunction with an 
industrial partner acting as the ``funding entity''. The major program 
objective being the cost-effective use of photovoltaics (PV) in large-
scale, grid-connected applications. The UPVG, consisting of almost one 
hundred utility members, directly supports the DOE objectives by 
continuing this multi-year program intended to result in the 
achievement of PV acceptance and use by electric utilities, power 
producers, and their customers. The proposed agreement represents an 
ideal and totally unique mechanism to encourage the use of PV and 
maintain an industry driven initiative for the implementation of 
photovoltaics within the utility and power production industry.
    The multi-year program involves: Outreach and technology transfer 
activities to educate the utility industry; market conditioning 
activities aimed at building a foundation for PV purchase commitments; 
implementation of grid-connected cost-shared projects through 
competitive solicitation; and development of the market infrastructure 
to facilitate utility purchases of small-scale photovoltaic 
applications.
    The six year program plan is presently anticipated to cost 
approximately [[Page 26417]] $140,000,000 with industry providing 70% 
funding and DOE contributing 30%. DOE Phase 3 funding is anticipated as 
$7,021,000 or 48% of the total $14,488,727 cost of implementing up to 
10 MW of grid-connected photovoltaic applications and 2 MW of small-
scale photovoltaic applications. This notice is published for public 
comment at least fourteen calendar days prior to making an award.

    Issued in Golden, Colorado, on May 4, 1995.
John W. Meeker,
Chief, Procurement, GO.
[FR Doc. 95-12036 Filed 5-16-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P