[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 9 (Thursday, January 13, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 2143]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-856]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Golden Field Office; Supplemental Announcement to the Broad Based 
Solicitation for Financial Assistance Applications Involving Research, 
Development and Demonstration for the Office of Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy; University Photovoltaic Research, Education, and 
Collaboration

AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy.

ACTION: Supplemental announcement 05 to the broad based solicitation 
for submission of financial assistance applications involving research, 
development and demonstration DE-PS36-00GO10482.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), pursuant to the DOE 
Financial Assistance Rules, 10 CFR 600.8, is announcing its intention 
to solicit applications for advancing crystalline silicon solar cell 
technology through research, education, and collaboration. A financial 
assistance award issued as a result of this Supplemental Announcement 
will be a cooperative agreement.

DATES: DOE expects to issue the Supplemental Announcement in late 
January 2000.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Supplemental Announcement, once issued, can be 
obtained from the Golden Field Office Home page at http://
www.eren.doe.gov/golden/solicitations.html. It is DOE's intention not 
to issue hard copies of the Solicitation.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOE is soliciting Applications from 
accredited colleges or universities for the advancement of crystalline 
silicon solar cell technology through research, education, and 
collaboration. A goal of DOE's National Photovoltaics Program is the 
advancement of solar photovoltaic energy as a significant electrical 
energy source for the United States. To achieve this goal, the 
Department of Energy will support advanced and applied research in 
crystalline silicon cell technology through a University Research, 
Education, and Collaboration Program (Program). The Department of 
Energy has supported crystalline silicon cell research through the 
Center of Excellence for Photovoltaics Research and Education in 
Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells at the Georgia Institute of Technology. 
The purpose of this Supplemental Announcement is to solicit accredited 
educational institutions to develop a program to further advance 
crystalline silicon cell technology. The objectives of the University 
Research, Education, and Collaboration Program are: to advance the 
state of technology in crystalline silicon solar cells through research 
and development; to verify advances in crystalline silicon technology 
through solar cell fabrication and testing; to educate and train 
undergraduate and graduate students through courses and laboratory 
experience; and to collaborate with U.S. crystalline cell manufacturers 
for improving manufacturing processes, product performance, and cost.
    Applications under this Supplemental Announcement must demonstrate 
the capabilities, commitment, and resources necessary to advance 
crystalline silicon cell technology through research, education, and 
collaboration. The ability of the Applicant to fabricate high-
efficiency cells on commercial silicon substrates, reduce cell 
processing time, develop low-cost fabrication processes with the 
potential for high-throughput, and fabricate silicon cells with highly 
effective bulk and surface passivation will be major factors in 
selecting an application for award.
    Successful Applications must demonstrate technology transfer 
through collaboration with industry and advance the understanding of 
crystalline silicon solar technology through education. As part of the 
proposed Program, Applicants are discouraged from forming exclusive 
business relationships or collaborative arrangements with any solar 
cell manufacturer(s). Technical support and assistance will be provided 
through the Department of Energy's National Laboratories. Therefore, 
financial support of DOE's National Laboratories through a particular 
Application will not be considered.
    Only Applications from accredited colleges or universities will be 
considered for an award. Educational organizations are not subject to 
the eligibility requirements of EPAct. However, to be eligible for 
award, the project must be determined to be in the economic interest of 
the United States. (See the Broad Based Solicitation, DE-PS36-
00GO10482, Section II.F, EPAct Eligibility Requirements.)
    An award under this Supplemental Announcement will be a Cooperative 
Agreement with a term of up to five years. Subject to funding 
availability, the total DOE funding anticipated for this Supplemental 
Announcement is $2,500,000 or $500,000 per year. The DOE anticipates 
selecting one application for award under this Supplemental 
Announcement. No cost share is required in order to be considered for 
an award under this solicitation. However, cost share will be 
considered in selecting an application for an award. Solicitation 
Number DE-PS36-00GO10482, in conjunction with Supplemental Announcement 
05, will include complete information on the program including 
technical aspects, funding, application preparation instructions, 
application evaluation criteria, and other factors that will be 
considered when selecting projects for funding. Responses to the 
Supplemental Announcement will be due approximately 60 days following 
issuance of the Supplemental Announcement.
    Questions should be submitted in writing to: Ruth E. Adams, DOE 
Golden Field Office, 1617 Cole Boulevard, Golden, CO 80401-3393; 
transmitted via facsimile to Ruth E. Adams at (303) 275-4788; or 
electronically to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ruth E. Adams, Contracting Officer, at 
303-275-4722, e-mail [email protected].

    Issued in Golden, Colorado, on January 6, 2000.
Jerry L. Zimmer,
Procurement Director.
[FR Doc. 00-856 Filed 1-12-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P