[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 183 (Wednesday, September 23, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48531-48533]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-22930]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy


Request for Information (RFI)--Photovoltaic (PV) Manufacturing 
Initiative

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of 
Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Request for Information (RFI)--Photovoltaic (PV) Manufacturing 
Initiative.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE) today gives notice of a Request 
for Information on the PV Manufacturing Initiative. The ``PV 
Manufacturing Initiative'' is intended to coordinate stakeholders and 
technology development efforts across the solar community to facilitate 
the development of a strong PV manufacturing industry in the United 
States. The primary goals of this initiative include supporting the 
creation of a robust United States-based PV manufacturing technology 
including infrastructure and supply chain base, developing a highly 
trained workforce with the critical skills required to meet the needs 
of a rapidly growing industry, and speeding the implementation of new 
cutting edge technologies.
    There are three separate models currently under consideration: 
University-Led Consortia, Collaborative Industry-Led Consortia, and 
Manufacturing Development Facilities, which are described in full 
detail in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section. This Request for 
Information (RFI) seeks comments on the general concept, potential 
benefits or obstacles, the overall merits of the idea, alternatives, 
and the relative priority of this activity. DOE will evaluate responses 
to this RFI to determine the best approach to move forward.

DATES: Responses to this RFI must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time 
on September 30, 2009.

ADDRESSES: All responses to this RFI must be delivered electronically 
in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) format as an attachment to an e-mail 
sent to the following e-mail address: [email protected]. E-mails 
should have the subject line ``PV Manufacturing Initiative Response''.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Any questions about the content of 
this RFI must be sent to the following e-mail address: 
[email protected]. E-mails should have the subject line 
``Question''.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Program Manager/Area

    JoAnn Milliken, Acting Program Manager, Solar Energy Technologies 
Program, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

Background and Rationale

    The mission of the Department of Energy's (DOE) Solar Energy 
Technologies Program (SETP) is to accelerate the wide-spread adoption 
of solar electric technologies across the United States through a 
program of applied research and development, demonstration, and market 
transformation activities. This mission aims to diversify the Nation's 
electricity supply options, increase national security, and improve the 
environment. The SETP mission is consistent with the Energy Policy Act 
of 2005 and DOE's Strategic Plan.
    During the past decade, worldwide demand for and production of PV 
energy systems has been growing at a compounded annual growth rate of 
more than 30%. This growth has taken place in response to government 
supported programs in Germany, Spain, and other countries outside the 
United States. This demand for PV products has the potential to also 
grow in the United States due to new and emerging Federal and State 
support programs and favorable solar conditions, as well as declining 
system costs. Currently, the United States, is not a major manufacturer 
of PV products and, therefore, not well-positioned to take advantage of 
this opportunity's potential to create a strong domestic industry.
    The ``PV Manufacturing Initiative'' is intended to coordinate 
stakeholders and technology development efforts across the solar 
community to facilitate the development of a strong PV manufacturing 
industry in the United States. The primary goals of this initiative 
include supporting the creation of a robust United States-based PV 
manufacturing technology including infrastructure and supply chain 
base, developing a highly trained workforce with the critical skills 
required to meet the needs of a rapidly growing industry, and speeding 
the implementation of new cutting edge technologies.
    Three separate models are currently under consideration: (1) 
University-led consortia guided by industry that would conduct 
industry-relevant manufacturing research projects; (2) collaborative 
industry-led consortia that will develop and implement manufacturing 
research projects with shared intellectual property (IP); and (3) 
manufacturing development efforts, possibly implemented through common 
facilities, for equipment and process development with individual 
companies maintaining exclusive ownership of IP.

Proposed Strategy

    If a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is developed from this 
RFI, it will enable DOE to launch a major PV Manufacturing Initiative 
that will accelerate development and provide a strong base for a 
domestic United States PV industry. DOE anticipates that up to $30M may 
be available to fund the PV Manufacturing Initiative in the first year. 
Of that, DOE anticipates that approximately $5M may be devoted to a 
single or multiple awards for University-Led Consortia. The remaining 
$25M may be used to fund single or multiple awards for Collaborative 
Industry-led Consortia and/or Manufacturing Development Facilities.
    All proposals to implement PV Manufacturing Initiative models would 
be evaluated according to a competitive award process. In all cases, 
successful proposals would be expected to maximize the number of 
alternative

[[Page 48532]]

funding sources, provide geographic diversity, incorporate a broad base 
of the PV industry, and have a detailed plan for the management of 
intellectual property, consortium membership (if a consortia is 
proposed), and other governance issues. All PV technologies (i.e., 
wafer, thin film, and concentrator) and combinations of technologies 
may be considered. The Industry-led models (the Collaborative Industry-
led Consortia and Manufacturing Development Facilities) are intended to 
allow the integration of universities and workforce development; 
likewise, the University-Led Consortia model should have strong ties to 
industry. All model approaches are also intended to allow for the 
technical participation of national laboratories, as defined in section 
2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Regarding financial participation, 
each model encourages inclusion of state economic development or other 
funding organizations.
    Entities who apply for multiple awards should be able to 
demonstrate that they can complete all the work proposed.
    Below are characteristics of the three models being considered to 
implement the goals of the PV Manufacturing Initiative.

University-Led Consortia

    DOE would maintain a constant level of funding over the first 5 
years for each University-Led Consortium, with the option to extend for 
5 years either through an extension of the existing award, or as a 
subsequent competitive opportunity. Additional sources of funding would 
be expected by industry participants and universities. The consortia 
would select projects proposed by the universities in consultation with 
industry.
    The specific problems to be addressed will be identified through 
rigorous planning and implementation of industry-relevant collaborative 
research plans. Based on the development opportunities identified, the 
consortia will fund development projects with the expectation of 
delivering new offerings to market within 2-5 years. Participation in 
standards or roadmap planning activities could be considered part of 
the scope of these consortia.
    Successful consortia will provide interested graduate-level and 
post-doctoral students with opportunities for direct experience in 
research and development (R&D) projects and hands-on training in 
industrially viable manufacturing processes. The consortia would also 
address how its relationship with the PV industry is expected to 
produce graduates from the university that have a thorough 
understanding of PVs from materials to systems, excellent proficiency 
in device, module and system aspects of PVs, and the technical 
communication skills that are highly valued by the industry.

Collaborative Industry-Led Consortia

    DOE support for each Collaborative Industry-Led Consortium would 
fund initial projects in combination with other funding sources, with 
the DOE share of support gradually decreasing over 5 years and industry 
and other parties assuming a greater share over the same time span. 
Additionally, it is expected that all industry participants would 
equitably share in the intellectual property developed through each 
consortium.
    The specific problems to be addressed will be identified through 
rigorous planning and implementation of industry relevant collaborative 
research plans. Based on the development opportunities identified, the 
consortia will fund development projects with the expectation of 
delivering new offerings to market within 2-5 years. Because of the 
anticipated membership of diverse companies across the PV industry, it 
may be desirable for these consortia to serve as a major resource and 
leading contributors to industry-wide standards and roadmap 
development.

Manufacturing Development Facilities

    DOE funding for Manufacturing Development Facilities would provide 
initial awards to set up the facilities, with additional funding for 
these facilities also expected to come through the organizing entity, 
user fees, equipment providers, as well as other participants. DOE 
funding would be gradually reduced over 1-3 years with other 
participants assuming a greater share. Manufacturing Development 
Facility awards could be executed with an organization with ties to the 
PV industry, industry-led consortium, or as an individual or non-
related separate entity. Either new or retooled manufacturing 
development facilities could be established. These facilities will 
assist, potentially, a wide-range of PV companies in making the 
transition to commercial production. In contrast to the Collaborative 
Industry-Led Consortia, IP developed through these facilities will be 
owned by user companies.
    Manufacturing Development Facilities could be implemented with some 
or all of the following characteristics: provide tools with common uses 
to innovate and test processing parameters; facilitate matchmaking 
between process innovators and the development facilities of equipment 
manufacturers; enable users to access process development and 
characterization capabilities to aid benchmarking and troubleshooting 
manufacturing processes; and give users access to technical expertise 
and manufacturing equipment to speed development of full commercial 
manufacturing capability.
    Participation in standards or roadmap planning activities could be 
considered part of the scope of work for the Manufacturing Development 
Facility awardees.

Anticipated Award and Financial Information, if a Funding Opportunity 
Results From This RFI

    Total Estimated Cost of the Project: $125,000,000-$200,000,000 (DOE 
and Cost share) depending on mix of models selected.
    Total DOE Funding Anticipated: $100,000,000.
    Initial Funding: $30,000,000.
    Anticipated Level of Required Cost Share:

University Led Collaborative Consortia, 20%.
Collaborative Industry Led Consortia, 50%.
Manufacturing Development Facilities, 50%.

    Fiscal Year of Initial Funding: FY10.
    Estimated Project Period of Awards:
University-Led Consortia, 5 years.

Collaborative Industry-Led Consortia, 5 years.
Manufacturing Development Facilities, 1-3 years.

    Qualifications or Restricted Eligibility:
    The University-Led Consortia are restricted to domestic 
universities. Industry participants for the Collaborative Industry-Led 
Consortia must have United States-based PV research facilities and 
demonstrated intent for United States manufacturing within 3 years. All 
other participants must be United States-based organizations.
    DOE Laboratory Involvement:
    National laboratories may not apply as prime applicants, but may 
apply as team members.

Request for Information Guidelines

    Respondents are asked to specifically comment on the questions 
below. Respondents are also encouraged to comment on the general 
concept, potential benefits or obstacles, the overall merits of this 
idea, alternatives, and the relative priority of this activity. DOE 
will evaluate responses to this RFI to determine the best approach to 
move forward.

[[Page 48533]]

Questions

    (1) Concept:
     Please comment on the three models comprising the PV 
Manufacturing Initiative. How well is the problem framed, and are the 
models identified correct possible solutions? Will the models 
identified accomplish the goals of the Initiative? Are there other, 
more expedient approaches to achieving the goals? Should the models be 
modified? Do any of the models have higher priority? Are there other 
models that have not been discussed that should also be considered?
     What PV technologies would most likely succeed using these 
or other models?
     What are the most likely organizational barriers that may 
arise (e.g. IP sharing issues), and are there solutions DOE should 
consider?
    (2) Benefits:
     What do you see as the greatest contributions the PV 
Manufacturing Initiative can make to establish a strong manufacturing 
base and supply chain for the United States PV industry?
    (3) Eligibility:
     Do you agree with the eligibility criteria for the leads 
and participants for the University-Led Consortia? What about the 
Collaborative Industry-Led Consortia? Manufacturing Development 
Facilities?
     Should ``for profit'' consortia be considered or only non-
profit entities?
     Should there be a minimum number of partners required by 
DOE for award or could a consortium be contained within one institution 
with far-reaching activity?
    (4) Funding:
     Would it be better to fund more awards at lower levels or 
fewer awards at higher levels?
     Does the level of funding seem appropriate given the 
amount and type of work anticipated?
     Does the level of cost share seem appropriate?
    DOE will not pay for information provided under this Request for 
Information (RFI), and there is no guarantee that a project will be 
supported as a result of this RFI. This RFI is not accepting 
applications for financial assistance or financial incentives.
    A response to this RFI will not be viewed as a binding commitment 
to develop or pursue the project or ideas discussed. DOE may also 
decide at a later date to issue Funding Opportunity Announcements 
(FOAs), based on consideration of the input received from this RFI or 
to not issue this opportunity at all.
    Respondents are requested to provide the following information at 
the start of their response to this RFI:
     Company/institutional name,
     Company/institutional contact,
     Type of Business or Institution,
     Address, phone number, and e-mail address,
     Brief description of the operations and mission of 
business or institution (several sentences will suffice).
    All responses to this RFI must be delivered electronically in 
Microsoft Word (.doc) format as an attachment to an e-mail sent to the 
following e-mail address: [email protected]. E-mails should have 
the subject line ``PV Manufacturing Initiative Response''. Any 
questions about the content of this RFI must be sent to the following 
e-mail address: [email protected]. E-mails should have the subject 
line ``Question''.
    Responses to this RFI must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time 
on September 30, 2009. Responses should be limited to 5 pages. However, 
more than one response is allowed per respondent. Please identify your 
answers by responding to a specific question if possible.
    We welcome other comments as well. Identifying the comment with the 
item to which it refers will facilitate aggregating all the responses. 
Any information obtained as a result of this RFI is intended to be used 
by the Government on a non-attribution basis for program planning and 
procurement strategy development. Information or data that is 
restricted in any way or limited for use by the Government is not 
solicited and will not be considered. Please do not respond with any 
information that you deem proprietary or confidential. Responses to 
this RFI are not confidential and may be published publically on a non-
attribution basis. DOE has no obligation to respond to those who submit 
comments, and/or give any feedback on any decision made based on the 
comments received, as there is potential for a future Funding 
Opportunity relative to this subject.
    DOE thanks you for your assistance and comments in helping 
accomplish its mission.

    Issued in Golden, CO, on September 4, 2009.
Andrea K. Lucero,
Contracting Officer.
[FR Doc. E9-22930 Filed 9-22-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P