DOE offers $12m for space solar manufacturing R&D

(SpaceEnergy) The US Department of Energy has opened a $12 million research and development programme aimed at lowering space photovoltaic costs and expanding domestic manufacturing capacity.

The Department of Energy's Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation said on 31 August that the Space Photovoltaics Research and Development Partnership Intermediary Agreement will support university and industry teams developing space-applicable photovoltaic technologies and pilot-scale manufacturing.

The programme has two topic areas. The first covers low-cost fabrication methods and improvements to the performance and durability of laboratory-scale photovoltaic cells, with individual awards expected to reach $1.5 million.

The second focuses on manufacturing processes capable of scaling to high-volume production and third-party validation of module prototypes in space or near-space environments. Individual awards are expected to reach $2 million.

The department said applicants under the second topic should have testing partnerships and the capability to fly photovoltaic prototypes or panels in space.

Full applications are due by 8 October, with selection notifications expected in December and award negotiations targeted for January-February 2027.