Solar Snapshot: 👷‍♀️☀️ New Solar Manufacturing Workforce Prize; $10M in New Funding for Interconnection Tools

Projects selected to improve reliability of solar on the electric grid.

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. Solar Energy Technologies Office What's Inside: Solar Snapshot, the newsletter of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO), shares recent announcements; upcoming events; and more. If someone forwarded this newsletter to you, you can subscribe here. Reach out to us at solar@ee.doe.gov with any inquiries or suggestions. Estimated read time: 4 minutes  What's New? New Funding to Develop Solar and Wind Transmission Interconnection Tools  DOE announced the Innovation Interconnection e-Xchange (i2X) Solar and Wind Interconnection for Future Transmission (SWIFTR) funding opportunity, which will provide up to $10 million to develop new analytical tools and approaches to accelerate the reliable interconnection of solar, wind, and battery energy storage systems into the electric grid. Learn about the topics in this funding opportunity and submit mandatory concept papers by April 17 at 5 p.m. ET.  New Prize Launched to Accelerate Expansion of the Domestic Solar Manufacturing Workforce  SETO launched the American-Made Upskill Prize for the Solar Manufacturing Workforce, a $5 million prize designed to accelerate the expansion of the domestic solar manufacturing workforce and equip workers with the skills necessary to revitalize the domestic solar manufacturing supply chain. U.S. solar manufacturers and training organizations can partner to submit workforce training plans for the chance to win up to $500,000 by May 21.  Upcoming Deadlines Don't forget to participate in these funding opportunities, prizes, and solicitations:  American-Made Solar Photo Competition: Hit Me with Your Sun Shot – Photographers are encouraged to submit their photos by 5 p.m. ET on May 23.  Some Light 🌞 Reading Projects Selected to Improve Reliability of Solar on the Electric Grid    SETO announced the selection of eleven projects to receive $34 million through the Operation and Planning Tools for Inverter-Based Resource Management and Availability for Future Power Systems (OPTIMA) funding program. These projects will advance tools that help grid planners and operators handle uncertainties when renewables account for large fractions of generation and allow the grid to be more flexible and resilient to changes like weather events and fluctuation in demand.  New Tool Will Connect Low-Income Households to Community Solar  SETO recently launched the Clean Energy Connector, a tool that connects families to solar energy through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The first-of-its-kind software can now be used by local LIHEAP program administrators and community solar subscription managers in Illinois, Washington, D.C., and New Mexico to connect income-qualified households to long-term electric bill savings through community solar subscriptions. States interested in participating in the pilot phase of the Connector should join DOE's webinar on April 10 and reach out to DOE to express interest.   Meet Latimer Controls: Solar Prize Round 6 Winner (Video)  American-Made Solar Prize winner Latimer Controls is developing intelligent control software that enables utility-scale photovoltaic installations to provide power reliably and on demand. Get to know Latimer Controls and learn more about their technology.  SETO Awards Prize to Student Finalist Team in EnergyTech University Prize  SETO is excited to select collegiate student team Agrivoltaic Design Studio from Cornell University as a Technology Bonus Prize Finalist in the EnergyTech University Prize. This competition challenges collegiate student teams to develop and present a business plan that leverages national laboratory-developed or other emerging energy technologies. Agrivoltaic Design Studio won $3,000 and is now invited to compete in the National Pitch Event this April alongside 27 other student teams for additional prizes.   Upcoming Events Webinar: 2024 Total Solar Eclipse Grid Impact Study  April 2 | 1 p.m. ET A total solar eclipse will traverse North America on April 8, affecting solar power plants across 12 U.S. states for up to two and a half hours. SETO, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation have partnered to evaluate the grid impacts of the eclipse, expanding on prior research completed for the 2017 eclipse. Register for this webinar to see interactive and detailed grid visualizations, learn about study findings, and get information to help utilities and operators anticipate the impact of the eclipse.  Webinar: Clean Energy Connector: How States Can Provide Community Solar to Low-Income Communities April 10 | 12 p.m. ET States interested in piloting the Clean Energy Connector can find out how to get involved.  Webinar: National Community Solar Partnership 2023 Annual Update   April 25 | 3-4 p.m. ET The National Community Solar Partnership is hosting a webinar to share progress on the partnership's activities and key metrics on its impact. The team will also discuss ways to get involved in the partnership's projects and activities.  In Case You Missed It Webinar Recording: Interconnection Resources for Utilities and Regulatory Commissions  Webinar Recording: Achieving Scale – Community Solar Technical Potential and Meaningful Benefits in the United States  Learn more about SETO or DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

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