US DOE fronts US$50 million for PVMI Part II, SUNPATH

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

A US$50 million fund is up for grabs by the US Department of Energy to domestic PV manufacturers wanting to take solar technology from the lab to the fab to help restore the United States as being at the forefront of solar manufacturing. The funding program is the second solar Photovoltaic Manufacturing Initiative (PVMI) initiative, dubbed SUNPATH, which stands for Scaling Up Nascent PV At Home.

The SUNPATH initiative is designed to support companies with pilot level commercial production facilities to scale up their manufacturing capabilities so that they can fast track the ramp. The DOE noted that this is often the most difficult stage for start-up to bridge.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

The key target for the funding is for domestic firms that can demonstrate innovative, low-cost solar technologies, which are in certain areas already being supported via the PVMI initiative. The DOE said that its national laboratories were stepping up their validation facilities to ensure that the technologies developed and manufactured in PVMI Parts I and II are tested at scale in multiple locations and climates in the United States. 

“This investment provides a necessary boost to domestic solar manufacturing businesses, encouraging them to keep jobs here and establish America's leadership in the world's growing clean energy economy,” said Secretary Chu. “In addition to invigorating clean energy manufacturing, this program will help achieve the SunShot goal of making unsubsidized utility-scale solar cost-competitive with other forms of energy by the end of the decade.”

The DOE said it was seeking applicants with industrial-scale demonstrations of PV modules, cells, or substrates that offer lower-cost solutions in line with the SunShot goals and that applications for possible funding were due by October 28, 2011. 

DOE's national laboratories are stepping up their validation facilities to ensure that the technologies developed and manufactured in Parts I and II are tested at scale in multiple locations and climates in the United States. 
 

Read Next

May 23, 2025
The California State Assembly’s Appropriations Committee has passed a net metering bill that could worsen residential solar owners’ rates when acquiring a property.
May 23, 2025
TotalEnergies has commissioned its largest solar portfolio in Europe, a collection of five assets in Spain with a combined capacity of 263MW.
May 23, 2025
The US House of Representatives has passed a bill slashing tax credit provisions for clean energy projects.
May 23, 2025
As European power markets consolidate and become more competitive, the increasing frequency of negative capture prices is challenging the viability of renewable energy projects.
Premium
May 23, 2025
The PPA is a 'cornerstone' of the European renewables space, according to speakers at Solar Media's Renewables Procurement & Revenue Summit.
Premium
May 23, 2025
Tongwei's CEO has told an annual shareholder meeting that next year will see a turning point in industry fortunes as obsolete capacity is phased out.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
June 17, 2025
Napa, USA
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
July 8, 2025
Asia
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece