Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0000493
Apply for DE FOA 0000493
- The Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Extreme Balance of System Hardware Cost Reductions (BOS X)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.087 Renewable Energy Research and Development.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 10, 2011 and posted on Apr 8, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 9, 2011 Letter of Intent Due Date May 9, 2011 1159pm Eastern Time. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Extreme Balance of System Hardware Cost Reductions (BOS X) funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0000493) is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) discretionary grant program run through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), specifically the Solar Energy Technologies Program (SETP), and tied to the broader SunShot Initiative. The central aim is to drive down the "balance of system" (BOS) hardware portion of photovoltaic (PV) system costs, meaning the non-module hardware and related installation elements that sit around the solar panels themselves (for example, mounting, electrical components, structural attachment approaches, and other physical system parts). This FOA is positioned as one lever to help meet SunShot's cost-reduction target of roughly a 75 percent drop in total installed solar costs (including installer margin) before the end of the decade.
This notice includes Amendment 001, which does not change the overall intent or structure of the program, but specifically updates and clarifies the Cost Impact tables in Section I of the Funding Opportunity Description (pages 9 through 11). The practical point of the amendment is to better define how certain cost components are counted, with emphasis on distinguishing or clarifying electrical labor versus hardware labor cost components. Everything else in the FOA is stated to remain the same, and the revised areas are highlighted within the updated announcement.
From a project standpoint, DOE is seeking applications focused on research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) of new PV components, improved system designs, and, in some cases, proposed building code language. The emphasis is on overcoming scientific, technological, and engineering barriers that prevent PV systems from reaching very low cost while maintaining safety and high reliability. Although the FOA is mainly aimed at hard costs (hardware and labor) rather than soft costs (permitting, inspection, interconnection, customer acquisition, site preparation, and other process-driven expenses), it explicitly welcomes hardware innovations that indirectly reduce soft costs as well. In other words, if a hardware change makes installations simpler, faster, more standardized, or easier to permit and approve, that knock-on benefit is considered a positive.
Applicants must align their proposals to one of four topic areas. Topic 1 targets transformational Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) modules, which generally refers to PV products that function as both a building material and an energy generator (for example, roofing-integrated or facade-integrated solutions). Topic 2 focuses on roof and ground mount innovations, which can include new racking concepts, attachment strategies, fewer-parts mounting systems, or approaches that reduce installation time and complexity while meeting structural and safety requirements. Topic 3 covers transformational PV system designs, a broad category that can include major architecture changes to how PV systems are configured, assembled, wired, or integrated in the field, with the intent of cutting hardware and labor while improving reliability. Topic 4 is different in flavor from the others and centers on developing new wind load codes for PV systems, recognizing that clearer, more modern, and more universally accepted code language can enable lighter, cheaper, or more standardized mounting approaches while still meeting safety and performance needs under wind loading.
Operationally, the FOA is administered through the EERE eXCHANGE platform, and applications must be submitted through that website to be eligible for award. Applicants are required to register and create an account in eXCHANGE, and DOE provides a user guide through the EERE site to help with navigation and submission mechanics. The opportunity lists a Letter of Intent due date of May 9, 2011 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time, and an application closing date of June 9, 2011. The eligible applicant category is described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any additional eligibility clarifications that may appear in the full FOA text. Cost sharing or matching is required, meaning awardees should expect to contribute a portion of total project costs from non-federal sources.
Several administrative fields in the posted summary (such as Estimated Total Funding, Award Ceiling, and Award Floor) are shown as 0, which usually indicates that those values were not populated in the summary record rather than meaning there is literally no funding available; applicants would need to refer to the full FOA on eXCHANGE for the actual funding amounts, number of anticipated awards, and topic-specific budgets if provided. The listed agency office is the Golden Field Office, and the primary contact for access issues is Christina Raines, Grants and Agreements Specialist, reachable via pvbos@go.doe.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Extreme Balance of System Hardware Cost Reductions (BOS X) (DE-FOA-0000493)
What is the BOS X funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0000493)?
The Extreme Balance of System Hardware Cost Reductions (BOS X) funding opportunity is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) discretionary grant program focused on reducing the balance of system (BOS) hardware costs for photovoltaic (PV) systems. It is administered through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), specifically the Solar Energy Technologies Program (SETP), and is connected to the broader SunShot Initiative.
What is the main goal of this FOA?
The central aim is to drive down the BOS hardware portion of PV system costs, meaning the non-module hardware and related installation elements around the solar panels (for example, mounting, electrical components, structural attachment approaches, and other physical system parts). The FOA is positioned as one lever supporting SunShot's goal of roughly a 75 percent reduction in total installed solar costs (including installer margin) before the end of the decade.
What does "balance of system (BOS) hardware" mean in this context?
In this opportunity, BOS hardware refers to the physical system parts and installation-related hardware other than the PV modules themselves. Examples mentioned include mounting hardware, electrical components, structural attachment methods, and other non-module physical components that make up a complete PV system.
Is this FOA focused on hard costs, soft costs, or both?
The FOA is mainly aimed at hard costs (hardware and labor). However, it explicitly welcomes hardware innovations that indirectly reduce soft costs as well. If a hardware innovation makes installations simpler, faster, more standardized, or easier to permit and approve, those indirect soft-cost benefits are considered positive.
What types of projects is DOE looking for under BOS X?
DOE is seeking applications focused on research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) of new PV components, improved system designs, and in some cases proposed building code language. The overall emphasis is on overcoming scientific, technological, and engineering barriers that prevent PV systems from reaching very low cost while maintaining safety and high reliability.
What are the topic areas for this FOA?
Applicants must align proposals to one of four topic areas:
- Topic 1: Transformational Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) modules
- Topic 2: Roof and ground mount innovations
- Topic 3: Transformational PV system designs
- Topic 4: Developing new wind load codes for PV systems
What is included in Topic 1 (Transformational BIPV modules)?
Topic 1 targets transformational Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) modules, which are PV products designed to function as both a building material and an energy generator. Examples described include roofing-integrated or facade-integrated solutions.
What kinds of innovations fit under Topic 2 (Roof and ground mount innovations)?
Topic 2 focuses on roof and ground mount innovations. The FOA description includes examples such as new racking concepts, new attachment strategies, fewer-parts mounting systems, and approaches that reduce installation time and complexity while still meeting structural and safety requirements.
What is meant by Topic 3 (Transformational PV system designs)?
Topic 3 covers transformational PV system designs, described as a broad category that can include major architecture changes to how PV systems are configured, assembled, wired, or integrated in the field. The intent is to cut hardware and labor costs while improving reliability.
Why does Topic 4 focus on wind load codes?
Topic 4 centers on developing new wind load codes for PV systems. The FOA recognizes that clearer, more modern, and more widely accepted code language can enable lighter, cheaper, or more standardized mounting approaches while still meeting safety and performance needs under wind loading.
What is Amendment 001 and what changed?
This notice includes Amendment 001. The amendment does not change the overall intent or structure of the program, but it updates and clarifies the Cost Impact tables in Section I of the Funding Opportunity Description (pages 9 through 11). The practical purpose is to better define how certain cost components are counted, with emphasis on distinguishing or clarifying electrical labor versus hardware labor cost components. All other aspects of the FOA are stated to remain the same, and revised areas are highlighted in the updated announcement.
Does Amendment 001 change what types of projects are eligible or what the FOA is trying to do?
No. The amendment is described as not changing the overall intent or structure of the program. It specifically updates and clarifies the Cost Impact tables in Section I (pages 9 through 11), primarily around how cost components are counted (including distinctions between electrical labor and hardware labor).
How do I submit an application?
The FOA is administered through the EERE eXCHANGE platform. Applications must be submitted through the eXCHANGE website to be eligible for award. Applicants are required to register and create an account in eXCHANGE, and DOE provides a user guide through the EERE site to assist with the submission process.
Is submission by email or paper allowed?
The opportunity states that applications must be submitted through the EERE eXCHANGE website to be eligible for award. Based on the provided information, submission outside of eXCHANGE would not meet this requirement.
Is there a Letter of Intent (LOI) deadline?
Yes. The listed Letter of Intent due date is May 9, 2011 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time.
When is the full application due?
The application closing date listed is June 9, 2011.
Who is eligible to apply?
The eligible applicant category is described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any additional eligibility clarifications that may appear in the full FOA text.
Is cost sharing (matching funds) required?
Yes. Cost sharing or matching is required. Awardees should expect to contribute a portion of total project costs from non-federal sources.
The summary shows Estimated Total Funding and award amounts as 0. Does that mean there is no funding?
Not necessarily. Several administrative fields in the posted summary (including Estimated Total Funding, Award Ceiling, and Award Floor) are shown as 0. This is described as usually indicating the values were not populated in the summary record, rather than meaning there is literally no funding available. Applicants are directed to refer to the full FOA on eXCHANGE for actual funding amounts, anticipated number of awards, and any topic-specific budgets if provided.
Where can I find the actual funding amounts and expected number of awards?
The summary indicates that applicants should refer to the full FOA on EERE eXCHANGE for the actual funding amounts, the number of anticipated awards, and any topic-specific budgets if provided.
Which DOE office is associated with this opportunity?
The listed agency office is the Golden Field Office.
Who do I contact if I have trouble accessing the FOA or eXCHANGE?
The primary contact for access issues is Christina Raines, Grants and Agreements Specialist. The provided email contact is pvbos@go.doe.gov.
What program within DOE is running this FOA?
The FOA is run through DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), specifically the Solar Energy Technologies Program (SETP), and is tied to the SunShot Initiative.
What kind of cost reductions is this FOA trying to achieve?
The FOA targets reductions in the BOS hardware portion of PV system costs (non-module hardware and related installation elements). It is framed as part of a larger SunShot effort aiming for roughly a 75 percent reduction in total installed solar costs (including installer margin) before the end of the decade.
Does the FOA mention safety and reliability expectations?
Yes. The FOA emphasizes overcoming barriers to very low-cost PV while maintaining safety and high reliability.
Can proposals include building code language?
Yes. The FOA notes that DOE is seeking applications that may include proposed building code language (in addition to RD&D of PV components and system designs).
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