Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0000649
Apply for DE FOA 0000649
- The Golden Field Office in the energy information and statistics sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Improving Accuracy of Solar Forecasting (FOA)" 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 Jun 27, 2012 and posted on Apr 16, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 28, 2012 Letters of Intent will be required and are due by 06/01/2012 5PM EST.. (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.
- The following domestic entities are eligible to apply for this announcement (1) institutions of higher education (2) nonprofit and for profit private entities (3) State and local governments and (4) consortia of entities (1) through (3). All types of domestic entities, including DOE/NNSA National Laboratory Contractors and non DOE Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) Contractors, are eligible to apply, except other Federal agencies, , and nonprofit organizations described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995.
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Opportunity Summary:
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through its Golden Field Office, released the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) titled "Improving Accuracy of Solar Forecasting" (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0000649). The FOA supports the DOE SunShot Initiative and focuses on improving solar power forecasting accuracy in two operationally critical windows: short-term forecasting from 0 to 6 hours ahead and day-ahead forecasting. The underlying objective is to make solar generation easier and cheaper to integrate into grid operations by reducing uncertainty, improving reliability, and enabling better market participation as solar penetration increases across both utility-scale and distributed (rooftop) systems.
A key update in this amended version of the FOA is a change to eligibility. DOE added language to Section III.A to limit eligibility to domestic entities, stating this restriction is necessary to meet DOE mission needs, SunShot goals, and the specific objectives of this funding opportunity. Aside from that eligibility clarification, the rest of the FOA remains unchanged (the amended portions were highlighted in the FOA document). In practical terms, eligible applicants include domestic institutions of higher education; nonprofit and for-profit private entities; state and local governments; and consortia made up of those entity types. The FOA also allows participation by DOE/NNSA National Laboratory contractors and non-DOE Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) contractors, but excludes other federal agencies and certain 501(c)(4) organizations that engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995.
The technical and programmatic thrust of the FOA is to build stronger solar forecasting capability that utilities, system operators, and solar plant owners can actually use in operations and markets. DOE highlights three major needs where it wants leadership and clear progress: first, establishing a standardized and broadly accepted set of metrics for assessing solar forecast accuracy; second, developing new or improved forecasting methods, algorithms, and processes; and third, rigorously estimating the value of improved forecasting, including both economic value (such as reduced imbalance costs and better bidding) and reliability value (such as improved reserve scheduling and operational decision-making). The FOA emphasizes not only foundational and applied research, but also demonstrating how more accurate forecasts can be incorporated into real-world power system operations, then measuring the operational impacts.
The opportunity is positioned as part of the broader SunShot Initiative launched in 2011, which aimed to reduce the cost of solar energy systems by roughly 75 percent between 2010 and 2020. DOE links forecasting improvements to that cost and deployment trajectory by noting that better forecasting, along with advances in generation and transmission technology, evolving operational practices, and consistent codes and standards, are all necessary to support high solar penetration on the grid. The FOA frames forecasting accuracy as essential for grid operators who must maintain reliability with variable renewable output, and equally important for solar power producers who face financial penalties or higher costs when actual generation deviates from market bids.
This FOA uses a cooperative agreement as the funding instrument and includes a cost-sharing requirement. While the public summary metadata lists estimated total funding and award sizes as zero (likely reflecting how the record was captured or archived rather than the program intent), the FOA clearly describes DOE plans to fund targeted activities spanning research, validation, and operational demonstration. The solicitation also references an associated Request for Information (RFI) and encourages stakeholders to provide input on the importance of accurate forecasting, the need for universal metrics, and organizational interest in participating, signaling DOE interest in community consensus and practical adoption.
Administratively, applications had to be submitted electronically through the EERE eXCHANGE portal, with applicants required to register and use the system to upload submissions. Letters of Intent were required, and the timeline shifted with the amendment: the original closing date was June 19, 2012, later extended to June 28, 2012, with the updated Letter of Intent due date set to June 1, 2012 at 5:00 PM Eastern. The FOA was later archived on July 31, 2012. For questions or access issues, DOE provided a program contact (Clay L. Pfrangle) at SolarForecasting@go.doe.gov, and directed applicants to guidance resources for using the EERE eXCHANGE system.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Improving Accuracy of Solar Forecasting (DE-FOA-0000649)
What is the name of this funding opportunity and who released it?
The funding opportunity is titled "Improving Accuracy of Solar Forecasting" under Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0000649. It was released by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) through its Golden Field Office.
What initiative is this FOA associated with?
This FOA supports the DOE SunShot Initiative, launched in 2011 to help reduce the cost of solar energy systems by roughly 75% between 2010 and 2020.
What is the overall goal of the FOA?
The FOA aims to improve solar power forecasting accuracy so solar generation is easier and cheaper to integrate into grid operations. The objective is to reduce uncertainty, improve reliability, and enable better market participation as solar penetration increases across utility-scale and distributed (rooftop) systems.
Which forecasting time windows are targeted?
DOE focuses on two operationally critical forecasting windows:
- Short-term forecasting from 0 to 6 hours ahead
- Day-ahead forecasting
What types of solar systems does the FOA consider?
The FOA addresses forecasting needs for both utility-scale solar and distributed (rooftop) solar as solar penetration increases.
What are the main technical focus areas DOE wants to see progress in?
DOE highlights three major needs where it wants leadership and clear progress:
- Establishing a standardized and broadly accepted set of metrics for assessing solar forecast accuracy
- Developing new or improved forecasting methods, algorithms, and processes
- Rigorously estimating the value of improved forecasting (economic and reliability value)
What does DOE mean by "value" of improved forecasting?
The FOA calls for estimating both:
- Economic value (for example, reduced imbalance costs and improved bidding outcomes)
- Reliability value (for example, improved reserve scheduling and better operational decision-making)
Does the FOA emphasize real-world operational use, or only research?
It emphasizes both foundational/applied research and demonstrating how more accurate forecasts can be incorporated into real-world power system operations, followed by measuring the operational impacts.
What key eligibility change was made in the amended FOA?
A key update in the amended FOA added language to Section III.A that limits eligibility to domestic entities. DOE states the restriction is necessary to meet DOE mission needs, SunShot goals, and the specific objectives of this funding opportunity.
Did anything else change besides the eligibility clarification?
According to the provided summary, aside from the eligibility clarification, the rest of the FOA remained unchanged, and the amended portions were highlighted in the FOA document.
Who is eligible to apply (in general terms)?
Eligible applicants include domestic:
- Institutions of higher education
- Nonprofit private entities
- For-profit private entities
- State and local governments
- Consortia made up of the entity types listed above
Can national laboratories or FFRDCs participate?
Yes. The FOA allows participation by DOE/NNSA National Laboratory contractors and non-DOE Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) contractors.
Are federal agencies eligible to apply?
No. The FOA excludes other federal agencies.
Are any nonprofit organizations specifically excluded?
Yes. The FOA excludes certain 501(c)(4) organizations that engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995.
What is the funding instrument for this FOA?
DOE uses a cooperative agreement as the funding instrument.
Is cost sharing required?
Yes. The FOA includes a cost-sharing requirement.
How much funding is available and what are typical award sizes?
The public summary metadata lists estimated total funding and award sizes as zero, which is noted as likely reflecting how the record was captured or archived rather than the program intent. The FOA itself describes DOE plans to fund targeted activities spanning research, validation, and operational demonstration.
Was a Letter of Intent required?
Yes. Letters of Intent were required for this FOA.
What was the updated Letter of Intent due date and time?
The updated Letter of Intent due date was June 1, 2012 at 5:00 PM Eastern.
What was the application closing date?
The original closing date was June 19, 2012, and it was later extended to June 28, 2012.
How were applications submitted?
Applications had to be submitted electronically through the EERE eXCHANGE portal. Applicants were required to register and use the system to upload submissions.
What should applicants do if they have trouble accessing or using the submission portal?
DOE directed applicants to guidance resources for using the EERE eXCHANGE system, and also provided a program contact for questions or access issues.
Who was the program contact and what is the contact email?
The program contact listed was Clay L. Pfrangle. The contact email provided was SolarForecasting@go.doe.gov.
Was there an associated Request for Information (RFI)?
Yes. The solicitation references an associated Request for Information (RFI) and encourages stakeholders to provide input on forecasting importance, the need for universal metrics, and organizational interest in participating.
Why does DOE emphasize standardized accuracy metrics?
DOE identifies the need for a standardized and broadly accepted set of accuracy metrics as one of the three major areas where leadership and clear progress are needed, supporting broader community consensus and practical adoption.
How does improved solar forecasting help grid operators?
The FOA frames forecasting accuracy as essential for grid operators who must maintain reliability while managing variable renewable output, supporting decisions such as reserve scheduling and other operational actions.
How does improved solar forecasting help solar power producers?
DOE notes that solar power producers can face financial penalties or higher costs when actual generation deviates from market bids, so more accurate forecasting can support better market participation and reduce those risks.
When was the FOA archived?
The FOA was later archived on July 31, 2012.
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