RFI 1/W Photovoltaic (PV) Systems Balance of Systems (BOS) | Apply Online

Opportunity Summary:

The Department of Energy (DOE), through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and its Solar Energy Technologies Program (SETP), issued this opportunity as a Request for Information (RFI) focused on lowering the non-module costs of photovoltaic (PV) systems, commonly called Balance of Systems (BOS). This is not a funding solicitation and does not offer grant dollars by itself (the listed estimated total funding, award ceiling, and award floor are all $0). Instead, it is a market and technical input-gathering effort intended to shape DOE thinking, priorities, and potential future funding actions aimed at driving down installed PV system costs and supporting wide-scale solar adoption without subsidies.

The core policy and program motivation is tied to the DOE "1/W" cost target: achieving installed PV systems at approximately $1 per watt by 2017. DOE held a "1/W Workshop" in Washington, DC on August 11-12, 2010, where participants identified pathways to reduce total installed PV costs. Within that workshop, the BOS/Installation breakout group organized cost-reduction opportunities using a framework that considered both PV market segments (different system sizes and applications) and stages of the value chain (from design and permitting through installation and operations). DOE is now requesting information that can help pinpoint practical, scalable approaches to reduce BOS and installation costs across a broad mix of system types.

The RFI specifically seeks input and concepts in four main areas. First are Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) concepts, meaning PV products that integrate directly into building elements (such as roofing, facades, or other structural components) to reduce duplication of materials and labor and potentially simplify installation. Second are innovations for roof and ground mounting, which can include racking, fastening, structural approaches, standardized mounting hardware, and techniques that reduce labor time, improve reliability, and lower material costs. Third are software design tools and related innovations, which typically target faster and more accurate system design, layout, engineering, performance modeling, and other workflow efficiencies that reduce soft costs. Fourth are "BOS transformational concepts," a broad category intended to capture big, step-change ideas that could significantly reduce BOS costs or installation complexity beyond incremental improvements.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is identified as Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0000440, titled "RFI 1/W Photovoltaic (PV) Systems Balance of Systems (BOS)." It is categorized as a discretionary opportunity and listed under energy science and technology and other R&D, with CFDA 81.087 (Renewable Energy Research and Development). Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), and there is no cost sharing or matching requirement because this is an RFI rather than an award. The issuing office is the DOE Golden Field Office.

To participate, respondents must locate the full RFI document on FedConnect (www.fedconnect.net) by using the "Search Public Opportunities" function and searching by reference number (the RFI number referenced in the synopsis). Responses are submitted by email to pvbos@go.doe.gov, due by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the closing date. The subject line is required to read: "PV BOS RFI Response." The posted and creation dates are December 14, 2010, and the closing date listed is January 31, 2011. For help accessing the announcement, the contact provided is Jeannette L. Clasgens, Grants and Agreements Specialist, at jeannette.clasgens@go.doe.gov.

Overall, this RFI is best understood as DOE gathering detailed industry, academic, and stakeholder input on concrete BOS innovations and cost-reduction strategies that could accelerate progress toward the $1/W installed PV goal. The most relevant responses would typically describe the concept or technology, why it reduces cost (materials, labor, time, risk, or rework), how it applies across market segments, what barriers exist (codes, standards, permitting, supply chain, reliability), and what would be needed to validate or scale it, since DOE is explicitly using a market-segment and value-chain lens to identify impactful opportunities.

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