The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation has announced a $12 million funding opportunity to accelerate technical innovation and expand domestic manufacturing for space-grade solar panels, through the Space Photovoltaics (PV) Research and Development Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA). While the program covers space PV broadly, both of its topic areas specifically call for perovskite-based projects, according to program representatives.
“The next frontier for solar PV power generation is in space,” said Assistant Secretary of Energy Audrey Robertson. “As demand for space-grade PV skyrockets, this investment will establish American leadership in next-generation, space-based PV, bolster our national security, and enhance our economic competitiveness.”
The opportunity, administered together with partnership intermediary TechWerx, is structured around two topic areas. Topic 1 (Next-generation Cell Innovation) funds advancement of high-performance, low-cost, durable space-grade PV cells at the lab scale, with individual awards of up to $1.5 million. Topic 2 (Rapid Production and Demonstration) funds high-volume manufacturing processes and third-party-validated module prototypes tested in space or near-space environments, with awards of up to $2 million. Projects can run for up to three years.
For perovskite technology specifically, the solicitation targets several technical challenges: mitigating degradation of perovskite PV cells and minimodule prototypes under the stressors experienced during standard space missions, including full-package testing; developing new perovskite multijunction designs that combine durability, low cost, high manufacturing throughput potential, and high power conversion efficiency using deposition methods compatible with high-volume manufacturing; characterizing perovskite PV technologies under combined accelerated stress testing and correlating those results with degradation observed during actual missions; and other next-generation PV approaches capable of achieving high end-of-life efficiency without major critical mineral supply chain constraints.
While single-junction perovskite proposals are eligible, particularly for fundamental durability studies, the program will emphasize tandem and multijunction perovskite PV technology - including both all-perovskite multijunctions and hybrid perovskite/non-perovskite multijunctions - reflecting the technology's greater potential to deliver high specific power for space missions.
University and industry research laboratories developing advanced, space-applicable PV technologies or specializing in PV characterization and stress testing are encouraged to apply, as are industry teams advancing near-commercial, pilot-scale space PV solutions with testing partnerships and the capability to fly PV prototypes or panels in space. An informational webinar is scheduled for September 15, with applications due October 8.
This is the latest in a series of DOE funding programs aimed at perovskite commercialization, following efforts such as its $14 million award to Sandia National Laboratories to establish a center focused on perovskite PV lifetime testing.
