Solar with Wildlife and Ecosystem Benefits 2 (SolWEB2)
ID: 357901Type: Posted
Overview

Buyer

Golden Field Office (DOE-GFO)

Award Range

$1M - $3M

Eligible Applicants

Others

Funding Category

Energy

Funding Instrument

Cooperative Agreement

Opportunity Category

Discretionary

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement

Yes

Additional Information

https://eere-eXCHANGE.energy.gov
Timeline
    Description

    The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through its Golden Field Office, has announced a funding opportunity titled "Solar with Wildlife and Ecosystem Benefits 2" (SolWEB2) aimed at enhancing the ecological compatibility of large-scale solar (LSS) facilities with wildlife and agricultural practices. This initiative seeks to support projects that either mitigate adverse environmental impacts from LSS development or promote agrivoltaics, which integrates solar energy production with agricultural land use. With approximately $11 million available for funding, eligible applicants include domestic entities such as universities, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and state and local governments. Concept papers are due by February 14, 2025, and full applications must be submitted by May 2, 2025, with selections expected by July 15, 2025. For further inquiries, interested parties can contact the grantor at solarwildlife@ee.doe.gov.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a funding opportunity titled "Solar with Wildlife and Ecosystem Benefits 2" (SolWEB2), aiming to support research, development, and stakeholder engagement that enhances the compatibility of large-scale solar (LSS) energy facilities with wildlife. The program seeks to invest approximately $11 million in projects that either mitigate adverse environmental impacts or promote the dual use of land for solar energy and agriculture (agrivoltaics). Eligible applicants include domestic entities such as universities, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and local and state governments, with concept papers due by February 14, 2025, and full applications by May 2, 2025. The funded projects are expected to yield practical outcomes, including improved LSS siting processes, dissemination of research findings, and enhanced collaboration among stakeholders. Two primary topic areas exist: (1) Wildlife-Solar Energy Research, which includes strategies to minimize ecological impacts, and (2) Agrivoltaics Technical Assistance, focusing on best practices for integrating solar facilities with agricultural production. This funding opportunity reflects the DOE's commitment to addressing land-use conflicts and enhancing ecological benefits while advancing renewable energy deployment, in line with ambitious clean energy goals set for 2035.
    The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through its Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO), has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to support research and development, technical assistance, and stakeholder engagement focused on enhancing the ecological compatibility of large-scale solar (LSS) facilities with wildlife and agricultural land use (agrivoltaics). The NOFO emphasizes two main topic areas: Wildlife-Solar Energy Research and Agrivoltaics Technical Assistance. Approximately $11 million is available for projects that will mitigate wildlife impacts from LSS development and support dual land use strategies. Eligible applicants include domestic entities like universities, nonprofits, and local governments, with varying cost-sharing requirements based on project types. Concept papers are due by February 14, 2025, and full applications by May 2, 2025, with selections anticipated by July 15, 2025. The funding aims to preempt land-use conflicts while promoting ecological and economic benefits to communities involved in solar energy production.
    Similar Opportunities
    Fiscal Year 2025 Solar Module and Solar Hardware (SMASH) Incubator
    Golden Field Office
    The U.S. Department of Energy's Golden Field Office is offering a funding opportunity through the Fiscal Year 2025 Solar Module and Solar Hardware (SMASH) Incubator, aimed at advancing innovative solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies. This initiative seeks to stimulate research, development, and demonstration activities that enhance domestic manufacturing capabilities across the solar supply chain, specifically targeting crystalline silicon and cadmium telluride modules, as well as non-module hardware technology. With an estimated total funding of $20 million, the program anticipates awarding between $1 million and $4 million for up to ten projects, requiring a minimum cost share of 20% for R&D and 50% for demonstration activities. Interested applicants, who must be for-profit entities, can submit concept papers by May 30, 2025, and should direct inquiries to solar.incubator@ee.doe.gov for further information.
    Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas – Fiscal Year 2025 Release
    Headquarters
    The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a funding opportunity titled "Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas – Fiscal Year 2025 Release," aimed at supporting clean energy projects in communities with populations of 10,000 or fewer. This initiative, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, seeks to lower energy costs, enhance access to clean energy, and promote environmental sustainability through various eligible activities, including improving energy systems and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. With a total funding pool of $400 million, applicants can request between $2 million and $50 million, and must submit concept papers by February 27, 2025, with full applications due by August 28, 2025. For more information, interested parties can contact Margaret A. Davide-Smith at 240-306-4964 or via email at margaret.davide-smith@hq.doe.gov, and additional details can be found on the OCED Funding Opportunity Exchange website.
    Environmental System Science (ESS)
    Office of Science
    The Office of Science at the Department of Energy (DOE) is inviting applications for funding under the Environmental System Science (ESS) program, aimed at enhancing the understanding of terrestrial systems and their ecological interactions. This funding opportunity focuses on advancing foundational knowledge through research in three key areas: plant-soil-microbe interactions affecting biogeochemical processes, synthesis studies relevant to U.S. southeast coastal systems, and the contributions of marginal and degraded lands to ecological processes. With an estimated total program funding of $6 million, the DOE plans to award between 6 to 10 grants ranging from $100,000 to $1,000,000. Pre-applications are due by December 11, 2024, with final submissions required by March 13, 2025. For further inquiries, applicants can contact the grantor at SC.GrantsandContracts@science.doe.gov.
    BIL DE-FOA-0003525: 2025 RENEW AMERICA'S SCHOOLS PRIZE TO COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
    Golden Field Office
    The U.S. Department of Energy's Golden Field Office is offering the 2025 Renew America's Schools Prize, a federal grant opportunity aimed at enhancing public school infrastructure through cooperative agreements. This initiative seeks to transform aging school facilities into healthier, energy-efficient environments, particularly focusing on local educational agencies in rural and high-poverty areas. The program will award up to $4.2 million in cash prizes and subsequent cooperative agreements ranging from $7.5 million to $15 million for implementation, with a total estimated funding of $89.2 million. Interested applicants must register on the HeroX application portal and submit their proposals by April 3, 2025, with additional details available at https://www.herox.com/2025renewschoolsprize. For inquiries, contact Andrea Swiatocha at andrea.swiatocha@hq.doe.gov or call 240-246-6932.
    DE-FOA-0003520 Maximizing Algal System Yield (MASY)
    Golden Field Office
    The Department of Energy's Golden Field Office is offering a funding opportunity titled "DE-FOA-0003520 Maximizing Algal System Yield (MASY)" aimed at addressing technical challenges in algal systems to enhance algae as a domestic bioenergy resource. This cooperative agreement seeks applications for high-impact, applied research and development focused on improving the economics of biofuels and bioproducts through the alleviation of cultivation and preprocessing challenges. With an estimated total program funding of $10 million and an award ceiling of $3.5 million, the agency anticipates making approximately six awards. Interested applicants must submit a Concept Paper by February 21, 2025, and a Full Application by May 15, 2025, with further inquiries directed to FY25BETOMASYNOFO@ee.doe.gov.
    BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW (BIL) ASSISTING FEDERAL FACILITIES WITH ENERGY CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGIES (AFFECT) ADVANCING NET-ZERO FEDERAL FACILITIES
    Golden Field Office
    The U.S. Department of Energy's Golden Field Office is offering a grant opportunity under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) aimed at assisting federal facilities in implementing energy conservation technologies to advance net-zero federal facilities. This initiative seeks applications exclusively from U.S. federal agencies for projects that will either develop new net-zero buildings or modify existing projects to meet net-zero standards, thereby contributing to a sustainable energy future. The program is critical for federal agencies to comply with energy and water conservation mandates, with a total funding pool of $250 million available for competitive grants, ranging from $100,000 to $10 million per award. Interested agencies must submit their applications through the Infrastructure Exchange online portal by the final deadline of April 18, 2025, and can direct inquiries to AFFECTBIL@hq.doe.gov.
    Systems Biology Research to Advance Bioenergy Crop Production
    Office of Science
    The Department of Energy's Office of Science is inviting applications for the funding opportunity titled "Systems Biology Research to Advance Bioenergy Crop Production" (NOFO Number DE-FOA-0003453). This initiative seeks to enhance understanding of the molecular mechanisms that influence bioenergy feedstock productivity and the role of microbial communities in supporting plant vigor, particularly under suboptimal environmental conditions. The program aims to contribute to the development of sustainable bioenergy systems by addressing critical knowledge gaps in bioenergy crop performance, ultimately supporting the United States' energy and environmental security goals. The total funding available is up to $75 million, with individual awards ranging from $5 million to $15 million, and applications are due by March 26, 2025. Interested applicants can reach out to SC.GrantsandContracts@science.doe.gov for further information.
    Sustainable Propane and Renewable Chemicals (SPARC)
    Golden Field Office
    The Department of Energy's Golden Field Office is offering a federal grant opportunity titled "Sustainable Propane and Renewable Chemicals (SPARC)" aimed at advancing research and development in the production of bio-based chemicals and sustainable propane from biomass and waste resources. This initiative supports the development of innovative production methods for value-added chemicals and seeks new pathways for producing liquefied propane and petroleum gases from renewable feedstocks, thereby enhancing energy independence and bolstering rural economies. The total estimated funding for this program is $23 million, with individual awards ranging from $1 million to $2.5 million, and a total of approximately 12 awards expected. Interested applicants must submit a Concept Paper by March 14, 2025, and a Full Application by May 30, 2025, with inquiries directed to sparcnofo@hq.doe.gov.
    The Circular Supply Chains Accelerator
    Golden Field Office
    The U.S. Department of Energy's Golden Field Office is offering a funding opportunity titled "The Circular Supply Chains Accelerator" through Notice of Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0003512. This initiative aims to promote a circular economy by advancing materials and manufacturing technologies, requiring applicants to engage in cost-sharing and comply with specific DOE standards. The program is designed to address supply chain insecurity and environmental impacts by encouraging the reuse, repair, remanufacture, and recycling of materials, ultimately contributing to the goals of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Interested applicants can apply for funding ranging from $7.5 million to $12.5 million, with a closing date for submissions set for July 18, 2025. For further inquiries, applicants may contact the grantor at Circularity.NOFO.FY25@ee.doe.gov or visit the EERE Funding Opportunity Exchange for additional information.
    Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program
    Rural Business-Cooperative Service
    The Rural Business-Cooperative Service of the USDA is offering the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program, a federal grant opportunity aimed at supporting agricultural producers in enhancing their energy efficiency and renewable energy systems. This program has a total estimated funding of $35.4 million, with individual grants ranging from $1,500 to $500,000, and is designed to promote sustainable energy practices within rural communities. Applications are accepted year-round, with specific deadlines for grants of $20,000 or less due by October 31, 2018, and for larger grants by April 1, 2019. Interested applicants can reach out to Maureen Hessel at maureen.hessel@wdc.usda.gov for further information and guidance on the application process.