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["INSTRUCTIONS"]
[1,"All questions pertaining to this funding opportunity announcement should be emailed to seto.pvsk.foa@ee.doe.gov"]
[2,"All questions pertaining to EERE Exchange should be emailed to EERE-ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov. Include FOA name and number in subject line."]
[3,"All questions and answers pertaining to this FOA will be posted on EERE Exchange within this spreadsheet."]
[4,"DOE will attempt to respond to a question within 3 business days, unless a similar question and answer has already been posted in this spreadsheet. "]
[5,"All questions should be submitted not later than 3 business days prior to the application due date. Questions submitted after this date will not be answered."]
[6,"Questions are assigned a number in accordance with when they are reviewed by DOE.  "]
[7,"Questions are assigned a topic area by DOE when reviewed."]
[]
["TIPS"]
[1,"Applicants may sort questions and answers in the question tabs of this spreadhseet by selecting the drop-down box arrow on the column headers and selecting any of the listed attributes."]
[2,"Applicants may search for questions and/or keywords by holding CTRL+F on the keyboard and typing in a phrase or keyword."]

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["ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTION AND ANSWER LOG"]
["DE-FOA0002357 - Solar Energy Technologies Office Fiscal Year 2020 Perovskite Funding Program\n"]
["Question #","Date Submitted","Topic","Question","Answer"]
[1,"2020-08-14","Eligibility","I have a question about DE-FOA-0002357. I see that for-profit entities such as my company are not eligible for Topic 3. I understand that to mean for-profits can't be prime on a Topic 3 proposal. But are for-profits eligible to be subcontractors on Topic 3 awards?","For-profits are eligible to be subrecipients on a NNSA/FFRDC lab led application"]
[2,"2020-08-14","Technical Topics","We are intending to invest in building 100 MW solar power plant to USA,Therefore we are looking for an advocate in the face of the project initiation...How can we assure the BuyBack off produce power?(OFFTAKER). Also interested if any available  Solar Power field under construction or ready to develop as a project","This FOA is not meant to fund the deployment of commercial solar energy systems in the US or abroad. Please review the FOA for more information on the kinds of applications that are of interest."]
[3,"2020-08-17","Application Reviews","We, and I suspect several other perovskite focused companies and academic labs have several grant submissions currently still awaiting a decision from the last SETO call for funding. The expected notification date for those awards is after the concept paper submission date for the 2020 perovskite -specific FOA. This makes it a little bit more challenging to decide which company efforts to prioritize in submitting new grant applications. One simple question is - will submission of similar or overlapping proposals in response to the 2020 perovskite FOA affect the proposals currently still awaiting decisions?","If an applicant would like to have their idea considered for the different solicitations, they need to submit applications to both. Please note EERE will accept only new applications under this FOA. EERE will not consider applications for renewals of existing EERE-funded awards through this FOA. If the application is selected under one FOA, the same application can't be selected under another FOA. "]
[4,"2020-08-17","Eligibility","I had some questions about the funding program and what type of locations are an option for funding. I’m the president of my high schools student council, and I was interested in looking into solar energy for the new high school we are building. If you could email back with any information that would be kindly appreciated.","Please refer to the FOA document for Eligibility requirements for applicants; Section III.A and also refer to section B. Topic Areas."]
[5,"2020-08-18","Eligibility","Are DOE Office of Science labs eligible to lead Topic 3?","Topic Area 3 Eligibility Restriction: Eligibility is restricted to DOE and National Nuclear Security Agency (NNSA) Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs)/National laboratories."]
[6,"2020-08-18","Other","Interested in finding out more about grants for solar panels to lower my electric bill.  Interested in information on ur solar grants please.  i have never applied for grants and don't know how.  ","Please visit Grants.gov for further information. Please also review the Funding Opportunity Announcements at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/. "]
[7,"2020-08-20","Technical Topics","I noticed the FOA for perovskite but the PV technology I'm developing falls outside the realm of perovskite. Are there any alternative FOAs available currently for developing PV technology outside the scope of perovskite?  ","Please visit Grants.gov for further information. Please also review the Funding Opportunity Announcements at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/. "]
[8,"2020-08-21","Technical Topics","Can you please specify desired TRL for Topic 1","Any Technology Readiness Level (TRL) goal may be appropriate for consideration in Topic 1, so long as it meets the criteria detailed in the FOA, including being SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely) and likely to be accomplished within the scope of the project. "]
[9,"2020-08-21","Other","Manufacturing partnership is recommended. There is no standard manufacturing facility for perovskite solar. What kind of solar manufacturing partnership is recommended? ","Manufacturing partners do not necessarily have to be solar industry manufacturers.  Established equipment manufacturers serving relevant industries (e.g., light-emitting diode, battery, or film manufacturers), engineering firms providing systems or process engineering services, or similar could be suitable partners, as well as established silicon or thin film solar industry manufacturers.  "]
[10,"2020-08-21","Technical Topics","Topic 1:   Does one demonstrate the stability of the intrinsic material or should the stability need be demonstrated based on an encapsulated minimodule?","Either approach will be considered as long as it meets the requirements detailed in the FOA, including consideration of the path to commercial viability and a justification that any proposed structure  can provide a cost-competitive PV technology.  "]
[11,"2020-08-21","Other","Topic 1: To what  extent is having an manufacturing partner or a  scale-up plan necessary or encouraged?","Applications are evaluated through a competitive process, as detailed in the FOA. "]
[12,"2020-08-21","Eligibility","Can a US-based company as the prime recipient jointly submit a proposal with a non-US based non-profit foreign entity as a sub-recipient which will perform some tasks in another country?","Please see Section IV.C.xi. - Waiver Requests: Foreign Entities and Foreign Work (if applicable) of the FOA."]
[13,"2020-08-21","Other","Can the period of performance get extended or shortened?","Please see Section II.A.ii - Period of Performance of the FOA.  A shortened period of performance can be negotiated if an applicant is selected for award negotiations."]
[14,"2020-08-21","Eligibility","Can DOE National Lab lead the proposal for topic 1? What is the cost share for FFRDC lab?","Please refer to Section III. Eligibility Information of the FOA and Section III.B Cost Sharing of the FOA for requirements."]
[15,"2020-08-21","Eligibility","Can an academic institution submit a proposal with an industrial partner for Area 1?","Please refer to Section III. Eligibility Information of the FOA."]
[16,"2020-08-21","Other","Where we can get the Solar Projects?","The projects for this FOA have not been selected yet.  For DOE Solar projects please visit:  https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/solar-projects-map"]
[17,"2020-08-21","Eligibility","Can a faculty without a green card apply to this program?","Please refer to Section III. Eligibility Information of the FOA."]
[18,"2020-08-21","Intellectual Property","What is the IP policy? For example, if there is a patent was filed, does EERS allow university take some portion of the patent?","Please refer to Section III.xii. U.S. Manufacturing Commitments of the FOA."]
[19,"2020-08-21","Other","Can be proposed less than $500k ","Proposals may be considered less than $500K."]
[20,"2020-08-21","Cost Sharing","For cost sharing with donated space, how is the value determined?","Please refer to APPENDIX A – COST SHARE INFORMATION of the FOA."]
[21,"2020-08-21","Technical Topics","Is this the site to apply for a 5 acre solar farm grant? We are General Contractor in NM. We own 10 acre lot in the city limits of Aztec NM. 87410. We also have experience in solar farm construction. Was a sub contractor for the solar farm in Kayenta Az","Please visit Grants.gov for further information. Please also review the Funding Opportunity Announcements at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/. "]
[22,"2020-08-21","Application Reviews","I am still waiting for the result of my proposal submission to DE-EE-0002243 and don’t know when I will find out. Can I submit a similar proposal to DE-EE-0002357? ","If an applicant would like to have their idea considered for the different solicitations, they need to submit applications to both."]
[23,"2020-08-21","Application Content/Format","If I want to submit a proposal to topic 1, and the project will involve outdoor device stability evaluation.  It is nature that we think of national lab as collaborator to conduct stability test.  The topic 3 does actually serves for this purpose. My question is then whether I should include budget for national lab for the stability evaluation in my proposal to topic 1 , or it is already covered in topic 3?  How does it work if it is covered by topic 3? ","If an applicant is submitted a proposal to Topic Area 1, then all related budgets should be included in that submittal."]
[24,"2020-08-22","Foreign Entities/Work","We are interested in submitting a proposal with a company. Can we include a university from Canada as subcontract? Can we allocate budget to Canadian universities?","Please see Section IV.C.xi. - Waiver Requests: Foreign Entities and Foreign Work (if applicable) of the FOA."]
[25,"2020-08-24","Foreign Entities/Work","I am contacting you in relation to DE-FOA-0002357: SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES OFFICE FISCAL YEAR 2020 PEROVSKITE FUNDING PROGRAM to confirm if an non-profit foreign Research Center from Spain could take part in a Consortium led by an American Institution as stated in section ix. Should we prepare a waiver explaining why part of the work is going to be performed outside US as commented in annex C?  And finally just in case we could be considered eligible, would you be so kind to inform us if there is an upper limit funding for non American entities and which are the financial rules applying under your calls for such entities.","Please see Section IV.C.xi. - Waiver Requests: Foreign Entities and Foreign Work (if applicable) of the FOA and Section II.A.i - Estimated Funding."]
[26,"2020-08-24","Technical Topics","I was hoping to start an online solar company that carries the latest information on solar technologies, calculators, solar permitting services and solar equipment resale and was curious if this grant would fit our needs as we would be an online business only?","Please refer to Section B, Topic Areas of the FOA.  Please also visit Grants.gov for further information and review the Funding Opportunity Announcements at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/."]
[27,"2020-08-26","Other","If this grant is one that we have to notify prior to applying, please consider this our notice of intent to apply. Is there a specific application needed?  The link provided on the grants.gov is not allowing me to view, or receive the application or additional information.","Please visit the Funding Opportunity Announcements at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/ for information on applying to this FOA."]
[28,"2020-08-28","Technical Topics","The FOA encourages proposals in Topic 3 that follow the approach of the JPL Block Buy program.  This 11-year program had a total budget of almost $235M in 1986 dollars.  Can DOE help to clarify what specific aspects of the JPL program they feel should be replicated given the far smaller budget being offered?","DOE is not attempting to duplicate the scale of the JPL Block Buy program with this solicitation. However, it is expected that Topic 3 awardees will set up mechanisms through which they can acquire commercially relevant modules in statically significant quantities from US perovskite manufacturers and deploy them for long duration, on sun testing.  Applicants are encouraged to consider mechanisms where award funds or center services would be offered as a cost share mechanism to any R&D or industry group that could produce a relevant quantity (kW-scale) of high-performance perovskite devices to be utilized for laboratory and field validation."]
[29,"2020-08-28","Eligibility","Will projects on ferroelectric-photovoltaic (FE-PV) perovskite materials be considered within the scope of this FOA?","Ferroelectric-photovoltaic perovskite materials are in scope of this FOA if the proposal presents a compelling argument that, as described in FOA Section I.B.i., a T80 (time to power loss of 80% of its initial value) greater than 20 years is achievable with single-junction module efficiency above 18% or tandem module efficiency above 25%.  In addition, applicants must also consider the path to commercial viability and justify that the proposed structure can provide a cost-competitive PV technology."]
[30,"2020-08-28","Foreign Entities/Work","We intend to apply for the funding opportunity under DE-FOA-0002357. Regarding the foreign work waiver, we would like to understand better about the criteria of determining if the waiver is acceptable by DOE. Could you provide more information about how you determine if the waiver can be approved or not?","Please refer to section C.i.xi, Waiver Requests Foreign Entities and Foreign Work of the FOA."]
[32,"2020-08-29","Other","I understand there are incentives/aids for green power/energy efficiency & I really want to do that,  I definitely need financial assistance. ","Please refer to Grants.gov for further information."]
[31,"2020-08-31","Concept Paper","Please clarify the page limit for the concept paper. The FOA indicates: 1 page cover letter, 4 page technical description and an optional addendum. What is the page limit for the addendum? Or does it count toward the 4 page limit for the technical description? ","The page limit for Concept papers is 5 including the addendum."]
[33,"2020-09-01","Other","We are a low income family including elderly, veteran,  disabled and children.  We are in need of a roof and can't afford roof and windows.  ","Please refer to Grants.gov for further information."]
[34,"2020-09-01","Concept Paper","FOA requires that all references in concept paper are added as footnote or endnotes within the limited 4 pages of technical description. Will you consider allowing putting references in the 1\" margin area (bottom) or increasing the page limit from current 4 to 5? It is difficult to include all key parts within 4-page description along with references.","Please refer to Section IV.B.i, Content and Form of the Concept Paper.  The Concept Papers are limited to 5 pages max."]
[35,"2020-09-01","Technical Topics","In Topic 3, the FOA states (pg. 17) “how the management structure will avoid conflicts of interest and competing incentives with programs seeing to demonstrate high-performance perovskite devices.” What are the implications of this on teaming for topic areas 1 & 2 or existing programs. Are topic 3 team members encouraged to not be involved in topic 1 & 2? Or is this ok as long as there is a clear management plan to avoid any potential conflicts. Similarly, how should this be viewed by researchers who have existing or pending SETO projects related to improvements to perovskite solar cell performance on efficiency, stability or manufacturability axes?"," As stated in Section I.B.iii of the FOA, As stated in Section I.B.iii of the FOA, “This topic area seeks to establish a neutral, independent validation center that can verify perovskite device performance and address bankability challenges”, which is the overarching guidance with regard to the portion of the applicant’s management plan to addresses avoidance of conflict of interest and competing incentives.   Topic 3 team members may be involved in Topic 1 or 2 so long as the management plan reinforces the ‘neutral, independent objectivity’ of the validation center established by Topic 3 (for example, individuals participating in Topic Area 1 or 2 may recuse themselves from participating in Topic 3 activities directly related to the submissions to the validation center from the associated Topic Area 1 or 2 work.  This guidance also applies to researchers who have current or pending SETO projects related to perovskite solar cells.  "]
[36,"2020-09-03","Other","I am a new homeowner in Bridgeport, CT. Interested in placing solar panels but trying to find information on government grants to help with the financial costs. ","Please visit Grants.gov for more information"]
[37,"2020-09-07","Other","We are interested in applying for a solar grant.  Would it be possible to send us an application.  We are in the process of construction and we’re looking to be the first completely solar (renewable energy source) powered lodging option on Mt Desert Island in the state of Maine.  Please let us know how to proceed.  ","Please visit the Funding Opportunity Announcements at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/ for information on applying to this FOA.  Also visit grants.gov for information on solar grants."]
[38,"2020-09-08","Other","We are a non-profit benefiting the community of Fairbanks. We own the local daily newspaper and are looking for funding to convert the\nbuilding to Solar. As I understand, the FOA for the Solar Grant (Perovskite system) is applicable mostly for organizations involved in Research and Development rather than entities wishing to implement solar (going green). Am I correct in this assumption?\n","Please refer to Section I.A.i: Overview and Purpose of the FOA.  Please visit the Funding Opportunity Announcements at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/ or Grants.gov for information on solar grants."]
[39,"2020-09-10","Technical Topics","I am hoping for some clarification regarding Topic #1. On page 7 of the FOA it says “…at cell or mini-module scale beyond the current state of the art.” However, on pages 9 and 10 the state-of-the art or performance floors are defined as \"...T80 greater than 20 years with single-junction module efficiency above 18% or tandem module efficiency above 25%.\" Therefore, if an applicant is proposing a project pertaining to cells only (not mini-modules) that “…will improve the understanding of perovskite performance and degradation mechanisms,\" and that will also mitigate degradation and enhance performance, what performance floor metrics should be used? ","Section I.B.i, page 9 states: “… to continue to improve device stability (targeting T80 at or above 20 years) while simultaneously maintaining or improving efficiency (targeting power conversion efficiencies of 18% or above for single-junction devices or 25% or above for tandem devices) and manufacturing costs.”  Section I.B.i page 10 states: “Projects focused on advanced device fabrication should clearly present the technical potential of the proposed approach: At minimum, proposals must present a compelling argument that a T80 greater than 20 years is achievable with single-junction module efficiency above 18% or tandem module efficiency above 25%.”  In the first statement, the term “device” is meant to be broadly synonymous with “cell” or “mini-module”, so the goals stated would serve as the performance floor for a cell-focused project. In the second statement, the wording is meant to address “advanced device fabrication”, which would focus on fabrication techniques (at the cell level) to improve device efficiency and stability (demonstrated with data), with an additional condition that a “compelling argument” is made regarding the technical potential of the proposed advancement to meet the goals at the module level (i.e., scalability).     "]
[40,"2020-09-14","Other","I was wondering if there's any chance the deadline can be extended. Since the universities started opening campuses, the situation is changing rapidly with increased cases and associated adjustments. It is being difficult to keep up with things and form teams and such. An extension of a couple of weeks might ease things for many. If possible, please consider an extension. ","Please refer to the FOA, page 1 for due dates.  See also important reminder:  “Applicants must submit a Concept Paper by 5:00 p.m. ET on the due date listed above to be eligible to submit a Full Application “"]
[41,"2020-09-15","Concept Paper"," I have a question regarding page number limit for concept paper submission in the FOA number DE-FOA-0002357. It was explained that the page limit is 4 pages for topic area 1. I was wondering if this is including references and addendum? Do we need an estimate budget for the concept paper?","Please refer to Section IV.B.i, Content and Form of the Concept Paper.  The Concept Papers are limited to 5 pages max."]
[42,"2020-09-17","Eligibility","We are a consortium based in West Africa. We want to find out if we qualify to apply to participate in the above program.","Please refer to Section III.A.iii: Foreign Entities as well as Section III.A.iv: Incorporated Consortia of the FOA for information."]
[43,"2020-09-18","Eligibility","Would the religious non-profit sector be qualified to submit a concept paper for consideration of a solar renewable energy grant?","Please refer to Section III.A: Eligible Applicants of the FOA for information."]
[44,"2020-09-22","Eligibility","I have a question regarding funding restrictions for the DE Solar Technologies Office Fiscal Year 2020 Perovskite Funding Program.   Our Tribe is currently in the process of conducting a feasibility study for additional solar panels to be installed on Tribal buildings and in other locations.  Our Construction Manager noted that under some federal agency awards, it is not permitted for the same contractor to participate as both the lead on a grant funded feasibility study and the lead on the next phase of project implementation.  I read through the grant guidelines for this opportunity (CFDA #: 81.087) but could not find any information or restrictions.  Could you please let me know if this is something we will need to consider for this DE solar grant?","This Funding Opportunity is meant to fund research and development for perovskite solar cells and modules, along with developing a module performance verification capability in the US. Funds for this funding opportunity are not meant solar energy system project development or construction"]

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["Pick List"]
[]
["Registration Requirements"]
["Webinar"]
["Concept Paper"]
["Eligibility"]
["Labs/FFRDCs"]
["Foreign Entities/Work"]
["Cost Sharing"]
["Due Dates"]
["Application Content/Format"]
["Intellectual Property"]
["Data Management"]
["Other"]
["U.S. Manufacturing Plan"]
["Application Reviews"]
["Technical Topics"]