DEEE0011420
Cooperative Agreement
Overview
Grant Description
The principal project goal is the demonstration of a high-performing 4-terminal FAPBI3-perovskite/CI(G)S tandem module of at least 27% efficiency, passing the outlined durability specifications based on the IEC 61215 module quality test (MQT) 10, 11, 13 and ISOS-L-2, demonstrating at least 26% power conversion efficiency (PCE) after 6 months of outdoor testing, and demonstrating perovskite top-modules at PCE = 20.5% with an aperture area exceeding 500 cm² that pass MQT 21 and ISOS-L-2 testing.
The project will be carried out among three internal First Solar R&D sites as well as two leading academic partners in perovskite development and characterization.
The goals and the timeline of the SETO project align well with First Solar’s internal plan.
With a combined emphasis on efficiency, reliability, and scaling up, this SETO program poses tremendous technical challenges, but if successful, will provide a pathway for a commercially viable, beyond 25% PCE, thin-film only PV technology.
The project will be carried out among three internal First Solar R&D sites as well as two leading academic partners in perovskite development and characterization.
The goals and the timeline of the SETO project align well with First Solar’s internal plan.
With a combined emphasis on efficiency, reliability, and scaling up, this SETO program poses tremendous technical challenges, but if successful, will provide a pathway for a commercially viable, beyond 25% PCE, thin-film only PV technology.
Awardee
Funding Goals
THE ADVANCING U.S. THIN-FILM SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAICS FOA WILL FOCUS ON ACCELERATING THE CAPABILITIES OF TWO THIN-FILM PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) TECHNOLOGIES: METAL-HALIDE PEROVSKITE PV AND CADMIUM TELLURIDE (CDTE) PV TECHNOLOGIES. IT WILL FUND INNOVATIVE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R&D) PROJECTS THAT WILL ENABLE FUTURE COMMERCIALIZATION OF HYBRID TANDEM PEROVSKITE PV, DEFINED AS A PEROVSKITE PV IN COMBINATION WITH ANOTHER TECHNOLOGY SUCH AS SILICON OR CDTE. IT WILL ALSO FUND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEMONSTRATION (RD&D) PROJECTS ACROSS THE MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT, INSTALLATION, AND PERFORMANCE MONITORING SECTORS TO IMPROVE THE COMPETITIVENESS OF THE DOMESTIC CDTE PV INDUSTRY. THIS FOA PROMOTES AMERICAN LEADERSHIP IN THIN-FILM PV TECHNOLOGY BY PROMOTING THE DOMESTIC MANUFACTURE OF THIN-FILM PV MODULES. WITH THIS GOAL IN MIND, ONLY FOR-PROFIT ENTITIES AND TEAMS LED BY FOR-PROFIT ENTITIES MAY APPLY TO THIS FOA (SEE SECTION III.A FOR MORE DETAILS ON ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA) AND ALL WORK MUST BE PERFORMED IN THE UNITED STATES (SEE SECTION IV.I.III. AND APPENDIX C).
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding Agency
Place of Performance
Santa Clara,
California
95050-2645
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Related Opportunity
First Solar was awarded
High-Performing 4-Terminal FAPbI3-CI(G)S Tandem Module Grant
Cooperative Agreement DEEE0011420
worth $5,197,154
from the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in February 2025 with work to be completed primarily in Santa Clara California United States.
The grant
has a duration of 1 year and
was awarded through assistance program 81.087 Renewable Energy Research and Development.
The Cooperative Agreement was awarded through grant opportunity Advancing U.S. Thin-Film Solar Photovoltaics.
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 5/6/25
Period of Performance
2/1/25
Start Date
1/31/26
End Date
Funding Split
$5.2M
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$5.2M
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Transaction History
Modifications to DEEE0011420
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
DEEE0011420
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
For-Profit Organization (Other Than Small Business)
Awarding Office
892434 GOLDEN FIELD OFFICE
Funding Office
892403 ENERGY EFFICIENCYRENEWABLE ENERGY
Awardee UEI
HGE9CU84UK27
Awardee CAGE
03QL5
Performance District
CA-17
Senators
Dianne Feinstein
Alejandro Padilla
Alejandro Padilla
Modified: 5/6/25