Challenges and Opportunities for Building-Integrated Photovoltaics | DE FOA 0002685

Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0002685

The Department of Energy (DOE), through its Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), is seeking input on the current state of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) and what is still getting in the way of broader adoption. The opportunity is titled "Challenges and Opportunities for Building-Integrated Photovoltaics" and it is tied to Funding Opportunity Number DE FOA 0002685. Although it appears in the grants context, the core action described is a Request for Information (RFI): DOE is asking stakeholders to share technical and commercial insights so the Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) and the Building Technologies Office (BTO) can shape future program strategy and potential funding priorities. In practical terms, this is DOE gathering evidence on where BIPV stands today, what barriers remain, and what near-term opportunities could have the biggest impact if DOE were to invest in them.

This RFI is focused specifically on building-integrated PV systems, meaning solar technologies that are designed to be part of the building envelope or building components rather than added on as traditional rack-mounted panels. Examples can include PV integrated into roofs, facades, curtain walls, skylights, windows, or other architectural elements. DOE is looking for information that helps identify and quantify the remaining barriers, which implies they want more than general opinions. They are looking for concrete pain points and measurable constraints such as performance limitations, durability and reliability issues, safety and code compliance challenges, manufacturing and supply-chain constraints, installation complexity, cost drivers, design and engineering workflow gaps, and market adoption hurdles. On the commercial side, they are also interested in obstacles such as permitting and interconnection friction, fragmented responsibilities between architects, builders, and solar contractors, unclear value propositions for owners, limited financing models, warranty and liability concerns, and the difficulty of comparing BIPV economics against conventional building materials plus standard solar.

From an administrative standpoint, the listing categorizes the opportunity as discretionary and notes a cooperative agreement as the funding instrument type, which usually signals that if DOE later funds projects in this area, it may expect active involvement during execution rather than a hands-off grant. The activity category is Energy, and the CFDA number listed is 81.087, which aligns with DOE energy-related assistance programs. Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning responses or participation are broadly open to many types of entities (subject to any additional eligibility language in the full notice). That typically includes private companies, universities, national labs, state and local governments, nonprofits, utilities, and industry groups, all of which can provide useful perspectives on BIPV barriers from different parts of the value chain.

The notice was created on March 7, 2022, with an original closing date of April 1, 2022, indicating a defined window for stakeholders to submit input. The award ceiling is listed as 2, but the expected number of awards is 0, which is consistent with an RFI or pre-solicitation market research step rather than a direct call for funded project proposals. The agency is listed as the Department of Energy, Golden Field Office, which often serves as the contracting and awards office for EERE-led activities.

Overall, the main point of this opportunity is not immediate project funding but influence: DOE is collecting targeted feedback to guide future strategy and program development for BIPV. For organizations active in building products, solar manufacturing, construction, architecture and engineering, real estate development, and building energy research, an RFI like this is a chance to highlight the most pressing technical gaps and market failures, propose areas where federal support could unlock scale, and help shape what any later funding opportunity might prioritize, such as standardized testing and certification pathways, improved integration with building codes and product standards, innovations that reduce installed cost and complexity, better long-term performance and durability data, or approaches that make BIPV easier to specify, finance, and maintain.

• The Department of Energy, Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Challenges and Opportunities for Building-Integrated Photovoltaics" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.087.
• This funding opportunity was created on Mar 07, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 01, 2022. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

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