National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Boulevard, Golden, CO 80401-3393

A -- DOE/NREL PHOTOVOLTAICS PROGRAM -- FUNDAMENTAL AND EXPLORATORY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN PHOTOVOLTAIC TECHNOLOGIES BEYOND THE HORIZON SOL 0-382 DUE 041400 POC Elizabeth Surek; Telephone 303-384-7354; e-mail elizabeth_surek@nrel.gov E-MAIL: National Renewable Energy Laboratory, elizabeth_surek@nrel.gov. DOE Photovoltaics Program -- Photovoltaic Technologies Beyond the Horizon The National Renewable Energy Laboratory anticipates issuing Requests for Proposals (RFP)to solicit research and development efforts from members of the photovoltaics community and related industries. The anticipated effort will be directed to include projects to support the portfolio of activities in industry, universities, and national laboratories needed to nurture innovation and increase the chances for breakthroughs leading to photovoltaic technologies competitive with conventional renewable and non-renewable energy technologies. The basic research in this project is directed toward the goal of generating inexpensive electricity from sunlight. It is expected to generate new knowledge with a purpose, not knowledge for knowledge's sake. The solicitation will be open to universities, colleges and U.S. companies. The Fundamental and Exploratory Research and Development activities in photovoltaics technologies are being conducted for the DOE by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (Golden, Colorado). The Photovoltaic Technologies Beyond the Horizon solicitation will consider proposals in all areas of photovoltaic-related research, including, but not limited to, materials, devices, measurement and characterization techniques, theory, manufacturing processes, and systems. The latter two areas will be accorded lower priority because of ongoing activities in the DOE program. Responses must address the advancement of PV knowledge expected in the long term, i.e., over the next 5 to 10 years and beyond. Although highly diverse responses to this solicitation are acceptable and encouraged, several areas are of particular interest to the program. These areas, not in priority order, include: dye-sensitized solar cells, single-crystal or large-grain thin-films (e.g., GaAs or 1 to 30 microns of Si) on low-cost substrates, innovative PV concentrators, organic solar cells, solar cells based on novel ternary semiconductors, solar cells based on nanocrystalline particles or other quantum confinement concepts, new multijunction concepts, innovative device structures, hybrid device technologies, innovative or improved characterization techniques, and other promising, non-conventional photovoltaic materials and technologies. Proposals received in response to the anticipated RFP will be accepted only if submitted by a university, college or U.S. company or a team comprised of the same. Subject to the availability of funds, multiple Firm-Fixed Price awards are anticipated. Current plans are to limit each award within a range between $100,000 and $200,000 per 12-month period, with a maximum total for the subcontract not to exceed $500,000 for an expected period of performance of 3 years. All resultant subcontracts will be incrementally funded based on availability of fiscal year funds and research progress. Organizations desiring a copy of the solicitation setting forth the RFP requirements should make a written request within 14 days of this announcement at the above address, referencing Synopsis No. 0-382. The RFP is anticipated to be issued within 21 days. This is not a request for proposals. Telephone requests will not be accepted. Posted 03/23/00 (W-SN437559). (0083)

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