DE-FOA-0003492 Solar Web with Wildlife and Ecosystem Benefits 2 (SolWEB2)_NOFO Part 1_MOD 000002.pdf

Financial Assistance Notice of Funding Opportunity

Part 1

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO)

Solar with Wildlife and Ecosystem Benefits 2 (SolWEB2)

Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: DE-FOA-0003492

Concept Papers due: February 14, 2025

Applications due: May 2, 2025 Modifications

All modifications to the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) are HIGHLIGHTED in the body of the NOFO.

Modifications to this NOFO will be posted on eXCHANGE and Grants.gov.

Grants.gov will automatically notify applicants when a NOFO modification is processed. Applicants must be registered to this NOFO in Grants.gov to receive email notifications. See Registration Requirements in Part 2 of this NOFO.

Mod. No. Date Description of Modification 000002 1/2/25 • Informational Webinar date and time changed to Friday, January 10 at 1pm ET

Table of Contents

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Navigating the Notice of Funding Opportunity

I. BASIC INFORMATION

A. Key Facts

1. Funding Details

2. Period of Performance

B. Executive Summary

C. Agency Contact Information

II. ELIGIBILITY

A. Eligible Applicants

1. Domestic Entities

2. Foreign Entity Participation

B. Limitation on Number of Concept Papers and Applications Eligible for Review

C. Cost Sharing

1. Cost Share Requirements

2. Unallowable Cost Share Sources, NOFO Specific

D. FFRDC Eligibility Criteria

1. DOE FFRDCs as the Applicant

2. DOE and Non-DOE FFRDCs as a Subrecipient

III. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A. Background and Purpose

B. Technology Space and Strategic Goals

C. Expected Performance Goals

D. Teaming Partner List

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E. Topic Areas

1. Topic Area 1: Wildlife-Solar Energy Research, Technical Assistance, and Stakeholder Engagement

2. Topic Area 2: Agrivoltaics Technical Assistance and Stakeholder Engagement

F. Applications Specifically Not of Interest

G. Statement of Substantial Involvement

H. Statutory Authority

I. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

IV. APPLICATION CONTENT AND FORM

A. Summary

B. Concept Paper

C. Application Content Requirements

1. Covered Individual Definition, Designation, and Responsibility

2. Summary of Application Requirements

3. Technical Volume

4. Program-Specific DEI Plan

D. Funding Restrictions

1. Build America Requirement for Infrastructure Projects

V. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

A. Required Registrations

1. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM)

2. eXCHANGE

B. Application Package

1. eXCHANGE

C. Submission Date and Times

D. Intergovernmental Review

VI. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

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A. Standards for Application Evaluation

B. Responsiveness Review

C. Review Criteria

1. Compliance Criteria

2. Technical Review Criteria

3. Criteria for Replies to Reviewer Comments

D. Other Selection Factors

VII. SELECTION AND AWARD NOTICES

VIII. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. Post-Award Requirements and Administration

1. Real Property and Equipment

2. Rights in Technical Data

3. Cost Share Payment

B. Helpful Websites

C. Questions and Support

1. Questions

2. Support

IX. OTHER INFORMATION

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Notice of Funding Opportunity Part 1

Before You Begin

Before You Begin Navigating the Notice of Funding Opportunity The OMB Memorandum M-24-11 directs federal agencies to reduce the burden on applicants in the notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) process and limit the length of the NOFO information requests.

With Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 NOFOs, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has separated the NOFO into two parts.

The NOFO Part 1 describes the specific DOE programmatic goals and evaluation criteria, eligibility, and other components that are specific to each funding opportunity. The NOFO Part 2 includes the fixed DOE requirements that generally do not change from NOFO to NOFO, including standard information for the application phase, expectations for award negotiations, and post-award requirements. Applicants must review both the NOFO Part 1 and the NOFO Part 2 prior to applying. To facilitate navigation, you will find links throughout this document to additional information found in Part 2.

There are several required one-time actions applicants must take before applying to this NOFO. Some of these actions may take several weeks, so it is vital applicants build in enough time to complete them.

Failure to complete these actions could interfere with application or negotiation deadlines or the ability to receive an award if selected. If you have previously completed the necessary registrations, make sure your registration is active and up to date. All registrations are free. Please refer to NOFO Part 2, Get Registered, for additional information.

This announcement is published in conjunction with NOFO Part 2 Version 1.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/M-24-11-Revisions-to-2-CFR.pdf

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Section I: Basic Information

I. Basic Information A. Key Facts Issuing Agency DOE, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Solar

Energy Technologies Office (SETO)

Funding Opportunity Title

Solar with Wildlife and Ecosystem Benefits 2 (SolWEB2)

Announcement Type Initial

Funding Opportunity Number

DE-FOA-0003492

Funding Instrument Cooperative Agreement

Assistance Listing Number

87.087

Funding Opportunity Description

This NOFO is being issued by DOE’s EERE SETO to invest in R&D, technical assistance, and stakeholder engagement activities that improve the compatibility of large-scale solar (LSS) facilities with wildlife and facilitate the dual use of land for agricultural and solar energy production (agrivoltaics).

Projects selected in this NOFO will a) test strategies that mitigate adverse impacts and/or maximize benefits to wildlife and ecosystems at LSS facilities, b) provide technical assistance and engagement opportunities that enable stakeholders to improve the compatibility of LSS facilities with wildlife, or c) provide technical assistance and stakeholder engagement opportunities related to agrivoltaics.

Program Goals & Objective(s)

This NOFO will work to improve LSS siting processes and outcomes while promoting meaningful benefits for wildlife, ecosystems, and host communities.

Topic Areas

• Topic Area 1: Wildlife-Solar Energy Research, Technical Assistance, and Stakeholder Engagement o Area of Interest 1: Strategies to Mitigate Adverse Impacts on and/or Maximize Benefits to Wildlife o Area of Interest 2: Wildlife-Solar Energy Technical

Assistance and Stakeholder Engagement

KEY DATES

Notice of Funding Opportunity Issue Date: December 23, 2024

Informational Webinar: January 10, 2025

Concept Paper Deadline: February 14, 2025

Application Deadline: May 2, Anticipated Selection Notification Date:

July 15, 2025

Anticipated Award Date: January 1, Estimated Period of Performance:

January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2028/2029

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• Topic Area 2: Agrivoltaics Technical Assistance and Stakeholder Engagement

Eligible Applicants Domestic entities are eligible to apply as recipients or subrecipients.

The following types of domestic entities are eligible to participate as a recipient or subrecipient of this NOFO:

• Institutions of higher education (e.g., universities, colleges, and minority-serving institutions [MSIs])

• For-profit organizations (e.g., environmental consultants, LSS developers, facility owners and operators, utilities)

• Nonprofit organizations (e.g., research institutions, conservation nonprofits, hunting organizations, environmental nonprofits, trade associations, utilities and electric cooperatives)

• Federally funded R&D centers (FFRDCs)

• State and local governmental entities (e.g., state wildlife or agricultural agencies)

• Indian Tribes, as defined in Section 4 of the Indian Self-

Determination and Education Assistance Act, 25 U.S.C. § 5304.0F eXCHANGE URL and Helpdesk https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/Default.aspx#FoaIdfe6561f9-adf8- 4737-8f55-84d6104313f1 eere-exchangesupport@hq.doe.gov

1. Funding Details

Multiple Topic Areas Approximate total available funding, including all topic areas: $11,000,000 in FY 2025

Topic Area 1: Wildlife-Solar Energy Research, Technical Assistance, and Stakeholder Engagement

• Approximate total available funding: $8,000,000 in FY 2025

• Approximate number of awards: 2–5

• Approximate dollar amount of individual awards: $1,000,000–$3,000,000

• Minimum cost share required:

o Area of Interest 1: 20% of the total project costs o Area of Interest 2: 0% of the total project costs

1 “Indian Tribe,” for the purposes of this NOFO and as defined in in Section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. § 5304), means any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 688, 43 U.S.C. § 1601, et seq.), which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.

https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/Default.aspx#FoaIdfe6561f9-adf8-4737-8f55-84d6104313f1 https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/Default.aspx#FoaIdfe6561f9-adf8-4737-8f55-84d6104313f1 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:25%20section:5304%20edition:prelim) https://uscode.house.gov/statutes/pl/92/203.pdf#:%7E:text=688%20PUBLIC%20LAW%2092-203-DEC.%2018%2C%201971%20%5B85%20STAT.,and%20for%20other%20purposes.%20Alaska%20Native%20Claims%20Settlement https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:43%20section:1601%20edition:prelim)

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• Approximate award project period: 24–48 months

• Anticipated length of budget periods: 12–24 months

Topic Area 2: Agrivoltaics Technical Assistance and Stakeholder Engagement

• Approximate total available funding: $3,000,000 in FY 2025

• Approximate number of awards: 1–3

• Approximate dollar amount of individual awards: $1,000,000–$3,000,000

• Minimum cost share required: 0% of the total project costs

• Approximate award project period: 24–36 months

• Anticipated length of budget periods: 12–18 months

2. Period of Performance

DOE anticipates making awards comprised of multiple budget periods. If applicable, project continuation will be contingent upon DOE’s Go/No-Go decision. For a complete list and more information on the Go/No-Go review, see the NOFO Part 2, Award Administration Information. Funding for all budget periods, including the initial budget period, is not guaranteed.

B. Executive Summary This notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is being issued by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) to invest in R&D, technical assistance, and stakeholder engagement activities that improve the compatibility of large-scale solar (LSS) facilities with wildlife and ecosystems and facilitate the dual use of land for agricultural and solar energy production (agrivoltaics).

SETO invests in research and innovation to accelerate the advancement of solar technology and deployment of solar energy in the United States. DOE’s Solar Futures Study provides a vision for solar power’s role in cost-effectively contributing to the nation’s clean energy goals. Achieving this vision is projected to require approximately 5.6 million acres of land to host LSS facilities by 2035. While this is a small fraction of the total land in the contiguous United States (0.3%), this expansion will result in increased interactions between LSS facilities and the surrounding environment, including natural wildlife habitats and agricultural areas. Land-use conflict due to siting and permitting of LSS facilities is already becoming more prevalent. Projects supported by this NOFO will help stakeholders overcome those conflicts by testing and helping implement strategies that improve LSS siting processes and outcomes for wildlife, ecosystems, and communities that host LSS facilities.

Projects selected in this NOFO will a) test strategies that mitigate adverse impacts and/or maximize benefits to wildlife and ecosystems at LSS facilities, b) provide technical assistance and engagement opportunities that enable stakeholders to improve the compatibility of LSS facilities with wildlife, or c) provide technical assistance and stakeholder engagement opportunities related to agrivoltaics. Topic Area 1 is focused on improving the ability of stakeholders to implement strategies that improve the compatibility of LSS facilities with wildlife and ecosystems. Projects will test new or existing strategies for mitigating adverse impacts on and/or maximizing benefits to wildlife and ecosystems from LSS development (e.g., wildlife-permeable fencing, native vegetation management, wildlife movement corridors). Projects will also provide technical assistance and stakeholder engagement opportunities on

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Topic Area 2 is focused on disseminating agrivoltaic research, sharing best practices, and enabling cross-sector collaboration. Projects will provide technical assistance and engagement opportunities to entities involved in LSS development, including but not limited to solar industry members, agricultural practitioners, rural cooperatives, Tribal governments and communities, and local governments.

Applicants must include the team members needed to achieve the stated objectives, disseminate the project outputs, and convene the appropriate stakeholders, including those who can implement proposed solutions. Team member or partner willingness to participate in the project can be demonstrated by providing letters of commitment in project applications. Organizations that are eligible to apply or participate as project collaborators include but are not limited to private or for-profit entities, colleges and universities, state agencies, non‐profits, community‐based organizations, and federally funded R&D centers (FFRDCs). Relevant stakeholder groups include solar developers, owners, and operators, environmental consultants, academic researchers with wildlife or agrivoltaics expertise, Tribal governments and communities, and state agencies and nonprofits working on wildlife, hunting, conservation, environmental, and agricultural issues.

C. Agency Contact Information Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office U.S. Department of Energy 1000 Independence Ave SW Washington, D.C. 20585

For questions relating to this specific notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), please send emails to solarwildlife@ee.doe.gov.

DISCLAIMER: Applicants are discouraged from submitting information considered proprietary unless it is deemed essential for proper evaluation of the application. If the application contains information that the applicant organization considers to be trade secrets, information that is commercial or financial, or information that is privileged or confidential, the pages containing that information must be identified as specified in the application instructions. When such information is included in the application, it will be withheld from public disclosure to the extent permitted by law, including the Freedom of Information Act, with the understanding that the information will be used or disclosed only for evaluation of the application. The information contained in the application will be protected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) from unauthorized disclosure, consistent with the need for merit review of applications of financial assistance awards to assure the integrity of the competitive process and the accuracy and completeness of the information. If a federal financial assistance award is made as a result of or in connection with an application, the federal government has the right to use or disclose the information to the extent authorized by law. This restriction does not limit the federal government’s right to use the information if it is obtained without restriction from another source.

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Section II: Eligibility

II. Eligibility To be considered for substantive evaluation, an applicant’s submission must meet the criteria set forth below. If the application does not meet these eligibility requirements, it will be considered ineligible and removed from further evaluation and ineligible for any award. DOE will not make eligibility determinations for potential applicants prior to the date on which applications to this NOFO must be submitted. The decision whether to apply in response to this NOFO lies solely with the applicant. The information included here is specific to eligibility requirements for this NOFO. For eligibility requirements applicable to all NOFOs, please consult the NOFO Part 2, Eligibility.

A. Eligible Applicants To be considered for substantive evaluation, an applicant’s submission must meet the criteria set forth below. If the application does not meet these eligibility requirements, it will be considered ineligible and removed from further evaluation.

1. Domestic Entities

Domestic entities are eligible to apply as recipients or subrecipients. The following types of domestic entities are eligible to participate as a recipient or subrecipient of this NOFO:

• Institutions of higher education (e.g., universities, colleges, MSIs)

• For-profit organizations (e.g., environmental consultants, large-scale solar (LSS) developers, facility owners and operators, utilities)

• Nonprofit organizations (e.g., research institutions, conservation nonprofits, hunting organizations, environmental nonprofits, trade associations, utilities and electric cooperatives)

• State and local governmental entities (e.g., state wildlife or agricultural agencies)

• Indian Tribes, as defined in Section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance

Act, 25 U.S.C. § 5304.1

2. Foreign Entity Participation

In general, foreign entities are not eligible to apply as either a recipient or subrecipient. In limited circumstances, DOE may approve a waiver to allow a foreign entity to participate as a recipient or subrecipient.

A foreign entity may submit an application to this NOFO, but the application must be accompanied by an explicit written waiver request. Likewise, if the applicant seeks to include a foreign entity as a subrecipient, the applicant must submit a separate explicit written waiver request in the application for each proposed foreign subrecipient. Please see NOFO Part 2, Application Content Requirements for the requirements for submission of a foreign entity waiver request. The applicant does not have the right to appeal DOE’s decision concerning a waiver request.

Recipients must only be legally formed in the United States and have a physical location for business operations in the United States.

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Entities that are organized, chartered, or incorporated (or otherwise formed) under the laws of the United States or a particular state or territory of the United States and have a physical location for business operations in the United States are eligible to apply for funding as a recipient or subrecipient.

Foreign Entity Participation A foreign entity is eligible to apply for funding as a recipient if it designates in the application a subsidiary or affiliate incorporated (or otherwise formed) under the laws of a state or territory of the United States to be the recipient. The application must state the nature of the corporate relationship between the foreign entity and domestic subsidiary or affiliate.

Foreign entities may request a waiver of the requirement to designate a subsidiary in the United States as the recipient in the application (i.e., a foreign entity may request that it be the recipient). To do so, the applicant must submit an explicit written waiver request in the application.

NOFO Part 2, Application Content Requirements lists the information that must be included in a request to waive this requirement. The applicant does not have the right to appeal DOE’s decision concerning a waiver request.

Participant Limitations Participation of the following entities are limited as follows.

• DOE federally funded R&D centers (FFRDCs)1F

2 are eligible to apply for funding as a recipient or subrecipient.

• Non-DOE FFRDCs are eligible to participate as a subrecipient but are not eligible to apply as a recipient.

• Federal agencies and instrumentalities (other than DOE) are eligible to participate as a subrecipient but are typically not eligible to apply as a recipient.

Performance of Work in the United States All work for the awards under this NOFO must be performed in the United States. To request a waiver of this requirement, the applicant must submit an explicit waiver request in the application. Absent an approved waiver, such costs will not be allowable under the award. NOFO Part 2, Application Content Requirements lists the requirements for submission of a foreign work waiver request.

Ineligible Participants The following entities are ineligible for participation in this NOFO as a recipient, subrecipient, or subcontractor.

• In accordance with 2 CFR 200.214, entities banned from doing business with the U.S.

government such as entities debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in federal programs.

• Entities identified on Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control Treasury’s Sanctions Program Specially Designated Nationals list are prohibited from doing business with the United States government and are not eligible. See the list of Specially Designated Nationals.

2 FFRDCs are public-private partnerships that conduct research for the U.S. government. A listing of FFRDCs can be found at www.nsf.gov/statistics/ffrdclist/.

https://sanctionslist.ofac.treas.gov/Home/SdnList http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/ffrdclist/

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• Nonprofit organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995, are not eligible to apply for funding.

Entity of Concern Prohibition Entities of Concern are prohibited from participating in projects selected under this NOFO (see NOFO Part 2, Eligibility, Other Eligibility Information, Entity of Concern Prohibition section for details and definitions).

B. Limitation on Number of Concept Papers and Applications Eligible for Review

An entity may submit more than one concept paper and associated application to this NOFO provided that each describes a unique, scientifically distinct project concept and an eligible concept paper was submitted for each Full Application.

C. Cost Sharing Applicants are expected to follow through on estimated cost share commitments proposed in their applications if selected for award negotiations. Please refer to the NOFO Part 2, Eligibility for more information on Cost Sharing.

1. Cost Share Requirements

The cost share must be at least 20% of the total project costs2F

3 for R&D.3F

4 This requirement applies specifically to projects submitted under Topic 1, Area of Interest 1: Strategies to Mitigate Adverse Impacts on and/or Maximize Benefits to Wildlife at LSS Facilities.

Cost share is not required for education and outreach projects. This applies specifically to projects submitted under (1) Topic 1, Area of Interest 2: Wildlife-Solar Technical Assistance and Stakeholder Engagement, and (2) Topic 2, Agrivoltaics Technical Assistance and Stakeholder Engagement. Projects submitted under Topic 1 cannot blend cost share or combine areas of interest. If research on solar-wildlife is being proposed, the project must apply under Topic 1, Area of Interest 1.

Tribes and Tribal Nation applicants are required to provide only a minimum 10% cost share pursuant to EERE’s blanket cost share reduction applicable to NOFOs issued after October 3, 2024, entitled Determination to Reduce Non-Federal Cost Share Requirements for Tribes and Tribal Nations Applying for Funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy[BH2] [KG3].

3 Total project costs are the sum of the government share, including FFRDC costs if applicable, and the recipient share of project costs.

4 Energy Policy Act of 2005, Pub. L. 109-58, sec. 988. Also see 2 CFR 200.306 and 2 CFR 910.130 for additional cost sharing requirements.

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Table 1. Cost Share Requirements

Topic Type of Projects Recipient Cost Share (%)

Topic 1, Area of Interest 1 Research & Development 20%

Topic 1, Area of Interest 2 Education & Outreach 0%

Topic 2 Education & Outreach 0%

Applications that do not meet the minimum required cost share will be deemed ineligible during the initial compliance review and will not be further reviewed. The cost share must come from non-federal sources unless otherwise allowed by law.

The cost share percentage is calculated by dividing the cost share by the total allowable project costs for the award where the total allowable project costs include government share (including FFRDC costs if applicable) and cost share. To help applicants calculate proper cost share amounts, DOE has included a cost share information sheet and sample cost share calculation in NOFO Part 2, Eligibility—Cost Sharing, Cost Share Calculation Examples.

2. Unallowable Cost Share Sources, NOFO Specific

The unallowable cost share sources identified here are specific to this announcement. Refer to NOFO Part 2, Eligibility—Cost Sharing, Unallowable Cost Share Sources for unallowable cost share sources applicable to all NOFOs.

D. FFRDC Eligibility Criteria

1. DOE FFRDCs as the Applicant

A DOE FFRDC is eligible to apply for funding under this NOFO if its cognizant Contracting Officer provides written authorization and this authorization is submitted with the application.

The following wording is acceptable for the authorization:

Authorization is granted for the laboratory to participate in the proposed project. The work proposed for the laboratory is consistent with or complementary to the missions of the laboratory and will not adversely impact execution of the DOE assigned programs at the laboratory.

If a DOE FFRDC is selected for award negotiation, the proposed work will be authorized under the DOE work authorization process and performed under the laboratory’s Management and Operating (M&O) contract.

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2. DOE and Non-DOE FFRDCs as a Subrecipient

As long as they have no conflict, DOE and non-DOE FFRDCs may be proposed as a subrecipient on another entity’s application subject to the following guidelines:

Authorization for non-DOE FFRDCs The federal agency sponsoring the FFRDC must authorize in writing the use of the FFRDC on the proposed project and this authorization must be submitted with the application. The use of an FFRDC must be consistent with its authority under its award.

Authorization for DOE FFRDCs The cognizant Contracting Officer for the FFRDC must authorize in writing the use of the FFRDC on the proposed project and this authorization must be submitted with the application. The following wording is acceptable for this authorization:

Authorization is granted for the laboratory to participate in the proposed project. The work proposed for the laboratory is consistent with or complementary to the missions of the laboratory and will not adversely impact execution of the DOE assigned programs at the laboratory.

Funding, Cost Share, and Subaward with FFRDCs The value of and funding for the FFRDC portion of the work will not normally be included in the award.

DOE FFRDCs participating as a subrecipient on a project will be funded directly through the DOE Work Authorization process in accordance with DOE O 412.1A. Non-DOE FFRDCs participating as a subrecipient will be funded through an interagency agreement with the sponsoring agency.

Although the FFRDC portion of the work is excluded from the award, the applicant’s cost share requirement will be based on the total cost of the project, including the applicant’s, the subrecipient’s, and the FFRDC’s portions of the project.

All DOE FFRDCs are required to enter into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement4F

(CRADA) or, if the role of the DOE FFRDC is limited to technical assistance and intellectual property is not anticipated to be generated from the DOE FFRDC’s work, a Technical Assistance Agreement (TAA), with at least the recipient. A fully executed CRADA or TAA must be in place or be compliant with a Master Scope of Work process prior to the FFRDC starting work directly allocable to the Financial Assistance award.

A CRADA is used to ensure accountability for project work and provide the appropriate management of IP, e.g., data protection and background IP. A Data Management Plan is not suited for this purpose.

Responsibility

5 A Cooperative Research and Development Agreement is a contractual agreement between a national laboratory contractor and a private company or university to work together on R&D. For more information, see www.energy.gov/gc/downloads/doe-cooperative-research-and-development-agreements.

https://www.energy.gov/gc/downloads/doe-cooperative-research-and-development-agreements https://www.energy.gov/gc/downloads/doe-cooperative-research-and-development-agreements

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The recipient will be the responsible authority regarding the settlement and satisfaction of all contractual and administrative issues, including but not limited to disputes and claims arising out of any agreement between the recipient and the FFRDC.

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Section III: Program Description

III. Program Description A. Background and Purpose This notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is being issued by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) to invest in research and development (R&D), technical assistance, and stakeholder engagement activities that improve the compatibility of large-scale solar (LSS) facilities with wildlife and facilitate the dual use of land for agricultural and solar energy production (agrivoltaics).

SETO invests in research and innovation to accelerate the advancement of solar technology and deployment of solar energy in the United States. The office supports solar energy research, development, demonstration, and technical assistance in seven areas—photovoltaics, concentrating solar-thermal power, systems integration, manufacturing and competitiveness, soft costs, solar workforce development, and solar energy access—to improve the affordability, reliability, and domestic benefit of solar technologies on the electric grid.

In September 2021, DOE released the Solar Futures Study,5F

6 which provides a vision for solar power’s role in cost-effectively contributing to the nation’s clean energy goals. According to the study, solar power will need to grow from supplying 5% of U.S. electricity demand in 2022 to 40% by 2035. This will require the United States to install 30 gigawatts alternating current (GWac) of solar generation capacity each year through 2025 and ramp up to 60 GWac per year from 2025 to 2030. Solar installations in the United States could supply 1 terawatt (TWac) of generating capacity for the power grid by 2035 and 1.6 TWac of capacity by 2050. (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. Scenarios of installed solar capacity in the Solar Futures Study. Source: National Renewable Energy Laboratory

(NREL)

6 DOE. 2021. Solar Futures Study. U.S. Department of Energy. www.energy.gov/eere/solar/solar-futures-study.

https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/solar-futures-study

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Achieving the vision articulated in the Solar Futures Study is projected to require approximately 5.6 million acres of land to host LSS facilities by 2035. While this is only a small fraction of the total land in the contiguous United States (0.3%), this expansion will result in increased interactions between LSS facilities and the surrounding environment, including natural wildlife habitats and agricultural areas.

Land-use conflict due to siting and permitting of LSS facilities is becoming more prevalent and is already impacting the scale and pace of deployment necessary to meet DOE’s goals. Research, technical assistance, and stakeholder engagement activities supported by this NOFO will help stakeholders overcome those conflicts by testing and helping to implement strategies that improve the compatibility of LSS facilities with wildlife and facilitating the dual use of land for agricultural and energy production (agrivoltaics).

B. Technology Space and Strategic Goals This funding opportunity is being issued by SETO’s Strategic Analysis and Institutional Support (SAIS) team. SAIS is focused on reducing soft costs (i.e., non-hardware costs) and other barriers to the deployment of solar energy.6F

The goal of this NOFO is to improve the processes and outcomes of LSS development for wildlife, ecosystems, and communities hosting LSS facilities by soliciting projects that will a) test strategies that mitigate adverse impacts and/or maximize benefits to wildlife and ecosystems at LSS facilities, b) provide technical assistance and engagement opportunities that enable stakeholders to improve the compatibility of LSS facilities with wildlife, or c) provide technical assistance and engagement opportunities related to agrivoltaics. This funding opportunity will support R&D, technical assistance, and stakeholder engagement activities related to ground-mounted LSS facilities that are 1 megawatt direct current (MWdc) or larger, located on private or public land.

Key decisions during the siting, permitting, design, and construction of an LSS facility determine the benefits and adverse impacts the facility will have on local wildlife, ecosystems, and agricultural areas.7F

These processes are complex because they require decision makers to evaluate current research findings and best practices and consult multiple entities, including LSS developers, utilities, regulators and permitting officials, Tribal governments and communities, environmental and conservation organizations, state or local governments, and host communities. Regional variation in habitat types, species of interest, community priorities, and agricultural practices further complicate these decision-making processes. Further research is needed, as well as technical assistance and stakeholder engagement activities that make the research findings and best practices well-known and accepted by stakeholders.

Given the current and projected scale of deployment of ground-mounted LSS facilities, ways to mitigate potential impacts to wildlife from LSS development need to be evaluated. “Mitigation” is defined as “measures that avoid, minimize, or compensate for effects caused by a proposed action.”8F

9 The standard

7 DOE. “Soft Costs.” U.S. Department of Energy, Solar Energy Technologies Office.

www.energy.gov/eere/solar/soft-costs.

8 DOE. “Large-Scale Solar Siting Research.” U.S. Department of Energy, Solar Energy Technologies Office.

www.energy.gov/eere/solar/large-scale-solar-siting-research.

9 eCFR. “National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). 40 CFR Part 1508.1(s).” Code of Federal Regulations.

www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-V/subchapter-A/part-1508/section-1508.1.

https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/soft-costs https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/large-scale-solar-siting-research https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-V/subchapter-A/part-1508/section-1508.1

Version 1.0 Page 18 of 52 hierarchy to mitigate adverse impacts on wildlife populations begins with avoidance followed by minimization and compensatory mitigation.9F

10 In the context of LSS development, “avoidance” generally refers to selecting sites that do not cause adverse impacts in the first place. “Minimization” involves actions that limit the degree or magnitude of an adverse impact, such as the incorporation of design features or operation and maintenance measures that reduce harm to wildlife from LSS development.

Additionally, there are strategies that could enable LSS facilities to provide new benefits to wildlife and the surrounding environment, such as planting native vegetation or pollinator habitat.10F

11 For this NOFO, SETO is primarily interested in minimization strategies that reduce adverse impacts, provide benefits, and ultimately improve the compatibility of LSS with wildlife and their habitats.

Research examining wildlife interactions with LSS infrastructure has been expanding rapidly in recent years,11F

12, 12F

13, 13F

14, 14F

15, 15F

16 but the efficacy of mitigation strategies at LSS facilities remains largely understudied.

Stakeholders have identified the development and evaluation of strategies to mitigate wildlife risks at solar facilities as a research priority.16F

17 The shortage of research studies on the efficacy of mitigation strategies is in part due to the timescale that is required to definitively evaluate impacts and benefits to wildlife, challenges with implementing a study design that includes LSS facilities with different mitigation treatments and corresponding controls, and the costs associated with implementing studies at the necessary scale. Nevertheless, LSS developers and other stakeholders have started implementing mitigation strategies, such as wildlife-permeable fencing, native vegetation management, wildlife movement corridors through or around the LSS facility, construction practices that minimize soil and vegetation disturbance, and translocation or relocation of sensitive species before construction.

The most prominent concerns regarding wildlife impacts from LSS development are disturbance of wildlife movements and loss of natural habitat. LSS facilities are required to include security fencing around the perimeter of each project, which can prevent wildlife from entering the facility or moving

10 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2023. Mitigation Policy (Appendix 1, 501 FW 2).

www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/policy/pdfs/FWS-Mitigation-Policy.pdf.

11 Walston, L., et al. 2023. “If You Build It, Will They Come? Insect Community Responses to Habitat Establishment at Solar Energy Facilities in Minnesota, USA.” Environmental Research Letters, vol. 19(1). doi.org/10.1088/1748- 9326/ad0f72.

12 Wilbert, T. R., et al. 2015. “Non-Invasive Baseline Genetic Monitoring of the Endangered San Joaquin Kit Fox on a Photovoltaic Solar Facility.” Endangered Species Research, vol. 27: pp. 31–41. https://www.int-res.com/articles/esr_oa/n027p031.pdf.

13 Karban, C., et al. “Predicting the Effects of Solar Energy Development on Plants and Wildlife in the Desert Southwest, United States.” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 205.

doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2024.114823.

14 Diehl, R., et al. 2024. Investigating the “Lake Effect” Influence on Avian Behavior from California’s Utility-Scale Photovoltaic Solar Facilities. California Energy Commission. www.energy.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2024-06/CEC- 500-2024-055.pdf.

15 Sawyer, H., et al. 2022. “Trade-offs Between Utility-Scale Solar Development and Ungulates on Western Rangelands.” Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, vol. 20(6): pp. 345–351. doi.org/10.1002/fee.2498.

16 Todd, B., et al. 2021. Mitigating Impacts of Solar Energy Development on Desert Tortoises: Indoor Rearing and Release of Head Started Desert Tortoises. California Energy Commission.

www.energy.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2021-07/CEC-500-2021-039.pdf.

17 REWI. 2023. National Solar Wildlife Research Plan 2023–2025. Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute. rewi.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/REWI-National-Solar-Wildlife-Research-Plan-2023-2025.pdf.

https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/policy/pdfs/FWS-Mitigation-Policy.pdf https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ad0f72 https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ad0f72 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.int-res.com%2Farticles%2Fesr_oa%2Fn027p031.pdf&data=05%7C02%7Cemily.wichman%40ee.doe.gov%7Cebcd4331b7604adaa9c008dcf29c2d38%7C6b183ecc4b554ed5b3f87f64be1c4138%7C0%7C0%7C638652000780225845%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C40000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=7X9ambWfBz1GbwEmZLhiFXYsnVshjzc%2FIhTLYe5buLY%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.int-res.com%2Farticles%2Fesr_oa%2Fn027p031.pdf&data=05%7C02%7Cemily.wichman%40ee.doe.gov%7Cebcd4331b7604adaa9c008dcf29c2d38%7C6b183ecc4b554ed5b3f87f64be1c4138%7C0%7C0%7C638652000780225845%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C40000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=7X9ambWfBz1GbwEmZLhiFXYsnVshjzc%2FIhTLYe5buLY%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdoi.org%2F10.1016%2Fj.rser.2024.114823&data=05%7C02%7Cemily.wichman%40ee.doe.gov%7Cebcd4331b7604adaa9c008dcf29c2d38%7C6b183ecc4b554ed5b3f87f64be1c4138%7C0%7C0%7C638652000780241449%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C40000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=jDRK700dQPWYdPYDUWZc9g11DdrWkj5%2B11KvX%2FVlQIc%3D&reserved=0 https://www.energy.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2024-06/CEC-500-2024-055.pdf https://www.energy.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2024-06/CEC-500-2024-055.pdf https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdoi.org%2F10.1002%2Ffee.2498&data=05%7C02%7Cemily.wichman%40ee.doe.gov%7Cebcd4331b7604adaa9c008dcf29c2d38%7C6b183ecc4b554ed5b3f87f64be1c4138%7C0%7C0%7C638652000780256273%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C40000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=mk2uhkImdAFFccalWohOhFpV0kfSSwNLRHwJv40V1VY%3D&reserved=0 https://www.energy.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2021-07/CEC-500-2021-039.pdf https://rewi.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/REWI-National-Solar-Wildlife-Research-Plan-2023-2025.pdf https://rewi.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/REWI-National-Solar-Wildlife-Research-Plan-2023-2025.pdf

Version 1.0 Page 19 of 52 through it. In a 2021 survey of state fish and wildlife agencies (SFWAs), the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies identified habitat fragmentation and permanent direct impacts as the largest concerns nationally pertaining to LSS development.17F

Western big game species are reliant on long-distance migration routes and seasonal ranges that can overlap with areas that are prime for LSS development.18F

19 In 2022, Sawyer et al. published a study focused on the impacts of an LSS facility on pronghorn activity.15 The study monitored the movement of 30 pronghorn in Wyoming pre- and post-construction of an LSS facility and found that, post-construction, the amount of areas highly used by the pronghorn within 1–2 km of the facility was reduced by 40%. Impermeable security fencing, construction activities, and the presence of new infrastructure on the landscape are all considered possible causes of this change in activity. There is limited empirical evidence on the efficacy of strategies that intend to mitigate these adverse impacts, such as wildlife movement corridors, roadway offsets, and other fencing designs (e.g., rounded or angled fence corners).

Other strategies such as low-impact construction practices, native vegetation preservation and planting, and vegetation management regimes during operation can help maintain or provide new habitat for wildlife within LSS facilities. These tactics, paired with wildlife-permeable fencing that enables movement in and out of facilities,19F

20, 20F

21 could be beneficial for wildlife species of concern, such as gopher tortoises and desert tortoises that are especially susceptible to habitat loss. However, empirical evidence of the efficacy and impact of these strategies is also lacking. In addition, barriers for adopting these strategies, such as increased costs or concerns about liability from the presence of sensitive species at LSS facilities, need to be evaluated and addressed.

There is a need for improved cross-sector communication and coordination between stakeholders involved in LSS siting and permitting processes. The 2021 survey of SFWAs also found that ensuring early coordination between project proponents (including consultants, developers, etc.) and SFWAs during the LSS development process is a top priority, but 54% of respondents reported that such coordination was conducted either rarely or never/almost never.18 As research on wildlife-solar interaction continues to advance, stakeholders need support applying the latest research findings to decisions about LSS site location, facility design, and operations and maintenance regimes.

“Agrivoltaics” or “agrivoltaic systems” is agricultural production (crop or livestock production) underneath solar panels or in between rows of solar panels.21F

22 Agrivoltaics is a promising strategy

18 AFWA. Solar Siting Survey Final Report. Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

www.fishwildlife.org/application/files/7616/8053/3632/Solar_Siting_Survey_Summary_AFWA_FINAL.pdf.

19 Sawyer, H., and J. Holst. 2024. Big Game Guidelines for Utility-Scale Photovoltaic Solar Development. Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. www.trcp.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/TRCP-Big-Game-Solar- Guidelines-Final_081224.pdf.

20 Cypher, B.L., et al. 2021. “Photovoltaic Solar Farms in California: Can We Have Renewable Electricity and Our Species, Too?” California Fish and Wildlife, vol. 107: pp. 231–248. doi.org/10.51492/cfwj.hwisi.6.

21 Kalies, L., et al. 2022. Impacts of Conservation Practices at Solar Facilities: Vegetation, Pollinator, and Wildlife Monitoring (2018–2021). North Carolina Pollinator Alliance. ncpollinatoralliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Solar-farm-monitoring-report-FINAL-May-2022.pdf.

22 DOE. “Agrivoltaics: Solar and Agriculture Co-Location.” U.S. Department of Energy, Solar Energy Technologies Office. www.energy.gov/eere/solar/agrivoltaics-solar-and-agriculture-co-location.

https://www.fishwildlife.org/application/files/7616/8053/3632/Solar_Siting_Survey_Summary_AFWA_FINAL.pdf http://www.trcp.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/TRCP-Big-Game-Solar-Guidelines-Final_081224.pdf http://www.trcp.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/TRCP-Big-Game-Solar-Guidelines-Final_081224.pdf https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdoi.org%2F10.51492%2Fcfwj.hwisi.6&data=05%7C02%7Cemily.wichman%40ee.doe.gov%7Cebcd4331b7604adaa9c008dcf29c2d38%7C6b183ecc4b554ed5b3f87f64be1c4138%7C0%7C0%7C638652000780305471%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C40000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=5wiNj8tXZSGUmqcMol9VayjCrV%2BDT%2Fx7PzDXh2%2B204Q%3D&reserved=0 https://ncpollinatoralliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Solar-farm-monitoring-report-FINAL-May-2022.pdf https://ncpollinatoralliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Solar-farm-monitoring-report-FINAL-May-2022.pdf https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/agrivoltaics-solar-and-agriculture-co-location

Version 1.0 Page 20 of 52 because it could provide agricultural producers with diversified revenue sources, create ecological and environmental benefits for host communities, optimize land use, and reduce land use conflict between the solar and agricultural sectors.22F

23, 23F

Active research on agrivoltaics is helping stakeholders identify optimal designs for energy and agricultural production. Many new agrivoltaic systems are demonstrating innovative and inclusive business models and cross-sector collaborations. However, research results, data, and best practices are not readily accessible to all stakeholders, especially those that have no or limited experience with agrivoltaics. In addition, since agrivoltaics is a relatively new strategy, many stakeholders remain skeptical or unaware of potential benefits and use cases. There is a need for technical assistance and stakeholder engagement opportunities that make the benefits and costs of agrivoltaic systems available to all interested stakeholders. Agrivoltaic systems may be of particular interest to small- and medium-sized farms (those with under $1 million gross cash farm income per year).24F

Relevant Work Funded by SETO In 2022, SETO awarded nine projects through the first SolWEB funding opportunity.25F

26 These projects are evaluating wildlife-solar energy interactions at LSS facilities, developing and testing monitoring technologies, and creating data-sharing infrastructure. For example, the Wildlands Network is studying pronghorn and other mammal activity in response to construction of LSS facilities in the Four Corners region and evaluating multiple methodologies to identify cost-efficient monitoring regimes for solar-mammal interactions.26F

27 The University of Arkansas is assessing the factors influencing wildlife presence and abundance within LSS facilities in Arkansas and Kansas.27F

28 The Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute (REWI) is developing a nationwide solar-wildlife data-sharing infrastructure (called the SolSource Database) to make wildlife-solar data more accessible and establish data standards and templates.28F

Other projects from the SolWEB funding program are gathering empirical data on ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, pollination, and ground and stormwater management at LSS facilities to develop frameworks and tools that could inform future solar site selection and design decisions. SETO

23 Pascaris, A., et al. 2023. “From Niche-Innovation to Mainstream Markets: Drivers and Challenges of Industry Adoption of Agrivoltaics in the U.S.” Energy Policy, vol. 181. doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2023.113694.

24 Macknick, J., et al. 2022. The 5 Cs of Agrivoltaic Success Factors in the United States: Lessons From the InSPIRE Research Study. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory. NREL/TP-6A20-83566.

www.nrel.gov/docs/fy22osti/83566.pdf.

25 USDA. 2024. “Farm Structure and Contracting.” U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.

www.ers.usda.gov/topics/farm-economy/farm-structure-and-organization/farm-structure-and-contracting/.

26 DOE. 2024. “Deploying Solar with Wildlife and Ecosystem Services Benefits (SolWEB) Funding Program.” U.S.

Depart…