§5556a Solar photovoltaic energy systems studies and acquisitions by Secretary of Energy; scope, contents, and submission dates for reports; acquisition authority and requirements; authorization of appropriations

Summary

The Secretary of Energy must run several studies and may buy some solar photovoltaic systems for the federal government. First, the Department must do an "application and system design" study with other federal agencies to find which federal sites could use solar panels. That study must check sites that are already cost-effective using life‑cycle cost tests and sites that would be cost-effective at expected future prices. It must look at sites in the Departments of Defense; Transportation (including the Coast Guard, FAA, and Federal Highway Administration); Commerce; Agriculture; and the Interior, and any other agencies the Secretary thinks are needed. A preliminary report to Congress is due within nine months after February 25, 1978, and a detailed implementation plan is due within twelve months after that date. The Secretary must also study ways the federal government can help the solar industry grow (like funding, loan guarantees, tax incentives, pilot plants, or production lines) and give Congress a preliminary report within six months after February 25, 1978. A study on foreign uses and export potential, especially in less developed countries, must be done with the Departments of State and Commerce and must include both a preliminary and a final report to Congress within twelve months of February 25, 1978. The Secretary may acquire up to an additional 4.0 megawatts (peak) of solar photovoltaic systems. The law allows $13,000,000 to be appropriated for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1978, for those purchases and delivery in the following twelve months; the money stays available until spent. No purchases may be made until the systems are shown to be cost-effective at federal sites. For improving solar technology and manufacturing, $6,000,000 is allowed for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1978 to support engineering design and development of automated and other cost‑reducing production processes.