The photovoltaic technology incubator project

The Photovoltaic (PV) Technology Incubator project facilitates a company's transition from developing a PV module or cell prototype to pilot and full-scale manufacturing. The PV Technology Incubator project receives funds from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The PV Incubator project targets small businesses that have demonstrated a proof-of-concept/process in a lab, but still need to overcome significant barriers before they can achieve commercialization. After 18 months of funding, a successful project is expected to have a commercially viable product and be capable of approximately 2-3 MW/ year pilot production. It is anticipated that these companies will begin entry into the market by 2011. Each round of funding for the PV Incubator project occurs annually. Six Incubator companies were awarded in late 2008 (Round 2) and participated in Stage Gate Reviews at the end of 2009. In addition, a third Incubator solicitation was issued in the spring of 2009 (Round 3). Four companies were selected for the Round 3 of funding and are under negotiations for subcontracts. Award dates are anticipated by spring, 2010. The companies chosen for the Round 3 Incubator subcontracts will mostly be funded by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds. In addition to the PV Incubator project, the PV Technology Pre-lncubator project was launched in January 2009. The PV Technology Pre-lncubator project assists small solar businesses at the proof-of-concept stage in developing a commercially viable PV prototype. The Pre-lncubator project complements the PV Incubator project by targeting concept-level research and development (R&D) advances needed to create innovative PV device and module prototypes whereas the PV Incubator project targets accelerating prototypes toward pilot production. Eleven companies were awarded Pre-lncubator subcontracts and the support for these projects is provided by ARRA funds.