42 U.S.C. § 5556a : US Code - Section 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

Search 42 U.S.C. § 5556a : US Code - Section 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

(a) The Secretary of Energy shall -
(1) initiate and conduct an "application and system design
study", cooperatively with appropriate Federal agencies, to
determine the potential for the use of solar photovoltaic systems
at specific Federal installations; and this study shall -
(A) include an analysis of those sites that are currently
cost-effective for solar photovoltaic energy systems, using
life-cycle costing techniques, as well as those which would be
cost-effective at expected future market prices;
(B) identify potential sites and uses of solar photovoltaic
energy systems at the following agencies as well as any others
which the Secretary of Energy deems necessary:
(i) the Department of Defense;
(ii) the Department of Transportation (including the United
States Coast Guard, the Federal Aviation Administration, and
the Federal Highway Administration);
(iii) the Department of Commerce;
(iv) the Department of Agriculture; and
(v) the Department of the Interior;
(C) provide a preliminary report to Congress within nine
months following February 25, 1978;
(D) include the presentation of a detailed plan for the
implementation of solar photovoltaic energy systems for power
generation at specific sites in Federal Government agencies to
Congress within twelve months following February 25, 1978;
(2) initiate and conduct a study of the options available to
the Federal Government to provide for the adequate growth of the
solar photovoltaic industry and to include such possible
incentives as government funding, loan guarantees, tax
incentives, the operation of pilot plants or production lines and
other incentives deemed worthy of consideration by the Secretary
of Energy. A preliminary report shall be submitted to Congress
within six months following February 25, 1978;
(3) initiate and conduct a study involving the prospects for
applications of solar photovoltaic energy systems for power
generation in foreign countries, particularly lesser developed
countries, and the potential for the exportation of these energy
systems. This study shall involve the cooperation of the
Department of State and the Department of Commerce, as well as
other Federal agencies which the Secretary of Energy deems
appropriate. A final report shall be submitted to the Congress,
as well as a preliminary report within twelve months of February
25, 1978; and
(4) be authorized to acquire up to an additional 4.0 megawatts
(peak) of solar photovoltaic energy systems. The sum of
$13,000,000 is hereby authorized to be appropriated (in addition
to any other amounts authorized by this Act to be appropriated)
for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1978, and for delivery
in the following twelve months. Such sums shall remain available
until expended. The solar photovoltaic energy systems acquired
shall be available for use for power generation by Federal
agencies, provided that no procurement takes place until their
application on Federal sites is determined to be life cycle cost
effective.
(b) For technology development, particularly for engineering
design and development of the manufacturing process of solar
photovoltaic energy systems (primarily for the implementation of
automated processes and other cost reducing production
technologies), the sum of $6,000,000 is hereby authorized by this
Act to be appropriated for the fiscal year ending September 30,
1978.