Physics of Reliability: Evaluating Design Insights for Component Technologies in Solar (PREDICTS)

Physics of Reliability: Evaluating Design Insights for Component Technologies in Solar (PREDICTS) I. The purposes of this Amendment are to: a. Modify ?Submission of Multiple Application? language on Page 10 of the FOA; and b. Modify section ?E. Limitation on Number of Concept Papers and Full Applications Eligible for Review? on page 34 of the FOA. The Physics of Reliability: Evaluating Design Insights for Component Technologies in Solar (PREDICTS) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) that is being issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking applications that attempt to identify and evaluate only fundamental, intrinsic failure mechanisms. This FOA is NOT intended to determine or otherwise evaluate extrinsic failures. In addition to addressing intrinsic failure mechanisms, solar component lifetime and reliability evaluations must transition from a correlation-based approach to a causation-based approach. This transition will require the development of physics-based models that allow for the accurate and precise determination of the lifetime and the failure/degradation mechanisms of solar installation systems and components based upon their fundamental composition, method of assembly, and (accelerated) environmental exposure conditions. In describing the causation of system/component failure, such model s will need to evaluate the probability of discrete, indivisible event sequences occurring in concert within the system or component and affecting a macroscopic failure. An in-depth understanding of the chemistry and physics that constitute these event quanta will inform the improvement of current systems and components and also guide the development of future systems and components. The ultimate goal is to accurately predict and extend system and component lifetimes, increase their reliability, decrease risk, accelerate research, and reduce the costs of systems and components used in solar field installations. This FOA includes two distinct and separate Topic Areas to which an applicant can apply. Any single application must pertain to only one topic area and must be submitted to that topic area. Background on these topic areas is located within the FOA, which is attached. The full Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is posted on the EERE eXCHANGE website at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov. Applications must be submitted through the EERE eXCHANGE website to be considered for award. The applicant must first register and create an account on the EERE eXCHANGE website. A User Guide for the EERE eXCHANGE can be found on the EERE website http://eere.energy.gov/financing/exchangeExchange/Manuals.aspx after logging in to the system. Information on where to submit questions regarding the content of the announcement and where to submit questions regarding submission of applications is found in the full FOA posted on the EERE Exchange website.