HelioCon’s latest request for proposals supports widespread use of concentrating solar power

The Heliostat Consortium has released its next request for proposals focused on lowering the costs of heliostat technologies, improving performance, and creating new heliostat industry opportunities. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the consortium consists of National Renewable Energy Laboratory (lead) and partnering organizations Sandia National Laboratories and the Australian Solar Thermal Research Institute.

“Our first RFP enriched the capabilities of the HelioCon team by bringing new projects into the consortium that covered a wide range of topics, including education of the future workforce in the industry,” said Margaret Gordon, HelioCon leadership team member and manager of the Concentrating Solar Power program at Sandia. “We look forward to a similar impact through this next RFP process and are excited to provide consortium benefits that include sharing knowledge and resources from world class industry leaders and research institutions with the new selectees.”

With approximately $3 million available for awards spanning six topic areas, HelioCon’s latest RFP will comprise subjects such as Advanced Manufacturing, Metrology and Standards, and Components and Controls. Proposals are due by Feb. 16, 2024.

HelioCon also released its first annual report, HelioCon Annual Report: 2023, in Dec. 2023, which details progress the HelioCon team has made since its founding.

Read the complete NREL press release.

Learn more about Sandia’s Concentrating Solar Power program and the National Solar Thermal Test Facility.