Solar PV Located in Non-traditional Terrain (SPLINT)

This grant funding opportunity supports applied research and development projects under the Electric Program Investment Charge 2021-2025 (EPIC 4) Investment Plan Topic 3 on Emerging Solar Energy Technologies. The solicitation aims to fund projects that accelerate advancements in renewable generation technologies and demonstrate cost reductions and increased energy output for utility-scale solar installations greater than 5 megawatt alternative current (MWAC) paired with battery energy storage systems with approximately 4-hour duration in non-traditional locations.

Funded projects must identify and enhance additional benefits for local communities and ecosystems. The initiative focuses on reducing barriers to and streamlining solar photovoltaic (PV) and storage installations while helping reduce environmental impacts. Projects should address technical innovations, deployment strategies, and community benefits integration for solar and battery storage systems deployed in challenging terrain or non-traditional locations.

Key deadlines include a Questions Deadline of April 23, 2026 at 5:00 PM Pacific Time for applicants to submit inquiries about the solicitation. A Pre-Application Workshop will be held on April 9, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Pacific Time via remote access to provide guidance on the application process. The submission deadline for completed applications is June 9, 2026 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time.

Applicants must use the Energy Commission Agreement Management System (ECAMS) portal to submit applications and must have or create a user account. The solicitation provides detailed application forms and templates including Executive Summary, Project Narrative, Project Team information, Scope of Work, Project Schedule, Budget, CEQA Compliance documentation, Past Projects Information, Commitment and Support Letters, Project Performance Metrics, and Applicant Declarations.