Solar Photovoltaic Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1978

Solar Photovoltaic Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1978

Long title	An Act to provide for an accelerated program of research, development, and demonstration of solar photovoltaic energy technologies leading to early competitive commercial applicability of such technologies to be carried out by the Department of Energy, with the support of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Bureau of Standards, the General Services Administration, and other Federal agencies.
Acronyms (colloquial)	SPERDDA
Enacted by	the 95th United States Congress
Effective	November 4, 1978
Citations
Public law	95-590
Statutes at Large	92 Stat. 2513
Codification
Titles amended	42 U.S.C.: Public Health and Social Welfare
U.S.C. sections created	42 U.S.C. ch. 71, subch. III § 5581 et seq.
Legislative history
Introduced in the House as H.R. 12874 by Mike McCormack (D–WA) on May 25, 1978 Committee consideration by House Science and Technology, Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Passed the House on June 28, 1978 (385-14) Passed the Senate on October 10, 1978 (Passed, in lieu of S. 3392) Signed into law by President Jimmy E. Carter on November 4, 1978

Solar Photovoltaic Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1978 is a United States statute authorizing the research and development of photovoltaic systems utilizing solar energy or sunlight as a source for electricity generation. The Act of Congress promotes energy conservation by the displacement of conventional energy systems dependent upon alternative fuel and fossil fuel resources.

The H.R. 12874 legislation was passed by the 95th U.S. Congressional session and enacted into law by the 39th President of the United States Jimmy Carter on November 4, 1978.^[1]

Provisions of the Act[]

Title 42 United States Code Chapter 71 and Subchapter III was compiled as fourteen code of law sections based on U.S. Congressional findings regarding potential benefits of solar power and declaration of a renewable energy policy.

42 U.S.C. § 5581 - Congressional findings and declaration of policy

42 U.S.C. § 5582 - Definitions

42 U.S.C. § 5583 - Establishment and promotion of research, development, and demonstration programs

42 U.S.C. § 5584 - Federal assistance application procedures; selection of applicants; agreements; financial assistance; observation and monitoring of photovoltaic systems; reports; projects and activities

42 U.S.C. § 5585 - Contracts, grants and arrangements

42 U.S.C. § 5586 - Test procedures and performance criteria

42 U.S.C. § 5587 - Supervision of research, development, and demonstration programs

42 U.S.C. § 5588 - Solar Photovoltaic Energy Advisory Committee

42 U.S.C. § 5589 - Promotion and facilitation of practical use of photovoltaic energy

42 U.S.C. § 5590 - Submittal to Congressional committees of plan for demonstrating applications of photovoltaic systems and facilitating use in other nations; encouragement of international participation and cooperation; coordination and consistency of plan and international activities with similar activities and programs

42 U.S.C. § 5591 - Participation of small business concerns

42 U.S.C. § 5592 - Priorities

42 U.S.C. § 5593 - Construction with National Energy Conservation Policy Act

42 U.S.C. § 5594 - Authorization of appropriations

See also[]

Energy conservation in the United States

Growth of photovoltaics

National Energy Conservation Policy Act

Renewable energy in the United States

Solar cell

Solar power in the United States

Timeline of solar cells

References[]

External links[]

• Media related to Photovoltaics at Wikimedia Commons
• "Opportunities to Improve Planning for Solar Energy Research and Development" (PDF). U.S. GAO ~ EMD-77-8. U.S. Government Accountability Office. November 30, 1976.
• "The Multiprogram Laboratories: A National Resource for Nonnuclear Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration" (PDF). U.S. GAO ~ EMD-78-62. U.S. Government Accountability Office. May 22, 1978.
• "Department of Energy Expenditures in Connection with Solar Energy Programs" (PDF). U.S. GAO ~ EMD-78-107. U.S. Government Accountability Office. September 7, 1978.
• "Opportunities for Improving Program Planning for Photovoltaic Research and Development" (PDF). U.S. GAO ~ EMD-79-40. U.S. Government Accountability Office. April 19, 1979.