Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 121.djvu/1696

 PUBLIC LAW 110–140—DEC. 19, 2007

121 STAT. 1675

thermal energy storage technologies to enable the shifting of electric power loads on demand and extend the operating time of concentrating solar power electric generating plants. (b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for carrying out this section $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, $7,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, $9,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2011, and $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2012. SEC. 603. CONCENTRATING SOLAR POWER COMMERCIAL APPLICATION STUDIES.

Deadlines. Reports.

(a) INTEGRATION.—The Secretary shall conduct a study on methods to integrate concentrating solar power and utility-scale photovoltaic systems into regional electricity transmission systems, and to identify new transmission or transmission upgrades needed to bring electricity from high concentrating solar power resource areas to growing electric power load centers throughout the United States. The study shall analyze and assess cost-effective approaches for management and large-scale integration of concentrating solar power and utility-scale photovoltaic systems into regional electric transmission grids to improve electric reliability, to efficiently manage load, and to reduce demand on the natural gas transmission system for electric power. The Secretary shall submit a report to Congress on the results of this study not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act. (b) WATER CONSUMPTION.—Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall transmit to Congress a report on the results of a study on methods to reduce the amount of water consumed by concentrating solar power systems. SEC. 604. SOLAR ENERGY CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT AND CERTIFICATION GRANTS.

42 USC 17172.

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(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish in the Office of Solar Energy Technologies a competitive grant program to create and strengthen solar industry workforce training and internship programs in installation, operation, and maintenance of solar energy products. The goal of this program is to ensure a supply of welltrained individuals to support the expansion of the solar energy industry. (b) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.—Grant funds may be used to support the following activities: (1) Creation and development of a solar energy curriculum appropriate for the local educational, entrepreneurial, and environmental conditions, including curriculum for community colleges. (2) Support of certification programs for individual solar energy system installers, instructors, and training programs. (3) Internship programs that provide hands-on participation by students in commercial applications. (4) Activities required to obtain certification of training programs and facilities by an industry-accepted quality-control certification program. (5) Incorporation of solar-specific learning modules into traditional occupational training and internship programs for construction-related trades. (6) The purchase of equipment necessary to carry out activities under this section.

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