On January 17, 2025, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Building Technologies Office (BTO), Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO), and Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) selected the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) for a $1.2 million award to develop consensus recommendations through the Sustainable Energy Action Committee (SEAC) to address gaps in clean energy codes. SEAC, led by IREC, provides a forum where stakeholders can identify challenges with implementing energy codes for solar energy, energy storage, and electric vehicle (EV) permitting and identify potential solutions.
Objectives
Updating best practices, codes, and standards on a regular basis is critical to the safe and cost-effective deployment of clean energy systems. IREC will engage stakeholders through SEAC forums to inform consensus code recommendations that can facilitate timely permitting and reduce costs for safe solar energy, energy storage, and EV charging systems.
Approach
IREC will facilitate SEAC forums with key stakeholders nationwide to identify gaps in codes and standards and discuss solutions to develop consensus recommendations. IREC will provide ongoing feedback and educational resources and develop synergies with other DOE programs such as SolSmart, SolarAPP+, and Charging Smart to share best practices and ensure more jurisdictional authorities utilize SEAC’s resources and tools. IREC will also, as needed, update best practice documents based on the latest technological advances and installation process improvements.
Additional Information
- Learn about SETO’s work in solar energy soft costs.
- Read about SETO’s systems integration work.
- Apply for SETO's open funding opportunities.