GFO-25-306: Solar PV in Non-Traditional Terrain (SPLINT)
Funds solar photovoltaic research in nontraditional terrain within California clean-energy programs.
⚠This may reflect a past cycle — verify the current call on the funder's site.
GFO-25-306, known as SPLINT (Solar PV Located in Non-Traditional Terrain), is a California Energy Commission grant solicitation under the EPIC program that funds research and development for solar photovoltaic installations deployed in non-traditional terrain types across California. EPIC is financed by a ratepayer surcharge on customers of Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas and Electric, generating over $130 million annually for clean energy research. GFO-25-306 is administered by CEC's Energy Research and Development Division. The application deadline is 16 June 2026, and applications are submitted via CEC's Grant Solicitation System (GSS) at gss.energy.ca.gov.
The SPLINT solicitation addresses a specific gap in California's solar deployment landscape: the challenge of installing and operating photovoltaic systems on terrain that is unsuitable for conventional ground-mount configurations, such as steep slopes, brownfields, flooded land (agrivoltaics), or other constrained sites. R&D projects may address mounting systems, racking innovations, grid integration challenges, soiling and maintenance in challenging terrain, or data collection from non-conventional deployments. Eligible applicants include for-profit companies, non-profits, universities, and research organisations operating in California. Award amounts and full eligibility details are specified in the GFO-25-306 PDF solicitation document.
Given the June 16, 2026 deadline, applicants face a short preparation window and should retrieve the solicitation document from the CEC website immediately upon interest. EPIC's evaluation criteria reward projects that demonstrate technical merit, cost-reduction potential, and clear benefit to California's electricity ratepayers. Projects with a technology demonstration component sited in a disadvantaged community may receive additional scoring credit under EPIC's mandatory set-aside provisions. All submissions must comply with CEC's standard grant terms, including progress reporting and data-sharing requirements for publicly funded research.
Funds research and development for solar photovoltaic installations located in non-traditional terrain types in California under the EPIC program, with applications due June 16, 2026.
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