Durable Module Materials Consortium

Stored: Durable Module Materials Consortium

Durable Module Materials Consortium Type: Research and Development Agencies Parent organization: National Renewable Energy Laboratory Top organization: Department of Energy Employees: Executive: Director Budget: $36 million over 6 years (Fiscal Years 2022–2027) Address: 15013 Denver W Pkwy, Golden, CO 80401, USA Website: https://www.duramat.org/ Creation Legislation: Energy Materials Network Initiative (2016) Wikipedia: Durable Module Materials Consortium

Durable Module Materials Consortium [{"name":"Durable Module Materials Consortium","title":"\u003Ca class=\"mw-selflink selflink\"\u003EDurable Module Materials Consortium\u003C\/a\u003E","lat":39.74067,"lon":-105.17136,"otherValues":{"HeadquartersAddress":"15013 Denver W Pkwy, Golden, CO 80401, USA"}}] This map created from a Cargo query ()

Mission Durable Module Materials Consortium speeds up durable solar material development for cost-effective, long-lasting zero-carbon energy by 2035.

Services PV module materials research; reliability forecasting tools; data hub management

Regulations

Durable Module Materials Consortium (DuraMAT) The Durable Module Materials Consortium is a multi-laboratory research initiative focused on advancing photovoltaic (PV) module technology by developing durable, high-performance materials that reduce the cost of solar energy and extend module lifespan to potentially 50 years. Established under the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Materials Network, it collaborates with national laboratories, industry, and academia to address critical reliability challenges in solar power, enhancing sustainability and supporting the nation’s clean energy goals.

Official Site

Mission

The mission of DuraMAT is to discover, develop, de-risk, and commercialize advanced materials and designs for PV modules that improve performance, extend lifetime, and lower the levelized cost of electricity, targeting a sustainable transition to zero-carbon electricity by 2035. This is achieved through five core objectives: creating a central data resource, multi-scale modeling, fielded module forensics, disruptive acceleration science, and innovative materials solutions, all in partnership with a 22-member industry advisory board and national labs.

Parent organization

DuraMAT is led by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), which coordinates its research efforts and provides core facilities. It operates under the broader umbrella of the Department of Energy, specifically the Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO), which funds and oversees its activities to align with national energy priorities.

Legislation

DuraMAT was established as part of the Energy Materials Network Initiative announced in 2016 by the U.S. Department of Energy, aimed at accelerating clean energy materials development.

Partners

DuraMAT collaborates with multiple partners, including:

• Sandia National Laboratories
• Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
• SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
• Academic institutions and industry partners via funded projects

Number of employees

Specific employee numbers for DuraMAT are not publicly detailed, as it is a consortium drawing staff from its member labs (NREL, Sandia, LBNL, SLAC) rather than a standalone employer. Estimates suggest dozens of researchers and support staff contribute across these institutions.

Organization structure

DuraMAT’s structure is collaborative, integrating expertise from national labs and partners, organized around five core research areas:

• Central Data Resource manages PV reliability data.
• Multi-Scale, Multi-Physics Modeling develops predictive simulations.
• Fielded Module Forensics analyzes real-world module performance.
• Disruptive Acceleration Science tests materials under extreme conditions.
• Materials Solutions innovates new PV module designs.

Leader

DuraMAT is headed by a Director, currently Teresa Barnes, who oversees strategic direction and coordination across the consortium’s labs and partners.

Divisions

The divisions include:

• Data Hub Management for curating PV reliability data.
• Materials Research for developing durable PV components.
• Forensics and Testing to assess module degradation.

List of programs

DuraMAT’s key programs include:

• PV Reliability Forecasting Tools - https://datahub.duramat.org/
• Open Call Research Funding for industry and academia - https://www.duramat.org/open-calls
• Spark Proposals for short-term, high-impact projects

Last total enacted budget

The last total enacted budget was $36 million awarded in 2021 by the Solar Energy Technologies Office for a six-year period (2022–2027), building on an initial $30 million from 2016–2021.

Staff

Staffing details are not precisely quantified due to DuraMAT’s consortium nature, but it leverages personnel from NREL, Sandia, LBNL, and SLAC, likely totaling several dozen researchers, engineers, and administrative staff across these entities.

Funding

DuraMAT’s funding history includes an initial $30 million from the DOE’s SunShot Initiative (2016–2021) and a subsequent $36 million from SETO (2022–2027), totaling $66 million over 11 years, subject to annual appropriations, to support PV materials research and deployment.

Services provided

DuraMAT provides research and development services focused on PV module durability, including reliability forecasting tools, stress-testing methodologies, and a public data hub to share performance insights, aiding industry in designing cost-effective, long-lasting solar modules.

Regulations overseen

As a research consortium, DuraMAT does not oversee federal regulations but supports industry standards development through its findings on PV module reliability and durability.

Headquarters address

15013 Denver W Pkwy, Golden, CO 80401, USA

History

DuraMAT was launched in November 2016 under the DOE’s Energy Materials Network Initiative to tackle PV module reliability challenges, with initial funding of $30 million from the SunShot Initiative. Led by NREL, it expanded in 2022 with $36 million for six more years, focusing on 50-year module lifespans and sustainable solar deployment, building on partnerships with Sandia, LBNL, SLAC, and industry stakeholders.

External links

• Official Website
• wikipedia:Durable Module Materials Consortium
• Department of Energy DuraMAT Page
• NREL DuraMAT Overview