TechWerx: Building Solar Understanding and Risk Education (B-SURE)

TechWerx: Building Solar Understanding and Risk Education (B-SURE) is sponsored by U.S. Department of Energy Integrated Energy Systems Office. Aims to enhance understanding and risk education for building-integrated solar technologies.

Building Solar Understanding and Risk Education (B-SURE) Building Solar Understanding and Risk Education (B-SURE) Submit by May 13, 2026 5:00 PM ET The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI), through a Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) with TechWerx is seeking to partner with consumer protection organizations for the Building Solar Understanding and Risk Education (B-SURE) program.

This $3 million opportunity will help consumer protection organizations design and deliver education and training on solar energy for consumers and professionals that support them. The effort aims to enable informed consumer choice and protect consumers as they navigate the rooftop solar industry from initial inquiry to disposal.

Eligible applicants are organizations that work in consumer protection and education, either through networks of professionals and/or organizations or through direct relationships with consumers. This opportunity will provide 5-8 awards of approximately $250,000 - $750,000 each. In March 2025, the President signed a Proclamation committing to protecting the financial well-being of Americans.

This Opportunity is intended to address the issue that as the American rooftop solar industry has grown, so have complaints about predatory practices.

News outlets have documented numerous instances in which households encountered unscrupulous practices including high-pressure sales tactics, misleading or fraudulent descriptions of costs, savings, and/or financing, system underperformance, or orphaned systems when the solar company goes out of business.

In order to protect themselves from these risks, American households need accessible, fact-based resources delivered through trusted organizations. Important topics include: identifying trusted sources for unbiased information, avoiding scams, understanding loan terms, navigating operations and maintenance needs or warranty information, and understanding consumer rights.

Entities including the U.S. Department of Treasury and Federal Trade Commission have issued consumer advisories and provided important resources to help consumers identify and avoid potential solar scams, but there remains a need for tailored resources and programs created and distributed by trusted sources.

The Building Solar Understanding and Risk Education (B-SURE) program will work with trusted consumer protection organizations to address challenges consumers face in the solar industry. B-SURE will enable these organizations to better support their stakeholders to confidently interact with the solar industry, from initial inquiry to operation and maintenance and through eventual decommissioning.

This opportunity will support approximately 5-8 consumer protection organizations to design, develop, and deliver training and education programs on solar energy topics relevant for their stakeholders and clients. This opportunity is intended for consumer protection, consumer education, and consumer-facing service organizations as prime awardees.

Performers are not expected to have expertise or experience in rooftop solar as they will receive subject area support from CMEI throughout the duration of the opportunity in the form of resources and advising from DOE, other federal agencies, national labs, and other experts on the rooftop solar industry.

Organizations whose work primarily serves solar professionals, companies, industry advocates, or industry members may participate as subcontractors, collaborators, or advisors, but are not encouraged to apply as the lead organization.

The objective of this opportunity is to enable more households and communities to make informed consumer choices and reduce risks associated with purchasing, owning, leasing, and disposing of rooftop solar energy systems. This will be accomplished through engaging established consumer protection or consumer education organizations to design and deliver tailored education, training, and communication programs.

These programs will be informed by the unique needs of consumers and developed in coordination with CMEI to address rooftop solar knowledge gaps and help consumers identify high-quality, trusted information sources. Selected performers will be experienced consumer protection organizations with demonstrated capacity to effectively reach and educate consumers, particularly those vulnerable to predatory practices.

They will be responsible for developing, testing, delivering, and evaluating solar energy training and education to their intended audience. Performers will work with CMEI and other rooftop solar experts throughout the process to ensure content is accurate, supported by credible sources, and representative of the current market.

Performers will also be responsible for the identification of their target audience and must demonstrate to their audience how solar energy education is relevant and impactful for them. Performers are encouraged to employ a variety of methods to make any training offered interactive, engaging, and effective.

Content of the training and education programs should be customized for the relevant audience and their stakeholders, keying in on the greatest challenges when navigating the solar industry. Performers are encouraged to use stakeholder interviews, focus groups, advisory committees, or other methods to solicit additional input in the development of training and education programs.

Examples of potential training content themes include: Pre-Purchase Decision-Making: Evaluating solar + storage suitability: Weighing costs, benefits, and other considerations Supporting electricity bill literacy: Understanding electricity rates, current and future energy needs, and what to expect from bills before and after going solar Shopping for solar: Door-to-door sales interactions, what questions to ask, getting multiple quotes, fraud awareness and protection Making informed decisions about purchasing solar: Weighing costs and benefits, understanding solar financing and contracts, and navigating changing policy landscapes (i.e. incentives, net metering) Understanding your consumer rights: Explaining laws that protect consumers and where to report issues Installation and Operation: Understanding installation: Anticipated timelines, communicating with the installer, what to do if problems arise Managing maintenance and operation: How to monitor system performance, understand what maintenance is typically required, and how to address underperformance Post-Installation/Long-Term Ownership: Navigating system uncertainty: What to do with underperforming, damaged, or orphaned systems Managing warranties and insurance: Understanding plans, knowing how and when to make a claim Decision-making at system end-of-life: Including safe decommissioning and recycling After the first year of developing and delivering their training and education programs, performers will transition their activities to scale their programs.

During this “scaling phase,” performers will refine training content and methods based on audience feedback and assessed success metrics, conduct further scaling and communication planning with audience input, and work to implement their training and education strategies.

These strategies may take a variety of forms including but not limited to: Continuing training for organizations on instructional skills and communication techniques Designating a position within the organization to serve as a solar energy navigator Hosting events, town halls, solar group learning with optional purchase opportunities, workshops, solar home tours, or solar site visits Beyond the duration of the program, performers are expected to possess the organizational infrastructure and strategic vision to integrate their program insights and capabilities into ongoing operations, enabling sustained consumer protection and education efforts on solar energy.

Duration: The period of performance for selected performers is expected to be two years, with a go/no-go decision made by CMEI and TechWerx based on performance after the first year.

Application & Project Narrative: Applicants will submit the following: Completed Application Form Completed Project Narrative, including a detailed work plan with tasks, milestones, duration, and budget Letters of support (optional) More details and submission guidance can be found in the Project Narrative Template.

Attend the Informational Webinar on March 25, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET Attend the Office Hours on April 8, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET and April 28, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET Required: Download and fill-out the Project Narrative Template: Download Project Narrative Template Complete the application here: Submit by May 13, 2026 5:00 PM ET May 13, 2026 by 5:00 PM ET March 25, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET Informational “Office Hours” Sessions April 8, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET and April 28, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET Phase 1) Submissions Open from March 10, 2026 - May 13, 2026 Informational Webinar on March 25, 2026 : DOE will provide additional details about this opportunity, and potential applicants can gain a better understanding of the scope, scale, and intent of the opportunity and ask questions of the DOE Staff.

Informational Office Hours on April 8, 2026 and April 28, 2026 : DOE will answer any remaining questions from potential applicants before the submission deadline. Phase 2) DOE Selection is expected around July 2026 : DOE will review submissions based on relevance to the program objectives and review criteria and notify selected entities for next steps.

Note that DOE may choose to meet with submitters or ask additional clarifying questions prior to selection. Phase 3) Negotiations will occur for approximately two months after selections have been made : Selected organizations will meet with TechWerx to negotiate work, budget, timing and impact.

Eligibility & Review Criteria DOE will review and evaluate applications according to the Merit Review Criteria, program policy factors, and the overall portfolio of proposed projects. In conducting the review, DOE may seek the advice of qualified non-federal personnel as reviewers. Project Lead Qualifications Demonstrated expertise in consumer protections principles and practices.

Demonstrated connections to and a history of effective engagement with the target audience. Proven experience with recruiting, convening, and effectively delivering impartial consumer protection services, training, and/or education to relevant audiences. Demonstrated ability to translate technical, industry-specific data, analysis, and resources into accessible consumer-facing resources.

Evidence of the organization’s infrastructure and resources to successfully manage and implement the proposed program, and a strategic vision for integrating the outcomes beyond program timeline. Description of the target audience (consumers considering a solar purchase or the professionals supporting them) and the challenges they face navigating rooftop solar energy.

Rationale for why DOE funding of the proposed project will benefit the target audience and their stakeholders, directly addressing the B-SURE objectives of informed choice and risk reduction. Engagement and Education Strategy Feasibility of the strategy for engagement and education to connect with the target audience in a way that will effectively aid consumers with informed decision-making about rooftop solar.

Appropriateness of the proposed education content and delivery methods for the target audience. Robustness of the plan to make education and/or training content approachable, long-lasting, and adaptable to changes in the solar industry, with consideration for how the program will be sustained after the period of performance.

Outreach Strategy & Potential Impact Feasibility of the strategy to communicate information to consumers and stakeholders, ensuring broad access and understanding. Degree to which the outreach strategy incorporates replicable and scalable elements for greatest impact and a plan for measuring the effectiveness and reach of the activities.

The potential impact on consumer behavior, informed decision-making and the reduction of risks associated with the entire lifecycle of the rooftop solar experience.

CMEI will apply the following program policy factors when reviewing and evaluating applications to select the most impactful projects aligning with national priorities: Support for DOE Energy Goals: The proposed project advances key DOE energy goals related to consumer protection in the rooftop solar market.

Impact & Replicability: The proposed project demonstrates potential for significant impact and the ability to replicate in other regions. Geographic Diversity: The proposed project contributes to the geographic diversity of selected performers. Leveraging Existing Resources: The performer’s plan effectively leverages existing resources, initiatives, and expertise to maximize the impact of the project.

Eligible performers meet the following criteria: Applicant qualifies as a domestic entity. 1 Applicant must certify it is not owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of government of Country of Risk. 2 Applicant demonstrates established relationships with the target audience.

Applicant demonstrates expertise in consumer protections as appropriate for the target audience and other stakeholders. Ineligible entities for this solicitation are: Persons participating in a Foreign Government-Sponsored Talent Recruitment Program of a Foreign Country of Risk are prohibited from participating in projects selected for federal funding under this Opportunity.

Should an award result from this Opportunity, the recipient must exercise ongoing due diligence to reasonably ensure that no individuals participating on the DOE-funded project are participating in a Foreign Government-Sponsored Talent Recruitment Program of a Foreign Country of Risk. Consequences for violations of this prohibition will be determined according to applicable law, regulations, and policy.

Further, the recipient must notify DOE within five (5) business days upon learning that an individual on the project team is or is believed to be participating in a foreign government talent recruitment program of a foreign country of risk. DOE may modify and add requirements related to this prohibition to the extent required by law.

3 DOE retains the prerogative to require additional information from the applicants to verify the applicant meets the eligibility requirements. Further, DOE retains the prerogative to decide whether to fund the proposed project entirely, partially, or not at all.

1 To qualify as a domestic entity, the entity must be organized, chartered or incorporated (or otherwise formed) under the laws of a particular state or territory of the United States; have majority domestic ownership and control; and have a physical place of business in the United States. 2 DOE defines Country of Risk to include China, Russia, North Korea, Iran and Belarus. This list is subject to change.

3 Foreign Government-Sponsored Talent Recruitment Program is defined as an effort directly or indirectly organized, managed, or funded by a foreign government, or a foreign government instrumentality or entity, to recruit science and technology professionals or students (regardless of citizenship or national origin, or whether having a full-time or part-time position).

Some foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment programs operate with the intent to import or otherwise acquire from abroad, sometimes through illicit means, proprietary technology or software, unpublished data and methods, and intellectual property to further the military modernization goals and/or economic goals of a foreign government.

Many, but not all, programs aim to incentivize the targeted individual to relocate physically to the foreign state for the above purpose. Some programs allow for or encourage continued employment at United States research facilities or receipt of federal research funds while concurrently working at and/or receiving compensation from a foreign institution, and some direct participants not to disclose their participation to U.S. entities.

Compensation could take many forms including cash, research funding, complimentary foreign travel, honorific titles, career advancement opportunities, promised future compensation, or other types of remuneration or consideration, including in-kind compensation.

This opportunity is managed by TechWerx in partnership with DOE, a collaboration made possible through an innovative Partnership Intermediary Agreement set up by the DOE Office of Technology Commercialization. This agreement enables TechWerx to broaden DOE’s engagement with innovative organizations and non-traditional partners. Download the B-SURE Slide Deck 3.

25. 2026 Download the B-SURE Transcript 3. 25.

2026 Download the B-SURE Slide Deck 4. 8. 2026 Download the B-SURE Transcript 4.

8. 2026 Download the B-SURE Slide Deck 4. 28.

2026 Download the B-SURE Transcript 4. 28. 2026 Frequently Asked Questions Questions?

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