The U.S. Department of Energy will grant $46 million in research funding to help develop tools to improve the situational awareness of solar facilities on the distribution and transmission grid against cyber and physical threats and to improve the security and resilience of the electric system.

According to an Oct. 15 news release, approximately 10 projects costing $2 million to $10 million will be funded by the department over three years.

The DOE is looking to finance innovative solutions that will increase grid operators' situational awareness of photovoltaic systems deployed throughout the power grid at strategic locations.

The DOE is also seeking projects that will include a field validation phase and field tests that will show how the proposed solutions can improve the resiliency of the grid with a high volume of solar systems.

Interested participants must submit a mandatory letter of intent before 5 p.m. ET on Nov. 14. Deadline for full applications is at 5 p.m. ET on Dec. 7.