42 U.S.C. § 5504 — Development and demonstration of combined solar heating and cooling systems for use in residential dwellings

(a) Program. The NASA Administrator^* and HUD Secretary^* must promptly start and carry out a program to develop and demonstrate combined solar heating and cooling systems, including collectors, controls, and thermal storage, for residential dwellings^*.

(b) Standards and designs. (1) As soon as possible after September 3, 1974, the Secretary, using the National Institute of Standards and Technology Director's services and consulting the Administrator and Energy Secretary, must determine, prescribe, and publish interim performance criteria for combined components and systems used in homes and for the homes' suitability for them. The Secretary must account for climate differences among geographic areas.

(2) As soon as possible after publication, and if possible before the research in subsection (c) ends, the Secretary, consulting the Institute Director^* and Administrator, must use open competition to select designs for different home types suitable for and adapted to qualifying combined systems.

(c) Research. Immediately after publishing the criteria, the Administrator, coordinating with the Energy Secretary, must conduct solar-heating-and-cooling research, development, and testing to provide the technology needed for development and commercial application of the systems contemplated here.

(d) Contracts and grants. Under applicable title 51, subchapter II of chapter 201 provisions and joint guidelines, and as early as possible during or after subsection (c), the Administrator, after consulting the Secretary, must enter needed contracts and grants to develop systems for commercial production and residential use that meet the criteria, including planning and design needed to match the criteria or reflect subsection (c) results. The Administrator must also contract with several people or firms to procure qualifying systems, including enough spare and replacement parts.

(e) Installation and monitoring. The Secretary must arrange installation of systems procured under (d)(2) in a substantial number of homes and ensure satisfactory operation during the demonstration. The Secretary may convey title to and ownership of homes constructed and systems installed under this section to buyers or owners on prescribed terms, including an express agreement that the buyer or owner^* will observe and monitor, or allow the Secretary to observe and monitor, system performance and operation for five years and regularly provide required reports. A later owner and occupant who makes the agreement is covered too.

(f) Defense Department installations. The Defense Secretary must arrange installation of procured systems in a substantial number of homes on Federal or federally administered property where designated Federal personnel can regularly and effectively observe and monitor them.

(g) Coordination. The Secretary, Defense Secretary, and officials responsible for Federal or federally administered property must coordinate to install systems in a substantial number of homes and enough geographic areas with different climates to make a realistic and effective demonstration supporting this subchapter.