1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Solar Energy Research and Development Act of 2019 . 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Economically distressed area The term economically distressed area means an area described in section 301(a) of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 ( 42 U.S.C. 3161(a) ). (2) Eligible entity The term eligible entity means— (A) an institution of higher education; (B) a National Laboratory; (C) a Federal research agency; (D) a State research agency; (E) a nonprofit research organization; (F) an industrial entity; and (G) a consortium of 2 or more entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (F). (3) Indian tribe The term Indian tribe has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 ( 25 U.S.C. 4103 ). (4) Institution of higher education The term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 ). (5) National Laboratory The term National Laboratory has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 15801 ). (6) Photovoltaic device The term photovoltaic device means— (A) a device that converts light directly into electricity through a solid-state, semiconductor process; (B) the photovoltaic cells of a device described in subparagraph (A); and (C) the electronic and electrical components of a device described in subparagraph (A). (7) Program The term program means the program established under section 3(a)(1). (8) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Energy. 3. Solar energy technology program (a) Program (1) In general The Secretary shall establish a solar energy technology program under which the Secretary shall— (A) award grants on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis to eligible entities to conduct research, development, testing, and evaluation of solar energy technologies