The U.S. Department of Energy has announced a $33 million investment in nine projects across seven states to advance concentrating solar-thermal (CST) systems for solar fuel production and long-duration energy storage. These projects aim to harness solar energy to produce clean fuels, heat, and storage for various applications. The initiatives support President Biden's clean energy agenda and aim to reduce harmful carbon emissions. The projects include developing modular dish reactors for clean hydrogen production, creating high-value products like jet fuel using novel CST-compatible reactors, and demonstrating the integration of solar-thermal technology with hydrogen production for space applications. Additionally, advancements in thermal energy storage technologies will enable the continuous provision of heat for industrial processes. This includes projects focused on decarbonizing the food and beverage industry and supporting industrial processes with renewable energy from CST. The projects will help in lowering carbon emissions, promoting sustainable energy practices, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Overall, these initiatives represent critical steps towards achieving clean energy goals and fostering innovation in the renewable energy sector.