Solar Photo Competition: Hit Me with Your Sun Shot

The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) is in search of the best photos of solar energy with the American-Made Solar Photo Competition: Hit Me with Your Sun Shot. Solar energy plays an important role in powering the country’s future and achieving a zero-carbon energy supply. This photo competition brings attention to and documents solar energy’s importance in the clean energy transition. Winners of the competition can earn up to $2,500 for a photo in one of the eight categories.

The Solar Photo Competition is seeking photos in the following categories:

• Solar and Weather – Capturing the interplay between solar technologies and various weather conditions.
• Solar Workforce and Installation – Showcasing members of the solar workforce and individuals and teams behind solar installations.
• Concentrating Solar-thermal Power (CSP) – Showing CSP systems, their mechanisms, and the innovations of this solar sector. 
• Research Processes, Solar Technologies in Detail, and Manufacturing – Highlighting the research, development, and manufacturing processes behind cutting-edge solar technologies. 
• Utility-Scale, Commercial Solar, and Grid Integration – Showcasing large-scale solar installations, including those visibly integrated into utility grids.
• Community Solar/Multifamily Housing – Capturing the role solar plays in community sustainability through shared solar initiatives and solar-integrated multifamily housing.
• Residential Solar – Capturing solar installations of residential properties.
• Agriculture and Solar, Solar in Nature, Solar and Wildlife – Showcasing the coexistence of agriculture and solar power and/or how solar projects interact with local wildlife.

All photos must be submitted as zip files and use this file naming convention:
PhotoTitle_LastName_CategoryAbbreviation

Please use the abbreviated category names outlined in the Resources tab. 

Submissions will be judged based on emotional appeal and impact, composition, content, technical quality, and originality. Each category will have two awards: one winner and one runner-up. There will also be two overall grand prize winners and SETO will recognize up to 200 honorable mentions. The following amounts will be awarded to each winner:

• Grand Prize: $2,500
• Category Winners: $1,000
• Category Runners-Up: $500

All professional and amateur photographers are encouraged to submit up to 10 total photos across all eight categories. Photos must be taken within the United States or U.S. territories and submitted through the HeroX website. 

All photos must be submitted through the HeroX website as zip files using this file naming convention:

Title of Photo_Last Name_Category Abbreviation 

(Example: PVandWildflowers_Smith_Nature)

For zip files too large for the HeroX platform, photographers can upload submissions using the external upload site, Box. If uploading images through Box, please complete all required fields in the HeroX application and indicate “Upload Images on Box” before submitting. For more about submission requirements, please email .

Read the official rules document for more details. 

The submission deadline is May 23 at 5 p.m. ET. Please see the official timeline in HeroX for the most current dates and deadlines. All dates are subject to change, including deadlines and announcements. 

View the timeline and sign up for updates on the HeroX page.

Are you ready to share your creativity while bringing attention to solar’s role in the clean energy transition? Join the challenge by following the Solar Photo Competition on HeroX, the official prize platform. Then, prepare to enter your photo(s) by May 23. 

Please review the official rules for the complete application process and instructions for competing.

If you want to receive updates on the prize or have any questions, please subscribe by using the follow feature on the HeroX platform or message us directly at .