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Solar Prize Round 7

The Solar Prize Round 7 offers $4.2 million in prizes to competitors over three progressive contests.
stage:
RE+ 2023 in Las Vegas
prize:
$4,200,000
more
Summary
Timeline
Updates11
Forum4
Teams513
Entries
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FAQ
Summary

Challenge Overview

The American-Made Solar Prize Round 7 is a $4.2 million prize competition designed to energize U.S. solar innovation through a series of contests that accelerate the entrepreneurial process from years to months. Competitors leverage the American-Made Network, our innovation engine of more than 400 organizations, including world-class experts at the U.S. Department of Energy’s 17 national labs, clean tech accelerators, incubators, universities, facilities, and more.

JEDI Contest: Creating Space for Change

The Solar Prize Round 7 includes an optional additional challenge that focuses on advancing solar in underserved communities. Participants who choose to incorporate this initiative into their solutions have the chance to be considered for a new Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Contest and earn part of the $200,000 bonus cash prize!

New to Round 7: Power Up Your Idea

For those who have a great idea for a solar technology that could be commercialized in 3 to 5 years, but need a boost to take their innovation to the next level, Round 7 offers the new Power Up Contest. This contest is designed to support and advance new and diverse teams that have compelling applications but aren’t selected to advance to the Set! Contest. Up to 10 teams may be selected to split a $100,000 prize pool and receive tailored business support. 

More than $3 Million in Incentives for Innovation

The Ready!, Set!, and Go! Contests fast-track efforts to identify, develop, and test disruptive solutions to solar industry needs for a total of $3 million in cash prizes and $900,000 in vouchers that can be used at national laboratories and other voucher facilities to develop, test, and validate. Each contest has a performance period when participants work to advance their solutions.

The Ready!, Set!, and Go! Contests

  • Ready! Contest
    20 winners / $50,000 cash prize each and optional JEDI Contest prize / Power Up Contest
    Winners are selected after identifying an impactful idea or solution for a solar technology that could be commercialized in 3 to 5 years, addressing a critical need in the solar industry;
  • Set! Contest
    10 winners / $100,000 cash prize each, $75,000 support voucher each, and optional JEDI Contest prize
    Competitors work to substantially advance their technology solution toward a viable and promising proof of concept.
  • Go! Contest
    2 winners / $500,000 cash prize each, $75,000 support voucher each, and optional JEDI Contest prize
    ​Competitors work to substantially advance their solution from proof of concept to a refined prototype and find a partner to perform a pilot test of the prototype.

Read the rules for full details on each contest. 

Demo Days

During the competition, competitors in the Set! and Go! Contests pitch and demonstrate proofs of concept and prototypes to a judging panel and audience at two live, in-person Demo Day events. Demo Days are opportunities to meet competitors, Connectors, Power Connectors, and other members of the American-Made Network. Demo Days culminate in the announcement of Set! finalists and Go! winners.

Round 7 seeks hardware and software solutions alike. The prize invites anyone, individually or as a team, to transform a conceptual solution into an impactful product and business. 

Connecting You to the Innovation Engine 

The American-Made Network provides support to Solar Prize competitors throughout the competition and is comprised of national labs, incubators, investors, facilities, and seasoned industry mentors. The American-Made Network strengthens and scales the critical connections needed to grow new businesses, develop solutions, and sustain American innovation.

Join and connect with Network members

Who can Compete?

Competitors are entrepreneurial individuals or teams legally residing or based in the United States. Competitors can be individuals of one or multiple organizations, students, university faculty members, small business owners, researchers, or anyone with the desire and drive to transform an idea into an impactful solution.

Sign up for updates by “following” the prize at the top of this page. 


Education Modules

The Power Connectors for Solar Prize Round 7 have put together several educational videos to assist all of our teams with their submissions, business plans, and more. Please return to this page to find more learning modules, as we will add more as they are released. 

Below you will find the title and link of each of the learning modules below. We highly suggest you reach out to the Power Connector that hosted the module if you have follow up questions. Find their contacts here: https://www.herox.com/solarprizeround7/resource/1363

 

Check out the following videos as you’re preparing your submission to learn more about how to best position your innovation: 

If you have further questions, stream the informational webinar recording, view the presentation slides, or reach out to prize administrators at . And don’t forget: The deadline for all submissions is Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 5 p.m. ET. Just click “Solve This Challenge” on the HeroX page!


Guidelines

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 .

Looking for assistance with your submission? Contact one of our Power Connectors!

The American-Made Solar Prize is a multimillion-dollar prize competition designed to energize U.S. solar innovation through a series of contests that accelerate the entrepreneurial process from years to months. The American-Made Solar Prize is directed and administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office. Learn more.

Timeline
Updates11

Challenge Updates

Solar Prize Round 7 Deadline Coming Up Next Week!

Sept. 22, 2023, 10:25 a.m. PDT by NREL Prize Administrator

If you’re applying for Solar Prize Round 7, make sure your application is submitted by Sept. 27, 5 p.m. ET! We highly encourage you to apply early to avoid technical difficulties. The submission portal closes at 5 pm ET sharp, so make sure you hit submit before then!

Make sure you’re familiar with the Official Rules and what’s expected of each submission. Get ready to tell us about a critical need in the solar industry, your solution for meeting that need, and how you plan to build a proof of concept for this solution. Remember, we’re looking for something that has the potential to be commercialized in 3 to 5 years

Would your solution help accelerate solar adoption in underserved communities? We encourage you to include an entry in the optional Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Contest that describes how your organization is integrating JEDI principles into your innovation. 

Looking for inspiration to get your submission over the finish line? Solar Prize alumni have shared their success stories and advice for competitors in a few short videos. Check them out now!

We strongly encourage competitors to engage the American-Made Network to gain help and support, especially Power Connectors who are available to help provide feedback and guidance on your submission. You can also stream the informational webinar to catch up on prize basics, post a question in the HeroX Forum, or email the prize team at .  

And don’t forget—even if your submission doesn’t win the Ready! Contest, it may be eligible for the Power Up Contest, which offers cash prizes and tailored business support to get your submission ready for a future prize. 

We look forward to seeing your innovative concepts! 


Explore New Power Connector Educational Videos

Sept. 18, 2023, 9:10 a.m. PDT by NREL Prize Administrator

New resources are available for teams preparing to apply for Solar Prize Round 7! Power Connectors VentureWell and ADL Ventures have created several helpful videos, or learning modules—with more on the way—covering key topics that can be helpful for potential applicants. 

Check out the following as you’re preparing your submission to learn more about how to best position your innovation: 

You can access these learning modules, along with future videos, in the HeroX resources tab.

As a reminder, the Power Connectors are available to provide free submission support! Contact one of the Power Connectors for application review and assistance.

If you have further questions, stream the informational webinar recording, view the presentation slides, or reach out to prize administrators at . And don’t forget: The deadline for all submissions is Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 5 p.m. ET. Just click “Solve This Challenge” on the HeroX page!


What Does Commercialization Mean?

Sept. 12, 2023, 7 a.m. PDT by NREL Prize Administrator

Does your idea or innovation have the potential to be in the solar marketplace within 3 to 5 years? The ability to commercialize your program or product is a key piece of the Solar Prize Round 7, but what exactly does that mean? 

Commercialization is the process of taking a research-based idea and turning it into a business-based solution ready for widespread adoption by customers. Participation in the Solar Prize enables you to advance your impactful solar technology idea through the proof-of-concept and prototype phases of the commercialization process. 

For the purposes of the Solar Prize, you should demonstrate that your idea can complete the commercialization process in 3 to 5 years. The complete commercialization process can include steps related to:

  1. Research and development – If you’ve completed this phase, you are prepared to enter the Ready! Contest. Winners have an impactful idea or solution for a solar technology that could be commercialized in 3 to 5 years, addressing a critical need in the solar industry.
  2. Proof of concept - The Set! Contest is your opportunity to substantially advance your technology or solution toward a viable and promising proof of concept.
  3. Prototype - The Go! Contest helps you substantially advance your technology or solution from proof of concept to a refined prototype and find a partner to perform a pilot test of the prototype.

After completing these early phases of the commercialization process, you’ll be prepared to advance to the remaining phases after the competition concludes:

4. Testing and optimization

5. Mass production scale-up and manufacturing

6. Regulatory approvals

7. Market analysis and strategy

8. Launch and distribution

Remember, your Solar Prize entry must be capable of completing this commercialization process (phases 1 to 8) within 3 to 5 years. If you aren’t quite sure how to plan for commercialization, reach out to a Power Connector for support on developing your plan. 

We look forward to reviewing your Round 7 Ready! Contest applications, due by Sept. 27!


Join the American-Made Team at RE+

Sept. 6, 2023, 12:26 p.m. PDT by NREL Prize Administrator

If you’re applying for Solar Prize Round 7—and attending RE+ in Las Vegas—make sure to check out the full schedule of American-Made events happening throughout the conference. It’s a great way to connect with partners and get prepared to submit your application on Sept. 27! 

View the full schedule of interesting and informative events and networking opportunities. 

Monday, Sept. 11

  • American-Made Mixer Hosted by University of Arizona Center for Innovation
    5:30–7:30 p.m. | The Oak Room Whiskey and Tequila Bar (Venetian Hotel)
    Join us for an opportunity to mix and mingle with UACI staff as well as American-Made network members and team members, and past and present prize competitors. Light appetizers and cash bar will be provided; please RSVP if you’d like to join this free event!

Tuesday, Sept. 12 

  • Booth Pop-Up: Community Solar Prizes & Opportunities
    1–2 p.m. | Booth #18028
    Hear about the array of American-Made community solar prizes open for submissions, and learn more about how to find resources, support, and additional funding for your community solar initiatives. 
     
  • Booth Pop-Up: Solar Prize Power Connectors 
    2–3 p.m. | Booth #18028
    Applying for Solar Prize Round 7? Join the American-Made team, VentureWell, and University of Arizona Center for Innovation to learn how Power Connectors can provide resources and feedback to help your application stand out.
     
  • Solar Prize Round 6 Go! Demo Day & Winner Announcement
    4–6 p.m. | Innovation Stage
    Come see the nation’s top solar innovators take the stage to pitch their solutions to the industry’s top challenges, then stick around to find out who wins the $500,000 prize!

Wednesday, Sept. 13

  • Panel: Increasing Renewable Energy Workforce Development in Underserved Communities
    9:30–10:30 a.m. | Innovation Stage
    Listen in on this engaging discussion, featuring members from a diverse pool of government and industry organizations, to learn about workforce development strategies, priorities, and how we can strengthen our energy workforce by bringing in more diverse experiences and perspectives.
     
  • QuickTalk: How Your Startup Can Win Big
    11–11:30 a.m. | Innovation Stage
    Stop by to learn how the American-Made program can help take your startup to the next level with no-strings-attached funding for your energy innovation. 
     
  • Booth Pop-Up: American-Made Network
    1–2 p.m. | Booth #18028
    The American-Made Network is made up of more than 400 organizations that offer help to prize competitors and startups. Come learn how to use the Network to find support for your startup—or consider joining the Network to help solve some of the nation’s leading energy challenges! 
     
  • American-Made Innovators Coffee Chat with ADL Ventures 
    3:30–4:30 p.m. | Booth #18028
    Join Connector ADL Ventures for an opportunity to chat with other industry leaders and professionals about upcoming prizes and competitions, hear about other opportunities to connect with investors, and enjoy light refreshments! 

Win Additional Prizes for JEDI-Focused Solutions

Aug. 28, 2023, 9:45 a.m. PDT by NREL Prize Administrator

If you can incorporate principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) into your Solar Prize innovation, you could win additional cash prizes through the JEDI Contest. This optional bonus prize rewards solutions that address barriers to solar adoption and deployment in underserved communities. Your submission could be considered for the JEDI Contest throughout Round 7, with $200,000 in additional prizes available in Ready!, Set!, and Go!.

Why JEDI?

There are numerous barriers to accelerating the growth of solar in underserved communities in the United States, including some that can be overcome with hardware and software innovations. Solar deployment in underserved communities can bring direct cost savings, public health benefits, job opportunities, and resilience when paired with energy storage technologies.

JEDI Contest competitors must show how their solution addresses solar market barriers to adoption and deployment in underserved communities and work to substantially advance their approach toward JEDI goals as they progress through the competition.

See JEDI Contest details in section 1.4 of the Solar Prize Round 7 Rules.

What’s Considered Eligible? 

In order to be eligible for the JEDI Contest, your solution must clearly show how it will incorporate key equity principles in a measurable way. Examples of JEDI-focused innovations for underserved communities can include application-specific hardware designed for low-cost adoption, as well as software and business model innovations to:

  • Help facilitate community access to financing
  • Allocate the benefits of shared assets throughout the community
  • Improve customer outreach and engagement within the community
  • Streamline project development. 

Although the JEDI Contest is focused on solutions benefiting underserved communities, team diversity and inclusion is important to the Solar Prize and is part of the “Team” evaluation criteria at each stage. All Solar Prize competitors are encouraged to incorporate diversity and inclusion principles into their organization’s vision, mission, policies, and processes, regardless of participation in the JEDI Contest.

Past Winners

In the Solar Prize Round 5, Midday Tech won the final JEDI Contest prize for their platform that connects consumers who purchase voluntary carbon offsets with rooftop solar projects in high-impact communities. Individuals interested in fighting climate change can sign up to have their money directly contribute to the installation of rooftop solar panels. 

In Solar Prize Round 6, the following teams have won the Ready! and/or Set! JEDI Contests: 

  • Portable Solar won for developing a ground-based solar panel mounting system that can be assembled by anyone and connected by an electrician. This system is convenient for renters, rural households, and tribal areas, increasing solar adoption opportunities.
  • Hawai’i Innovation won for designing an off-grid, small-scale concentrated solar-thermal power desalination system that harvests heat from the sun to produce fresh water. This modular, affordable, and efficient desalination system can deliver potable water to areas with freshwater shortages.
  • Snow-Free Solar won for developing a durable strip coating that is applied to the lower edge of solar panels to help shed snow. By shedding snow from panels in a quick and low-cost way, solar plants continue to operate efficiently year-round.
  • RUTE Foundation Systems won for developing a high-clearance single-axis tracker for photovoltaic systems that can be integrated into active farmland (agrivoltaics). Using raised cables to stabilize and move the panels, this technology lowers costs and uses less steel than traditional agrivoltaic racking systems.
  • ReJoule won for developing a fast, new method for testing the health of decommissioned electric vehicle batteries and using these batteries to develop an integrated solution for storing solar power and dispatching it at peak hours. This allows for fast screening of used batteries and certification for use in grid scale storage of solar energy.

You can also view the winning JEDI submissions for Solar Prize Round 5 and Solar Prize Round 6.

Don’t forget to submit your Ready! Contest application for Round 7 by Sept. 27.


Forum4
Teams513
Entries
Resources
FAQ