The Solutions for Lasting, Viable Energy Infrastructure Technologies (SOLVE IT) Prize aims to empower communities to identify and implement innovative clean energy solutions in a way that works for their unique needs and challenges.
Communities across the country are faced with long-standing energy challenges, including pollution from heavy industry and other sources, high energy costs, aging grid infrastructure, and more. Clean energy technologies can help address many of these challenges while providing other economic, health, and workforce benefits.
Many communities, however, lack the resources and capacity to consider the best possible approach to a clean energy transition. The SOLVE IT Prize was designed to support communities as they identify and implement innovative clean energy solutions in a way that works best to address their unique needs and challenges. In doing so, the SOLVE IT Prize looks to promote the commercialization of promising energy technologies that will lead to an equitable and just energy transition.
The prize will award competitors with a demonstrated history of productive work with communities. Competitors will work collaboratively with stakeholders interested in community-scale (neighborhood-, town-, or city-scale) planning around clean energy to engage their communities, build a network of support for clean energy or decarbonization projects, and develop plans for carrying out these projects.
Prize Structure
Over three phases, competitors will work with communities to develop a credible path forward on clean energy projects that help address local challenges.
Embark Phase: Competitors will identify a community, a challenge facing that community that can be addressed by a clean technology solution, and a clear plan for engaging with the community. Competitors will demonstrate that they have what it takes to carry out their project.
Engage Phase: Teams will engage with their community stakeholders to develop the community’s vision for their future clean energy or decarbonization project.
Establish Phase: Teams will create plans for carrying out at least one specific, technically novel clean energy or decarbonization project. Winners will demonstrate proof that they have obtained the confirmed commitments needed to carry out their projects.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Technology Transitions (OTT), Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED), and Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) have collaborated to launch the SOLVE IT Prize. The prize is part of the American-Made program and is administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. SOLVE IT is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) through the Technology Commercialization Fund (TCF).
Guidelines
The competition is open to individuals, nonprofits, local government entities, economic development organizations, educational institutions, and other organizations with a history of successful participatory community-based initiatives. Of particular focus are disadvantaged and energy-burdened communities at the neighborhood, town, and city scale.
Please review the official rules document for the complete application process and instructions for competing.
If you want to subscribe to updates on the prize click the "Follow" button at the top of the page. If you have any questions, you may use the contact feature on the HeroX platform, or message us directly.
Just one week until the SOLVE IT Prize Phase 2 submission deadline on Nov 25! The 28 teams still competing need to submit all Phase 2 materials that day by 5 p.m. ET.
Competitors, be sure to connect with the Power Connectors in the ‘Resources’ tab to get feedback and guidance on your submission!
SOLVE IT Prize Phase 2 winners are anticipated to be announced in late December.
Join a webinar on Partnering with Underserved Communities on Clean Energy Projects & Manufacturing, hosted by the State of Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)! The event will provide an overview of how to work collaboratively to develop clean energy projects or clean energy manufacturing in underserved communities.
Learn about the many federal and local government programs aimed at directing investments and benefits to support clean energy initiatives in underserved, distressed, and energy-legacy communities. Discover how to create ownership and value-added opportunities in the communities where you’re hosting projects, and to connect with neighborhood organizations, economic development groups, and other non-government contacts in underserved communities.
Congratulations to the 28 winners from Phase 1: Embark of the SOLVE IT Prize! Each winner received $80,000 for describing their experience in community engagement and identifying a community seeking clean energy solutions and high-level plan to engage that community.
These winners now advance to Phase 2: Engage to work closely with community stakeholders to develop the community’s vision for a clean energy or decarbonization project.
Congratulations to the winning teams!
Aloha First (Waimanalo, HI) – Implementing sustainable solutions for energy justice on behalf of Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians) who have long been underserved.
Asociación de Residentes de La Margarita(Salinas, Puerto Rico) – Exploring an energy efficiency and resilience project using air conditioner water heater systems for La Margarita, Puerto Rico.
Bryant Decarbonization(Ann Arbor, MI) – Creating a regional geothermal district by centering the goals, aspirations, and strengths of a Justice40 neighborhood.
City of Baltimore(Baltimore, MD) – Identifying innovative ways to expand EV charging in Baltimore City, creating and actionable strategy by engaging with community members.
City of New Bedford, MA Resilience Hubs(New Bedford, MA) – Coordinating resource centers that build a community's capacity to thrive before, during, and following extreme events.
Clean Energy NH Energy Circuit Rider(Hampton, NH) – Implementing energy solutions for local libraries as hands-on learning opportunities for citizens to achieve their own energy saving solutions.
Clearfork Community Solar and Energy Efficiency(Clairfield, TN) – Convening community stakeholders to pair community solar with household energy efficiency programs to tackle energy poverty in Appalachia.
Comunidades del Sol(Carrizo Springs, TX) – Aiming to reduce the energy burdens of residents in Comunidades del Sol, TX.
Cooperative Energy Futures(Minneapolis, MN) – Developing district level ground-source heating systems centered around anchor sites, reaching surrounding homes and businesses.
Detroit MorningSide EcoDistrict (Detroit, MI) –Making efficient upgrades to the community hub to demonstrate technologies, anchor community education, and quickly scale adoption.
DU BleuGreen Krewe(Orleans Parish, LA) – Increasing awareness and investment around clean energy solutions in local communities surrounding Dillard University.
Duquesne Light Company(Sharpsburg, PA) – Helping Sharpsburg, PA achieve their goal of an independent, clean energy future through community-led solutions.
East Oakland Neighborhood Initiative Collaborative(Oakland, CA) – Exploring technology-agnostic energy networks as tools for realizing accessible energy infrastructure in East Oakland.
Energizing Southeast Alaska(Thorne Bay, AK) – Working with a remote Alaskan community to rethink the use of forest products as a sustainable solution to meet energy challenges.
Groundwork Elizabeth & Partners(Elizabeth, NJ) – Partnering with public housing, a state university, and a non-profit to explore clean energy options for seniors in public housing in Elizabeth, NJ.
Hui Ulu Mea ʻAi for the Cultivation of Community Self-Reliance(Waiāhole, HI) – Exploring micro-hydropower in Waiāhole Valley on the island of Oʻahu to enable resilience in their rural community.
Just Transition Rural Innovators(Delta County, CO) - Linking decarbonization, industrial efficiencies and carbon management at an old coalmine with community energy for jobs and climate harm reduction.
Lowlanders for Energy Justice(Port Sulphur, LA) – Creating a sustainable, green energy solution for a disadvantaged, indigenous costal community to maintain their lifeways.
Michigan Tech Beaver Island Energy Resiliency Initiative (Charlevoix County, MI) – Supporting community priorities for a more sustainable and resilient future for the remote, rural island community.
Mojave Microgrid Hub(Gardnerville, NV) – Using stakeholder engagement and inclusive planning to foster economic growth, sustainability, and clean energy innovation.
Power-Up Jackson(Jackson, MS) – Revitalizing West Jackson, MS with energy-efficient homes and solar panels to boost sustainability and empower residents.
Puerto Rico Hydro Microgrid Partners(Utuado Municipio, Puerto Rico) – Improving community resilience with small hydroelectric powered microgrids for low-resourced, rural communities in Puerto Rico.
Salish and Kootenai Community Energy Alliance(Ronan, MT) – Conducting communitybased participatory research, outreach, and education while honoring cultural traditions.
San Diego State University and Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians Collaboration (Riverside County, CA) – Expanding collaboration to address frequent power outages and distribution challenges in a very hot region with tribal communities.
Siskiyou County Job Council(Yreka, CA) – Uplifting Siskiyou County's rural cities and unincorporated communities through renewable energy readiness and projects.
Town of Pennington Gap(Pennington Gap, VA) – Educating, supporting, and advocating for renewable energy implementation in southwest Virginia.
Tri-Town Rural Community-Driven Energy Planning Team(Otisfield, ME) – Planning for regional community-driven energy projects in three rural towns with high energy burdens & reliability issues.
White Frog Sustainable Solutions LLC(Lame Deer, MT) – Applying a Dynamic Assessment & Adaptive Education Model to guide community engagement, building efficiency planning, and implementation.
Thank you to all of the SOLVE IT competitors for your submissions! The Phase 1: Embark winner announcement will take place on May 21, both through the HeroX platform and as part of a virtual event that all are welcome to join.
The livestream winner announcement event will take place next Tuesday, May 21 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. ET, followed by a conversation about support for community-scale clean energy projects to foster an equitable clean energy transition. This virtual event will be hosted by the Offices of Technology Transitions, Clean Energy Demonstrations, and Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
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