Solar Prize Round 5 Software Track

The latest round of the Solar Prize is now open. More than $4.2 million will be distributed to competitors over this three-phase competition designed to catalyze innovations in U.S. solar hardware and software technologies with the capability to be commercialized in 3 to 5 years. Learn more about the launch of the Solar Prize Round 8!

Do you have an innovative idea that can help transform the solar industry? We invite you to join the Solar Prize Round 8. Please note that if you have previously competed in the Solar Prize, you will need to apply with a new or significantly improved solution. See the Solar Prize Round 8 rules for more details.

Round 8 also offers complimentary application support through the Power Connectors, organizations that are available to teams applying to the Solar Prize. Find Power Connector contact details on HeroX.

As a competitor, you could win up to $650,000 in cash prizes, as well as up to $90,000 in technical support vouchers over the course of the prize’s three contests, Ready!, Set!, and Go!. Past winners have found these vouchers invaluable to connect them with the American-Made Network, comprising more than 475 members—including universities, facilities, incubators, investors, and national labs.

Teams can also compete in the optional Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Contest for additional cash awards. Those who advance solar in underserved communities could earn part of the $200,000 bonus prize pool! 

Similar to last year, teams whose submissions in the Ready! Contest that aren’t selected to advance but warrant further thought and development could win the Power Up Contest. Up to 10 teams may be selected to split a $100,000 prize pool and receive tailored business support from Power Connectors to advance their startup and idea. 

If you or anyone you know is interested in joining the ranks of Solar Prize competitors, follow the prize on HeroX to stay in the know about upcoming dates and deadlines!

Hey, competitors! Did you know the American-Made program is continuously launching new, exciting prizes that support a wide array of clean energy sources? In fact, the Digitizing Utilities Prize is back for Round 2 and searching for innovative solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing electric utilities across the U.S. 

This two-phase, $1.85 million prize aims to connect utilities with interdisciplinary teams of software developers and data experts to transform digital systems and data analytics for utilities in the energy sector. This round will also address cybersecurity threats and risks with demonstrated improvements in risk identification, analysis, prediction, or proactive response for enhanced protection of digital energy infrastructures.

Register today for an informational webinar on March 21^st at 12 p.m. ET to hear more about the competition, including deadlines, submission requirements, and other important prize details. (Can’t make the webinar? A recording of the event will be posted on the prize’s HeroX page within a few days of the event.) 

We hope to see you at our March webinar! 

-The Digitizing Utilities Prize Round 2 Admin Team

Based on your interested in the Solar Prize Software Track, we wanted to share a new prize opportunity with you.

The $1.1-million Digitizing Utilities Prize—sponsored by U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity—invites experts in data analytics and software development to transform digital systems in the energy sector through data processing, quality assurance, storage, and deletion. 

In Phase 1, competitors will work directly alongside utility partners to propose a solution that improves how the energy industry manages, stores, and processes large data sets. Up to nine winners of Phase 1 will receive a cash prize of $75,000. 

In addition, mark your calendars for Wednesday, November 15 at 12 p.m. MT. Register now to learn more about the prize timeline and deliverables. A recording of the webinar will be available after the event.

If you’re interested in transforming digital systems in the energy sector, we encourage you to compete in the Digitizing Utilities Prize. The deadline to enter is Thursday, January 26, 2023. Good luck!

After successful final pitches at the RE+ Conference on Sept. 20, five Solar Prize Round 5 teams took home top honors and cash awards for their innovative solar concepts. During the final Go! Contest, teams worked on developing and testing their product or prototype, building their network, and making a long-term plan for the success of their concept. 

The Software Track winners, below, received $200,000 each, and $50,000 in vouchers. 

illu, Sunnyvale, CA: This team is building a mobile and desktop tool for operations and maintenance workflow management that will assist field technicians and simplify distributed solar maintenance.

SolarGrade, Carlsbad, CA: This team is building a management platform to improve inspection, operations, and maintenance of PV systems leveraging field technician inputs and data analytics.

In addition, Midday Tech from San Francisco, CA, was awarded $100,000 for their winning submission to the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Contest, which focuses on advancing solar in underserved communities. Midday Tech is building a platform to connect consumers who purchase voluntary carbon offsets with high-impact rooftop solar projects in underserved communities.

The following Hardware Track winners were awarded $500,000 cash and $75,000 in vouchers to help the team bring their concept to fruition. 

Origami Solar, Bend, OR: This team is developing steel PV module frames leveraging U.S.-made and formed steel. Compared to current frames made from imported aluminum, these frames lower the carbon emissions associated with making the frames and reduce PV system costs, while supporting a U.S.-based supply chain.

TECSI Solar, El Sobrante, CA: This team is developing a residential solar module that simplifies the ordering and installation process by combining the racking, flashing, hardware, and power electronics into a single product. TECSI’s all-in-one solar module eliminates the aluminum frame, reducing the greenhouse gas emissions of the installation.

Congratulations to everyone who participated in Round 5 and contributed their innovative ideas for energizing solar innovation. The prize administrators are so proud of the work you’ve all accomplished throughout this competition and look forward to seeing your continued success.

Don’t forget, Round 6 is open and accepting submissions now through Oct. 6. We highly encourage Solar Prize newcomers and alumni to apply! 

The conclusion of Round 5 of the Solar Prize will take place Sept. 20 at RE+, the nation’s largest conference for renewable energy professionals. Conference attendees are invited to watch team pitches during the day, visit their booths in the conference Expo Hall, and hear the Solar Prize winner announcements that evening.

Learn more about ways to connect with the Solar Prize at RE+. 

During the competition’s final event, Go! Demo Day, Software Track finalist teams will present a short pitch on their technology to industry peers at 2-3:30 p.m. in the Grid Edge Theater. If you’re attending the conference, we invite you to come hear about all the innovative concepts these finalist teams have developed over the last year! Attendees can also learn more about each Software Track team’s concept at team booths located around the Expo Hall. 

The American-Made program will also host a booth on the show floor, and attendees are invited to learn more about the Solar Prize Round 6 and other American-Made Challenges from prize administrators from the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Select Solar Prize alumni from Rounds 2-4 will have booth spaces as well and will showcase the progress they’ve made since completing the competition.

On the evening of Sept. 20, the final winner of the Solar Prize Round 5 Software Track will be announced and awarded $200,000, plus $50,000 in vouchers to help the team bring their concept to fruition. In addition, one winner of the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Contest will be announced and awarded $100,000 (Note: Teams need not win the Go! Contest in order to be eligible to win the JEDI contest.) The winner announcement will take place at the RE+ conference at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET. You can also watch the livestream of the winner announcement on the American-Made Challenges Twitter feed.

Stay tuned to find out who wins!