Congratulations to the two Solar Prize Round 7 grand prize winners, Fram Energy and Gritt Robotics! Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Solar Energy Technologies Office announced the two winning teams live at the RE+ Conference following the finalist teams’ pitches. The two winning teams took home a $500,000 cash prize and a $75,000 national lab voucher to continue advancing their work. 

During this final contest of the prize, 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 two winning teams are building solutions that make solar more accessible, affordable, and efficient. Learn more about their winning solutions: 

  • Fram Energy (Newburgh, NY): This team is developing a platform to incentivize landlords to install solar by enabling both the renter and landlord to capture savings from a solar installation. This software helps the landlord select the best solar system for their property and distributes the benefits of solar to both the tenant and property owner, expanding renters’ access to solar energy. 
  • Gritt Robotics (Belmont, CA): This team is developing a solution combining robotics and artificial intelligence for automated construction of utility-scale solar. By converting off-the-shelf construction equipment into intelligent robots, this innovation will accelerate solar construction and improve worker health and safety. 

In addition to the grand prize winners, Solar Prize Round 7 reviewers selected EmpowerSun Solutions and Illumination Solar Training Labs as the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Contest winners for their solutions that enable underserved communities to overcome systemic barriers to solar deployment.

  • EmpowerSun Solutions (Aurora, CO):  This team is developing a platform for underserved communities that provides customized solar planning resources and connects landowners with pre-certified project partners. This innovation will help underserved communities, farmers, and tribal entities to effectively leverage their land for the development of solar energy.
  • Illumination Solar Training (Jefferson, WI): This team is developing portable, interactive solar training carts that provide affordable, hands-on solar training for communities and colleges. This solution offers relevant equipment, comprehensive concepts, and easy transport for real-world solar training to bridge the solar skills gap. 

Congratulations to everyone who participated in the Solar Prize Round 7 and contributed their innovative ideas for energizing solar innovation! Don’t forget, Round 8 is open and accepting submissions now through Sept. 26. We highly encourage Solar Prize newcomers and alumni to apply!