The American-Made Solar Prize Round 8 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. 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.
Through the Solar Prize Round 8, teams have the chance to win part of more than $4.2 million in prizes to help them advance in the competition and accelerate the development of their solution toward commercialization.
The deadline to apply for the Ready Contest is September 26, 2024.
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.
- 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 addressing a critical need in the solar industry; - Set! Contest
10 winners / $100,000 cash prize 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 and optional JEDI Contest prize
Up to 10 eligible finalists who submit to the Go! Contest / $90,000 support voucher each
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.
The Solar Prize Round 8 includes an optional additional challenge that focuses on advancing solar in underserved communities. Participants whose solutions advance solar in underserved communities have the chance to be considered for a Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Contest and earn part of the $200,000 bonus cash prize!
For those who have a great idea but need a boost to take their innovation to the next level, the Solar Prize Round 8 offers the 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 participate in the Power Up Program, where they will receive tailored business support.