U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office: American-Made Solar Prize Round 5 is Open Posted on Jul 23, 2021
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) is launching the American-Made Solar Prize Round 5 Software Track, a part of the American-Made Challenges, to accelerate the development, validation, and commercialization of innovative solar software solutions that will increase the competitiveness of the U.S. solar industry. These rules are specifically for the American-Made Solar Prize Round 5 Software Track. Any innovation that is focused solely on software is eligible for the Solar Prize Software Track.
Innovations focused solely on hardware or that have a hardware component are eligible for the Solar Prize Hardware Track. The Software Track will support new and diverse entrepreneurs as they create new, scalable software products that will accelerate solar deployment growth in the United States. Competitors can win up to $480,000 in cash and $50,000 in support services.
Competitors participate in three escalating challenges, called the Ready!, Set!, and Go! Contests, developing their concept from idea to potentially marketable product in less than one year. Competitors also have the option to compete in a Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Contest, which recognizes solutions that enable underserved communities1 in the United States to overcome systemic solar barriers and share equitably in the societal benefits of solar deployment.
