American-Made Solar Prize Round 8

The Solar Prize Round 8 was launched on June 14th, 2024. The competition welcomes innovators, entrepreneurs, and those with a revolutionary idea for the solar industry. This could be you!

American-Made Solar Prize Round 8

We are supporting competitors interested in the Solar Prize Round 8, a multimillion-dollar prize competition designed to energize U.S. solar innovation through a series of contests. The Solar Prize is meant to 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.



Ready! Contest Submission deadline: Sept. 26th, 2024 @ 2pm PDT

  • 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



    JEDI Contest: Creating Space for Change

    The Solar Prize Round 8 includes an optional additional challenge that focuses on advancing solar in underserved communities. Participants whose solution advances 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!



    Power Up Your Idea

    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.

    This support will help them refine their technology development road map, improve their business plan, and validate their product/market fit.

    The Power Up Program ends with the Power Up Pitch Competition where the Power Up teams can compete for a chance to win complimentary passes to an industry conference.





    Meet Our Fellow Power Connectors:

    Don’t miss the valuable resources offered by our fellow Power Connectors. Click on the links below to learn about upcoming events and on-demand training videos.

    HAVE A BOLD IDEA?

    We are looking for passionate innovators like you to lead the clean energy revolution. Connect one-on-one to learn how to take your innovation from imagination to marketplace!
    Apply Now