Solar Prize Round 7

Structured for Success

The Solar Prize encourages the rapid development of innovative solar energy solutions capable of addressing the tough challenges facing the solar industry. Solar Prize competitors participate in three contests—the Ready!, Set!, and Go! Contests—to transform their ideas into reality in months, rather than years. Competitors have the chance to win part of $4.2 million in prizes to help them advance in the competition and accelerate the development of their solution.

• Ready! Contest - Teams focus on innovative ideas that can be commercialized in 3 to 5 years and address a solar industry technology need, proving that they have developed a great team, a game-changing solution, and an achievable plan.
• Set! Contest - Teams make progress in developing and demonstrating early-stage proofs-of-concept.
• Go! Contest - Teams focus on proving that their solutions successfully work and they have made substantial progress over the course of the contests.

Round 7 seeks hardware and software solutions alike. The prize invites anyone, individually or as a team, to transform a conceptual solution into an impactful product and business.

Join and Connect

JEDI Contest: Creating Space for Change

The Solar Prize Round 7 includes an optional additional challenge that focuses on advancing solar in underserved communities. Participants who choose to incorporate this initiative into their solutions 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!

New to Round 7: Power Up Your Idea

For those who have a great idea but need a boost to take their innovation to the next level, Round 7 offers the new 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 receive tailored business support.

Connecting You to the Innovation Engine

The American-Made Network provides support to Solar Prize competitors throughout the competition and is comprised of national labs, incubators, investors, facilities, and seasoned industry mentors. The American-Made Network strengthens and scales the critical connections needed to grow new businesses, develop solutions, and sustain American innovation.

Who can Compete?

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.

Sign up for updates on the Solar Prize Round 7 HeroX page, the official competition platform.