The American-Made Promoting Registration of Inverters and Modules with Ecolabel (PRIME) Prize from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) is a $2.7 million competition that supports increased registration of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules and inverters through the EPEAT ecolabel. The PRIME Prize aims to help manufacturers meet the criteria for EPEAT product standards and make their products more attractive to purchasers with sustainability goals.
EPEAT is an ecolabel operated and maintained by the Global Electronics Council (GEC) for certain electronic products, including solar PV modules and inverters. With more consumers paying attention to the environmental impacts of the life cycle of solar PV equipment, increasing the number of ecolabel-registered solar technologies on the market expands options for conscious consumers. Furthermore, as the U.S. federal government ramps up solar adoption in construction and power purchase agreements over the next few years, increasing the number of solar products registered with certain ecolabels will help meet sustainability goals.
How it Works
The PRIME Prize is open to U.S.-based manufacturing organizations that produce solar PV modules or inverters. Eligible applicants must not have any PV modules or inverters already registered with EPEAT. The PRIME Prize consists of two phases, spanning two and a half years.
- Phase 1 “Apply” – Manufacturers submit a letter of intent to register up to four PV module or inverter products through EPEAT and provide proof of participation from GEC for the chance to win $50,000 cash and move to Phase 2.
- Phase 2 “Certify” – Winning manufacturers from Phase 1 validate that their products meet all required EPEAT criteria and submit proof of EPEAT product registration from GEC to compete for $100,000 cash for each product.
In Phase 1, DOE will select up to 21 winning products. In Phase 2, DOE will review submissions and announce winners on a rolling, three-month basis. Winners of Phase 2 will receive $100,000 cash for each product successfully verified and listed on the EPEAT Registry (up to $400,000).
Timeline
- DOE opened the competition on October 15, 2024.
- SETO hosted an informational webinar on October 30. Watch the recording and download slides.
- Submission materials for Phase 1 are due April 17, 2025.
- DOE anticipates Phase 1 winners will be announced in May 2025.
- The first Phase 2 submission deadline will be in May 2026.
- DOE anticipates announcing winners from the first Phase 2 submission cycle in June 2026.
Additional Information
- Register to compete in the PRIME Prize.
- Download the rules for the competition.
- For questions about the PRIME Prize, email [email protected].
- For questions about EPEAT, email [email protected].
- Learn about end-of-life management for solar PV.
- Join the American-Made Network.
- Learn about other American-Made Challenges at SETO.
- Learn about SETO's open funding opportunities.
The American-Made PRIME Prize is a part of the American-Made Challenges and is administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
