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Funding Opportunities
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The American-Made Solar Prize (Solar Prize) is a multi-million-dollar prize competition designed to energize U.S. solar manufacturing through a series of contests and the development of a diverse and powerful support network that leverages national laboratories, energy incubators, and other resources across the country. The competition enables the rapid development of innovative solar solutions by providing resources and support to entrepreneurs as they transform concepts into early-stage prototypes ready for industry testing. By tapping into the nation’s unparalleled innovation ecosystem and America’s competitive spirit, this competition helps to reenergize American energy innovation and supports the growth of U.S. manufacturing.
The program was announced on January 24, 2018 and is administered by the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). 
Entrepreneurial individuals and teams based in the United States can compete, progressing through a series of three connected contests—the Ready!, Set!, and Go! Contests—developing new ideas, products, and solutions. As competitors progress through the contests, they receive more financial support and resources, accelerating the cycles of learning from months to weeks and reducing the overall time it takes to bring products to the market.
Competitors are supported by the American-Made Network, which is comprised of national labs, incubators, investors, and seasoned industry mentors. The institutions and people that help competitors navigate the innovation process are called Connectors and provide competitors technical insight, product validation, and strategic support throughout the competition. Connectors can win Recognition Rewards for recruiting, mentoring, and advancing Solar Prize competitors.
This program takes a resource-multiplying approach that creates a foundation and reinforces a network that encourages rapid manufacturing, supports future business growth, and strengthens the critical connections needed for product commercialization.
Power Connectors are a core group of national labs, accelerators, incubators, universities, industry organizations, and other entities who further develop and sustain the program. They substantially help teams achieve project success, build long-term alliances and capabilities for the program, host demonstration days, and partner with NREL to envision and execute a long-term sustainable strategy for scaling the American-Made Challenges.
The American-Made Solar Prize is a part of the American-Made Challenges and is administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Committed to Restoring America’s Energy Dominance.
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