The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) launched the American-Made Promoting Registration of Inverters and Modules with Ecolabel (PRIME) Prize on October 15, 2024. This competition encourages qualifying manufacturers to register products with the EPEAT ecolabel.
With $2.7 million in cash prizes available, U.S.-based solar PV module and inverter manufacturers now have an exciting incentive to pursue EPEAT registration of their products making them more attractive to purchasers focused on sustainability. The PRIME Prize will provide up to $450,000 to manufacturers who successfully meet EPEAT’s criteria, including low and ultra-low carbon thresholds for PV modules.
With U.S. domestic solar manufacturing growing rapidly, increasing the number of EPEAT registered products will help both the federal government and the private sector meet their sustainable procurement goals. By having EPEAT registered products, manufacturers can improve market competitiveness while supporting the U.S. Federal Government’s goals of decarbonizing the electricity grid by 2035 and achieving net-zero emissions in the energy sector by 2050.
The PRIME Prize is a two-phase competition. In Phase 1, manufacturers submit a letter of intent and proof of participation with GEC for the chance to win $50,000. In Phase 2, winners from Phase 1 will be eligible to compete for an additional $100,000 per product by EPEAT registering up to four products.
Interested manufacturers can learn more and apply for the PRIME Prize on the American-Made Challenges website. An informational webinar will be held on October 30, 2024, at 12 p.m. ET. Phase 1 submissions are due by April 17, 2025.
Don’t miss this opportunity to lead the way in a more sustainable solar future!
