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American-Made Challenges (SETO)

American-Made Solar Prize

Funds U.S. entrepreneurs advancing early-stage solar manufacturing prototypes through a DOE prize competition under the American-Made Challenges program.

Between cyclesDOE Solar Energy Technologies OfficeUnited States

The American-Made Solar Prize is a prize competition administered by the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) under the American-Made Challenges program. Launched in June 2018, it is a $3 million total-pool competition designed to revitalize U.S. solar manufacturing by supporting early-stage solar prototypes. The competition awards cash prizes to teams that advance t…

Solar manufacturing and solar energy, focused on early-stage prototypes aimed at revitalizing domestic U.S. solar manufacturing.

CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Multiple per year
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.—
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.—
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.—
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Prize
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.0%
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.$3M

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Last verified: 24 Jul 2026Source: www.energy.gov