Promoting Registration of Inverters and Modules with Ecolabel Prize

The Promoting Registration of Inverters and Modules with Ecolabel (PRIME) Prize is a competitive funding initiative led by the U.S. Department of Energy. It is designed to accelerate the adoption of sustainable solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies by incentivizing U.S.-based manufacturers to register their solar PV modules and inverters with the EPEAT ecolabel. EPEAT, operated by the Global Electronics Council, is the only ecolabel recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for solar PV products. As the federal government increases its investment in solar infrastructure, including through construction projects and power purchase agreements, the need for verified environmentally-friendly products becomes critical. The PRIME Prize aims to help manufacturers navigate the requirements of EPEAT registration and align their products with federal sustainability mandates. The competition is structured as a two-phase prize with a total pool of $2.7 million. Phase 1 required eligible manufacturers to submit letters of intent and proof of engagement with the Global Electronics Council for up to four products. Successful applicants from Phase 1 were awarded $50,000 and granted access to Phase 2. In Phase 2, the same manufacturers are required to submit documentation proving that their products meet EPEAT registration standards. Participants may win an additional $100,000 per product, up to $400,000, if their products achieve formal listing in the EPEAT registry. The focus of this incentive structure is to broaden the range of certified solar PV modules and inverters in the U.S. market, which currently has very few products registered under EPEAT. The eligible applicants are for-profit businesses headquartered and operating in the United States, specifically those manufacturing solar PV modules or inverters. A critical requirement is that these entities must not have previously listed any products on the EPEAT registry by the close of Phase 1. Additionally, eligible products must complete their final assembly in the U.S. and be commercially available within the country by the time of submission for Phase 2. Products must also meet U.S. safety certifications and eligibility standards as defined under NSF/ANSI 457-2019. Phase 2 of the competition is currently active and open until February 10, 2026. However, only Phase 1 winners are allowed to participate in Phase 2. Submissions for Phase 2 will be accepted on a rolling basis across four submission windows, with deadlines on May 15, 2026, August 15, 2026, November 15, 2026, and February 15, 2027. The rolling nature of these deadlines provides flexibility for manufacturers to finalize their EPEAT registrations within the timeframe. Importantly, Phase 2 eligibility is exclusive to organizations that successfully completed Phase 1 and submitted eligible products for EPEAT registration during that round. To participate, manufacturers are encouraged to monitor the official program updates by following the challenge on Challenge.gov. Any questions can be directed to the official inbox at PRIMEPrize@nrel.gov. While no specific application forms or components are detailed in the public-facing summary, the announcement notes that the official rules, guidelines, and instructions for participation will be released and updated via HeroX and Challenge.gov portals. The competition is governed by strict federal participation rules, excluding entities such as DOE employees, federal workers, national labs, and organizations from countries deemed as foreign risks. The PRIME Prize not only promotes environmental stewardship and compliance with federal purchasing guidelines but also aims to enhance the visibility and marketability of certified solar equipment. By expanding the pool of EPEAT-registered products, it supports broader clean energy goals while reducing the environmental footprint of solar power technologies.