Community Power Accelerator Prize - Round 3

This initiative provides $10 million in funding to support solar developers in creating community-focused solar projects that benefit underserved populations through economic and environmental improvements.

$50,000

Closed

Nationwide

Grant Description

The Community Power Accelerator Prize Round 3, a $10 million, three-phase prize, aims to accelerate the development of equitable distributed solar projects. The initiative supports new and expanding solar developers to build portfolios of community-benefiting projects, particularly for underserved populations. It offers cash prizes across three phases: Ready!, Set!, and Grow!. Eligible developers receive training, coaching, and access to financial resources to develop solar projects that meet equity and consumer protection goals. Competitors must propose portfolios of solar projects that provide meaningful benefits such as resilience, workforce development, or economic development. The program seeks to increase solar access in low- and moderate-income populations and provide benefits such as household savings, grid benefits, or economic opportunities. Winning competitors from each phase progress to the next, where they receive further assistance to scale their projects and secure financing through an online marketplace. The competition starts in September 2024 and runs until October 2026.

Funding Details

Award Range

Not specified - $50,000

Total Program Funding

$1,250,000

Number of Awards

Matching Requirement

Additional Details

Phase 1 (Ready! Contest) Cash Prize: $50,000 per winning competitor Phase 2 (Set! Contest) Cash Prize: $200,000 per winning competitor Teams must win Phase 1 of the prize to compete in Phase 2. Phase 3 (Grow! Contest) Cash Prize: $150,000 per winning competitor Teams must win Phase 2 to participate in Phase 3.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

Nonprofits

City or township governments

Native American tribal organizations

Private institutions of higher education

State governments

Additional Requirements

The Community Power Accelerator Prize Round 3 is open to U.S. solar developers, including new developers and experienced developers who are expanding their solar operations. The prize also welcomes solar co-developers, organizations that are partnering with a project developer, and other non-developer organizations to apply. Examples of new developers include (but are not limited to): Community-based organizations, such as local community health organizations, community action agencies, houses of worship, and community and economic development organizations, that have real estate portfolios Multifamily affordable housing providers State, local, and Tribal governments and their agencies, including schools and school districts Intermediary organizations such as community development institutions General contractors with roofing and/or electrical experience Other large real estate holders that may be available for solar deployment.

Geographic Eligibility

All

Key Dates

Application Opens

Not specified

Application Closes

December 17, 2024

Contact Information

Grantor

U.S. Department of Energy (Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO))

community.solar@ee.doe.gov

Subscribe to view contact details

Newsletter Required