The Promoting Registration of Inverters and Modules with Ecolabel (PRIME) Prize is a $2.7 million competition aimed at increasing the registration of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules and inverters with the EPEAT ecolabel, an important environmental certification. EPEAT, maintained by the Global Electronics Council (GEC), is the only ecolabel recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for solar products, yet only a few PV products are currently certified. This prize is designed to expand the EPEAT registry, allowing solar manufacturers to meet sustainability goals and making their products more attractive to environmentally conscious consumers, including U.S. federal agencies.
The PRIME Prize is structured in two phases. In Phase 1, manufacturers submit letters of intent to register up to four PV module or inverter products with EPEAT, along with proof of participation with GEC. Winners receive $50,000 in cash and advance to Phase 2. In Phase 2, manufacturers must validate that their products meet all EPEAT criteria and submit proof of EPEAT registration, earning $100,000 per registered product, up to a total of $400,000.
The competition is open to U.S.-based manufacturers of PV modules or inverters that do not have previously EPEAT-registered products. The prize incentivizes manufacturers to achieve EPEAT certification, which enhances product marketability, meets federal procurement requirements, and demonstrates environmental responsibility.
