The Promoting Registration of Inverters and Modules with Ecolabel (PRIME) Prize is a $2.7 million incentive competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and hosted on Challenge.gov. The program seeks to increase the number of EPEAT-registered solar photovoltaic (PV) modules and inverters by U.S.-based manufacturers. EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool), managed by the Global Electronics Council (GEC), is currently the only ecolabel for PV products recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. As of August 2024, only four PV modules are certified under this standard.
The PRIME Prize is structured in two phases and aims to help manufacturers meet EPEAT standards, improve product visibility to environmentally conscious consumers (including federal agencies), and enhance alignment with U.S. sustainability procurement goals.
In Phase 1, participants must submit a letter of intent for up to four solar PV modules or inverters and provide proof of active participation in the GEC's EPEAT registration process. Winners of Phase 1 will receive $50,000 and advance to Phase 2. The submission deadline for Phase 1 is April 17, 2025, at 4:00 PM ET.
In Phase 2, manufacturers must demonstrate that the products named in Phase 1 have achieved EPEAT registration. A cash award of $100,000 per product—up to a maximum of four products—is available for successful entries, totaling a possible $400,000 per participant in Phase 2. Submissions for Phase 2 will be accepted on a rolling basis from May 2026 to March 2027.
To be eligible, participants must be U.S.-based manufacturers of PV modules or inverters and must not currently have any products registered with EPEAT. Organizations interested in competing are encouraged to follow the challenge on Challenge.gov for updates and to review the official rules when released. All inquiries may be directed to PRIMEPrize@nrel.gov.
