Scott Institute Supports American Made Solar Prize Winning Round 5 Hardware Teams
By Kristen Whitlinger
This week the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the winners of the American-Made Solar Prize Round 5, a multimillion dollar competition designed to advance hardware and software solar technologies. The Scott Institute was happy to serve as the Power Connector for the winning Hardware Track teams. Both teams were awarded $500,000 prizes for their early-stage hardware prototypes.
The Scott Institute Power Connector winning teams were:
TESCI Solar with Ben Colgrove (right), member of the Scott Institute Power Connector staff
TECSI Solar Inc.: Solvari SR, The All-in-One Residential Solar Panel (El Sobrante, CA) – This team is developing a residential solar module that simplifies the ordering and installation process by combining the racking, flashing, hardware, and power electronics into a single product. TECSI’s all-in-one solar module eliminates the aluminum frame, reducing the greenhouse gas emissions of the installation.
Origami Solar with Ben Colgrove (left), member of the Scott Institute Power Connector staff
Origami Solar: Roll-Formed Steel Frames for Photovoltaic (PV) Modules (Bend, OR) – This team is developing steel PV module frames leveraging U.S.-made and formed steel. Compared to current frames made from imported aluminum, these frames lower the carbon emissions associated with making the frames and reduce PV system costs, while supporting a U.S.-based supply chain.
“The American-Made Solar Prize Round 5 winners are powering us closer to a clean energy future with their exciting new hardware and software technologies,” said Alejandro Moreno, Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
The winners were announced at the RE+ solar industry trade show in Anaheim, California.