CMU’s Scott Institute for Energy Innovation Selected To Expand American-Made Solar Prize

Scott Institute receives U.S. Department of Energy funding for expertise in forming strategic partnerships, track record helping cleantech innovators

The Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation at Carnegie Mellon University is one of five organizations selected by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to facilitate and grow the American-Made Solar Prize. As a “Power Connector,” the Scott Institute will receive $100,000 to ensure the success of the Solar Prize, which is designed to encourage innovation and revitalize U.S. solar manufacturing.

The American-Made Solar Prize is a $3 million competition designed to revitalize U.S. solar manufacturing through a series of contests and the development of a diverse and powerful support network that leverages national laboratories, energy incubators and other resources across the country. The prize is directed and administered by the NREL and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office

The NREL selected Power Connectors for their vision, strength of networks, track record of success and geographic diversity, among other factors. The Scott Institute will bring faculty and staff expertise in technology and entrepreneurship and connections in the Mid-Atlantic and Mid-West regions to the program, helping to achieve the program’s goal of growing the solar innovation ecosystem and revitalizing American solar manufacturing.

“We are thrilled to have been selected as a Power Connector in the inaugural cohort, through which we have been presented a unique set of opportunities to work directly with renewable startups and technology innovations in the southwestern Pennsylvania region and nationally,” said Scott Institute Executive Director Anna J. Siefken, who is the Innovation & Strategic Partnerships lead and a participant in the NREL’s 2018 Energy Executives Leadership Academy.

Through connections and partnerships, and university resources like the Center for Technology Transfer and Enterprise Creation, the Scott Institute has a solid platform to support innovation and guide competitors through the stages of the American-Made Solar Prize.

The Scott Institute focuses on developing and demonstrating the technologies, systems and policies needed to make the transition to a sustainable energy future, and is committed to fostering partnerships across the energy field.