The U.S. Department of Energy recently launched a new Lighting Prize (L-Prize) designed to spur innovation, domestic manufacturing, and the benefits of an inclusive clean energy economy for next-generation lighting solutions in commercial buildings.
The $12 million L-Prize competition has three phases:
The Concept Phase invites innovative concept proposals from potential competitors. This phase will provide competitors with an opportunity to receive feedback on their concept proposal and potential to receive a cash award. An award of $20,000 each will be awarded to up to 10 of the highest-scoring entries meeting the rigorous L-Prize technical requirements.
The Prototype Phase will invite prototype products, emphasizing technological innovation and presenting the opportunity and challenge to think outside standard forms, materials, and price points of commercially available lighting products. An award of $2 million will be divided among up to three competitors earning the most points for innovation exceeding the minimum L-Prize performance requirements in four areas: efficiency, quality of light, connectivity, and product life cycle, with additional points possible for innovation in diversity, equity, and inclusion in how systems are designed, produced, deployed, or installed.
The follow-on Manufacturing and Installation Phase will reward production and installation of real products meeting the L-Prize technical requirements. An award of $10 million will be divided among up to two competitors earning the most points based on production volume, U.S. content, and U.S. installations, in addition to points earned for innovation in technical specifications and in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The first deadline is November 19, 2021.
To learn more, click here.
