Five Catalyst startups have received an additional $260,000 to boost their solar innovations and reduce soft costs making going solar easier, faster and cheaper for all Americans. Six months after Demo Day in Philadelphia, each team has demonstrated progress in meeting the targets and goals they identified in the seed round of the Catalyst Incubation contest. Prize awards are as follows:

• MySunBuddy $70,000 Sharing virtual net metered and community solar system solar production credits
• SolarBook by Pick My Solar $70,000 Developing a one stop shop for information about residential solar 
• Hot4Solar $50,000 Using peer networks to better target solar marketing
• Solar Merchant $50,000 Tapping into small commercial rooftop solar potential
• Solar Land Solutions $20,000 Matching landowners and building owners with utility and community solar developers

These five startups competed in the Catalyst Energy Prize Demo Day on December 10, 2015. A panel of esteemed judges selected these five solar teams, along with two innovations in energy-efficient buildings, from 19 contestants. Judges and selected these top teams based on the product quality, potential market impact, business plan, and team abilities.

The Catalyst Energy Innovation Prize program is designed to accelerate ubiquitous, affordable solar energy and energy-efficient building technology deployment by connecting American innovators to the tools, capabilities, data sets, and resources developed by the Energy Department and its national laboratories. The competition leverages each of these assets to boost cutting-edge clean tech companies and tackle time-sensitive market challenges.

The third round of Catalyst is expected to launch later this year, so sign up for our newsletter to find out when it launches.