A product for solar panels being developed by University of Toledo researchers has advanced to the final phase of a U.S. Energy Department competition for the chance to win $500,000 cash and a $75,000 voucher.

Snow-Free Solar is a durable strip coating being developed to help shed snow from panels in a quick and low-cost way. In so doing, that helps solar panels continue to operate efficiently year-round, Energy Department spokesman Jono Sher said.

The product was created by a UT research team headed by Hossein Sojoudi, an associate professor of mechanical, industrial, and manufacturing engineering.

He didn’t want to describe it in detail, given that the competition is still in progress.

But he said he’s pleased that Snow-Free Solar impressed judges.

“This is something we’ve been working on for a while,” Mr. Sojoudi said. “We’re very excited and, hopefully, we can continue in the competition.”

Snow-Free Solar is also one of three winning teams to receive a bonus in the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion portion of the contest.

“Recognition from a leading federal research and development agency, such as the Department of Energy, shows high esteem for Professor Soujoudi at the national level, providing further indication of the university’s standing as a leader in energy research,” said Frank Calzonetti, UT vice president for research.

The competition is called the American-Made Solar Prize, which has awarded more than $15 million in prizes to entrepreneurs across the country since its inception in 2018.

In this latest round, known as Round 6, the Energy Department is making $3.2 million in cash prizes and $900,000 in technical support vouchers from national labs available to winners.

Mr. Sojoudi’s team is guaranteed to come away with at least $100,000 each in cash and $75,000 in vouchers. The top two finishers will receive $500,000 cash prizes.

Another $200,000 is being made available to entries that focus on advancing solar solutions in underserved communities, the Energy Department said.

The Solar Prize is part of the American-Made Challenges program which incentivizes clean energy innovation through prizes.

Garrett Nilsen, DOE solar energy technologies deputy director, said the American-Made program was created “to catalyze innovators to take action on their projects” and can help them raise capital for bringing their products to market.

“Recognition from the DOE that you have a good idea doesn’t hurt,” he said.

The program also connects winners to researchers at national laboratories.

“We’re really trying to set up a holistic support system,” Mr. Nilsen said.

First Published April 16, 2023, 1:30 p.m.