Here at the Clean Energy Business Network, we are all about the ‘network.’ Our collective strength as an organization relies on the individual contributions of our members. With each new project you build, each time you sign onto a policy letter, each new connection you forge, you are building a cleaner, healthier, more resilient, and more affordable energy future for all Americans. As we look back on 2021, we wish to express our gratitude for your contributions to our community of changemakers.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Department of Energy (DOE) have created a new, cross-cutting funding opportunity to support community partnerships. The Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize will provide a total of $2.5 million in funding to up to 10 teams to advance ideas for a just and equitable transition. Learn more and get a head start on applying.

The Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR), known as “America’s Seed Fund,” provides nondilutive grants to small businesses to help them develop and commercialize technology innovations. The Department of Energy (DOE) has announced topics for the next round of grants. Learn more and get a head start on applying.

More than 750 clean energy business leaders have signed on to CEBN’s letter to Congress applauding passage of the bipartisan infrastructure bill and calling for further action on clean energy. This campaign has attracted support from clean energy business leaders representing 539 firms and across all 50 states. The letter demonstrates strong backing from clean energy business leaders across the country, and it has received coverage from Politico’s Morning Energy and the Washington Post.

A recent webinar hosted by the Business Council for Sustainable Energy and the Clean Energy Business Network explored strategies to strengthen diversity and inclusivity in the clean energy economy. In addition, the webinar discussed a case study with respect to the U.S. Department of Energy’s American-Made Solar Prize, a $4.6M prize competition to help innovators rapidly develop new solar technology and software solutions.

The American-Made Solar Prize is back! The latest iteration of this competition, Round 5, is offering solar innovators $4.6 million in total cash prizes. Learn more about this prize and view resources to help you compete to win.

The CEBN delivered a letter last week to Senate leadership and the “Gang of 22” urging support for a bipartisan infrastructure package that includes the Energy Infrastructure Act. Over 420 clean energy business leaders and individuals have signed onto to an updated version of the letter, which calls on Congress to advance this legislation and other energy policies. CEBN’s parent organization, BCSE, also sent a coalition letter on this important legislation.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) is seeking ideas that will accelerate the development of systems that use low-cost solar-thermal energy to produce clean water from very-high-salinity water, like water produced from oil and gas extraction. CEBN recently held a webinar featuring Sarah Gomach, a program administrator from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Gary Katz, Founder and CEO of Katz Water Technologies, and one of eight semifinalists from the first round of the Solar Desalination Prize, also spoke on the webinar. The full recording can be found below.

In July 1969, an estimated 650 million people watched the historic moon landing live on TV. Federal investments in the space program not only paid off with technological advances but also served to inspire many to pursue careers in STEM. The educational spillover effects of federal support for young people in scientific innovation was on full display this month, as 13 teams of undergraduate students competed in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Collegiate Wind Competition (CWC).

Last week, the Department of Energy announced 235 American small businesses were collectively awarded $54 million through the 2021 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.