On 15 June this year's application period for the European Solar Prize 2017 has come to its end. The great interest and the high participation are extremely welcome. This year, a large number of exciting projects, organizations and persons have again applied for the European Solar Prize. We would like to thank all the participants for their commitment.
In the next days, the applications will be reviewed and submitted to the jury for evaluation. At the end of July, the jurors will nominate the award winners during a jury session. All applicants will be informed about the results in August.
The winners of the European Solar Prize 2017 will be honored in Vienna on 18 November 2017 as part of a ceremonial award ceremony. We would like to invite you to this event. The invitation to the award ceremony will soon be published on our homepage and in our newsletter.
Members of the jury:
- Prof. Peter Droege, President of EUROSOLAR, Architecture and urban planning
- Dr. Axel Berg, Chairman of EUROSOLAR Germany, Energy law
- Gallus Cadonau, Solar Agency Switzerland, Solar architecture
- Stephan Grüger, MdL, Vice president of EUROSOLAR, Energy policy
- Wolfgang Hein, Vice president of EUROSOLAR, Economical co-operation and development
- Rosa Hemmers, Tresurer of EUROSOLAR, Participation and acceptance
- Andre Langwost, EUROSOLAR France, Participation and financing
- Morten V. Petersen, EUROSOLAR Denmark, Small wind strategies
- Prof. Livio Sacchi, Faculty of Architecture of Pescara, Architecture and urban planning
- Prof. Jürgen Sachau, University of Luxembourg, Power systems and control engineering
Scientific advisors:
Prof. Eliana Cangelli, Vice president of EUROSOLAR, Dr. Torsten Masseck, UPC-Barcelona, Judit Ronai, EUROSOLAR Hungary, Milan Smrz, Vice president of EUROSOLAR, Prof. Tanay Sidki Uyar, Vice president of EUROSOLAR
Frequently asked questions:
How can I apply?
Applications and proposals for the various prize categories may be submitted during the application period via the online entry form on this website. Alternatively, you may send in your application by e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or post to EUROSOLAR e.V., Kaiser-Friedrich-Straße 11, 53113 Bonn, Germany. Please make sure to provide the materials sent by post also in digital formats (such as CD-ROM or USB stick). A description of the various prize categories can be found below.
Why should I apply?
Due to the fact that EUROSOLAR is a non-profit organisation, we cannot pay any prize money.
Nevertheless, award winners benefit in a variety of ways:
- The Solar Prize is considered as an international seal of quality
- Guaranteed attention for the winning projects / initiatives by publicity in the media and the public
- Appreciation of award winners within the framework of a solemn award ceremony in an European city
- New possibilities are given for networking as well for making new contacts
What information does my application has to include?
Applications must include:
- Full contact details, including contact name
- Abstract/project summary (max. 1,500 characters, including blanks, in English)
- Application category of choice
The abstract is a significant part of the application. The judges' first impression of the goals and innovative aspects of the submission will be based on it. Your application can be supplemented by additional documents (such as photographs, brochures, diagrams, newspaper articles, videos). Additional material may be sent by e-mail or post. Ideally, the submissions also include key figures (e.g. 40 % of the consumption is generated from renewable sources) or mention the technology used. In the case of architectural objects, please specify the usable area, energy needs, portion of demand covered by renewable energy, reduction of CO2 emissions and the place/address.
What do I have to consider in my application?
Eligible projects are either fully completed or sufficiently advanced to provide first results. The Solar Prize will not be given in recognition of products, books or inventions.
Please pay attention to the quality of your documents. Please consider which informations and complementary materials are relevant for the assessment process and which are not. In your application, please make a clear reference to the evaluation criteria and describe the extent to which your project or initiative fulfills these requirements. It is also always an advantage, if you visualize your application with pictures and graphics so that the judges can get a better impression.
For technical reasons you can only upload one file with a maximum file size of 10 MB. If you wish to submit multiple items we recommend that you pack them in a zip file or combine them into one PDF file. If you wish to send in more extensive materials, kindly mail us a digital storage device.
How can I submit proposals?
We would be pleased to draw your attention to interesting and innovative projects or initiatives in the field of renewable energies. Proposals can be submitted formless by e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For the better preparation of your nomination, we would be also pleased, if you inform us about your sources, references and further links (for example websites, press releases, etc.).
How are applications and proposals assessed?
- Degree of innovation: How does the project differ from existing standard solutions in terms of creativity and originality?
- Exemplary character: How easily can the idea be transferred and applied by others? Does it encourage imitation?
- Commitment: To what extent did obstacles and resistance have to be overcome? How much commitment and willpower is behind it?
- Public effectiveness: Can the project or initiative be well presented in the media? How many people can be reached?
- Quality of application documents: Are the documents conclusive and plausible? Has reference to the evaluation criteria been taken?
It should be noted that depending on the category, the weighting of the evaluation criteria varies.
How are the prize winners selected?
The individual prize winners are determined by a qualified jury, which is convened and put together by EUROSOLAR every year. The members of the jury are appointed on an objective basis and guarantee a practical and professional assessment of the incoming applications and proposals.
The European Solar Prize is awarded annually in addition to the national Solar Prizes of the various EUROSOLAR sections. The European Prize Winners will be determined from the applicants for the respective national Solar Prizes and the direct applications to EUROSOLAR.
After expiry of the application period, the EUROSOLAR head office reviews all applications and prepares the documents for the evaluation process. Afterwards, the prepared application documents are made available to the jury members electronically. In the framework of a joint meeting, the judges make final decisions on the award winners.
Description of Prize Categories:
a) Towns/municipalities, council districts, public utilities
European towns, municipalities, council districts, public utilities with projects for using renewable energies in their council area. The Solar Prize is awarded for versatile and convincing activities with a supply of renewable energy.
b) Solar architecture and urban planning
European architects and planning offices, housing associations, towns and other facilities with innovative concepts using renewable energy on single buildings or for whole districts. This category is focused on constructive aspects.
c) Industrial and commercial companies or farmers
European companies, cooperatives and agrobusinesses which developed innovative approaches for the market launch of renewable energy or cover their own energy needs with renewable utilization concepts (with special consideration of small businesses).
d) Local or regional associations/organizations
European associations and organizations locally or regionally engaged, using renewable energy in various ways.
e) Owners or operators of renewable energy installations
Private plus-energy-buildings or zero-emission-buildings and educational institutions in Europe with innovative renewable energy concepts.
f) Transport and mobility
Vehicles or transportation systems from Europe powered with renewable energy and working functionally and emission-free.
g) Media
Journalists, publicists, agencies and directors who promote and raise public awareness for renewable energy in Europe through television, radio or publications.
h) Education and vocational training
European universities, schools, academies and other facilities and initiatives which offer knowledge transfers in the field of renewable energy.
i) One world cooperation
Organizations, universities, associations or other initiatives and facilities from Europe which initiated sustainable development cooperation in the field of renewable energy all over the world.
j) Special achievement prize for individual commitment
Longterm personal commitment for the use and extension of renewable energy. In this category proposals for individuals are very welcome.
Legal notice:
Applications and proposals must be received before the end of the respective application period. A selected panel of qualified judges, appointed by EUROSOLAR, will select the ultimate winning entries. The judges may assign projects to other categories than applied for, if necessary. No liability or responsibility is accepted by EUROSOLAR for materials sent in, including no recognition of any other legal claims associated therewith, such as the return of documents. All decisions are final.
EUROSOLAR fosters the public perception of the award winners through advertising initiatives in its networks and a festive ceremony. The partizipation in the European Solar Prize Award is free of charge. No prize money will be paid.
Confidential data from the applications will not be published by EUROSOLAR or passed on to third parties. Honoring texts and public information on the projects/initiatives are communicated and coordinated with the award winners before publication.
All private and public renewable energy installations, natural and legal persons and as well public bodies in Europe are eligible to participate. The applicant accepts with his/her application the statute of the Solar Prize.
The European Solar Prize Award was established in 1994 by EUROSOLAR in cooperation with its national sections. It has since been handed out every year to towns and municipalities, community businesses, associations or organizations, architects, journalists and individuals for their extraordinary accomplishments and significant contributions to the use and expansion of renewable energy in Europe. With the Solar Prize EUROSOLAR recognizes outstanding commitment to renewable energy.
The prize is given to make pioneers and leaders the focus of public attention all over Europe and to give fresh impetus to a renewable energy-based and decentralized energy turnaround. It honors outstanding and innovative projects and initiatives from all parts of society. At the end of each year the award winners are celebrated at a festive gathering in different European countries.
