With the European Solar Prize and the German Solar Prize, which has been awarded annually since 1994, hundreds of prize winners have already been honoured with this prestigious award for their exceptional achievements and significant contributions to the use and expansion of renewable energies. The award ceremony brings role models and pioneers into the public eye and provides new impetus for a decentralised, citizen-oriented and renewable energy transition.
European Solar Prize 2026
The application phase for the European Solar Prize 2026 is now closed. We would like to thank everyone who submitted an application or nomination. The winners have been selected by the jury.
European & Swiss Solar Prize 2026: Solar Architecture in Transition
On 29 and 30 October 2026, the Swiss Solar Agency (Solaragentur Schweiz) is hosting a two-day event in cooperation with EUROSOLAR – The European Association for Renewable Energy and the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI). The European Solar Prize will be awarded together with the Swiss Solar Prize.
Programme Overview
- Thursday, 29 October 2026 – SUPSI Campus, Mendrisio
- 1:30 pm: Optional – SUPSI campus tour
- 2:30 – 5:30 pm: “Solar Machines” conference (the interaction of material, space and energy as one connected system)
- Followed by an apéro
- Friday, 30 October 2026 – LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura, Lugano – Solar Prize Ceremony
- 11:00 am: Optional – Franklin University campus tour
- 1:30 – 6:00 pm: Award ceremony of the European & Swiss Solar Prize
- Followed by an apéro
For further information and event updates, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/european-swiss-solar-awards-2026-tickets-1988000362600?aff=oddtdtcreator and https://event.solarchitecture.ch/.
Renewable Energy Diversity
In order to celebrate the diversity of successful renewable energy applications, EUROSOLAR awards the ESP in ten categories from municipalities to One-World-Cooperation, mobility solutions, solar architecture, urban development, businesses as well as projects, organisations and individuals in education and the media. An international expert jury chooses the winners for each year.
European Solar Prize Applications and Nominations
All projects must be realized and show tangible results. The key part of the application is a presentation highlighting aims, figures and benefits. Depending on the category, details on the approach, technologies, users, renewable energy production, financial benefits, or other core information may be important. Further information on the application and the jury’s evaluation criteria can be found here.
EUROSOLAR awards solar prizes in various categories that reflect the diverse areas of the energy transition.
a) Towns/municipalities, council districts, public utilities
b) Solar architecture and sustainable design
The Solar Prize is awarded to architects, planning offices, housing associations, cities or other institutions that develop innovative concepts for the use of renewable energies in individual buildings or districts. The focus is on design and structural implementation.
c) Industrial and commercial companies or farmers
The Solar Prize is awarded to industrial companies, cooperatives and farms that promote the market integration of renewable energies through their business model or cover their own energy needs through innovative regenerative concepts.
d) Local or regional associations and organizations
The Solar Prize is awarded to associations and communities with a local or regional focus that promote grassroots use and distribution of renewable energy in the region.
e) Owners or operators of renewable energy installations
The Solar Prize is awarded to operators or owners of decentralized renewable energy systems that supply private buildings, industrial enterprises, or educational institutions, or feed electricity into the grid. This includes solar parks and small wind farms.
f) Transport and mobility
The Solar Prize is awarded for vehicles and transport solutions with climate-friendly technology, as well as sustainable and integrated mobility concepts for public and private transport.
g) Media
The Solar Prize is awarded to journalists, publicists, agencies or filmmakers who discuss and promote renewable energies in their work on TV, radio, online or in print.
h) Education and vocational training
The Solar Prize is awarded to institutions, initiatives or individuals who provide education and training in the field of renewable energies and inform about it.
i) One world cooperation
The Solar Prize is awarded to projects, initiatives or organizations that use renewable energies to promote socially and ecologically sustainable development.
j) Special achievement
Members of the jury 2026
Dr. Axel Berg, Chair of the Board, EUROSOLAR Germany
Prof. Michele Conteduca, DiAP, Sapienza Università di Roma, Italy
Stephan Grüger, President, EUROSOLAR e.V.
Johannes Hegger, Architect, HHS Planer + Architekten AG
Wolfgang Hein, Chair, EUROSOLAR Austria
Isa Zanetti, Department of Environment Constructions and Design (SUPSI), Switzerland