The Global LEAP Awards Solar Generators Competition aims to identify and promote the best solar-powered generators for use in energy constrained settings, accelerating the global transition to high-quality, zero-emission power solutions.
Globally, 666 million people still lack access to electricity and about 2.8 billion more live in areas with unreliable power supply. In these areas, diesel and gasoline generators are common backup power sources, which produce emissions that harm human health and worsen climate change. With more than 82.6 million diesel generators in use globally, the need for a cleaner, scalable alternative is clear.
Solar generators offer a sustainable, safer, and more cost-effective solution over time. It is also referred to as “solar inverters”, “zero- emission generators”, “AC solar home systems” and “power stations.” Solar generators receive power from solar PV modules, store it in a battery, and provide electrical energy through AC and, in some cases, DC power outputs.
However, given the nascency of the technology, a robust consumer protection framework has yet to be established to ensure the quality and safety of these systems, leaving buyers and consumers to navigate the market on their own or continue to rely on polluting fossil fuel generators.
The 2025 Global LEAP Awards Solar Generator Competition
In partnership with the ZE-Gen program, the upcoming Global LEAP Awards Competition will spotlight best performing solar generators.
The competition will feature:
1. Rigorous laboratory testing according to the Solar Generator Test Method developed through VeraSol and conducted by an ISO-accredited test laboratory. See an overview of the test method.
2. Real-world user testing in households, businesses, and institutions (as applicable) to evaluate usability, in-situ performance, and overall user experience.
3. Judging by a panel of sector experts, using robust, transparent evaluation criteria and input from market and technology experts.
4. $100,000 in innovation Prizes, awarded to top-performing products across categories.
The nomination window opens 8 October 2025. All manufacturers and distributors of solar generators are invited to participate.
The nomination deadline has been extended to 7 November 2025.
Submit a Nomination
Competition Process
Product Eligibility
We encourage all applicants to carefully review the eligibility criteria and required documentation prior to submitting a nomination. Please see the Terms & Conditions and a summary below.
General Criteria
Commercially available solar generator, i.e., not a prototype
Capable of powering typical electrical loads required by household and small commercial users
Systems intended exclusively for powering a single-purpose device (e.g. an e-bike) are not eligible
Key components of the solar generator (i.e., battery, charge controller and inverter) must be preconfigured and sold together as a kit
Must include user manual and consumer-facing warranty policy
Not knowingly in violation of another’s intellectual property
Must be deployable and available for field evaluation by Administrator or its designee in Nigeria by 15 January 2026
Technical Criteria
Power input: PV input mandatory, AC input optional [May be sold with or without PV module(s)]
Power output: AC output mandatory, DC output optional, single-phase output only
Designed for use in locations with grid electricity of 220-240 V, 50 Hz, and with AC appliances compatible with these conditions. Products operating at 120 V, 60 Hz may be considered if they are specifically designed for countries included in the scope of the Competition.
No grid interactive systems, i.e., systems that feed power back into the grid.
Component size limits:
Battery maximum: 1000 Ah, 900 V; nickel-cadmium batteries not accepted
PV array maximum: 50 kW, 120 A, 700 V
Inverter input maximum: 50 kW, 120 A Isc, 2000 Voc
Inverter output maximum: 113 kW, 300 V
Important Documentation Required for Preliminary Evaluation
To ensure products are safe for field deployment and evaluation in households, businesses, and institutions, participants must submit the required documents before the nomination window closes.
Only products with complete documentation will advance to the next stage of the Awards competition. If a product does not yet have this documentation, we strongly encourage participants to begin the testing process as early as possible to avoid delays.
IEC 62109-1 and IEC 62109-2 test reports
Battery safety documentation
Battery Specification Sheet and Safety Data Sheets
AC-DC power supply safety
Competition Timeline
Webinar Information
An informational webinar was held on 15 October 2025 to provide an overview of the competition, covering the eligibility criteria, nomination process, administration, and evaluation procedures. You can watch the recording and download the presentation slides.
Contact Details
If you have any general questions or information about the Competition, you can contact the program team at globalleap@efficiencyforaccess.org.
The 2025 Global LEAP Awards Solar Generator Competition is implemented by CLASP and funded by ZE-Gen. ZE-Gen is a collaborative initiative by The Carbon Trust and Innovate UK, with funding from the IKEA Foundation and UK Government via the Transforming Energy Access platform. Launched at COP27, ZE-Gen is the leading international initiative working to improve the lives of people across Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and the Indo-Pacific region by driving the use of renewable energy in place of polluting fossil fuel generators.
