Award Categories

The Company of the Year awards are given to companies that go above and beyond to make their mark in the clean energy economy. If your organization is creating breakthrough innovation and growth, then this is the category for you. See below for the opportunities!

(For-Profit) Awards

• Enterprise: For companies with over 1,000 employees
• Small- and Medium-sized Businesses (SMB): For companies with 100 to 999 employees
• Startup: For companies demonstrating fast growth and successful market penetration in just one year. Eligibility: must have between $1 – $25 million (USD) revenue per year.

(Non-Profit) Awards

• Open to organizations of any size!

The Best Corporate Sustainability Program award is for corporate teams that enact impactful ESG programs that positively impact the health, safety, and wellness of the communities they serve. Judges will be looking for companies from all industries that have emphasized growth and profitability through intentional business practices without compromising people, the planet, or the economy. All companies are encouraged to participate. 

The eligibility period to qualify for consideration as an honoree for the 2021 The Cleanie Awards® is between January 1, 2020 to June 20, 2021.

The Best Journalist award spotlights leading industry storytellers. Journalists are some of the most revered and respected individuals who play a critical role in growing the clean energy economy through their reporting. We rely on up-to-the-minute reporting to keep us informed of the news that matters. And there is no short supply on in-depth and profile reporting of the myriad of community members and innovation points. Nominate your favorite journalist, and we can shine a light back on their support of the industry!

The eligibility period to qualify for consideration as an honoree for the 2021 The Cleanie Awards® is between January 1, 2020 to June 20, 2021.

The Best Media Outlet award recognizes the leading “go to” source(s) for cleantech and climate industry news. We’ll turn the judging over to the general public to see who comes out on top.

The eligibility period to qualify for consideration as an honoree for the 2021 The Cleanie Awards® is between January 1, 2020 to June 20, 2021.

The Champion in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion awards recognize individuals and organizations or collective group efforts that lead with DE&I initiatives and programs at cleantech organizations. Show us how governance and diversity, equity, and inclusion are woven into the fabric of your mission and values.

• Corporate: For organizations or collective group efforts that developed, promoted, and executed DE&I initiatives that are making a difference. We’ll shine a spotlight on the efforts that kept employees involved and engaged, even during a pandemic. Applies to internal and external programs.
• Individual: For individual leaders that significantly contributed to a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace culture.

The eligibility period to qualify for consideration as an honoree for the 2021 The Cleanie Awards is between January 1, 2020 to June 20, 2021.

The College Excellence award recognizes undergraduate and graduate-level students at the individual and group levels who are making an impact in the clean energy economy through coursework, capstone research projects, and various competitions. All undergraduate and graduate-level individuals and groups from colleges and universities of all sizes are encouraged to apply.

The eligibility period to qualify for consideration as an honoree for the 2021 The Cleanie Awards® is between January 1, 2020 to June 20, 2021.

The Investment Leader of the Year award recognizes the movers and shakers who invested in unique and noteworthy projects and technology that benefit their respective organizations and the clean energy economy overall.

• Corporate: For all companies who focus on investing in the energy transition. Judges will focus on evidence of investment from 2020 up until 2021. Entries should highlight the incorporation of ESG into their strategic planning.
• Individual: For senior management leaders who focus on investing in the clean energy transition. Nominees can be from private equity, venture, and other financial organizations. Entries should focus on unique and noteworthy projects, technology, products, and campaigns that have made significant impacts within the company in which they invest.

The eligibility period to qualify for consideration as an honoree for the 2021 The Cleanie Awards® is between January 1, 2020 to June 20, 2021.

The Keep the Power On award recognizes utilities that are committed to ensuring energy capacity meets demand in communities across the nation. We are looking for forward-thinking utilities who diversify their offerings to create sustainable communities. All utility organizations are encouraged to participate. 

The eligibility period to qualify for consideration as an honoree for the 2021 The Cleanie Awards® is between January 1, 2020 to June 20, 2021.

The Pioneer in New Technology award is open to individuals and/or organizations who manufacture, design, engineer, and/or promote clean energy solutions. This is the perfect award to recognize engineering and product design teams.

The eligibility period is between January 1, 2020 to June 20, 2021. and applies to products that launched or deployed during this time. If the product has not yet deployed, please share the solution’s potential for success.

The Project of the Year award recognizes projects that add tremendous community value. These may include local economic impact, environmental impact, or carbon offset impact. From developers, investors, financial and legal experts to the corporate buyers and many more, it takes a village to get a project secured and started. All companies are encouraged to apply. We’ll turn the judging over to the general public to see who comes out on top.  

The eligibility period to qualify for consideration as an honoree for the 2021 The Cleanie Awards® is between January 1, 2020 to June 20, 2021.

The Rising Star award recognizes young and mid-career professionals who show exceptional leadership. All organizations are encouraged to participate. Individuals may nominate themselves. See below for opportunities!

• Under 30: For young professionals who show exceptional leadership and desire to grow their career in the clean energy industry.
• Under 40: For mid-career professionals who show exceptional leadership and desire to grow their career in the clean energy industry.

The eligibility period to qualify for consideration as an honoree for the 2021 The Cleanie Awards® is between January 1, 2020 to June 20, 2021.

The Trailblazer award spotlights mentors and champions that help younger professionals grow their careers. If you know an individual who fits this description, then submit to this category! Individuals may nominate themselves.  

The eligibility period to qualify for consideration as an honoree for the 2021 The Cleanie Awards® is between January 1, 2020 to June 20, 2021.

The Woman of the Year award goes to a female executive who demonstrates exceptional leadership, innovation, and mentorship in the clean energy industry. Individuals may nominate themselves.  

The eligibility period to qualify for consideration as an honoree for the 2021 The Cleanie Awards® is between January 1, 2020 to June 20, 2021.