SafeConnect Solar, a company started by Mark Duda and Todd Georgopapa­dakos formerly of Revolusun, was awarded $500,000 from the U.S. Department of Energy to test a prototype "smart box" designed to cut the costs of rooftop solar. The award was from the Energy Department’s SunShot Initiative, which aims to drive down the cost of solar electricity to 6 cents per kilowatt-hour.

The "smart box" prototype contains hardware and software-based safety mechanisms that prevent photovoltaic solar systems from operating under electrically unsafe conditions. It simplifies the design and installation of the electrical aspects of the PV system and reduces costs to system owners, said Georgopapadakos.

"Renewables are the future of energy generation, but price still limits adoption in many markets," said Georgopapadakos in a news release.