The Clean Energy Trust awarded more than $350,000 to a variety of startup companies that are pushing clean energy technology to new heights. Two companies, LuminAID and Bearing Analytics, were the big winners, each taking home $100,000 in startup capital to help them grow.

The Clean Energy Challenge is an annual competition held by the Clean Energy Trust that’s designed to help startup companies become more established. The grand prizes were sponsored by the Department of Energy.

"The Challenge is designed to uncover the very best in clean energy technology startups and kickstart their development," said Amy Francetic, Clean Energy Trust executive director. "This year's teams inspired us beyond expectation. The judging was very competitive. We are grateful for the support of our sponsors, board and judges for their help in creating more prizes for these creative entrepreneurs."

The two winners are very different types of clean energy innovators. LuminAID Lab, which won the early-stage prize makes inflatable, solar powered lights. Bearing Analytics a project out of Purdue University won the Student Challenge.

LuminAID produces inexpensive, inflatable solar-powered lights. The product is designed for disaster recovery and can be shipped in a flat pack. It was inspired by the Haiti earthquake in 2010 and when founders Anna Stork and Andrea Sreshta found themselves in Japan earthquake in 2011, they realized they needed to move forward with the idea. Thus far the company has sold more than 30,000 units, according to Sreshta.

Bearing Analytics won for its a patent-protected temperature and vibration sensor for the industrial bearing market. Basically the technology can help wind turbine owners or owners of other heavy machinery know when bearings will fail ahead of time. It can prevent gearbox failures and alleviate safety concerns, according to Clean Energy Trust.

The challenge also awarded prizes to SmarterShade, SkySpecs, Amplified Wind Solutions and Ornicept. Each has a unique offering. SmarterShade can instantly darken windows with an innovative film system—something many companies have been trying to do for years. Amplified Wind Solutions uses wind power to power cell towers in remote locations. SkySpecs uses unmanned aerial vehicles to monitor wind turbines, bridges and other infrastructure, reducing safety issues for repair workers and for the public. And Ornicept analyzes endangered bird migration patterns to help wind developers comply with siting regulations.