EmPower Silicon Valley Annual Scholarship Competition

Our climate is changing, but solutions for a clean energy future are here today. By working together, we can help ensure that our future is a clean and climate-friendly one. We’re gathering student perspectives to energize positive change.

The 2026 EmPower Silicon Valley Art Competition

Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) is proud to announce our sixth annual EmPowerSV scholarship competition! This year, we are inviting 3rd through 12th graders in our community to showcase their creativity and clean-energy vision.

Students will have eight weeks to create and submit an art piece that creatively showcases this year’s contest theme:

Powering Communities

“Powering Communities” is about how choosing clean energy together makes communities healthier and stronger. It powers schools, homes, and businesses, and supports all of the people who live and learn there. What does clean energy in your community mean to you?

Small designs with big energy! Create a circular sticker design using the template. Winning designs will be brought to life, and distributed at SVCE community events!

Elementary School
3rd – 5th Grades

Sticker
Prize: $250

Design a colorful, full-page poster! Creations should be at least 8 1/2 by 11 inches, and they may be done in any medium (paint, pencil, pen, collage, etc.). Winning designs will be brought to life, and featured at SVCE community events!

Middle School
6th – 8th Grades

Poster
Prize: $500

Create a piece of artwork to be featured in SVCE's new headquarters building! There are no specific parameters in this category. Multi-media artwork is accepted. Focus on creating something inspiring and welcoming!

High School
9th – 12th Grades

Future Headquarters Artwork
Prize: $1,250

Applications are open February 18th through April 24th

Competition Rules and Guidelines:

    1. Students must compete as individuals, not as a team.
    2. Each individual must complete the registration form.
    3. Submissions must be entered by the deadline to qualify.
    4. Applicants must only submit within the category that aligns with their grade level.
    5. Each applicant may submit one entry.

*Full rules and guidelines are viewable in the contest application

Eligibility

  1. Must be currently enrolled in 3rd through 12th grade.
  2. Must live in a household/residence that receives electric service from SVCE and/or attend a school in Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Saratoga, Sunnyvale, or unincorporated Santa Clara County communities.

Questions? Contact danika.miller@svcleanenergy.org

The 2025 EmpowerSV Music & Art Competition Winners

Scholarship Competition Event Recap

2025 Finalists at Campbell Boogie Fest

Best Performance Award

Gatherers of Light

Joshua Ryu, Saratoga

Album Cover Award

Clean Energy, Clean Earth

Audrey Lin, Cupertino

Songwriting Award

The Polar Bear’s World

Jennifer Choi, Monte Sereno

Zero Waste Award

Can’t Stop the Solar

Clarabelle Wang, Cupertino

Honorable Mentions

Journey Around the World

Darien James, Los Gatos

All About that Smart Thermostat

Elspeth Luu, Cupertino

Can’t Stop the Solar

Maple Fan, Cupertino

Petals of Change

John Kim, Saratoga

SVCE Scholarship Opportunities

If you are interested in future SVCE scholarship opportunities or youth education initiatives, please sign up on our interest form to stay updated.