Monthly contest
DC Build of the Month
Built something on direct current? A solar shed, a van electrical system, a whole-home battery, a tidy home-charger install? Show it off. Each month our judges pick winners across three categories.
Enter this monthEntries for this month close in
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Categories & prizes
GRAND PRIZE
Best Overall Build
$250
- Featured case study on 9DC
- Winner badge for your social profiles
Best Budget Build
$100
- Most capability per dollar
- Feature in the DC Brief
Cleanest Wiring
$100
- Neat, fused, labelled, code-minded
- Feature in the DC Brief
Prize amounts are funded by supporters and sponsors and are confirmed on this page at the start of each month. Want to fund a prize? Sponsor the contest.
How judging works
- Safety (30%)Proper fusing, cable sizing, ventilation and enclosures. Unsafe builds are not eligible.
- Design & documentation (30%)A clear parts list, diagram and the numbers behind your choices.
- Value (20%)Capability for the money and smart re-use.
- Craft & story (20%)Workmanship, photos and what you learned.
Rules in brief
- Free to enter; no purchase necessary. One entry per person per month.
- You must own the photos and the build (or have permission).
- Entrants must be 18+ and the contest is void where prohibited.
- Work on mains or high-voltage DC must be done or inspected by a qualified person where your local law requires.
- By entering you allow 9DC to feature your photos and description with credit. You keep ownership.
- Winners are announced in the first week of the following month and contacted by email; prizes are paid by digital transfer.
Full terms: see our Terms of Use.