India's only institute of higher education that is totally powered by solar energy and an Arizona-based solar panel manufacturer are two of the six contestants for a prize awarded to outstanding examples of renewable energy, according to a published report. Of 40 applications, six made the cut.

Another contestant for the Zayed Future Energy Prize was a California scientist who developed policies to encourage two decades worth of green energy generation. The chair of a Colorado institute was nominated for work designing buildings that are energy efficient.

An American investor in clean energy companies in the developing world and a Danish wind turbine manufacturer comprised the final two contestants.

"We had a hard time selecting these six entries," according to Razan al Mubarak, managing director of Emirates Wildlife Society - World Wide Fund for Nature and chairman of the award's selection committee. "The nature of the work of each candidate was exceptional. We analyzed each entry from different angles."

India's Barefoot College operates on solar power. First Solar of Arizona is one of the globe's fastest-growing manufacturers of solar panels.

Named in honor of Sheikh Zayed, the founding president of the United Arab Emirates, the prize awards $1.5 to the victor. Two runners-up will get $350,000 apiece.

The prizes will be awarded on January 18 in Abu Dhabi.