This hackathon app would calculate utility costs for homebuyers

An app that shows energy efficiency rebate incentives won first place at the American Energy Data Challenge Code-A-Thon.

Hosted by Audubon-based power grid operator PJM Interconnection and the U.S. Department of Energy, the goal of the hackathon was to build an app based on data from sources like the Department of Energy and the Green Button Initiative, an energy usage effort. The event, held at the PJM Conference and Training Center in Valley Forge, drew hackers from across North America. Other versions of the hackathon have been held in Washington, D.C. and San Diego.

Matt Solt, founder of San Francisco-based energy startup Civvic, placed first, with a prize of $1,500. His app was designed to show rebate incentives. The app would allow users to see rebates they would receive from purchasing energy-efficient appliances based on their address.

Second prize of $1,000 was awarded to the team of Sean Mackey of Jacksonville, Fla.-based Energy Authority and Johann Kriek of Sasketchawan, Canada-based Rainbow Energy Marketing Corporation. Their app concentrated on finding the average monthly utility cost for a home by inputting real estate listings while shopping for a home.