Solar Ireland 2025 Hackathon

Ireland’s flagship solar conference will break new ground this year with the launch of the Solar Ireland 2025 Hackathon, an all-day innovation challenge to accelerate solar solutions and support Ireland’s journey to net zero.

Taking place on 2 October at the RDS, Dublin, the Hackathon is being co-hosted by GreenTech HQ and SETU, in partnership with Solar Ireland and supported by industry stakeholders including AIB and Cool Planet.

The Hackathon will bring together students, entrepreneurs, innovators, and industry leaders for a full-day, solutions-focused challenge. Multidisciplinary teams will collaborate to design practical innovations that accelerate Ireland’s solar sector, aligned with the conference theme: “Advancing Towards Net Zero.”

Who can apply?
The Hackathon is open to individuals and teams from across Ireland, including students, early-stage entrepreneurs, start-ups, postgraduates, researchers, and professionals with an interest in sustainability, cleantech, and solar innovation.

Hackathon Themes

Teams will work on four urgent challenges shaping the future of solar:

• Solar Circularity 2.0: Design for Disassembly and Material Traceability – advancing digital passports, modularity, and circular supply chains for solar components.
• Solar for Energy Justice: Tackling Energy Poverty with Innovation – designing affordable solar solutions for low-income, refugee, or rural communities.
• Agri-Solar Synergies: Dual-Use Land, Double the Impact – unlocking the potential of Agri-PV to support biodiversity, farming, and rural development.
• Solar + Smart Systems: Grid Intelligence for a De-centralised Future – exploring intelligent digital and data-driven systems to maximise grid integration.

Prizes

The overall winner will gain access to over €15,000 worth of prizes, mentoring, and business support, including

• Six months’ hot-desk space at GreenTech HQ, Enniscorthy (with options at Guinness Enterprise Centre and Dogpatch Labs)
• One-to-one mentoring with industry leaders for a year
• Dedicated marketing advisory support

Awards will be presented in three categories: Most Likely to Succeed; Best Pitch; and Creative Innovation Solution.

How to Apply

Applications are now open for individuals and teams to register their interest in participating. Forms and full details are available here or click 'Book Now' above.