The Solar Ireland 2025 Hackathon, held on 2 October at the RDS, Dublin, and was launched by Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism, and Employment.
The Hackathon was co-hosted by GreenTech HQ and SETU, in partnership with Solar Ireland and supported by industry stakeholders including AIB and Cool Planet, the event was a major feature of this year’s Solar Ireland flagship conference.
Over 50 participants from Irish universities, start-ups, and industry took part, forming multidisciplinary teams to co-create and present innovative renewable solar energy solutions. A number of SETU students were part of the winning teams announced at the event and recognised for their creativity, innovation, and impactful ideas.
Driving innovation for a sustainable future
The Solar Ireland 2025 Hackathon complemented the broader conference by bringing students, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals together for an energetic one-day innovation challenge in a dynamic environment that encouraged creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving to accelerate solar solutions and advance Ireland’s journey to net zero.
“The Solar Ireland Hackathon was a great success, and we at GreenTech HQ are proud to have co-delivered it with SETU and Solar Ireland. It united students, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to develop practical ideas for a net-zero future, showcasing the power of collaboration in driving clean energy innovation.”
Liz MacGonigal Head of Operations and Sustainability at GreenTech HQ.
Drawing on diverse perspectives from academia and industry, teams developed, tested, and refined ideas through teamwork and mentoring. Using SETU’s design thinking framework, participants explored real-world challenges and co-created practical, scalable solutions with potential for real impact.
Collaboration and creativity
Multidisciplinary teams from several Irish universities adopted a design thinking approach, working together across four thematics of: circular supply chains for solar components; designing affordable solar solutions for low-income, refugee, or rural communities; unlocking the potential of Agri-PV to support biodiversity, farming, and rural development; exploring intelligent digital and data-driven systems to maximise grid integration. The atmosphere was both competitive and supportive, with students and professionals working on ideas to support Ireland’s clean energy goals.
“SETU was delighted to partner with GreenTech HQ and Solar Ireland to bring this event to life. The Hackathon fostered multidisciplinary collaboration and helped participants enhance their teamwork, communication, and adaptability skills. It deepened their understanding of solar technology and its importance for Ireland, while also raising awareness of the vital role renewable energy plays in achieving a just, low-carbon future.”
Dr. David Ryan AVP for Sustainability, SETU.
Celebrating excellence and innovation
Teams featuring SETU students performed exceptionally well, taking home three category awards and the overall Hackathon prize. Arts Management intern Emma MacDonald and her team earned recognition for ‘Solar Lilies,’ a scalable, low-maintenance floating solar design. Marketing intern Sushma Mahesh and her team won ‘Best Pitch’ for their solar dashboard tool with AI-powered automation that reduces energy wastage. Mechanical Engineering student Wei Shun Aw and Tom Tully from University of Limerick received the ‘Most Likely to Succeed’ award for their Smart Solar Battery, praised for technical innovation and market potential.
“Participating in the event was an incredible opportunity to collaborate with new people, learn, and gain valuable insights. Presenting the Solar Lily pitch was an exciting experience, and I’m extremely proud of our team and our win.”
Emma MacDonald Art Management Intern, SETU.
SETU’s commitment to renewable energy leadership
The Hackathon reflected SETU’s commitment to innovative, challenge-based learning as a driver of sustainability. Participants strengthened their creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration skills while gaining a deeper appreciation of solar technology’s role in addressing real-world sustainability challenges. Building on this year's success, the Solar Ireland Hackathon will return to the Solar Ireland conference in October 2026.