GreenTech HQ & SETU combine to power Solar Ireland 2025 hackathon

Minister Peter Burke backs innovation challenge to drive Net Zero

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Pictured: Ronan Power, Solar Ireland; Liz McGonigal, Greentech HQ Minister Peter Burke, Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment Peter Burke; Senator Cathal Byrne; and David Ryan, SETU

In association with GreenTech HQ

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.

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.

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

• Solar circularity 2.0: Design for disassembly & 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 decentralised future – exploring intelligent digital and data-driven systems to maximise grid integration.

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
• Creative innovation solution

Launching the Hackathon, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke said: “Ireland has an extraordinary opportunity to lead in solar innovation. The Hackathon is about empowering our students, researchers, and entrepreneurs to collaborate and deliver fresh solutions that will drive our net zero future. I am delighted to launch this initiative at the Solar Ireland 2025 Conference.”

Ronan Power, CEO, Solar Ireland, said: “The Hackathon brings fresh energy into Solar Ireland 2025. It’s where bright ideas meet industry expertise to deliver practical solutions for Ireland’s clean energy future.”

David Ryan, associate vice president for sustainability, SETU, said: “At SETU, we are committed to equipping the next generation with the skills and opportunities to drive sustainability forward. By bringing together academia, industry, and innovators, this Hackathon creates a platform for real impact in the solar sector.”

Liz McGonigal, head of sustainability, GreenTech HQ, said: “This Hackathon is designed to bridge the gap between innovation and action. By engaging talent from across Ireland, we can co-create practical, scalable solutions that accelerate both solar adoption and Ireland’s wider sustainability journey.”

Applications are now open for individuals and teams to register their interest in participating. Forms and full details are available at here.