Monday 31 August 2026
A team of Dublin City University (DCU) engineering and technology students has made Irish motorsport and clean-technology history by revealing Ireland’s first-ever solar-powered racing car.
Designed and hand-built over four years of intensive research, prototyping, and aerodynamic testing, the ultra-efficient single-seater vehicle represents a major milestone for Irish higher education and green innovation.
The DCU Solar Racing team at Mondello Park, who have built Ireland's first solar-power racing car. The team will represent Ireland on the international stage at the iLumen European Solar Challenge (iESC) at Circuit Zolder in Belgium from September 19-20, 2026. Image: Daire Hall.
Following a test drive in Mondello Park, the team will officially unveil the car to the public on Wednesday, September 9, at 6pm at the Helix, DCU. Following its launch, the student team will represent Ireland on the international stage at the iLumen European Solar Challenge (iESC) at Circuit Zolder in Belgium from September 19-20, 2026. Competing against top international university engineering teams, the 24-hour endurance challenge tests vehicles on speed, energy management, and battery efficiency.
Equipped with custom solar array architecture
More than 40 multidisciplinary students spanning mechanical, electrical, software engineering, and business operations contributed to the project. Equipped with custom solar array architecture, light-weight composite materials, and bespoke telemetry systems, the vehicle relies entirely on solar energy and clean battery storage to run.
The custom-engineered vehicle – a sleek, 6m 'bullet' model designed for maximum power conversion and minimal drag – recently underwent track validation and high-speed testing at Mondello Park, Co Kildare.
Rian Gill, team principal and lead engineer at DCU Solar Racing, said: “It’s been incredible to see the work done over the past four years and to see all the effort pay off. Timeless hours over the past 4 years have resulted in this pinnacle of Irish engineering, thanks to the support of our partners, university and the students behind the project.”
Jennifer Bruton, executive dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Computing, added: "This project showcases the practical, future-focused, boundary-pushing talent emerging from DCU. Beyond competing in international motorsport, these students are proving that sustainable transport solutions are achievable today through dedication, teamwork , multidisciplinary hands-on application, and vision."