Solar District Cup

The Solar District Cup Class of 2025-2026 is a national collegiate competition administered by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), funded by the DOE Solar Energy Technologies Office. This program encourages multidisciplinary student teams from accredited U.S.-based institutions to design and model solar-plus-storage systems for defined districts or campuses. Each participating team assumes the role of a renewable energy developer and is tasked with preparing a comprehensive project proposal that optimizes energy generation and financial performance using distributed solar energy solutions. The competition promotes real-world learning by having students create project development plans, technical system designs, and financial analyses for assigned or self-selected district use cases. These use cases simulate mixed-use districts—geographic areas served by common electrical distribution feeders and featuring a range of spaces suitable for photovoltaic (PV) installations. These spaces may include rooftops, façades, parking lots, open land, water bodies, and more. Teams may either be assigned a district use case or compete in a division where they define their own, provided sufficient data on electricity load and site characteristics is available. Participants in the Solar District Cup receive professional training and support throughout the competition. NREL and partner organizations offer industry-leading tools and mentorship to enhance student proficiency in solar development practices. Student teams prepare and submit deliverable packages at multiple points throughout the competition, with the full-year track including a Progress Deliverable Package in December and a Final Deliverable Package in April. Teams on a condensed Spring semester schedule submit only the final package. These packages are evaluated by panels of judges from the industry and district partners, who score proposals based on design innovation, financial viability, development strategy, and alignment with district goals and constraints. Winning proposals are those that demonstrate superior understanding of technical and economic solar system planning. Judges assess how effectively the conceptual system design addresses infrastructure limitations, leverages battery storage, and integrates aesthetic and community needs. Financial analyses must be rigorous, well-justified, and demonstrate favorable rates of return and customer savings over the system’s lifecycle. Development plans must show clear pathways to implementation, considering construction feasibility and local regulations. Eligibility is limited to teams of at least three students enrolled at accredited U.S.-based colleges or universities. Students must be enrolled in at least one class during the competition and may not have graduated before the fall semester immediately preceding the final event. Participation is inclusive across academic disciplines and years of study, though the challenge is designed to suit upper-level undergraduates. Faculty advisors and external mentors are encouraged but not mandatory. Teams certify eligibility by uploading their deliverables and may be disqualified if ineligible status is discovered. The 2025-2026 competition launched on July 9, 2025, with registration for the full academic year closing on September 26, 2025. A second registration period for Spring-only teams opened on December 23, 2025, and closes on January 16, 2026. Final deliverables are due by April 17, 2026, with judging, presentations, and winner announcements taking place between April 18 and April 30, 2026. As a recurring competition, the Solar District Cup continues to serve as a gateway for students to develop practical skills in renewable energy design and to explore careers in the growing solar sector.