Solar Cup 2025

On 24 May 2025, the Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia (ISSP UL) hosted the “Solar Cup” competition for the seventeenth time, promoting interest in science and renewable energy applications among students in grades 5-12. 

On Saturday morning, the event was opened by Andris Anspoks, Director of LU CFI, with encouraging words to the participants – students, teachers, as well as to the team of event organisers from ISSP UL, thanks to whom the event could take place despite the unsuitable weather conditions. 

Due to the weather, the event took place indoors, using halogen lamps as a source of sunlight. The boat discipline took place in the pool, where teams competed with their homemade floating models, while the race cars competed in speed and strength disciplines on a special track. 

The final assessment was the sum of three tests: the sketches and videos submitted, the results of the model competition, and a knowledge test in which students had to solve theoretical problems about solar energy.

In summary, the winners were the young girls from Rīgas Iļģuciema pamatskola – the team “Emi un KaTe”. The podium was rounded out by the team “R&M” in second place and“MegaNightW” in third place. The full rankings of all disciplines and the overall results can be found below. 

After the best teams had been determined in the vehicle disciplines, the teams took part in other activities. The youngsters had the opportunity to learn more about energy and energy efficiency thanks to Elektrum and the Riga Energy Agency. Exciting scientific experiments were demonstrated by the RTU Faculty of Science and Technology. In the Institute’s parking lot, guests could get to know electric cars better and watch their demonstrations thanks to the Latvian Electric Car Society. 

Solar Cup 2025 gathered 46 teams, represented by 116 students and 32 teachers, not only from Rīga and nearby, but also from further afield, such as Ventspils, Liepāja, Cēsis, Valka, Ranka, Ilūkste, Krāslava, etc.

The organisers are delighted that the event encourages young people to take a greater interest in engineering, as well as encouraging an increase in the number of future science students, which is very important for the growth of science and a brighter tomorrow. See you next year! 

Special thanks to the friends of Solar Cup – Freeport of Rīga and Rīga Energy Agency, as well as our supporters – SEB Banka, Elektrum, RIX Rīga Airport, The Latvian Electric Vehicle Association, Brain Games, Magebit, project “LACISE”, RTU Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology. 

Event organisers – ISSP UL, ISSP UL Found.

Overall Ranking

Vehicle disciplines

Boat disciplines