Solar Decathlon Design Challenge to Be Held in Egypt For First Time
The international competition will be hosted in AUC and will encourage students from around the world to design high-performance, low-carbon buildings using only renewable energies.
The American University in Cairo has officially launched The Solar Decathlon Design Challenge - Africa 2025 for the first time in Egypt. The decathlon is an international competition that encourages university students from around the world to design high-performance, low-carbon buildings using only renewable energies.
Held in partnership with the US Department of Energy and the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the challenge will include 10 contests that test the ability of the students to collaboratively develop zero-energy buildings, and will encourage them to address real sustainability challenges such as carbon emissions, energy consumption, affordability and community resilience. Participating students will also incorporate the latest technologies and materials when designing their projects. and will adapt these projects to the unique challenges currently facing Africa’s urban environment.
After working on their design solutions over the next year, participating teams will have the opportunity to present their initial designs to expert jurors at the virtual semi-final competition in November 2025. Finalists will be invited to compete in person at AUC in March 2026, where the Division Winners and Grand Winners will be announced.
Registration is now open, and will close on October 15th, 2025.
