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ISA–GRIHA hosted competition · Integrating Solar in Urban Network

Build for the islands the climate crisis hits first.

A global student design challenge for buildable, replicable solar architecture across Small Island Developing States.

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island coastline, solar-integrated
architecture (BIPV roofs / shading),
warm dusk light
Registration opens 1st September 2026

About the i-SUN Challenge

Solar architecture where resilience is survival.

i-SUN mobilises architectural creativity and solar technology to deliver buildable, replicable renewable-energy architecture for Small Island Developing States. Across three real island sites, student teams — paired with a practising architect and a solar-industry partner — design for a solar-rich, fuel-scarce, climate-exposed context where resilience is survival. Open to architecture and engineering institutions worldwide.

Read the full design brief →
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BIPV / passive-design features
on an island building

The island sites

One real site. Three candidate nations.

Participants select their site during registration. Drawings and climate data unlock after registration, per team code — a one-page teaser per site is public below.

Key dates

From launch to the Grand Jury.

Interim dates Phase 1 shortlist announced — November 2026 (at COP31) · Phase 2 window — Dec 2026 to Jan 2027 · Grand Jury — 11 March 2027, ISA Foundation Day, New Delhi

Recognition

A total prize pool of to be announced for winners and runners-up.

Trophies, jury citations, and publication in the Winners' Compendium. Full breakdown on the Prizes page.

View full prizes
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