National Center for Construction 4.0, in cooperation with CTU in Prague and ČEZ, is organizing Hackathon 2025 „Light Up Africa“ for university students. The event will take place on April 28 – 29 2025, in Prague. The main goal of this two-day event is to design innovative solutions for powering the buildings of a Zambian secondary school with electricity from renewable sources. Participants in the Hackathon will gain not only practical experience in designing a real-world project but also mentorship from leading experts from CTU and ČEZ, valuable contacts, and the opportunity to contribute to the implementation of their solution in Kashitu, Zambia.
The Light Up Africa Hackathon will focus on designing a rooftop photovoltaic system tailored to local climatic conditions, building orientation, structural requirements, and the possibility of connecting to the unstable local power grid. The best design will not remain just a theoretical concept—the winning project will be implemented this year in practice, specifically in Kashitu, approximately 230 km north of the Zambian capital, Lusaka. Since 2018, students from across the Czech Republic have been helping to build a secondary school for 250 students in this region.
„The Light Up Africa Hackathon is a unique opportunity for students who want to not only develop their technical skills but also contribute to a real-world project with an international impact. We are looking for motivated students who want to shape the future of energy and sustainability,“ says Radoslav Sovják, Director of the National Center for Construction 4.0.
„Among our employees, you will find hundreds of CTU graduates, and we have a long-standing partnership with the university. The Hackathon combines several areas that we consider priorities: renewable energy sources, support for young talent, and sustainability, all with an international dimension,“ stated Michaela Chaloupková, Member of the Board and Director of the Administration Division at ČEZ. In addition to the expertise of its specialists, ČEZ will also provide financial support for the construction of the photovoltaic system on the school buildings.
Registration and Participation
Students of technical disciplines with an interest in photovoltaics, renewable energy sources, structural engineering, and construction can apply for the competition. Registration is open until March 13, 2025, with training and team formation taking place on April 23 2025, with the possibility of online participation. Each participant must bring their own laptop, while other necessary tools and software will be provided.
All details can be found on the Hackathon’s official website.
Students will work under the guidance of experienced experts from ČEZ and CTU. Following the Hackathon, a photovoltaic systems training program will be held in 2025 for professionals from Zambia and Lesotho. This initiative connects academic and industrial sectors, contributing to the long-term sustainability and development of renewable energy sources in developing countries.
Register for the competition here.
