⚡
Clean Energy
Smarter grids, solar tooling, energy-use dashboards, and efficiency hacks.
A 24-hour hackathon at UC San Diego focused on climate and sustainability. Get a team together, build a working project over the weekend, and demo it to judges. First time hacking? You'll fit right in.
Eco Nova Hacks is a weekend hackathon for students who care about the environment. You'll form a team, pick a problem worth solving, and build a real sustainability project in 24 hours, then show it to judges on Sunday. Bring a laptop and an idea; we'll handle the food, space, and mentors.
Workshops run all weekend and mentors are around whenever you're stuck. Plenty of people here are building their first project.
Apps, hardware, data tools, research, or policy work all count, as long as it ties back to sustainability.
Talks from people working in climate and clean tech, plus time to actually meet other students between builds.
Cash and gear for the strongest projects, with separate prizes for beginners and standout design.
Pick one to focus on, or combine a few. Each track has its own prize.
Smarter grids, solar tooling, energy-use dashboards, and efficiency hacks.
Marine health, water quality, conservation data, and coastal resilience.
Recycling, reuse marketplaces, food-waste reduction, and circular supply chains.
Public transit, bike-share, EV tooling, and low-carbon logistics.
Education, carbon tracking, and tools that turn data into action.
All times PT. Subject to a few last-minute tweaks.
Runner-up
Grand prize
Third place
Any current high-school or college student, regardless of major or experience. First-timers are especially welcome.
Nothing. Eco Nova Hacks is 100% free, including meals, snacks, and swag, thanks to our sponsors.
Nope. Come solo or with friends. We'll run a team-formation session at the start so no one hacks alone.
Your laptop and charger, a student ID, and anything you need to stay comfy overnight (a hoodie, toiletries, maybe a sleeping bag).
Not necessarily. We welcome designers, researchers, and idea people. Workshops and mentors will help you learn as you build.
Yes. The entire event runs in person at the Jacobs School of Engineering at UC San Diego.
Eco Nova Hacks runs on support from companies that want to invest in the next generation of climate builders.
Registration is free and takes a couple of minutes. Space is limited, so grab a spot early.
Applications reviewed on a rolling basis · Sept 5–6, 2026 · UC San Diego