Irish Women in Solar – Ireland’s Voice in Brussels

This month’s Irish Women in Solar feature is a little different, and extra special. We’re celebrating three exceptional Irish women whose work in Brussels is helping to shape the future of solar energy across Europe.

Bethany Meban, Thérèse O’Donoghue and Lily Murdoch are part of SolarPower Europe’s communications team, the organisation representing more than 300 members across the European solar value chain. Together, they’re amplifying the voice of solar in EU policymaking, bringing Irish creativity, conviction, and collaboration to the heart of the energy transition.

From Ireland to Brussels: Three Paths, One Purpose

Their routes to Brussels may have been different, but their shared purpose is clear: to communicate change that matters.

Bethany Meban, Head of Press & Policy Communications, has led SolarPower Europe’s press engagement and policy strategy since 2021. Before joining, she worked with the UK Mission to the EU supporting Brexit and trade negotiations, following a traineeship with the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels.

“When you’re a communicator, it’s important that you can really believe in the stories you’re telling – as my career progressed, that’s something that’s become non-negotiable. Solar is cheap, democratic, and fights the climate crisis. What’s not to love?”

Thérèse O’Donoghue, Press and Communications Advisor, joined SolarPower Europe after a career spanning public affairs, think tanks, and policy work at Ibec and Áras an Uachtaráin. Her role focuses on media relations, storytelling and ensuring the solar message cuts through the noise of Brussels policymaking.

“I think my personal moral convictions intensified as I progressed through my 20s on all topics, but especially in relation to climate change. Working for an organisation with an ethical foundation became a non-negotiable. My personal values aligned with SolarPower Europe’s goals to ensure the optimal policy framework for rolling out solar and ultimately speeding up the energy transition.”

Lily Murdoch, Digital and Brand Manager, oversees the association’s digital communications and visual identity. Since joining in 2022, she’s transformed SolarPower Europe’s social channels, launched the Shine on Policycast podcast, and brought the Solar for Europe campaign to life ahead of the 2024 EU elections.

“Coming from Ireland, we get to see some of the most incredible natural beauty our planet has to offer. I have always felt passionate about protecting that by combatting climate change. Solar energy has a beautiful story to tell. It is energy that is close to the people; energy that is affordable, secure, and clean. With solar, we can combat the climate crisis while also offering benefits to society which is a win-win.”

Milestones that Mattered

Each of these women has already left a mark on Europe’s energy conversation.

Bethany helped lead the #YesTo45RES campaign, uniting ten organisations to successfully push the EU to raise its 2030 renewables target to 45%.

“Back then we were still talking about just being able to mainstream renewables in energy policy, so it was a real challenge. We achieved the target, albeit on a technicality – 42.5 % binding + 2.5 % indicative – but I’d like to think our campaign helped keep the momentum for renewables going.”

Thérèse spearheaded communications during SolarPower Europe’s Chairpersonship of the Electrification Alliance, coordinating high-level engagements with the European Commission and Parliament. Her efforts helped secure a commitment for an EU Electrification Action Plan, now expected in early 2026.

“There were a lot of memorable moments – getting a commitment from the European Commission to publish an Electrification Action Plan in President von der Leyen’s Mission Letter, and organising events in Strasbourg with MEPs. I think we made a huge impact in pushing electrification to the top of the EU agenda.”

For Lily, the highlight was leading the Solar for Europe campaign – a creative push to put solar at the centre of the EU elections. The campaign’s giant “sun” outside the European Parliament became one of Brussels’ most memorable visuals.

“The campaign involved promoting our solar manifesto in the lead-up to the EU elections and encouraging our sector to get out and vote. Post-elections, we ran an awareness campaign through our first solar magazine, The Sun Times. I’m proud that our efforts were recognised by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and that SolarPower Europe won ‘Effective Voice of the Year 2024’ – it showed that creative storytelling can truly move policy.”

Ireland’s Solar Potential – From Fields to Futures

Despite their work at the heart of EU policymaking, all three remain deeply connected to home, and to Ireland’s growing solar landscape.

“We’re a farming island – when I think of all those shed roofs, I think about the solar panels that could go on them!” says Bethany. “As Ireland warms, I hope farmers are able to take advantage of agrisolar.”

That vision is already being realised across the country. Projects like Power Capital’s Beaulieu Solar Farm in County Louth – where solar generation co-exists with grassland farming – and Cork farmer Michael Quirk’s pioneering agri-PV model show how Irish landowners are turning climate ambition into practical innovation.

“Rooftop solar and agrisolar definitely show huge potential for growth in solar energy in Ireland,” agrees Thérèse. “There’s already so many solar farms in my home County of Cork alone!”

Lily adds, “Perhaps an area for growth is through energy-sharing initiatives and community engagement. We must fight the myth that solar is only for the wealthy – there are so many examples of solar projects that are powering entire communities while improving biodiversity and supporting businesses.”

As SolarPower Europe EU Solar Jobs and Skills Report 2025 highlights, solar growth could create more than one million European jobs by 2030 – but only if the right skills are in place.

That focus on workforce development is mirrored at home through initiatives such as the Solar Ireland Hackathon, launched this year at Solar Ireland’s annual conference, to unite students, engineers, and innovators in tackling real-world solar challenges. For Bethany, Thérèse and Lily, those efforts reflect exactly what Europe needs more of: collaboration, creativity, and practical pathways into a green-energy career.

Women at the Heart of the Solar Revolution

The solar sector has made major strides toward gender balance – but Bethany, Thérèse, and Lily agree there’s still more to do.

“From a moral point of view, it’s just the right thing to do,” says Bethany. “Solar will be the biggest electricity provider sooner than we think, and no matter how you identify, you have a right to be a part of that.”

“We need gender parity across all sectors, simply put,” adds Thérèse. “It’s about fairness, representation, and bringing in more diverse and unique perspectives.”

Lily, who sits on SolarPower Europe’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) team, sees that change happening day by day:

“While solar is leading the way on gender equality, at most industry events there’s still a big lack of female representation. Our DEI team works on a strategy to ensure we keep progressing and set an example for the sector as a whole.”

Their message is clear: representation matters, not just symbolically but practically. A diverse energy workforce leads to better outcomes, smarter design, and stronger community trust. And this same conviction also fuels their optimism for the future.

Whether through press, policy, or digital storytelling, these three women are shaping how Europe – and Ireland – understand solar energy.

Bethany hopes to “keep telling the sector’s stories and reaching people outside the energy bubble.” Thérèse wants to “spread the solar message everywhere, from Brussels press rooms to conversations with family at home.” And Lily aims to “keep creating content that inspires hope. In times of uncertainty, solar gives people something positive to believe in.”

Role Models and Inspiration

When asked about role models, their answers reflect the values they bring to their work: resilience, authenticity, and empathy.

“The women in my family have always been a big inspiration,” says Bethany. “They’ve shown me what’s possible with a lot of hard work and a little bit of humour.”

Thérèse adds, “I’ve been lucky to have been surrounded by a lot of great mentors and role models. I’m always in awe of how accomplished my closest friends are in their careers.”

Lily agrees: “Above all, my mum and dad. My dad has instilled in me a strong work ethic, while my mum has empowered me to challenge traditional ideas of what it means to be a woman in the world.”

It’s a reminder that mentorship comes in many forms, and that empowering others is one of the most powerful forms of leadership.

Ireland’s Influence in Europe’s Solar Story

From leading campaigns to shaping messages that reach millions, Bethany, Thérèse, and Lily are proving how Irish voices are driving Europe’s clean-energy transition.

Their belief in inclusion and their passion for communication go hand in hand. They see solar not just as an energy source, but as a movement built on diverse voices and shared purpose. Through their work, they’re making that movement accessible to everyone, from policymakers to the public, defining Europe’s solar story and ensuring Ireland’s voice shines brightly at its heart.

Irish Women in Solar is Solar Ireland’s ongoing series celebrating the leadership and impact of women driving Ireland’s – and Europe’s – solar transition. Are you or do you know a remarkable Irish woman in Solar? Reach out to Priscila.