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Feature: Irish Women in Solar – Maeve Delargy

Priscila Mc Geehan

Championing Solar from the Legal Frontline

The solar energy sector isn’t just about panels, inverters, and grid connections—it also relies on strong legal and regulatory frameworks to ensure projects can be developed successfully. Few people understand this better than Maeve Delargy, Senior Associate at Philip Lee LLP, who has been instrumental in shaping the legal landscape for solar development in Ireland.


Maeve’s journey into the renewable energy sector was, in her words, a "stroke of luck"—but it quickly became a career she couldn’t imagine leaving. Qualifying into a team specialising in environmental and planning law, she found herself at the intersection of legal expertise and climate action, aligning her professional skills with her personal passion for sustainability.

"Environmental law is the perfect career for me—it allows me to use my legal training to assist projects I truly believe in. It marries my personal passion for protecting the environment with my legal skill set. Honestly, I think I would find it hard to work in a job that didn’t align with my values."

A Key Legal Player in Ireland’s Solar Boom

Maeve has worked on some of the most significant legal deals in Irish solar, helping to shape the trajectory of the sector. One of her proudest career moments came in 2021, when she was part of the Philip Lee team advising Power Capital Renewable Energy (PCRE) on its acquisition of six ready-to-build solar farms, with a combined capacity of 240MW. More recently, in 2023, she played a crucial role in securing a €125 million project finance facility for PCRE—ensuring that these large-scale projects could move forward.

“I’ve been fortunate to work with a team that truly understands the importance of renewables. Every deal we close, every legal hurdle we overcome, brings Ireland one step closer to a clean energy future.”

The Importance of Diversity in Solar

Despite solar being one of the more gender-balanced renewable sectors, it remains male-dominated. While Maeve personally hasn’t faced major challenges due to her gender, she acknowledges that structural barriers remain, particularly around career progression and motherhood.

"Solar is more balanced than other energy industries, but it is still majority male. We face many of the same gender challenges as other industries, such as how motherhood can affect career progression. But, in saying that, I wouldn’t trade anything for the privilege of giving birth to my children and being there for their early years.”

Beyond her legal work, Maeve has been an active advocate for gender equality in the sector. She played a founding role in WISE(IR) (Women in Solar Energy Ireland)—a networking and mentorship platform dedicated to supporting women in the industry. She credits ISEA’s backing for the initiative’s rapid success, noting that 2025 could be the year we see more women on the ISEA Board of Directors.

“Diversity is key to progress. Different voices bring different solutions. It’s important that young women with big ideas for solar see themselves represented and know that they have a future in this industry.”

The Future of Solar: Legal and Policy Shifts

Looking ahead, Maeve sees massive opportunities in expanding rooftop solar and aligning Ireland with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, which mandates solar integration in new and existing buildings. She also highlights the emerging trend of agrivoltaics, where sheep farmers lease land for solar while continuing grazing—a win-win for both agriculture and energy.


One of the most exciting legal developments she’s following is the recent Coolglass judgment from Ireland’s Planning and Environment Court. While leave has been sought to appeal it, the decision has reinforced the Climate and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, creating a stronger legal presumption in favour of renewable energy projects.

“This is a shift-change. For solar developers, it means a clearer legal path forward. The judgment prioritises climate action obligations, which could make a real difference in accelerating project approvals.”

Words of Advice: Join the Solar Movement

For women considering a career in renewables, Maeve’s message is simple: solar is the place to be. The sector is growing rapidly, offering diverse career paths in engineering, legal, financial, environmental, and communications roles.

“There is no part of the sector that doesn’t need more people. Whether you’re interested in policy, finance, law, marketing, or research—solar needs you. Plus, the level of collegiality in this industry is unique. People want to help each other succeed.”

Maeve plans to continue using her legal expertise to support solar expansion in Ireland, advocate for gender diversity in renewables, and ensure more women find a place in this rapidly growing sector.

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