Solar Car Challenge Inspiring a New Generation of Renewable Energy Innovators

Sami Medudula became intrigued by solar cars when he saw one at a science fair in middle school. His excitement led him to lead a team of students at Rock Hill High School in Frisco to build a solar-powered car from scratch during his senior year. Medudula’s team, along with 19 other groups of high schoolers, arrived at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth for the 2023 Solar Car Challenge.

The teams had spent at least a year and a half building their cars, with costs ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. Local sponsors provided assistance with the costs and materials for most teams. The students, although not licensed drivers, were also crucial members of the teams.

The Solar Car Challenge aims to empower teams to plan, fund, and build their projects while inspiring students to become renewable energy innovators. Prior to the race, Medudula’s team had successfully passed five out of seven safety tests and expressed their readiness to race.

Efficiency and safety were key considerations in the design of the solar cars. Aerodynamics played a significant role in the designs of the cars, as solar-powered vehicles need to be aerodynamic, efficient, and fully covered in solar panels to travel long distances. Jan Kleissl, a solar power researcher and professor at the University of California San Diego, emphasized the importance of aerodynamics in solar car design.

The Solar Car Challenge, along with similar programs, offers students the opportunity to delve into the engineering field and explore renewable energy. Lehman Marks, the founder of the Solar Car Challenge, initially sparked the idea when he and his students visited the University of North Texas and witnessed the construction of a solar car. The students were immediately captivated and eager to start building their own version.

Now, the Solar Car Challenge has grown to include 261 schools worldwide, with many schools in various stages of building cars for future races. The challenge alternates between cross-country races and races on the track at the speedway.

Marks has found it easy to sell the opportunity to high school students by appealing to their desire for a car. By asking them if they want to build and power a car with the sun and drive it at the Texas Motor Speedway, Marks has successfully inspired numerous students to participate in the Solar Car Challenge.

Overall, the Solar Car Challenge is not only a platform for high school students to showcase their engineering skills and explore renewable energy, but also a means to inspire the next generation of innovators in the field.

Learn more: EnergyPortal.eu