The Solar/Electric Boat Project

Norm @ 2005 Solar Splash Although I continue to be involved with both the school's Solar/Electric Boat Project, and the "Solar Splash" event; 2005 was the seventh and last year that I served as the primary advisor for the School's entry. I retired from the full time teaching faculty on July 1st, 2006. The project resumed during the 2007/2008 school year with Dr. Karen Yan as the primary advisor. I continue to be involved with the project as the secondary advisor.

Solar Splash is sponsored by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and is considered as the World Championship, Solar/Electric Boat Regatta. Students from around the world design and build solar/electric boats to compete in this event. For the purpose of this competition, the boat has to be powered by direct and stored solar energy. Photovoltaic conversion of solar energy is limited to 480 watts measured at one sun condition. System voltage can not exceed 53 VDC or AC RMS, and the source voltage cannot exceed 36 VDC from 1.0 kilowatt hour batteries. The boat has to fit into a box dimension of 6 meters in length, 2.4 meters in beam, and 1.5 meters in freeboard.

The competition lasts for four days, in which the solar/electric craft will compete in a variety of point-earning events. These events are: a sprint race, an endurance race, a maneuverability race, a technical report, and a visual information display. Before competing the boat has to pass rigid safety inspections and qualify in maneuverability and buoyancy tests.

The 2009 team has now been assembled, and early design decisions are being made. Some preliminary testing of components has also been completed.

Check out the beginning construction of the 2009 Solar Boat,

 Also check out last year's boat, the 2008 Solar Boat, as well as

 the 2005 Solar Boat and the remaining early boats continuing

 with the 2004 entry, the 2003 boat, the 2002 boat, the 2001 boat,

 the 2000 boat, and our first entry, the 1999 boat.

Return to Norm Asper's web page.