The Solar/Electric Boat Project
2005 was the seventh year that the Department of Engineering at The College
of New Jersey formed a team of students to design and build a
solar/electric boat to compete in "Solar Splash", the World
Championship, Solar/Electric Boat Regatta. For the purpose of this
competition, the craft had to be powered by direct and stored solar energy.
Photovoltaic conversion of solar energy was limited to 480 watts measured
at one sun condition. System voltage coouls not exceed 53 VDC or AC RMS,
and the source voltage could not exceed 36 VDC from 1.0 kilowatt hour
batteries. The craft had fit into a box dimension of 6 meters in length,
2.4 meters in beam,1.5 meters in freeboard, and 1 meter in draft.
The competition lasted for four days, in which the solar/electric craft
competed in a variety of point-earning events. These events were; a sprint
race, an endurance race, a maneuverability race, a technical report, and
a visual information display. Before competing the boat had to pass rigid
safety inspections and qualify in maneuverability and buoyancy tests.
Previous Entries: 2005, 2004 , 2003 , 2002 , 2001 , 2000 , 1999
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