Solar Boat Design Challenge
May 2020
Join our new Solar Boat Design Challenge!
Due to COVID-19 and our concern for the safety of regular program participants, we have canceled our annual 2020 Solar Boat Regatta, but it will be back next year!
Instead, we’re introducing the first ever Solar Boat Design Challenge to spark your imagination and showcase your creativity!
Solar boat design by Joe Mcdonnell
Overview
What is the Solar Boat Design Challenge?
Design the solar boat of your dreams! This challenge invites you to use your imagination. Describe your vision and create a drawing or model of your idea - there are no limits!
Find inspiration—Who’s your boat for? Does it have a special purpose or mission? What’s it made of? How far can it travel? Check out inspirational videos in our resource section, practice sketching ideas and invent your own solar boat.
All are welcome. Work alone or in teams - recruit friends and family!
Trophies awarded for 1st and 2nd place winners in all four participant categories.
Designs showcased on the MRES website!
4 Participant Categories
Watts — Students 6-12 years old
Kilowatts — Students 13-18 years old
Megawatts — Solo designer or groups, ages 19-forever
Gigawatt — Families or Groups of any ages
Check out our resources page for inspiration!
Art credit to Joe Mcdonnell
Deadlines
May 1 - June 15, 2020 — Submissions accepted
June 9, 2020 — Winners announced
Design Objectives
1) Design a zero-emission solar powered boat.
All contestants will design a solar powered boat that makes direct use of the sun’s radiation to move the boat through water. The onboard solar panels—or PV (photovoltaic cells)—will transform the sun’s radiation into electrical energy that runs a motor that turns a propeller that moves your boat.
OPTION: Incorporate other onboard renewable energy sources in addition to solar, such as wind, small hydro, concentrated solar or other innovative energy ideas.
2) Incorporate onboard energy storage (batteries) that will extend the time your vessel can operate on gray or cloudy days.
OPTION: Incorporate other new or inventive onboard energy storage technologies in addition to batteries.
3) For EXTRA POINTS:
Reduce your solar boat’s impact on the environment by design choices you make, such as materials used, source of materials, system efficiency, waste reduction, etc.
Presentation Requirements
1) Create a Visual Presentation of your concept boat in any form you choose:
A picture of your concept boat—hand-drawn OR digital, using photoshop, etc.
Option: A photograph of a 3-D model of your concept boat
2) Write a Description — journal notes, descriptive labels or a video to explain:
key features of your design
who and/or what inspired you
your design’s attention to the environment (for extra points)
your boat’s performance expectations (appearance, speed, endurance, etc.)
your idea creation process
3) Give Your Boat a Name
Submit your Presentation
Submit digital images of your artwork and your description to MRES to enter the contest. Please title your documents “Solar Boat Design Challenge_(your name)” and also use this as the subject heading of your email.
Complete the submission form when you are ready to submit your design!
(You’ll need to enter the names of participants and an adult contact)