Northern California Solar Regatta

SMUD's Energy and Technology Center, Davis, CA, USA

ID: SSS5

Relevant Skills: mechanical design, nautical engineering, solar energy

Join us for the 5th annual Northern California Solar Regatta. The competition will take place on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at Rancho Seco Recreational Area in Herald, CA. SMUD will loan the collegiate team two solar modules that the team will then use to make a solar-powered boat. If funding is a potential issue know the boat can be as elaborate or as simple as desired. Some teams build custom carbon fiber shells while other teams build their boats out of recycled soda bottles. Additionally every team has the opportunity to earn up to $300 in stipends and the Regatta Cup winner will earn an additional $600. SMUD also provides breakfast and lunch for up to 30 people (25 registered students, 5 registered mentors), accommodations at the camp site the night before competition, and a discount at the local Port Supply. The competition is broken down into four categories: sprint, slalom, endurance, and presentation. Additional awards are also given to teams with the best artistic or su stainabl e boat, team spirit, and best video. Entry is free all teams need to do is fill out the two page application found on the Northern California Solar Regatta web page. For complete rules packet, application, and previous winners, please visit http://smud.org/workshops. This competition is a great way for students to earn hands-on sustainable engineering experience. We would love to see the first UC Davis team competing against CSU, Sacramento, CSU, Chico, and 17 more Northern California colleges.