University of Arkansas Solar Splash Teams Gather Awards

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas Solar Splash boating teams earned several awards during the 2009 competition on Lake Fayetteville.

The university’s Team A placed fifth in the overall competition, taking second place in the qualifying portion of the race.

Team B placed sixth in the overall competition, taking first place in the outstanding solar system design and second place in the outstanding technical report portion of the race. Team B was also named the most improved team. Team B students integrated new designs for solar panels, solar energy management, batteries, motors and propulsion.

“Although most of the teams in the competition purchased commercially produced panels, our Team B students bought individual cells and designed and built their own panels and power tracker. This resulted in their winning the outstanding solar system design award,” said Roy McCann, associate professor of electrical engineering. “Many of our students are anxious to get back on the water and try to reclaim first place next year!” 

Cedarville University’s solar boat team claimed the overall Solar Splash world championship for the third year in a row. The University of New Orleans placed second, followed by the third place University of Northern Iowa team.

The event attracted crowds from around the region as the solar boats demonstrated the future of sustainable boating. Many spectators chose to watch the race from the top of the Lake Fayetteville dam or from the docks as the boats completed their laps around the lake.

In its 15th year, Solar Splash is the world's only international, intercollegiate solar electric boat design and race competition. Sixteen teams, including teams from Great Britain and Mexico, competed in this year's event, which was held from Wednesday, May 27, to Sunday, May 31, at Lake Fayetteville. This was the fourth consecutive year the University of Arkansas College of Engineering has hosted the event on Lake Fayetteville. Solar Splash is scheduled to be held on the lake again in 2010.

Each team was responsible for designing its own boat and power system. Boats were scored on appearance, how well they were built and how well they operated, in addition to their performance on the lake. Each boat was required to operate on a combination of natural and stored solar power.

During the five-day event, teams participated in five on-the-water competitive events. On-site competitions also included visual displays and workmanship. On-the-water competition included qualifying boats in low- and high-speed configurations, a 300-meter-sprint, double-elimination event, and a four-hour endurance event. The Solar Slalom, another part of the on-the-water competition, involved a combination of speed and maneuverability.