About ⇒ Competition
Solar Splash is an intercollegiate solar boat competition sponsored by the IEEE Power Electronics Society. This year it will be held in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The competition has several different events which showcase different aspects in the design and engineering of a solar electric boat. For offical competition informal and rules visit SolarSplash.com.
Events
Slalom
The slalom is a qualifying event with the boat in the endurnace confuration (with the endurance propulsion system and solar panels) and tests the boats manuverability. The boat weaves around several boueys as quickly as possible while maintaining care not to hit them.
Endurance
This event is a 2 hour race with the goal of completing as many laps around an approx. 1.6mile loop as possible. This tests the electrical and mechanical system's efficiency and pacing. Solar panels and lead acid batteries are used in this event with approx. half of the energy being supplied by each sourch. This event comprises the most amount of points in the competition and is a primary factor in the boat's design.
Sprint
This event is a boat drag race. The solar panels are not equipped for this event and the goal is to complete the 300 meter course as fast as possible. A different propulsion system than in endurance is used.