Inspired by the inaugural GM Sunrayce USA in 1990, a group of UMN students came together to establish the Solar Vehicle Project and create our first car, Aurora. Our first competition was the 1993 GM Sunrayce USA, and we haven’t stopped building and racing solar cars since. Over the years, the UMN Solar Vehicle Project has evolved, gaining knowledge and numbers. We have successfully built and raced 15 solar cars and moved into the cruiser class of vehicles, a larger and more practical class with practicality in mind.
In October, our team achieved a historic second-place finish in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, making us the highest placing American University team in the event’s history, tied only with Michigan in 2017. Furthermore, we are honored to have received the Eberle-Selwood Championship Arrow Cup, which places us as the most consistently competitive solar racing team in the world for the 22’-23’ race cycle.
From designing and building our motors to sewing seat covers, we pride ourselves on being one of the few teams that builds our cars from the ground up. We are almost entirely student-run, so it's only with the help of generous donors like you that our team can continue.
Join us in our mission today so we can continue the legacy that began with Aurora I. Your contributions directly give UMN students an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in their fields of interest, and to be a part of a community of driven individuals passionate about the future of renewable energy. For this campaign, we are asking for your help in funding the next build cycle for our 16th solar car, and supplies for our next race this summer, the 2024 American Solar Challenge.
https://crowdfund.umn.edu/campaign/SolarChallenge2024