
American Solar Challenge
Ages:Undergraduate, Graduate
Type:Performance
Categories:Energy, Engineering, STEM
Scope:National
Contact
The American Solar Challenge (ASC) is a competition to design, build, and drive solar-powered vehicles in a cross-country distance/time road rally event. Collegiate teams compete over a 1,500-2,000 mile route broken into a series of stages. Teams can enter either Single-Occupant Vehicle (SOV) class or the Multi-Occupant Vehicle (MOV) class. SOV entries are judged based on the amount of distance covered on solar power, including both the base route and optional challenge loops. MOV entries have a more complex scoring formula that includes credit for covering distance with passengers as well as the scoring of practicality features of the solar vehicle. All vehicles must meet a detailed set of regulations, pass a series of inspections, and demonstrate roadworthiness in a track qualifier (also known as the Formula Sun Grand Prix) in order to qualify for the American Solar Challenge.
Collegiate student teams design, build, and then race vehicles powered by the sun. Teams register for the event and complete a series of pre-event reports and other submissions. Upon arrival at the event, all teams and their solar vehicles go through a scrutineering process – a series of inspections of mechanical systems, electrical systems, dynamic testing, etc. Upon passing scrutineering, teams are allowed to compete in the Formula Sun Grand Prix, a 3-day track event that also serves as the qualifier for the American Solar Challenge. Solar vehicles that qualify can then participate in the American Solar Challenge. To win, teams need to successfully build a solar powered vehicle that meets the regulations, is energy efficient, and is reliable. Top teams tend to build several months of testing into their project management schedule ahead of the competition, which allows them to further develop their energy management strategy and for their drivers and support team members to gain valuable experience. During the event, teams will make decisions based on weather and energy management strategies to drive as many miles as possible, completing the base route as well as optional challenge loops.
American Solar Challenge Single Occupant Vehicle 1st Place
Fastest overall time in the single occupant vehicle class at the American Solar Challenge.
American Solar Challenge Single Occupant Vehicle 2nd Place
Second overall fastest time in the American Solar Challenge.
American Solar Challenge Single Occupant Vehicle 3rd Place
Third overall fastest time in a single occupant vehicle for the American Solar Challenge race.
American Solar Challenge Multi-Occupant Vehicle 1st Place
First overall fastest time in a multi-occupant vehicle for the American Solar Challenge.
American Solar Challenge Multi-Occupant Vehicle 2nd Place
Second overall fastest time in a multi-occupant vehicle at the American Solar Challenge
American Solar Challenge Multi-Occupant Vehicle 3rd Place
Third overall fastest time in a multi-occupant vehicle at the American Solar Challenge.
American Solar Challenge Participation
This award recognizes students for participating in the American Solar Challenge race and is available for all students who participated to gain ICS badge points and recognition for their work.
Website: http://americansolarchallenge.org/
Managing Organization: Innovators Educational Foundation
Contact:
ascinfo@americansolarchallenge.org
Eligibility:
The Event is open to institutions of higher education (university/college level). Teams from universities all around the world bring their cars to compete in these challenging events. The competition is open to both undergraduate and graduate students.
Overview
The American Solar Challenge (ASC) is a competition to design, build, and drive solar-powered vehicles in a cross-country distance/time road rally event. Collegiate teams compete over a 1,500-2,000 mile route broken into a series of stages. Teams can enter either Single-Occupant Vehicle (SOV) class or the Multi-Occupant Vehicle (MOV) class. SOV entries are judged based on the amount of distance covered on solar power, including both the base route and optional challenge loops. MOV entries have a more complex scoring formula that includes credit for covering distance with passengers as well as the scoring of practicality features of the solar vehicle. All vehicles must meet a detailed set of regulations, pass a series of inspections, and demonstrate roadworthiness in a track qualifier (also known as the Formula Sun Grand Prix) in order to qualify for the American Solar Challenge.
Process
Criteria
Awards
American Solar Challenge Single Occupant Vehicle 1st Place
Fastest overall time in the single occupant vehicle class at the American Solar Challenge.
American Solar Challenge Single Occupant Vehicle 2nd Place
Second overall fastest time in the American Solar Challenge.
American Solar Challenge Single Occupant Vehicle 3rd Place
Third overall fastest time in a single occupant vehicle for the American Solar Challenge race.
American Solar Challenge Multi-Occupant Vehicle 1st Place
First overall fastest time in a multi-occupant vehicle for the American Solar Challenge.
American Solar Challenge Multi-Occupant Vehicle 2nd Place
Second overall fastest time in a multi-occupant vehicle at the American Solar Challenge
American Solar Challenge Multi-Occupant Vehicle 3rd Place
Third overall fastest time in a multi-occupant vehicle at the American Solar Challenge.
American Solar Challenge Participation
This award recognizes students for participating in the American Solar Challenge race and is available for all students who participated to gain ICS badge points and recognition for their work.
Participate
Website: http://americansolarchallenge.org/
Managing Organization: Innovators Educational Foundation
Contact:
ascinfo@americansolarchallenge.org
Eligibility:
The Event is open to institutions of higher education (university/college level). Teams from universities all around the world bring their cars to compete in these challenging events. The competition is open to both undergraduate and graduate students.