Solar Splash's Road to Competition
Northeastern Solar Splash is a student-run engineering group that designs and builds all systems of a solar-powered boat. We were very successful at our first competition, the 2011 Solar Splash World Championships in Iowa, placing 8th in the sprint event and 15th overall. Using the knowledge acquired from last year’s competition, our team redesigned most of the boat’s components and systems. One such modification we have made is the new lightweight hull designed. Another involves drivetrain improvements that allow for 50% more power. We believe that the experience from our first competition and the significant improvements made to the boat over the past year gives us the potential for a top five finish in the sprint event and a top ten finish overall, even though we are competing against many more established teams.
To demonstrate the progress we have made in the last year, we hope to compete at the Iowa competition again this year. Transporting the boat, our tools, and our team members to Iowa is a very costly endeavor, and we could use your help to ensure our ability to travel to Iowa and compete this summer.
Our Goal
We are looking to raise $2500 to help pay for our travel costs to the competition. Our goal is to be able to send 6-8 team members on the trip to Iowa. The cost of lodging will be around $1500, while the cost of gas for the trip will be around $1000.
About Solar Splash
Northeastern Solar Splash is a young, student-run engineering group that designs and builds all systems of a solar-powered boat. We offer a unique hands-on engineering opportunity to students looking to gain experience with solar power as a practical power source. We competed for our first time in 2011 and we hope to establish the group as a sustainable, long-term engineering club that will grow to become a top-tier competitor.
Our club gives rising students a chance to take what they have learned in the classroom and through cooperative education and put it to use in an alternative energy project that they can call their own, which provides an invaluable learning experience. Additionally, the exposure to solar technology means that graduates will enter the field with a working knowledge of solar technology and an interest in alternative energy development throughout the world.
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