Solar-Electric Powered Boat on Course

A team of academics and students at the University of Southampton are building a solar-electric-powered boat to compete in next year’s Solar Splash Boating event, (Arkansas, 9-13 June), which tests technical capability as well as speed, manoeuvrability and endurance.

Led by Dr Peter Wilson at the University’s School of Electronics and Computer Science, Team ‘Tarka’ is seeking collaboration with local businesses interested in ’green’ boats or buildings, aerospace, engineering or general manufacturing. In 2009 a number of companies sponsored key elements of the boat, with the team bringing home awards for the ‘Rookie Team with the Highest Overall Score’ and ‘top teamwork’, ‘sportsmanship’, and a top three finish in the qualifying event, resulting in qualification as one of the ‘elite’ boats for 2010.

This year the team are also hoping to get support at a different level: “Last year, we managed to produce a boat which was simple and light,” said Dr Wilson. “This year, due to our new laboratory facilities, carbon
fibre expertise and our advances in solar-powered technology, we can invest in a more professionally engineered boat aiming to be one of the most sophisticated solar-powered boats ever designed within the constraints of the Solar Splash competition.

” For further information contact: Dr Peter Wilson, Electronic Systems and Devices Group, School of Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton, Tel: 023 8059 4162, email prw@ecs.soton.ac.uk