{{Short description|Annual solar-powered car race for high school students}} {{Multiple issues| {{Update|date=March 2019}} {{More citations needed|date=August 2007}} }} {{Use American English|date=November 2019}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2019}} {{Infobox motor race |Race title = Solar Car Challenge |First race = 1995 |Series long = Solar Car Challenge |Location = United States |Venue = Texas Motor Speedway (even years)<ref name="CBSGeisel">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/south-florida-high-school-students-head-to-texas-motor-speedway-to-race-solar-powered-cars/|publisher=CBS News Miami|access-date=2 September 2025|date=7 July 2024|last1=Geisel|first1=Hunter|title=South Florida high school students head to Texas Motor Speedway to race solar-powered cars}}</ref><ref name="NBCDFW">{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcdfw.com/about-nbc-5/community/nbcuniversal-local-impact-grants/solar-car-challenge-foundation-shows-how-nbcuniversal-local-impact-grant-made-a-difference/3515586/|title=Solar Car Challenge Foundation shows how NBCU Local Impact Grant made a difference |last1=Walker|first1=Noelle|date=15 April 2024|access-date=2 September 2025|publisher=NBC Dallas Fort Worth}}</ref>{{br}}Cross-country (odd years)<ref name="NBCDFW"/> }}
The '''Solar Car Challenge''' is an annual solar-powered car race organized in Texas for high school students. The event attracts teams from around the world,<ref name="CBSGeisel"/> but mostly from American high schools. Originating as a class competition held in 1989,<ref name="NBCDFW"/> the first official race was held in 1995. Each event is the end product of a two-year education cycle<ref name="CBSMaugeri">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/south-florida-high-school-students-shine-at-texas-competition-with-solar-powered-car/|title=South Florida high school students shine at Texas competition with solar powered car|last1=Maugeri|first1=Steve|date=30 July 2024|access-date=2 September 2025}}</ref> organized by the Solar Car Challenge Foundation, a non-profit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/274536063|title=Solar Car Challenge Foundation|publisher=ProPublica|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250902092440/https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/274536063|url-status=live|archive-date=2 September 2025|access-date=2 September 2025}}</ref> The venue of the race typically alternates annually between being cross-country races which start at the Texas Motor Speedway and track races taking place solely at the speedway.<ref name="NBCDFW"/> Currently, this means that track races take place on even years and cross-country races on odd years, but occasionally consecutive track races are held which disrupt this pattern.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.solarcarchallenge.org/challenge/history.shtml|title=History of Solar Car Racing and the Solar Car Challenge|access-date=2 September 2025}}</ref> Most recently, in July 2025, the race took place around Texas Motor Speedway, with a cross country race across the state of Texas scheduled for July 2026.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.solarcarchallenge.org/challenge/calendar2026.shtml|title=Solar Car Challenge Calendar 2026|access-date=25 December 2025}}</ref>
==History== [[File:8day25-1.jpg|thumb|End of the 2010 Cross Country Race at the University of Colorado]] The Solar Car Challenge is an educational program aimed at engaging high school students in designing, building, and racing solar-powered vehicles. Established in 1989 by Dr. Lehman Marks, the challenge promotes science, engineering, technology, and green energy solutions among youth.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Solar Car Challenge - SolarCarChallenge - High School Solar |url=https://www.solarcarchallenge.org/challenge/ |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=www.solarcarchallenge.org}}</ref> Originally a classroom project, it has grown into a national competition featuring closed-track races at the Texas Motor Speedway and cross-country races across the U.S.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Solar Car Challenge - About the Solar Car Challenge |url=https://www.solarcarchallenge.org/challenge/about.shtml |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=www.solarcarchallenge.org}}</ref> The event collaborates with organizations supporting STEM education and renewable energy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dr. Lehman Marks {{!}} Texas Solar Energy Society |url=https://txses.org/tag/dr-lehman-marks/ |access-date=2025-02-16 |language=en-US}}</ref>
[[File:Closed Track Race 2009.jpg|thumb|Solar cars racing on the track at the Texas Motor Speedway.]]
thumb|right The 2007 The Solar Car Challenge was featured on CNN affiliate KLTV.<ref>{{cite video |people=Tracy Watler (reporter) |date=July 18, 2007 |url=http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/tech/2007/07/18/watler.solar.powered.cars.kltv |title=Racing on solar power |format=Flash |medium=television report |publisher=KLTV/CNN }}</ref> The Solar Car Challenge was named one of America's 10 most innovative education programs by ''Business Wire'' in 2003.
In July 2025, The Solar Car Challenge had their 32nd annual Solar Car Challenge at the Texas Motor Speedway.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbs42.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/825837892/solar-car-challenge-brings-teens-from-across-u-s-to-dfw-for-epic-race/|title=Solar Car Challenge Brings Teens from Across U.S. to DFW for Epic Race|last=Presswire|first=EIN|date=June 26, 2025|access-date=November 28, 2025|work=CBS 42}}</ref>
== Organization == {{Expand section|date=June 2008}}
==See also== {{Portal|Renewable energy|Cars}} * Solar car racing * World Solar Car Challenge * The Quiet Achiever, the world's first solar-powered racecar
==External links== * {{official website|https://www.solarcarchallenge.org/challenge/}}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Photovoltaics}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Solar Car Challenge}} Category:Solar car races Category:Photovoltaics Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1995 Category:Motorsport competitions in Texas