Team of 2–4 · Model car, showcase display, race trials, and possible interview
Solar Racer
Your team builds a solar-powered model car and documents how it performs.
What you make or do
- Build a model car that runs on solar power and also supports the specified battery setup for indoor conference races.
- Create a showcase display with the car's name, engineering design process, drawings, components list, and a run log with at least five runs.
- Record three videos showing the car traveling twenty meters using solar power alone, without batteries in place. Provide an accessible QR-code link to the videos on the display.
This year’s challenge
For 2027, conference racing uses a model solar track placed on top of carpet. The guide requires the conference races to run indoors on two supplied AA batteries, while your videos demonstrate solar-only operation.
How the competition works
Before the event
Build and test the car, record the three solar-power videos, and complete the display and required records before the conference.
First round
After inspection, qualifying cars receive time trials. The fastest entries move to display/model judging and head-to-head races within the preliminary round; those combined results determine semifinalists.
If you advance
At least two team members take part in a five-minute interview about solar power and how the car was made.
Know before you choose: This entry includes a display and three solar-only videos as well as a car. The current update says no official car kit or parts are specified; read it with the guide's component limits.
How your work is scored
Time trials decide which entries continue to display/model judging and head-to-head races. Display/model and race scores select semifinalists, whose interview score also contributes to the final result.
Read the full 2027 theme or preparation information
Check official rule updates
Solar Racer
8/27/25
Pre-Conference
E. Solar Paneling
3. No official car kits or parts are specified for the event
Official files to keep
- Download the full event guide (PDF)
- Download the official rubric or score sheet (PDF)
- Download the general rules (PDF)
- Download the complete guide with the forms appendix (PDF)
Read the guide, current challenge, and updates together. This overview helps you choose; the official documents give the full requirements.
Guide evidence: 285–295. Annual sources checked September 10, 2026. These are national competition rules; your teacher will confirm any regional or state changes.
Interested in this event?
Use the notes sheet to check what this choice would involve.
Start my competition notes