Welcome to the Solar Car Challenge web site!

The Solar Car Challenge was established in 1993 to help motivate students in science and engineering, and to increase alternative energy awareness. The Challenge teaches high school students around the world how to build roadworthy solar cars.

The Solar Education Program provides a safe environment for teams to display their solar cars. On alternating years, we share the fun of the world-famous Texas Motor Speedway or drive cross-country to share their projects with millions of people.

The 2026 Solar Car Challenge is a cross-country event starting at the Texas Motor Speedway in a tour around Texas. Come share the fun... meet the kids and see their solar cars. For more information, see the Calendar.

Solar Car Challenge wins 2025 AI's Non-Profit Organization Award

The Solar Car Challenge Foundation has been named the most inspirational STEM initiative - USA for 2025 in Acquisition International's 5th annual Non-Profit Organization Awards. The program is designed to honor and celebrate the exceptional work carried out by non-profit organizations worldwide. (Link)

Solar Car Challenge wins 2024 D CEO Award for Innovation in Education

"The Solar Car Challenge Foundation has had an outsized impact, working with 75,000 students to promote science, engineering, and alternative energy. Staffed completely by volunteers, the organization has enough history in the region to have a board made of former students who participated in the program and has 261 ongoing projects in 39 states and five countries." (Link)

Solar Car Challenge wins 2023 NBCUniversal Foundation Award

The Solar Car Challenge Foundation has been recognized by the NBCUniversal Foundation to receive a Local Impact Grant for our commitment to make a positive difference in the North Texas Education Community. Specifically, we were commended for our efforts to improve STEM Education and Youth Empowerment. (Press Release) NBCDFW covers the impact made with the NBCUniversal Foundation Local Impact Grant - check out the news report.

Technology & Learning Magazine Names The Solar Car Challenge One of America's Top 10 Most Innovative Education Programs

Choosing 10 top projects from the hundreds, thousands, and probably millions out there is, of course, nearly impossible. In the end, Technology & Learning editors settled on a mix: some are high-end and cutting edge, others are more accessible to novice technology users, and still others are old favorites that have evolved over the years. Despite the somewhat eclectic selection you'll find here, common elements include authenticity, collaboration, and the use of critical thinking skills, global implications, in-depth investigations, and a very high student motivation and engagement factor. All in all, we hope you'll find the following projects compelling, worthy of emulation, and exciting examples of ways 21st century technologies are reinventing the concept of "school." (more info)