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 2023 Solar Car Challenge, hosted by Oncor and Lockheed Martin, is a cross-country event from Fort Worth, Texas to Palmdale, California. Come share the fun... meet the kids and see their solar cars.

Solar Car Challenge wins NBCUniversal Foundation Project Innovation Grant Challenge

The NBCUniversal Foundation, NBC 5 and Telemundo 39 are pleased to recognize the Solar Car Challenge as one of the winners of the 2018 Project Innovation Grant Challenge. Project Innovation grant winners are elected for Igniting Civic Engagement, Skills for the Digital Economy and STEM/STEAM Youth Programming. Valari Staab, President, NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations says, "Our 2018 Project Innovation winners all have a profound dedication for their communities. We’re excited to celebrate the outstanding groups that are standing at the front lines every day, working hard to spur real change in their communities and foster our next generation of innovators. We look forward to working with all the local groups to help move our communities forward."

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)