Sun-powered racers hit the water at Rancho Seco
Students design, build and race solar boats in SMUD’s California Solar Regatta
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- On Friday and Saturday, high school and college students from across the region and state will race full-sized, solar-powered boats they’ve designed and built themselves in SMUD’s 12th annual California Solar Regatta at Rancho Seco Recreational Area.
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WHAT: |
12th annual California Solar Regatta |
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WHEN: |
Friday and Saturday, May 2 and 3, 2025 |
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WHERE: |
Rancho Seco Recreational Area, 14960 Twin Cities Road, Herald |
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WHO: |
Hundreds of students, 16 high school and 10 college teams, SMUD representatives and other community members |
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The California Solar Regatta is part of SMUD’s longstanding commitment to helping local educators connect students with STEM concepts and career pathways, especially as SMUD aims to decarbonize the region’s power supply by 2030. Students used renewable energy and technology skills they’ve learned in school and applied them in a practical, hands-on way. This event creates a fun, exciting challenge that can help inspire students to pursue educational and career paths in STEM fields.
16 teams of high school students (375 students), as well as 10 teams of college students (148 students), have designed and built 26 solar-powered boats for this event. High school teams will compete on the first day of racing (May 2), and postsecondary college students will compete on the second day (May 3). All teams will compete in a variety of categories, including speed, slalom skill, endurance and presentation. Winners will receive a variety of prizes and the overall winner will take home a regatta cup.
The California Solar Regatta is open to the public and racing is slated for 9:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. on Friday and 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, with lunch breaks from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. both days.
More information is available at smud.org/solar-regatta.
About SMUD
As the nation’s sixth-largest, community-owned, not-for-profit electric service provider, SMUD has been providing low-cost, reliable electricity to Sacramento County for more than 75 years. SMUD is a recognized industry leader and award winner for its innovative energy efficiency programs, renewable power technologies and for its sustainable solutions for a healthier environment. In 2023, SMUD’s power supply was, on average, 78 percent carbon free, and SMUD has a goal to reach zero carbon in its electricity production by 2030. SMUD’s rates and customer bills are consistently among the lowest in California, and are today, on average, more than 50 percent lower than its neighboring investor-owned utility. For more information on SMUD’s Zero Carbon Plan and its customer programs, visit smud.org.