The Solar Cup is a eco-boating competition in Temecula, California

Temecula, California

Temecula is a city in southwestern Riverside County, California, United States with a population of 100,097 according to the 2010 United States Census, making it the lowest populated American city over 100,000 population. It was incorporated on December 1, 1989...

. Paid for by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is the largest supplier of treated water in the US. The name is usually shortened to the "Metropolitan Water District" or simply "MWD". It is a cooperative of 14 cities and 12 municipal water districts that indirectly provides water to 18...

 and taking place on Lake Skinner

Lake Skinner

Lake Skinner is a large reservoir in western Riverside County, California, located at the foot of Bachelor Mountain in the Auld Valley, approximately 10 miles northeast of Temecula...

, the competition revolves around high school teams constructing solar power

Solar power

Solar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar radiation, along with secondary solar-powered resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass, account for most of the available...

ed electric boat

Electric boat

While a significant majority of water vessels are powered by diesel engines, with sail power and gasoline engines also remaining popular, boats powered by electricity have been used for over 120 years. Electric boats were very popular from the 1880s until the 1920s, when the internal combustion...

s. Boats are built from identical kits of marine-caliber wood provided by the water district, and are generally 16 feet long,and weigh about 250 pounds. The competition is inspired by the Solar Splash competition at university level.

Solar Cup begins with sign up in December, and includes a boat-building event and several workshops focusing on technical aspects such as drive trains, electrical systems, solar power collection and steering systems. Teams are also required to meet deadlines for submitting illustrated reports on these systems. In 2007 the competition was split between "veteran" (returning) and "rookie" (new) teams. The competition is a scored event, divided up into several categories: Technical Reports, Workshops, Visual Displays, Qualifying Times, Endurance Distance, and Sprint Times. Combined, all of these categories add up for a 1000 maximum possible points. Overall, 41 teams competed in 2007, and 36 teams competed in 2010.

Competition results

Past MWD Solar Cup winners
2003	Canyon High School Canyon High School (Anaheim, California) Canyon High School is a traditional four-year high school located in the Anaheim Hills community in the city of Anaheim, California and is an International Baccalaureate school. It is located on of land on Imperial Highway between the cross streets of Santa Ana Canyon Road and Nohl Ranch Road, and...
2004	Canyon High School
2005	Canyon High School
2006	Diamond Bar High School Diamond Bar High School Diamond Bar High School is located in Diamond Bar, California and is part of the Walnut Valley Unified School District. The school mascot is the Brahma, and the school colors are purple, gold, and white. Diamond Bar High School students participate in programs such as Advanced Placement and...
2007	Diamond Bar High School (veteran) Duarte High School (rookie)