General information

The Hessen SolarCup is a competition for model vehicles and boats powered by solar energy.

The main aim is to arouse and promote interest in technically-oriented training.

At the Hessen SolarCup, children and young people experience the application of technology with solar energy. The focus is on energy efficiency and sustainability. Self-built, solar-powered model vehicles and boats compete against each other in the Hessen SolarCup. The winner is the one who uses the sun's energy most efficiently. The focus is on teamwork.

Pupils in Years 3 and 4 work in teams to build a solar-powered boat equipped with identical drive components. The hull of the boat is made according to their own designs. In up to three races (depending on the weather), five of them sail simultaneously from edge to edge (4 meters) and back again on a water surface of 4x10 meters. A documentation with pictures from the construction phase will be evaluated according to a fixed points system, as will the design and construction. Each team also produces a poster on a specified topic, which is taken into account in the overall assessment. The boats of the teams that have collected the most points overall with the driving results and the other assessments will lead the field. The Wassererlebnishaus offers further training on building solar boats and integrating them into lessons.

In teams of at least 2 to a maximum of 4 pupils (SuS), solar-powered ultralight mobiles are developed and built. Two posters are created for each team. The first poster describes and documents the considerations for building the model. The second poster is designed on a special, changing theme. There are two separate evaluation classes: First, students in grades 5 through 8 (WK I) and second, students in grades 9 through 13 and apprentices. The design and choice of components (solar cells, motor, gearbox, changeover mechanism, chassis) are free. The size of the solar cell area of a maximum of 276 cm² is mandatory. A third discipline will be added from 2022: the modular class. The framework conditions are the same as for WK I, but a specific motor/gearbox unit must be installed. The students are allowed to build the vehicles at home.

At the competition on Königsplatz, an endless/round track with lanes and guide grooves is set up on which the races take place. The race results, the construction of the ultra-light solar-powered vehicles and the posters are judged.

Further training is regularly offered by the Kassel state education authority.

Teams are formed within a working group, school class or project seminar. Each team, consisting of at least 2 participants, designs and builds a SolaRobot and creates 2 posters.

In addition to the actual robot team, support from the whole working group, class or seminar as a spectator is very welcome. All SolaRobots have a microcontroller and can be supplied with energy via a buffer battery. The solar cell array (as vehicle roof) may have a maximum dimension of 15cm x 20cm. The vehicles should be designed and built by the teams according to their own designs and experiments. SolaRobots built on the basis of kit robots will also be accepted. In addition to the poster documenting the SolaRobot, each participating team will design and produce a further poster on a special, changing theme.

Apprentices and high school students design and build remote-controlled solar mobiles as a team. The remote-controlled models are built according to individual ideas. All models have solar panels to supply them with electrical energy. The models compete against each other on a course at the Hessen SolarCup on Königsplatz in Kassel. Constantly evolving regulations in this discipline ensure that the participating teams always face new challenges. The remote-controlled solar mobiles are relatively cost-intensive to develop and build and are located where companies train apprentices (electrotechnical and related professions, mechatronics engineers, industrial mechanics, etc.). Teachers at vocational schools cooperate with the training departments of the relevant companies. In addition to the number of laps driven, the evaluation to determine the best includes documentation and presentation, technology and design as well as a technical discussion. The focus is on technology and innovation. Each team also designs a poster on a special, current topic from the field of renewable energies and energy efficiency.