Minnesota Student Teams Gear Up for Solar Boat Regatta

The Minnesota Renewable Energy Society’s Annual Solar Boat Regatta returns to Lake Riley in Eden Prairie on Saturday, May 16. The free, family‑friendly gathering invites spectators to bring grills, picnic baskets and lawn chairs for a day on the beach. Teams from middle and high schools across the state have built or adapted boats to run solely on solar power.

- Fourteen teams will compete, representing both middle and high school grades. - The regatta features three race formats: speed, slalom and endurance. - Boats convert sunlight to electricity using photovoltaic panels; the power is stored in a battery or used directly to drive an electric motor, with no other power source permitted. - The event’s goal is to educate students about solar energy, design and engineering.

Hands‑on projects like these reinforce classroom lessons in renewable energy and stimulate interest in STEM careers. Community attendance highlights local support for clean‑energy initiatives and provides a platform for student innovation. Organizers note that participation has grown steadily over recent years, reflecting broader youth engagement with sustainability topics.