University of Michigan Solar Car Team

What University of Michigan Solar Car Team does

The University of Michigan Solar Car Team is an entirely student-run engineering organization founded in 1989 at the University of Michigan College of Engineering, headquartered at 2603 Draper Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109. The team designs, builds, and races solar electric vehicles for international competition, having produced 18 vehicles over 37 years and accumulating 10 American Solar Challenge national titles and 7 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge podium finishes, including a 2015 Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge victory. The current generation of work includes the Millennium (2025), Astrum (2023, first 3-wheel monohull), and Aevum (2022) vehicles, with the 2027 World Solar Challenge in active preparation and a 2,800-mile cross-country Solar Trek scheduled to begin May 12, 2026.

The organization is structured into 8 divisions (Aerodynamics, Electrical, Mechanical, Strategy, Vehicle Dynamics, Business, Operations, and Communications) and engages 170+ students from 15 majors. Underlying technology spans carbon-fiber monocoque chassis, trapezoid multijunction gallium-arsenide and silicon solar arrays, lithium-ion and silicon-anode battery systems, generative design and finite element analysis for mechanical parts, computational fluid dynamics for aerobody optimization, and machine-learning-enabled race strategy software. Sponsor relationships with Ford, GM, Stellantis, U.S. Steel, Roush, Siemens, TE Connectivity, and Amprius Technologies provide materials, components, wind-tunnel access, and engineering support across the 2-year vehicle build cycle.

The team operates on an approximately $1 million annual budget funded entirely through corporate sponsorship tiers (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Crew), individual donations via giving.umich.edu, and University of Michigan College of Engineering institutional support. It does not sell commercial products; instead, it monetizes via sponsorship packages that grant corporate partners brand visibility, recruiting access to top engineering talent, and association with cutting-edge sustainable-vehicle technology. Outputs include competition results, museum exhibitions at the Henry Ford Museum, Petersen Auto Museum, and other major institutions, K-12 STEM outreach, and a documented alumni pipeline into Ford, Tesla, Google, and Varda Space Industries.

Name

University of Michigan Solar Car Team

Legal name

University of Michigan Solar Car Team

Website

https://solarcar.engin.umich.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The University of Michigan Solar Car Team is a student-run organization at the University of Michigan that designs, builds, and races solar electric vehicles. Founded in 1989, it engages 170+ students from 15 majors across 8 engineering divisions and competes internationally as a top U.S. solar racing program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Solar Electric Vehicles

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Electrical and Electronic Equipment Manufacturing (336320), Motor Vehicle Steering and Suspension Components (except Spring) Manufacturing (336330)

SIC

Motor Vehicles & Passenger Car Bodies (3711)

akta.pro primary industry

Solar Design, Engineering & Performance Software (PV Modeling, Digital Twins, Monitoring) (EUAMABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Solar EPC & Construction (Utility-Scale, Rooftop, Balance of System) (EUAMABAB), Solar Quality, Testing, Certification & Standards (Lab Testing, Inspections, Compliance) (EUAMABAN)

Keywords

• Solar vehicle racing
• Student engineering programs
• Solar car manufacturing
• STEM education outreach
• Corporate sponsorship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Ann Arbor

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Sponsor Contributions: The business division communicates with executives from top companies to maintain and develop sponsor relations, handling the approximately $1 million dollar budget. Sponsors receive benefits based on their level of contribution (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Crew tiers) and all sponsors become part of the team for the full 2-year race cycle.
2. Donations: Individual donors can contribute via the University of Michigan's giving portal (giving.umich.edu) to support the team's operations and vehicle development.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The University of Michigan Solar Car Team designs, builds, and races solar electric vehicles for national and international competitions. Since its establishment in 1989, the team has built 18 vehicles, including the current Millennium car (2025), and has won 10 American Solar Challenge national championships and earned 7 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge podium finishes. The team operates through 8 engineering and business divisions with 170+ students from 15 majors.

Product overview

The University of Michigan Solar Car Team operates as an entirely student-run organization that designs, builds, and races solar electric vehicles. Their product portfolio centers on a succession of solar-powered race cars (18 vehicles built since 1989), including current models Millennium, Astrum, and Aevum. The team offers experiential engineering programs for students across 8 divisions (aerodynamics, electrical, mechanical, strategy, vehicle dynamics, business, operations, communications), and hosts endurance events including the Michigan Sun Run and Solar Trek. Their solar vehicles feature carbon fiber monocoque chassis, silicon or gallium arsenide solar arrays, and lithium-ion battery systems, achieving speeds up to 130 kph while consuming minimal power.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Millennium The team's 18th solar car (2025), representing their most minimalist design yet. Builds on the bullet car concept from Novum while embracing Quantum's simplicity and Infinium's drive for innovation. Features refined aerodynamics and aggressive structural optimization.
• Astrum The team's 17th solar car (2023) featuring first 3-wheel monohull design, lightest car ever built with brand new nose shape for optimal aerodynamics. Specifications: 5m x 1.2m x 1.0m, 4m2 silicon array, 20kg lithium ion battery pack, 2kW Mitsuba motor, three 16-inch wheels, carbon fiber monocoque chassis.
• Aevum The team's 16th solar car (2022), designed for the Michigan Sun Run with unprecedented endurance. Features high-performance battery architecture 15 times smaller capacity than consumer EVs but matching range, latest sensor suite, and 50% increased array coverage compared to Electrum using traditional silicon array.
• Solar Trek A 2,800-mile endurance trip across the United States from Troy, Michigan to Los Angeles, California. Tests innovations, engages communities, visits sponsor headquarters and other solar car teams, and prepares for the next World Solar Challenge cycle.
• Michigan Sun Run A 3,000-mile endurance run across the United States from Princeton, New Jersey to Los Angeles, California following the path of the sun from East to West Coast. Engages sponsors, communities, and media along the route.
• STEM Community Outreach Program Educational program that educates communities on alternative energy's potential, spreads solar energy usage, and inspires youth to pursue STEM careers through school visits, science center exhibitions, and interactive activities including circuit board and wind power demonstrations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10 National Championship wins at the American Solar Challenge / Sunrayce
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• U.S. SteelflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum-level sponsor providing steel materials for the solar car team's vehicle construction. Ford, General Motors, and Siemens have cited the partnership as valuable for learning and recruiting.
• RoushflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum-level sponsor providing engineering services and components. Roush is a prominent engineering and racing services company.
• Ford Motor CompanyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum-level sponsor. Ford's former President and CEO Mark Fields has publicly stated that the partnership helps Ford be more competitive in the marketplace through learning and talent interaction.
• SiemensflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum-level sponsor. Allowed the team to start the Michigan Sun Run at their USA headquarters. Provides technology and software tools for engineering design.
• University of Michigan College of EngineeringcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum-level institutional sponsor providing the team with university resources, facilities, workspace, and academic support.
• General MotorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze-level sponsor. GM historically supported the team through wind tunnel testing facilities.
• StellantiscoreTechnology or IntegrationProvided access to their Aero-Acoustic Wind Tunnel for testing Aevum at speeds over 60mph to validate CFD analyses.
• Amprius TechnologiescoreTechnology or IntegrationSupplied next-generation silicon anode batteries for Astrum in the 2023 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge. This was selected as a key technology partnership for powering the pursuit of the world's toughest solar car race.
• Kansas City Automobile MuseumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted a public exhibition of Aevum during the Michigan Sun Run, providing a venue for community engagement and education.
• Explora Science Center and Children's Museum (Albuquerque)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted the team during the Michigan Sun Run for an exhibition event featuring interactive circuit board and wind power activities, connecting with children and families.
• American Museum of Natural HistoryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided space to unload and load the solar car and park the trailer at the start of the Michigan Sun Run in New York City.
• Red BullminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCrew-level sponsor. Delivered Red Bull supplies to support the team during race events.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Solar Team Twente: Dutch university solar car team competing at BWSC with strong sponsor backing. Direct international peer in the same biennial competition cycle.
• MIT Solar Electric Vehicle Team: MIT's student solar car organization that designs, builds, and races solar vehicles for FSC and BWSC. Directly comparable multidisciplinary university program competing in the same events.
• Stanford Solar Car Project: Stanford's student-run solar car team competing in the American Solar Challenge and Bridgestone World Solar Challenge. Most directly comparable to Michigan as a top-tier U.S. university solar racing program with comparable engineering depth and biennial build cycles.
• Delft University Solar Team (TU Delft): Top Dutch university solar car team that has dominated recent BWSC Cruiser and Challenger classes. Direct international peer and the team Michigan most frequently benchmarks against for global competitive positioning.
• University of Texas Solar Vehicles Team (Sunburn): UT Austin's student solar car team competing in Formula Sun Grand Prix, American Solar Challenge, and World Solar Challenge. Comparable student-run university program in the same competition circuit.
• Kogakuin University Solar Team: Japanese university team with a long BWSC history that has consistently finished ahead of Michigan in recent international cycles. Comparable student-run solar vehicle program and direct competitor.
• University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project: Minnesota's student-run solar car project and a long-standing competitor of Michigan in the American Solar Challenge. Comparable scope, university setting, and Midwest U.S. base.
• Georgia Tech Solar Racing: Georgia Tech's student solar racing organization participating in the American Solar Challenge. Directly comparable as a U.S. university engineering team building competition solar cars.
• Purdue Solar Racing: Purdue's student solar car team with a multi-decade history of competing in American Solar Challenge and World Solar Challenge. Direct peer in scale, university setting, and competition focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/UMSolarCarTeam
• YouTubeyoutube.com/umsolar
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/umsolar
• Instagraminstagram.com/umsolar
• Facebookfacebook.com/umsolarcarteam

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about University of Michigan Solar Car Team