What CalSol does

CalSol is the UC Berkeley Solar Vehicle Team, a non-profit undergraduate student organization founded in 1990 that designs, builds, tests, and races fully solar-powered vehicles at international competitions. The team comprises 50+ undergraduate students across engineering and humanities disciplines and operates from UC Berkeley's campus facilities in Berkeley, California. CalSol does not sell products or services; it functions as an educational and engineering platform funded entirely through corporate sponsorships, individual tax-deductible donations, and UC Berkeley platform crowdfunding campaigns such as the Spring Big Give.

The team's technical output spans 10 generations of custom solar vehicles, with the current 10th-generation vehicle Excalibur (2024) under active development for Spring 2026 competitions. Core subsystems include custom-encapsulated ultra-high efficiency solar arrays, custom-designed PCBs implementing a CAN network communication backbone, high-capacity rechargeable battery packs, solar array power point trackers, and live telemetry transmitted over amateur radio for in-race strategy optimization. Vehicles compete in three major events: Formula Sun Grand Prix (track race), American Solar Challenge (7-day cross-country), and Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (6-day race across Australia).

CalSol's go-to-market is community- and event-driven: the team recruits Berkeley undergraduates each semester through interest forms and campus outreach, participates in STEM events such as Maker Faire, Cal Day, and Discovery Days, and has been featured in earned media including the Wall Street Journal, Make Magazine, and CNET. Revenue streams include multi-tier corporate sponsorship (Platinum through Bronze) from engineering software and automotive firms (ANSYS, Cadence, General Motors, Dassault Systemes, 3M, Altair), individual donations, and crowdfunding (Spring 2025 Big Raise raised $38,151.35 in 24 hours; Fall 2025 Crowdfunding Campaign scheduled September 28–October 31). Documented technical outcomes include Zephyr (8th generation) logging 10,600+ miles, Third Degree Burner achieving 45 mi/hr on hair-dryer-class power, Afterburner II reaching 74 mph in testing, and a 2018 American Solar Challenge completed entirely under solar power.

Name

CalSol

Legal name

UC Berkeley Solar Vehicle Team

Website

https://calsol.berkeley.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

CalSol is a UC Berkeley non-profit undergraduate student organization, founded in 1990, that designs, builds, and races 10 generations of fully solar-powered vehicles in international competitions, funded by corporate sponsors, donations, and crowdfunding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Solar Racing Vehicles

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211)

SIC

Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948)

akta.pro primary industry

Robotics & Engineering Summer Camps / Bootcamps (EDAMADAF)

Keywords

• Solar vehicle racing
• Student engineering team
• Solar car design
• Clean energy education
• Renewable energy competition

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Corporate Sponsorship: Monetary and material contributions from corporate sponsors at various tiers (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze). Companies provide funding, software licenses, materials, and technical support.
2. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting student engineering education and clean energy technology development
3. Crowdfunding Campaigns: Campaign-based fundraising through university platforms such as Spring Big Give and Fall Crowdfunding campaigns

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

CalSol is a UC Berkeley undergraduate student organization that designs, builds, tests, and races fully solar-powered vehicles at international competitions including the Formula Sun Grand Prix, American Solar Challenge, and Bridgestone World Solar Challenge. The team develops custom solar arrays, battery packs, electrical subsystems, and carbon-fiber composite shells for each generation of vehicle, while providing hands-on engineering education and leadership development to its members. The organization is funded through corporate sponsorships, individual donations, and university crowdfunding campaigns rather than product sales.

Product overview

CalSol is the UC Berkeley Solar Vehicle Team, a non-profit undergraduate student organization that designs, builds, tests, and races fully solar-powered vehicles at international competitions. Their portfolio consists of 10 generations of custom solar racing vehicles, with the current 10th Generation vehicle named Excalibur. The product line includes both single-occupancy (exhibition class) vehicles like Excalibur, Zephyr, and Afterburner II, as well as the Tachyon cruiser class vehicle designed to seat 2+ people for practicality. Core technologies include custom high-efficiency solar arrays and custom battery packs, with supporting subsystems for electrical communication (CAN network), vehicle dynamics, and strategy/telemetry. The team competes in three major races: Formula Sun Grand Prix (3-day track race), American Solar Challenge (7-day cross-country race), and Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (6-day race across Australia).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Excalibur 10th Generation fully solar-powered racing vehicle featuring ultra-high efficiency custom solar array and custom battery pack; CalSol's current generation vehicle in construction for Spring 2026 competition season.
• Tachyon 9th Generation cruiser class solar vehicle designed for practicality with seating for two or more occupants; CalSol's first cruiser-class design, built for the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.
• Zephyr 8th Generation solar vehicle that competed across multiple race seasons, logging over 10,600 miles and earning first place at the 2017 Formula Sun Grand Prix.
• Impulse 7th Generation solar vehicle that competed in the 2011 World Solar Challenge in Australia and the 2012 American Solar Challenge cross-country race.
• Gold Rush 6th Generation solar vehicle and CalSol's first car with upright seating and a traditional steering wheel since the Afterburner II design.
• Beam Machine 5th Generation solar vehicle recognized for its innovative battery protection system and Best Stock Array award at the 2005 Formula Sun Grand Prix.
• Solar Bear 4th Generation solar vehicle and the first vehicle designed and built after the split of Team Stanley between Stanford and UC Berkeley.
• Third Degree Burner 3rd Generation solar vehicle with entirely redesigned interior and known for exceptional efficiency, achieving 45 miles per hour on the power of a single hair dryer.
• Afterburner II

Quantifiable outcome

• 45 mi/hr on power of a single hair dryer (Third Degree Burner efficiency)
• +3 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, supporting and minor.

• ANSYScoreTechnology or IntegrationANSYS is an American public company that develops, markets and supports engineering simulation software used in creations ranging from rocket launches to mobile devices. Provides simulation software support to CalSol for vehicle design and analysis.
• CadencecoreTechnology or IntegrationCadence is a pivotal leader in electronic design, building upon more than 30 years of computational software expertise. Provides software, hardware, and IP for design concepts.
• General MotorscoreTechnology or IntegrationGM designs and manufactures vehicles and vehicle parts, and sells financial services. Home to iconic vehicles like Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac, GM is redefining mobility and creating innovative solutions to promote a cleaner planet.
• Dassault SystemescoreTechnology or IntegrationFrench software company that produces 3D designs, 3D digital mockups and product lifecycle management software. Uses 3D universe to imagine sustainable innovations.
• SolidWorkscoreTechnology or IntegrationPart of Dassault Systemes, develops 3D design, 3D digital mock-up and product lifecycle management software. Leads global 3D CAD industry with easy-to-use software.
• Linear Technology (Analog Devices)coreTechnology or IntegrationDesigns, manufactures and markets high performance analog integrated circuits that bridge the analog world and digital electronics.
• Mechanical Engineering - UC BerkeleycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDepartment at UC Berkeley at the forefront of innovative technologies with research funded by NSF, governmental agencies and Bay Area industries.
• Patz Materials & TechnologiesmajorTechnology or IntegrationBased in Benicia, California, develops, manufactures and markets advanced composite materials and structures. Sponsored prepregnated carbon fiber, film adhesives, and technical support for Tachyon's carbon fiber shell and composite monocoque.
• AltairmajorTechnology or IntegrationGlobal technology company headquartered in Troy, Michigan, specializing in simulation, high-performance computing (HPC), and artificial intelligence. Provides software and cloud solutions.
• 3MmajorTechnology or IntegrationMultinational corporation that produces a variety of products ranging from adhesives to electronic circuits. Applies science to improve daily lives.
• Bay Area CircuitsmajorTechnology or IntegrationPCB manufacturer based in Silicon Valley for over 40 years providing PCB manufacturing for design engineering firms.
• DUNA-USAsupportingTechnology or IntegrationWorldwide market leader in production and development of foams, chemicals and equipment supporting production or application.
• Engineering Student CouncilsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepresents the engineering student body at UC Berkeley, supports engineering societies and promotes collaboration between students, faculties, societies and the College of Engineering.
• Kreysler & AssociatessupportingTechnology or IntegrationManufacturer based in American Canyon, CA, leader in use of composite materials in construction. Has worked with artists, architects and engineers to build movie sets and rehabilitate historic buildings.
• EKO InstrumentssupportingTechnology or IntegrationFounded in Osaka, Japan, designs and manufactures precision instruments for solar energy measurement, environmental science, and material analysis.
• BridgestonemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTitle sponsor of Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, the 6-day race across Australia from Darwin to Adelaide.
• Sonoma RacewaysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides racing facilities and support.
• Colab SoftwaresupportingTechnology or IntegrationSoftware company providing tools for team collaboration.
• CITRISminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormer sponsor. CITRIS (Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society) supported CalSol.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• University of Michigan Solar Car Team: One of the most decorated American university solar car programs, a consistent top finisher at FSGP and Bridgestone World Solar Challenge. Operates as a student-run design/build/race team in the same competitive category as CalSol.
• Illini Solar Car (University of Illinois): University of Illinois student-led solar car team that competes in FSGP and ASC. Directly comparable in student engineering scope and competition footprint to CalSol.
• MIT Solar Electric Vehicle Team: MIT's student-run solar EV project that builds vehicles for American Solar Challenge and World Solar Challenge. Directly comparable in mission, organizational structure, and competition footprint to CalSol.
• University of Texas Solar Car Team: UT/Texas State's undergraduate solar car team competing at ASC and Bridgestone World Solar Challenge. Comparable in organizational structure, technical scope, and competition calendar to CalSol.
• Purdue Solar Racing: Purdue University's student solar racing team, active in FSGP and ASC. Comparable in mission and volunteer-run university-club model to CalSol.
• Stanford Solar Car Project: Stanford's student-run solar vehicle team, formerly part of the joint 'Team Stanley' with CalSol before splitting in 2003. They compete in the same FSGP, ASC, and Bridgestone World Solar Challenge events, making them CalSol's most direct historical and competitive peer.
• Virginia Tech Solar Car Team: Virginia Tech's student-run solar vehicle team that races in the Formula Sun Grand Prix and American Solar Challenge circuits. Directly comparable in scale (~50+ undergraduate students) and operational model to CalSol.
• University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project: Long-running Midwest university solar car team that competes in the same World Solar Challenge and ASC events. Same student-engineering model, same core technology stack (solar array, battery pack, custom electrical systems).
• Western Michigan University Solar Car: WMU's student-built solar car program, multi-year FSGP and ASC participant. Same university-club structure, same technology stack, and same competitive calendar as CalSol.

Others

• Bridgestone World Solar Challenge: Theorganizing body of the premier international solar car race from Darwin to Adelaide, Australia; CalSol's Tachyon competed in 2019. As the governing organization that defines the competitive space CalSol operates in, it is the most relevant ecosystem participant.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/berkeleycalsol
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/calsol

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CalSol